The Official New Mom Thread

[joats]

I had a massage today! My Midwife has a student who is learning/specializing in pre/post natal massage. It was really nice and I was very relaxed.

Question for BFing Moms. What nursing pads are you using? I decided to try the Lansinoh. I really like the way they absorb and that they are thin. I never feel wet with them. However, I don't like that they are folded and they don't give a smooth look, KWIM? I used Johnson & Johnson with DD. I swore by them with her (love the shape), but I hate how they feel so wet. I leak a lot so this is a big thing for me. Anyone have recmmendations?

Ooh, your massage sounds so nice. I'm hoping to have one before I return back to work.

As far as nursing pads, I've tried lansinoh and avent. But my favorite believe it or not are the Target brand nursing pads. But I think they may be a knock off (compared to) of the Johnson and Johnson ones.

 

[justhat]

Thanks for the info T&S, I'll definitely be showing that to my husband!

Wow, Jenn, Eli is growing fast! Almost 10 lbs. already! I liked the Johnson and Johnson, Lansinoh, and one other brandof nursing pads that I can't remember. I just got rid of all the nursing pads or I'd go look at the box for you(they're in a storage bin at my mom's house till the next baby). Gerber maybe if they make them? What I did do with the Lansinoh pads, cause I also didn't like the look they gave, was put another pad over them. I only did that if I were going out somewhere and cared about my appearance, otherwise I wore them alone.

 

[katerkat]

I use cloth nursing pads, since I was going through the disposable ones so quickly!

Russ is very long too - consistently in the 90th percentile - so I gave up on buying him clothes ahead of season. Everything I bought for the fall won't fit! I can't even guess what he'll be in by next spring.

Those who don't like Tummy Time - look for a mat that you fill with water and fish that they can squish (it's plastic, they don't get in the water!) Our therapist suggested one and Russ loves it! Between that and the Pooh Tree, he gets over an hour of Tummy Time throughout the day, which is the #1 thing our therapist emphasized.

 

[DisKim]

Lissawynn - Your dad sounds great! I wish I had a family member who was able to watch Aidan for me. My MIL watched my middle child, but now she had to care for my FIL who has never fully recovered from a heart attack / bypass surgery two years ago. I'd never burden her by asking her now. I'm very nervous about starting with a new baby sitter. I'll let everyone know how it goes in a few weeks.

Justhat - You must have a bouncer with the next one! All three of my kids loved it. My middle child, Alex, broke the last one so we got the Kick and Play bouncer. Aidan loves it. It has a bar over it that lights up and plays music every time he kicks. It also has the vibration feature which he never really cared for.

Tasha - Great new picture of Kylie!

Jenn Lynn - My favorite nursing pads are the Gerber (contour shape if you can find them). They're thin and very absorbent. You don't get that wet feeling. I hate the Avent ones.

 

[bellacam]

Hi Mommies! What a difference a week makes. After seeing the doctor last Friday, she agreed that supplementing Aidan with formula was the right thing to do. He weighed 10lbs 12oz at birth(c-sec ) and I wasn't able to give him all he needed. We are still BF every other feeding and that has gotten much better too. He's not starving and angry all the time. Supplementing was a huge, hard decision for us but after seeing the diffrence in Aidan and getting to be a mommy and not just a wet bar, I know it was the right thing to do! Thanks for all the advice and replies to my last post. Hope all mommies and babies have good weekends.

 

[KaterBell]

I LOVE the lansinoh nursing pads.... I was using the Medela ones but I hated that folded ridge thing they had going on, it always showed up through my tshirts. Grr.

I tried the Gerber ultra thin too - those were pretty good!

I may have to try the Target brand ones too...

 

[tkyes]

bridget - glad to hear things are going better with Aiden! You are right, whatever is best for a healthy baby is the way to go. Don't beat yourself up.

Thanks for the tip on that tummy time mat katerkat, I might have to look into that.

Today was Tyler's 4 month checkup - another round of shots He's doing great though. He's 16 lbs and 25 inches long. He's worn out now and sleeping soundly. I think after the shots today will be a good cuddling day.

Have a great weekend everyone - happy Friday!

Tamie

 

[Tracey1974]

Justhat- I guess I should be thankful that he goes right to sleep after his middle of the night feedings. We are going to WDW next month when he will just be 3 months so I am hoping we will all be on some sort of schedule soon. This is a really long thread! I'll be up all night again reading it!

Jenn Lynn- I use the Avent ones. I have the Gerber ones but they just feel so thin that I am afraid they will leak. I also have Babies R' Us's brand but I prefer the Avent ones.

 

[lissawynn]

So my sister and I went shopping for "back to school clothes" (I teach, and she's the food service dir. for the dist.). We each got shoes, but the clothes we bought were for our sons. It was just too crazy w/ parents and kids shopping for me to even think of looking for stuff for myself.
Jimmy made out very well at the Children's Place. Their sweats are so soft! I also managed to but clothes for Christmas gifts for two of my SIL's kids.

