The Official New Mom Thread

[joats]

Thanks for the BFing encouragement.
I'm just frustrated as I have hyper lactation and this process has been hard trying to get production to slow down and for Jace not to be choking, gaging for vomiting all the time. It might be a growth spurt but since I've been trying to get the production under control he is eating more often. He'll eat for about 20 minutes, be finished and then after I've held him up for 30 minutes to keep help in keeping his food down, he then wants more. It's becoming a cycle and I don't know how to get it to change. The actual BFing I don't mind, but just not all morning/night long. If he could eat, keep it down and be ok for 2-3 or so hours I wouldn't complain. I really don't want to go the formula route, just frustrated.

 

[lissawynn]

I'm beginning to feel as if I'm the only mom here who doesn't bf. I hope those of you having difficulties get them resolved soon. There's nothing worse than an unhappy baby and an unhappy mommy.

I went to Wal-Mart today to get a bunch of stuff for our WDW trip, and they didn't have half of the stuff I needed. They had no rain ponchos! I'm going to have to check another store or go to Target to get the remainder of the stuff I need.

It looks as if another downpour is on its way. Hope you all have a good night!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

lissawynn~ I don't bf either so you aren't alone! And I am happy with my decision so far but might give bfing a shot with our next one. Who knows?! Probably not, but I'll keep my options open.

Okay, ladies, will you please pray for an old friend of mine? I haven't talked to her or seen her in about 3 years but her mom works with my mom so I get updates occasionally. Her Dh has been in Iraq for almost a year and was due to come home next month. He was killed 2 days ago! It breaks my heart to even think about the pain she must be going through! I was told that she is not doing well at all which I can completely understand! Her mom isn't doing well either nor is his family! Please pray for them if you don't mind or atleast send some pixie dust if you aren't religious! Also, please pray (or send PD) to several of my other friends whose Dh's are in Iraq still! Thanks, ladies!

Alice~ Please don't let this post upset you since I know your Dh is in Iraq! I don't want to seem like I am being insensitive. I just really want prayers for my friend. I pray for your Dh all the time too! And I am sure God is keeping him safe!

 

[Alice28]

Tasha, no of course I don't think you're being insensitive. Unfortunately it's just reality right now. IT does make my stomach flutter for a minute every time I read of a casualty though. I talked to DH for the first time in about 18 days yesterday, so that was great....he said they may even be home by the very end of Dec.!

 

[Alice28]

House update:

I have a one man dynamo that called into the radio station and wants to help me. He's a painter and a general maintainance guy. He is going to do this:

Fix my cracked ceilings and paint over them

Install some lighting fixtures I am going to buy

Paint the entire exterior of the house, incl porches.

FOR FREE! He got a local paint store to donate $700 worth of paint and his labor is free! I can't believe it! I have the number of another guy who called in, and I am going to give him a call this week cause the only other main thing I need is someone who knows how to miter corners to install some molding. Wow!

 

[joats]

Great news Alice28!

Katerkat: love the new picture of baby Russ. He is too cute!

I've been feeling very frustated the past few days. It's the bf-ing and now Jace has started a routine of not sleeping on his own during the day. He will fall asleep on us after his burping, etc. and once we try to put him in his bassinet he cries about 10 minutes later. He's going thru this stage where he wants to be held 24/7 and will only sleep on us. I feel like I can't get a break. How can I get him to be able to sleep on his own/soothe himself? Does anyone have any good book recommendations or ideas? Do I just let him cry it out?
Also I've read some posts on here about letting your baby sleep with you in the bed. I think I'd be too nervous. Can that really be done w/out feeling like you are going to roll on them all night?
thanks in advance!

 

[Alice28]

Joats~ I think he's still too young to cry it out; I didn't try that with any of mine til 4-6 months. Pretty much sometimes babies need to be held, a LOT. Are you swaddling him when putting him down to sleep? What about a pacifier? White noise sometimes helps too, like a fan in his room going. Maybe putting him on his side?

