The "Newest" Moms Hangout...

[harleyquinn]

Both sides each time; I was told by the lactation consultants in the hospital to do it this way. I would be walking around leaning to the side if I didn't!

I do alternate which side is first. DD has gotten faster as she has gotten older. She was at about 15-20 minutes (usually closer to 20) each side at the beginning, and now will go about 8-10 minutes each side.


Everyone's baby pics are so cute! We have the best-looking babies on this thread!

Sweet, this is what I normally do. We went through a bit where Lily decided to hang out on one for like 20-25 minutes and then not take the other, but she's over that.

Last night was pretty bad. She fed every hour from midnight to 6 am. If she was a bit older I would have chalked it up to a growth spurt.

I was doing one side per feeding and alternating per the lactation consultant though after discussing it with my midwife i started with both at each feeding. This seems much more comfortable and Allison is gaining weight just fine. I guess one reason they tell you to only do one is that you want to make sure that the baby gets the hind milk because that is where the fat is. If you switch too quickly, the baby will only get the foremilk from each breast. I usually switch after about 10 minutes or so though I always wait for her to stop by herself before switching. Sometimes she will suck as long as 20-25 minutes on one side. It is hard to say.

Good luck. Don't give up! It does get easier!!!

We're actually doing very well. I'm still using the breast shields, which I know is a no no, but she is doing so well, I don't think it's a problem. She pooping/peeing a million times a day. We don't see the dr again for a month--it sucks not to be able to weigh her!

Hi girls! Its been a long time since I have been on here, and I have missed it! I gave birth to Zander James on June 23rd but have been so disorganized since that I haven't really felt like posting yet. I have been working feverishly at getting the hang of breastfeeding and after having three weeks of diflucan, I think we now have it down. (BTW, I nurse on both sides mostly. Zander sometimes only nurses on one side in the middle of the night because he falls asleep). I think now that I have the breastfeeding thing down, he seems to have colic. He's not a very happy baby compared to my dd so I am frustrated. He had been going four hours in between feedings since birth but the Lactation Consultant wanted me to increase the number of feedings in a day which meant I had to decrease the time in between and I think that has been a mistake. So now I only get about two hours of sleep at a time after he finally gets done nursing at night. Anyway-sorry to vent on my first post as a "new" mom but I am so sleep deprived and frustrated that I had to let some steam off!

Everyone's children are so darn cute! And its so great to see the pics of the babies that I heard so much about over at the moms to be thread!

Dannysmom-the twins are so adorable! I am sending prayers your way that things turn around for them and that they get to come home soon! I am sure it must be tough on you!

I wonder about the shortened times too. It seems more natural to let the baby tell us when they want to feed (as long as they're healthy and not overly sleepy due to jaundice or something). We were told to wake her during the day, but not at night...she always feeds more at night, even with us doing this. It's frustrating.

...my MIL is officially very angry at me.
She asked DH to bring Lucas out today and he said "Okay, but I don't knowif Patsy will be up to it after the surgery." This was before my surgery and I was in the room when the conversation took place.
Well, the way they took my gallbladder out I have 4 incisions. One is on the bottom/inside area of my belly button. The entire area around my belly button and below it is bruised and painful. I figure it re-aggravated the muscles/nerves that still weren't fully healed from the c-section. So I decided to pass and stay home in bed and try to heal up a little better since I'll be by myself with Lucas again on Monday.
She is LIVID!
Apparently I should "Pop some pain pills and get out there."
It's an hour drive, one way, on country, windy roads. Not a fun car trip at all!! Then she started telling Tom that after her hysterectomy she was up and moving in two days.
I know I should just ignore it but I'm so irritated with this lady. Technically I could have said "Honey, stay with me, I'm still sick" but at least DH and Lucas are going out!

I'm just irritated. My body is now trying to heal from TWO surgeries. There is no way, internally, my body was done healing from the c-section when they took my gallbladder out.
Sorry. Just wanted to vent. Woman drives me CRAZY!!

That is insane! what a piece of work!

 

[december]

I just went to the mailbox, and I have yet another bill! I still owe the hospital over $800 (paying off monthly), but I thought I'd paid everybody else. I now owe Newborn Associates $355. I swear I thought I'd paid them already, but can't find a record of it so I guess not. Surely after 11 wks this is the end of the bills!

 

[TiggerStac]

Patsy...I can't believe your mother in law!!

You had a csection and gallbladder removed w/in a short period of time and the gallbaldder just out! She's lucky you didn't tell hubby to stay home w/you!