 

[joats]

I went out today without the baby for a much needed 4 hour break. DH stayed home with Jace. I fed him before I left and told him if the baby gets hungry before I get back to feed him a bottle of formula. My lactation consultant does not want me to pump due to my hyper-lactation. We're just supposed to give him formula if I am away from him. Well, Jace refused the formula. He would not eat it and cried (and cried, and cried). DH tried everything to get him to eat it with no luck. Now mind you he has not had formula in a very long time (at least a month). We used the same stuff he had in the hospital and the same nipple as the hospital. (**He also did this once about a month ago when my mom babysat and tried to give him formula).

My concern is that I am going back to work soon and was going to start supplementing/weaning down with formula this coming week (one meal only to start). I am worried that he will refuse the formula. Could it just be that he does not like the kind of bottle nipple anymore? I have other kinds that I could and will try. I am going to call my lactation consultant tomorrow, but just thought I'd check with you guys to see if any experienced this before.

Thanks!

 

[justhat]

He might just not like the bottle. My friend's baby went through several types of bottles/nipples when she weaned him onto formula. He was about 7 or 8 months old though, and I know they definitely get more stubborn by that age so maybe you won't have to try as many types.

Does Jace use a Nuk pacifier? If so, they have Nuk nipples that are shaped like the pacifier so he might like that if he's already used to the shape.

We used the Playtex disposable nursers, with the wide, clear nipple that have a little ridge around them. They say they're supposed to help babies transition from breast to bottle easily and I guess maybe it's true as Madison did okay with them and never really had a problem.

My other suggestion would be to try pumping and feeding him a bottle of breastmilk and see if he'll take that. Maybe it's the bottle, but maybe it's the formula and he just doesn't like the taste of it. If that's the case, then you can start giving him breastmilk bottles and slowly adding more formula to them till it's all formula and that might work for you.

 

[Alice28]

I would also try a different bottle (I also have had success with each of my 3 with the Playtex disposable liner bottles- no luck with Avent or other brands for some reason). The nipples on the Playtex bottle just seem more pliable. Try latex and silicone- he may have a preference there as well. And not to question your husband, but was the formula warm? Molly HATES her bottle if it's not warm. Jace may also have an easier time taking the bottle from a daycare provider vs. you or DH. My 2nd really never took a bottle from me (which drove me insane), but he would from the babysitter. He still didn't LOVE it, but he would take one.

Good luck and I'm glad you were able to get out for a break! We went to the mall today just to buy some Bath and Body Works anti-bac soaps for the house- (5 for $10 with a coupon I had!!) and man was the mall crowded with back to school shoppers! I'm glad I finished a few weeks ago! Two more weeks...two more weeks...two more weeks....and 4 more weeks for preschool to begin for #2...I cannot wait to make my Costco trips (and Target) in peace with JUST Molly!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We had Lucas baptised this weekend - everything went really well. I was kind of nervous because we were hosting a reception afterwards for about 50 people and I've never thrown a party for that many guests before. Luckily we had enough food!

Next weekend we'll be taking him on his first overnight trip. We'll be staying at a relative's house in Cape Cod for a few days. I can't wait.

Joats - Sorry, I can't help with your situation since Lucas always went back and forth between bottle and breast with no trouble. We use Avent bottles but I know a lot of people don't like them.

As for the miracle blanket - it came in the mail on Saturday and that night he had a 4 1/2 hour stretch of sleep and last night he had a 5 1/2 hour stretch! I don't know if it's the blanket or not, but that would be some coincidence. Either way, it's been wonderful.

 

[DisKim]

joats - I agree with trying a different bottle. I had the same problem with Aidan. He ended up liking the Playtex nurser also. Now, I'm using Avent just because I think the liners are an added inconvenience when I go out. Good luck. Sometimes, it just takes time. It certainly did with Aidan but now he likes the bottle better than the breast.

Well everyone, look at my counter ! I have so much to do today. I can't believe we leave for Disney tomorrow. Of course, the weather here will finally be beautiful all week. Orlando is hot and the usual t-storms everyday. Oh well, it's still Disney! DH is bringing his laptop to do some of his graduate work while we're there, so I'll try to check in.

 

[bellacam]

Joats - my Dr (who is also a bf/bottle feeding mother) recomended Platex VentAire Natural bottles for Aidan and I to use. He never has had any issues switching back and forth and we are 50/50 bf/bottlefeeding. I like them too, we have never had any gas issues(they say they help prevent gas) and they come completley apart to clean.

 

[joats]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions on trying new bottles/nipples.
I do have the NUK nipples as he does use a NUK, Avent bottles and some kind of tri-flow bottle. The Playtex sound good too. I will definitely try again using a new kind of bottle. Maybe he didn't like the nipple on the one from the hospital.