My kids are/were co-sleepers until about 6 months. (when they would sleep til at least 5-6 AM on their own most nights). There is just an instinct I think we have of knowing baby is there and not rolling on them. There are cosleeper "beds" you can buy to put in your bed that has soft sides and baby sleeps in there and has his own space, but he's still right there in bed with you. My neighbor let me borrow hers with Molly and I never ended up using it. Then again, DH is not here to share the bed either, so it's not too hard sharing a queen sized bed with a baby. I would already be putting her in her crib for nighttime if our bedrooms were on the same floor! She is a GOOD crib sleeper, whereas my boys were not. But I just don't want to have to deal with the stairs in the middle of the night right now. And she doesn't sleep through the night either. Anyway, cosleeping has brought me a LOT more needed sleep because I don't even have to get up to nurse them. I would sit up in bed the first 4-6 weeks, til they were established nursers, and then would do the lay-down nursing with them after 4-6 weeks. They wake up/cry- I wake up enough to get my **** out and get it in her mouth; wake up again to switch sides, and usually, if not almost always, baby falls asleep at the breast and I hardly even woke up.

Hope this helps and good luck! I know it's hard but soon he will be outgrowing this stage, I promise.

 

[vald1977]

Hi everyone,
I get to join you here now ! Katrina Elizabeth was born on July 12, 2005. I posted a couple of pics on the moms to be thread if anyone wants to see them. She was 6 pounds 10 ounces and 19" long. So far she is the perfect little baby. She's sleeping well, feeding well, and pooping well . She did have some jaundice when we left the hospital so she has her first doctor's appointment tomorrow.

Sadly we lost DH's grandmother on Friday. Katrina will be atttending her first funeral on Tuesday (which is also Grandma's Birthday) . I'm sure I will be a mess.

I have a question for those of you who don't breastfeed. Katrina is a bottle-fed baby. My milk just came in today and I'm leaking and sore. How long did it take for it to dry up?

I'm going to post my 2 cents on the breastfeeding thing. First, I think it's a wonderful thing if it is right for the mom and baby. I think you moms that pull it off are amazing . But I know for me it wasn't a good thing. I breastfed my son for awhile after birth and had a lot of trouble with it. I was absolutely miserable. He was a poor sucker so he took an hour to eat. He had low birth weight so they wanted me feeding him 10 - 12 times per day plus pumping in between. Doing the math on that obviously it's pretty impossible. Plus, I wanted my own body back. I felt like I could never take a break since I was the only one who could feed him. I really didn't want to do it anymore but everyone I talked to said to keep at it and it will get better. All I wanted to hear was someone say it was okay to quit . When I did quit, I was a much happier person for it. So if you don't think it's a good fit for you and your baby, I would stop. Your baby will still be healthy and you will be happier. Now if you want to keep at it because it's important to you then that's great but don't keep at it out of guilt that you won't be as good a mom (not saying that's what any of you are feeling, just talking about my experience here).

 

[copper68]

congrats vald!!! i saw the pics on your other thread.. what a little cutie!!!

a couple of questions for you moms with older kiddies.. when did you start potty training.. and any tips? when did you switch from crib to toddler bed? anything else i'm supposed to be doing with my 18 month old? haha.. i hate when people ask me questions like, is she talking or is she doing this etc.. and if she's not talking/doing whatever then i think oh no.. is she supposed to be doing that? haha she's babbling a lot, but not really any words.. other than ka ka for quack quack.. haha every animal makes that noise.. haha

hope everyone is doing well..

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Congratulations, Valerie! Katrina is beautiful. Sorry about your DH's grandmother.

Alice28 - congrats on your news. It must be great knowing you're getting some of your repairs done.

Tasha - prayers to your friend.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

 

[joats]

Joats~ I think he's still too young to cry it out; I didn't try that with any of mine til 4-6 months. Pretty much sometimes babies need to be held, a LOT. Are you swaddling him when putting him down to sleep? What about a pacifier? White noise sometimes helps too, like a fan in his room going. Maybe putting him on his side?

Thank you for your post! And thanks for saying you think he's too young to cry it out...that's what I think too. I had been swaddling, but not recently. I started again last night. The swing we got originally was a "take a long swing" and he can't use it yet as it does not recline. I'm headed out to BRU this am to get a real reclining swing for him. He'll take a pacifier occasionally and is getting better at it. We have the AC in the room and also his bassinet has all kinds of white noise options.
Thanks for the ideas - I'm hoping with the swaddling,swing, etc. he will feel more comforted on his own. As much as I love cuddling with him, I do need to have a little time to shower, eat, etc.