 

[Piecey]

I just went to the mailbox, and I have yet another bill! I still owe the hospital over $800 (paying off monthly), but I thought I'd paid everybody else. I now owe Newborn Associates $355. I swear I thought I'd paid them already, but can't find a record of it so I guess not. Surely after 11 wks this is the end of the bills!

I know what you mean, this is nuts! My primary insurance just shows "Claim received: $xxx" and not who it is from until they process it. Everytime one pops up I have to call because I can't imagine we still owe anyone else. It's ridiculous!

What is a Newborn Associate??

I about died when I got my itemized bill from the hospital for inpatient care and the OR fee was a base of $1329.75 with a fee of $19.75 per minute afterward.
I apparently was in the OR for my c-section for 62 minutes, lucky me!
There is also a base charge and a charge per minute for the anesthesiologist on there for each minute in the OR. Plus a separate charge for giving the epidural.

 

[december]

Apparently it is group that takes care of newborns in the hospital. I've already paid a pediatrician that was at the hospital (not mine, just the one on staff there), but somehow this was separate? I know I've paid the anesthesiologist, and my last bill from my OB was only $41, so hopefully that was the last one for him. Oh, and I've paid the lab that processed my bloodwork and pap. It seems my hospital bill (was over $1500, now down to 800) is just a room/board bill. Everyone who sees you there sends a separate bill!

 

[Piecey]

*double post*

 

[Piecey]

My room/board was included on this massive bill from the hospital with "Misc" charges as well. Things like my morphine drip, all the meds, sterile supplies, lab services, anesthesia for the OR, the OR itself... I got charged the rate for my room and then an additional labor care charge and then a recovery care charge. Plus an epidural care charge. It's a bit entertaining to look at that bill.
I also LOVE that the hospital kept sending me a "Patient portion" bill wanting me to pay part of it. I refused until insurance got done with it and now I get phone calls from bill collectors. The kid isn't even 2 months old yet!!

My OB sent two seperate bills. One for the c-section, one for my prenatal care. Lucas got one for his circumcision. Funny to get a letter addressed "Baby Boy ****"
I have 3 claims pending now, too, that I haven't called to find out who they are from. The anesthesia bill is out there somewhere in insurance land. Secondary got it but primary never did. Who knows.

I did get a bit lucky that the on-call the weekend Lucas was born WAS Lucas' pediatrician. He billed as "well-child visit" and insurance paid all but our co-pay, without a deductible. I was all excited that I'd have a few more months to worry about his deductible whenever the bill for the circumcision hit. Oh well, haha.

So far, I've been lucky.. my primary insurance pays hospital inpatient, including OR fees, at 100%.. So they paid the entire hospital bill and paid my OB 80% for the c-section.
DH's insurance covers maternity care at 100% so they paid the other 20% of my OB's surgery fee.

 

[december]

My insurance obviously sucks!

Thank goodness no bill collectors though. This was the first bill I got from them-I just can't believe it took 11 wks to be billed, and now I'm worried about what else may show up! The hospital did have someone call, with a heavy Indian accent, one night last week about my $800+ balance. I told her that I sent money last week, and would be sending a check every month until paid in full. They actually called me on Friday, the day after Katie was born, in the hospital and asked how much I could pay right then-asked if anyone was in the room with me (dh was) and asked for him to bring the check immediately because she was about to leave and no one would be there over the weekend!!!!! Then they called back to thank me for payment, and told me that they would contact me after I got home about a payment plan. Of course, they never did, and just keep sending a huge bill! I'm hoping I can pay in full next month and be done with it.

The peds here don't work at the hospitals at all. There are very few hospitals in MS that will deliver babies (the state is too sue happy!), so it just wouldn't work. The hospital has it's own peds that see the baby in the nursery, and if you have to have the 2 day check they do that. Katie didn't need that, and we made an appt with our ped for our 2 wk check. We hadn't seen him since the kids yearly checkup last summer, so he was shocked when we walked in with Katie this year.

 

[Piecey]

I think I just got lucky. My primary is student insurance and I don't think they plan on many college students going into the hospital, much less racking up over $10k on the bill while they're in there
I looked at next years coverage information and it went from 100% to 80% soooo... I got lucky. According to my insurance, the benefit for the gallbladder surgery is 100%, too.. (next year is 80%, hehe) but I'm not sure I believe them.
DH's insurance is just phenomenal. It's government, though... so I guess that is to be expected to a certain extent.
We definitely got lucky, considering Lucas wasn't planned! We couldn't have planned for it to be this inexpensive to us.