SL: I'm so glad the miracle blanket appears to be working for Lucas - that is great news!

DisKim: Have a great trip! Enjoy!! I'm so jealous!

I'd like a daytime miracle blanket for Jace because today he has refused to nap all day long and he's so overtired and cranky. Nothing is working...guess I'll be taking him out for a ride in the car soon.

I'm wondering if he is reacting to my stress. I've been crying the past few days at the thought of daycare. It just makes me so sad to think he'll be going and for so long per day. I would give anything to stay home with him. For us to do that we'd need DH to get about a 30% raise. Between the mortgage and my undergrad/graduate school loans we cant afford to live on one income. I'm actually looking to see if I can find a new job closer to home/daycare (DH and I both work about 45 min from home). I feel like the worlds worst mother having to put Jace in daycare 9 hrs a day and I can't stop crying about it.

 

[justhat]

DisKim-Have lots of fun on your trip!!! Eat a few Mickey bars for us!

SL, that's great that Lucas is sleeping so well. Maybe that blanket really gives him a secure feeling. I'm so happy for you that it's working-I know what it's like to go without sleep!

Joats, . I think we've all felt like the world's worst mother at times, but really, try not to be too hard on yourself over sending Jace to daycare. Many, many babies go to daycare all day long and they turn out fine. I worked at a daycare before I had Madison and I can tell you that those kids had a lot of fun everyday. They all had their days where they didn't even want to go home they were having so much fun. I'm sure it will be really hard in the beginning, but as long as you feel confident that he is in a safe, loving environment, try to reassure yourself that he'll be okay. He'll still know that you love him and I promise he won't think you're a bad mommy.

Madison will be starting preschool in 2 weeks and even though she's older, I'm still nervous about it. The thing is, I put off going back to school so that I could wait till she was older to leave her (I've been on a leave of absence since May 2004) but now that it's here it seems just as hard as it did last year. I keep telling myself she'll have fun and all that, but it's still very hard, so I understand that. The thing that really annoys me now though is that I probably won't even be going back to school this fall because of some very stupid technical things regarding my leave (apparently I had to reregister for the leave every semester-which would be 4 of them cause we have summer terms-and I didn't do that, just submitted it once with all the dates. No one ever mentioned anything to me when I submitted it for approval, but now they're saying I have to re-enroll, write a petition to get back in, etc., which doesn't seem worth it to me when we might be moving in a year and then I wouldn't finish the degree anyway). But I can't take her out of school cause, well 1st we already paid for the year, and 2nd if we do stay in this area then she can continue in their preschool till she's ready for 1st grade, which is a huge help since there's such a shortage of daycare/preschool in the DC area.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

joats: I'm so sorry you are going through this sorrow. It must be very difficult for you. I can't imagine having to drop off my children at a daycare and I count my blessings every single day that we can live on 1 income (I do all of the business acctg for free for my DH's business in order to keep this sweet deal, but I can do it from home). I am mostly thinking of myself and how much I would miss them. Justhat is right in that children can do very well going to daycare and you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. Your little one will be just fine and will not think you are a bad Mommy. But I know that doesn't take away the fact that you will miss him so.

 

[Tracey1974]

joats- I am due back at work on October 10th after being out since the beginning of June. Christopher is now starting to recognize me and babble and smile all the time and now I am starting to feel bad already. It was easier to think about going back when he was tiny because he cried alot and I just needed a break and going back to work didn't seem so bad. My hubby and I both work 1 hour from home (without traffic). I am lucky that I was able to get a deal where I will only be working Mon-Thu from 8-5 rather than M-F 8-6:30-7ish but he is getting so big already and I am sad that I won't get to hold him all day like I do now. We need my income just to be able to have a few cars, a nice vacation every once in a while, hubby's car hobby and my shopping hobby. I just can't imagine being on 1 income right now. Maybe when the new car and my student loans are paid off!!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain!

 

[KristiKelly]

Hi everyone . I've been away for a few days and will try to catch up on some reading tomorrow. I want to share our weekend with y'all. We went to the beach for the weekend (Thur. to Sun.) kind of a trial run before our trip to WDW next month. Mary Grace did WONDERFUL!!! I can't complain at all. I had to hold her through dinner one night and she did cry for about 20 minutes on the way down (about a 4 hour drive) but other than that, she was perfect. She was so worn out each night and slept for 7-8 hours everynight, a little too long for a nursing mom. If she is 1/2 this good for WDW, I will be very pleased. HOWEVER, she was very restless today and I had a hard time getting her to sleep tonight. Now, I think I hear her stirring, I better go get some rest before she's ready to get up.

I hope everyone is doing well and getting plenty of rest.

Take care
Kristi