Valerie: welcome to the board! I saw your sweetie on the moms-to-be...she's darling!

 

[lissawynn]

Congratulations, Val! It took several weeks before my milk dried up and I got back to "normal". Sorry to hear of your loss.

Alice28 - Great news about the home repairs. It's so thoughtful of those folks who are helping you.

I should be doing laundry and cleaning the baby's room right now. I'm taking a quick break from reading my new HP book. DH and Jimmy are napping on the sofa, so I'm taking a break, too.

 

[DisKim]

OK, I just got caught up. I've been busy and haven't had time to hop on the computer lately.

And I hope I don't ruffle your feathers, but how old is your son? Meaning, was he a young kindergartener? Did he just make the cutoff?

Alice - No feathers ruffled at all. My DS's birthday is May 12th. He's not quite a summer baby. That's why I'm nervous to go against the reccomendation. He may really need the extra help. I think I've decided to put him in regular K and if he seems to have trouble, I'll put him in transitional first grade. Also, congrats on the home repairs!

Vlad - Congrats on the birth of your daughter. Her birthday is the same as my DH!

joats - I don't know if you went to BRU yet, but please let me suggest the Ocean Wonders Aquarium swing. It is my lifesaver. My baby is napping in it right now. I've had other swings and my children hated them. Also, my son sounds alot like your baby. He never slept without being in my arms until I started using the swing. BTW, he also slept in our bed for the first month or so. He refused to sleep in his bassinet. I would put him on top of a pillow with my arm around him to protect him from DH rolling on him. Now, he's just about 3 months old and he sleeps in his crib. Hang in there!

a

couple of questions for you moms with older kiddies.. when did you start potty training.. and any tips? when did you switch from crib to toddler bed? anything else i'm supposed to be doing with my 18 month old? haha.. i hate when people ask me questions like, is she talking or is she doing this etc.. and if she's not talking/doing whatever then i think oh no.. is she supposed to be doing that? haha she's babbling a lot, but not really any words.. other than ka ka for quack quack.. haha every animal makes that noise.. haha

I have two older kids. IMHO 18 months is way too young to start the stress of potty training. My DD was potty trained around 2 1/2. My DS showed no interest in it, so I waited. When he turned 3, I was able to train him in about two days. He was ready which made it very easy. The rule of thumb on the bed issue is to switch you child if he/she starts to climb out of the crib. Otherwise, I think most parents switch to a bed at abou t 2-2 1/2. I have no idea about the talking. I can't really remember anymore. It seems like my older kids just started at some point and have never stopped.

I was shopping in Target yesterday and I found great swimwear for Aidan. They had two piece outfits that look like wetsuits to protect them from the sun. They also had matching coverups and hats. The best part was that it was all on clearance! I bought him two sets for our trip to WDW in August. I tried it out in the pool today and it was great!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Alice~ I hope your dh does get to come home by the end of Dec. What a wonderful way for all of you to start off the New Year! And congrats on the repairs! That must be such a relief!

joats~ Jace is doing exactly what Kylie did for the first 6 weeks. She would never let me put her down. Then almost like magic it improved when she turned 6 weeks. A lot of it was that she was able to focus on objects better and that made a huge difference. She became more curious of the world around her and now loves to sit in her bouncer or lay in the floor and look around. She is also fascinated with the tv and I can now sit her in front of it to watch Sesame Street, etc., and she loves it! As far as the baby swing everyone told me it would be a godsend. So far it has been a waste of money for us b/c she hates it! She screams and cries if I put her in it. But she LOVES her bouncer. I think it is b/c she has to constantly be moving and she can't really kick her legs freely in her swing. And she can in her bouncer. Anyway I am rambling but I am basically trying to say that eventually it does get better!

Welcome to the thread, Vald! I am also bottle-feeding. It took 2-3 weeks for my milk to completely dry up but I wore a breast binder the whole time so I never felt sore.

Have a great day everyone and thanks for all the prayers!

 

[grlpwrd]

SL: Your experience with Lucas is the same as mine with Jace. He vomits often/spits up/gassy. I'm pretty much BFing only although today totally considering instituting formula. But if we do supplement w/formula if I am away from him I am supposed to add 1 tablespoon of rice cereal per formula ounce. So far he's refused it when I've tried to give a bottle to him.