That is sad about the sueing. Our whole country has gotten a little too sue happy for me. You have to watch everything you do, including when you try to save someones life! It's ridiculous!
Lucas' pediatrician's office is actually IN the hospital, like my OB's office was. So he saw him both weekdays I was there and then came in on Saturday as the on-call to see him. I actually had to take Lucas back the Monday after I was discharged and then again a week later, but that was because Lucas had blood in his stool.
Again, crazy how different things are everywhere!

I can't believe they hassled you while you were IN the hospital! That just shows you how many people skip out on their hospital bills. Sad. Because everyone else is paying for it!

 

[caitty13]

I fell like such a bad mommy. Lilliana's face got a sunburn today not really sure how since she was in the shade. She had her first swim too, she cried a little when I put her feet in.

I hope everyone os having a good weekend.

 

[caitty13]

double post

 

[december]

Join the list of bad mommies! Your little one got sunburned, mine discovered tv! She got mad when I put her toy bar across her vibrating seat-it blocked her view of The Incredibles!

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been absent. I've just been lurking and we got back from vacation on Wednesday. The waterpark we went to was really fun and the boys kept us busy. The room was a 1 bedroom suite so we were able to feed the baby for the late night feeding without waking the other. What a blessing that was. I have no idea how we're going to do it in December on the cruise if the baby is still waking at that point. But he's given us a break the last week with going down at 9 and getting up at 5-6. He started cooing and laughing the last few days and really started smiling.

Glad to see everyone's babies are doing well. Love all the cute pictures!

Danny's mom - thanks for sharing the twin's pictures. I hope they continue to get stronger.

December - I can't believe they called you in the hospital after you had Katie! I've never heard of that before. I would have borrowed a wheelchair and greeted that lady with a few choice words! We were watching Incredibles too! We love that movie!

Piecey - glad your gallbladder surgery went well and is finally over. Sorry about the MIL situation. I wouldn't be gong anywhere either! I also read about you staying home with Lucas. I hope you enjoy being a SAHM!

Sarah - We never really woke either of our kids to eat unless it was a crazy amout of time that had gone by. Nursing every few hours is pretty normal. This time around for us the baby was waking every hour too and stopped around 2 weeks and went to every 2-3 hours. Now he goes about 3 hours during the day unless his nap is interrupted by shopping or dear older brother trying to help. Love the pictures, she's a doll.

mmkk - I'm sorry that nursing is giving you and Zander a hard time. It does get tiring, doesn't it? I feel so proud that I'm able to do it but there have been a few times where nothing lines up and we both get frustrated. I've been trying to get better at nursing in public places but DS insists on being held a certain way without the boppy. I'm not dragging that thing all over the place. I love my nursing cover but sometimes it's impossible to find a comfortable place to sit.

I can't believe the weekend is over already. Too bad Monday can't be the new Sunday.

 

[Piecey]

Time is flying, it's unbelievable to me.

what is a vibrating seat??

Lucas still pretty much hangs out in his swing all day. We cuddle some in my bed in the mornings but he really loves his swing. He naps probably 80% of the time he's in there!!

He's smiling and coo'ing a lot, too!

I also am VERY glad that I didn't go yesterday, I feel GREAT today. I still hurt a little bit but it's maybe 1/5 of what it was yesterday and I haven't taken any pain meds. Woohoo. Too bad my MIL doesn't give a poop! DH's brother's girlfriend had her gallbladder out a few years ago and DH said as he was leaving yesterday my MIL asked her how long it took her to recover from hers. I swear, this woman is evil! Leann didn't have hers out so close to a c-section and Leann is a different person! I just don't get this lady. Luckily, DH said Leann just kept saying she didn't remember she just remembered that when it hurt it HURT. Go, Leann!
So apparently we HAVE to go to his grandmother's next weekend (which is TWO hours one-way away grr!) for dinner. Nevermind that I had plans and Lucas is supposed to be getting his picture taken. grr..

 

[december]

Time is flying, it's unbelievable to me.

what is a vibrating seat??

Lucas still pretty much hangs out in his swing all day. We cuddle some in my bed in the mornings but he really loves his swing. He naps probably 80% of the time he's in there!!

He's smiling and coo'ing a lot, too!