Jace also wants to eat around 1.5 - 2 hours but sometimes will go longer periods. I've been working with my lactation consultant. She says he probably isn't hungry all the time and just wants to suck or be soothed. I have to admit, I am so frustrated with the BFing - I just want to quit.

I hope that the rice cereal will help Lucas - let us know how it goes.

I just had my 5th child and only really got the hang of breastfeeding with my 4th baby.

Nursing every 1.5 to 2 hours is very normal and babies do have growth spurts at different stages of their babyhood.

Also, I am not a lactation consultant or anything, but babies also tend to feel more satiated after drinking the hindmilk which has the fat, making baby rest longer and feel fuller, I think. Take a look at www.kellymom.com as I consult it regularly, too. That's why it's good to nurse until baby is full which is about 15 minutes per side.

Hang in there!

 

[Alice28]

I had a fun morning! I took the boys to NW Portland, a very trendy, upscale region of the city and we poked around a little. Went to this fab park near the zoo which they loved. Then took them to a very chi-chi type downtown mall that my DH used to be director of security of; we ate lunch in the fancy foodcourt near fountains (fascinating to all children), walked around a bit. I let them pick out their "lucky rock" at the Fossil store. Gee, I wish I could have picked myself up a Coach handbag, but that's okay.

Found Molly a spaghetti strap onesie at Gap for only $3....perfect for Florida this Sept when it will still be sweltering. And like I said, this is a very upscale mall- at my mall the Gap just puts your stuff in a plastic Gap bag...at this one she wrapped up my $3 onesie in tissue, and put it in one of the fancy white bags with handles! For one dinky little piece of clothing! I gotta shop there more often! And the Gymboree was HUGE- I talked with the manager about it and she says she does have the most free floor space of any of the local Gymbos, but she doesn't get as much traffic as the other ones. Interesting. Didn't buy anything as the Gymbuck redemption is later this week. Can't believe it's already getting close to back to school shopping time!

What I am most thrilled about- the boys have VBS this week EVERY morning for two whole hours! Two whole hours to myself almost! BLISS. I have had them pretty much 24/7, unless they're playing with neighborhood kids, since school got out. I've been going nutty. And here is my sad state- I have a sitter taking Molly on Tuesday so I can go to they eye doctor without dragging her along- I'm actually excited to go to the eye doctor cause I will have NO KIDS WITH ME AT ALL! My parents are coming on Thursday night and she said they would take the boys for me again if I wanted to, so I can go do something.

Hope everyone is doing well- it's HOT here! 95 today! Whew! We don't have A/C except in our bedrooms cause, well, you only really need A/C about 15 days a year here in the NW. Days like this is when we drive around in the car a lot!

 

[floridafam]

Alice28,

Kona has all of those spaghetti strap onesies. They are really the only thing cool enough for her to wear right now in this awful heat. All of her other outfits just hang in the closet. Which one did you get?

It sounds like you had a fun day.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

We hit a milestone today! Lucas started smiling this morning and we are absolutely, 100% sure it was not gas. He's 4 weeks tomorrow - time is going by so fast.

 

[Alice28]

Alice28,

Kona has all of those spaghetti strap onesies. They are really the only thing cool enough for her to wear right now in this awful heat. All of her other outfits just hang in the closet. Which one did you get?

It sounds like you had a fun day.

It's white with pink trim & a fish with a necklace on from a treasure chest. It's so cute!

 

[joats]

Thanks for the suggestions on getting Jace to sleep on his own.
He did better at napping today just from the swaddling alone. We took him out today a few times and tired him out. He had a bath, ate and has been sleeping on his own in his crib for the past few hours. I'm hoping that today is the start of good things to come.

DisKim: Unfortunately, I bought a different swing today - the graco 6 speed that matches the rest of his set (I wish I had your recommendation as I didn't know which to get). We put it together but we did not put him in it yet. Tomorrow will be the swing test!

SL: Aren't the smiles great? Horray for Lucas!

Alice28: What do you think you will do with your kid-free night?

I can't believe Jace is officially one month old today. Wow...it's already going by so fast. Hope everyone has a great night.