I also am VERY glad that I didn't go yesterday, I feel GREAT today. I still hurt a little bit but it's maybe 1/5 of what it was yesterday and I haven't taken any pain meds. Woohoo. Too bad my MIL doesn't give a poop! DH's brother's girlfriend had her gallbladder out a few years ago and DH said as he was leaving yesterday my MIL asked her how long it took her to recover from hers. I swear, this woman is evil! Leann didn't have hers out so close to a c-section and Leann is a different person! I just don't get this lady. Luckily, DH said Leann just kept saying she didn't remember she just remembered that when it hurt it HURT. Go, Leann!
So apparently we HAVE to go to his grandmother's next weekend (which is TWO hours one-way away grr!) for dinner. Nevermind that I had plans and Lucas is supposed to be getting his picture taken. grr..

She hates the swing, but will tolerate the seat.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10341038

 

[harleyquinn]

Lily is officially cluster feeding at night...midnight to 6am. It's so draining. It would be awesome if it was earlier in the evening...hopefully it will change before school starts for Dh or I'll be on my own all night.

The extended sleep after the cluster ROCKS, but the timing is bad. I wish there was an easy way to get her to figure out the day/night thing...we're doing everything they recommend, but it isn't working.

 

[MelessaG]

Lily is officially cluster feeding at night...midnight to 6am. It's so draining. It would be awesome if it was earlier in the evening...hopefully it will change before school starts for Dh or I'll be on my own all night.

The extended sleep after the cluster ROCKS, but the timing is bad. I wish there was an easy way to get her to figure out the day/night thing...we're doing everything they recommend, but it isn't working.

I can't give you a timetable, but I promise she will eventually get it figured out. All of mine did, just at their own pace and their own schedule. (Just remind me of this when it's my turn in a few weeks.)

 

[mmkk]

We totaled all of our Explanation of Claims we got from the insurance company and my maternity part alone cost over $9000. And yes, Patsy, government insurance is terrific!!! I just have to pay the hospital $100. Everything else is paid for. Of course they tried to say I had to pay the hospital $500 because I got a private room but I argued that that was my only choice. So I had to call the hospital to get them to write a letter stating that had been my only option but when I called them, the lady at the hospital told me not to worry about it, that she would take care of the $500 charge and that we wouldn't owe them anything. I'm like "okay, but its your $500"! I never knew a hospital would be so generous!

We're still doing the formula with a little breastmilk afterwards. The little piggy is now up to 6 oz!!!!! The Lactation Consultant would have a cow if she knew how much he is drinking now! But he is sleeping better, less fussy and goes four hours in between feedings again. Plus it doesn't take him as long to eat as it did when I was nursing him. But I do still pump so that I can give him some breastmilk.

Sarah-I know your frustration. And I LOVE sleep so it was killing me when Zander was doing that. If its any help, he did get better.

Patsy-the nerve of your MIL! I'm glad you didn't let her bully you into going. And back in her day I bet she walked a mile in the snow uphill to get to school everyday!

 

[Piecey]

Mendy- I plan to put all the EOBs together when I think they're done and see how much the entire thing cost. It's crazy!
DH said his brother said something yesterday about medical bills and DH just stared at him and said "We're over 25k now before insurance." and BIL's jaw dropped. They're TTC and his girlfriend will rely on medicaid. They won't get married because she gets so much state aid- WIC, HUD, medicaid. Makes us sooo mad!!


Sarah, Lily will get it! It's still early, she's still itty bitty. Some of the moms on wte.com would be jealous you got her to sleep 4 hours!


..I think I'm the only doing strictly formula feeding, BUT Lucas is up to at least 6oz a feeding, occassionally taking 8-10oz. I called to see about cereal a few weeks ago and the nurse practically told me I was a horrible mom and "flooding Lucas with formula" because that was way too much.
a) the pediatrician told me a big boy like Lucas can "eat what he wants"
b) the books mostly say that babies won't overeat...
c) he isn't happy unless we let him eat that much. He cries otherwise.

...so how can I be "flooding" him?!

 

[mmkk]

..I think I'm the only doing strictly formula feeding, BUT Lucas is up to at least 6oz a feeding, occassionally taking 8-10oz. I called to see about cereal a few weeks ago and the nurse practically told me I was a horrible mom and "flooding Lucas with formula" because that was way too much.
a) the pediatrician told me a big boy like Lucas can "eat what he wants"
b) the books mostly say that babies won't overeat...
c) he isn't happy unless we let him eat that much. He cries otherwise.

...so how can I be "flooding" him?!

I know, its crazy to think a baby would be drinking more than he/she needs! From everything I have ever read, they do only drink what satisfies them. When the LC told me that Zander was supposed to only be taking in 3 1/4 ozs, and not 4, I was like, "well how am I supposed to stop him at 3 1/4 when I am breastfeeding!" DUH! I totally agree with 1, 2 and 3!