Monday, June 8, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Breastfeeding
Finally! I can write this!
There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc names a few!
Some of my best advice came from here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=1010100&highlight=
A few things that normally come up
Pain - Yes, it is painful when you start. Not only are your nipples sensitive from hormones, but they're doing something they aren't used to doing! A problem means pain, but pain doesn't always mean a problem. It took about 3 weeks for the pain to go away for me. That's not on the side with the cracked nipple...
Injury - Another thing that happens, but is treatable! We had trouble latching on the right side and I developed a crack in my nipple. A week of pumping on that side (the pain was toe curling and I couldn't nurse) and offering a bottle, neosporin, and lanolin and I healed up. It's kind of cracked again, but I can handle it this time so we're still nursing.
Latch - Learn what a good latch is BEFORE you give birth. Yes, there are people at the hospital that can help...but if you get a nurse like my night nurse (I felt more educated about BFing) you'll be glad you were well informed.
When to start - IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH! Even if he isn't strong enough or awake enough to really suck, trying helps! Relationship needs to be developed ASAP and this helps. As soon as they're done with the evaluations you need to try nursing again. Don't be discouraged if he "doesn't get anything" because that's not true. During this time you produce colostrum which is more nutrient dense than breastmilk. As my day nurse told me "A tablespoon of your breastmilk right now has more nutrition than an entire bottle of formula." It can take several days for your breastmilk to come in (not in my case, I was engorged on day two)
Watch the baby NOT the clock. Some will tell you to feed every 2 hours (my night nurse for example) Your baby will wake up to eat! You shouldn't have to wake him up... unless it's several days later and he's going 4+ hours without eating...then wake him. DO NOT try to "develop a schedule" or "train" your child. (Stay away from Babywise books!!!) He may want to eat every 20mins or every 2 hours. He knows best! The first few weeks are hard because he'll probably eat constantly. As long as he's dirtying plenty of diapers there is nothing wrong with your supply. I had a similar issue early on. He eats like that to boost your supply (usually happens during a growth spurt) It's hard, but stick it out.
Hmm....any questions? I'll answer them in the next note.
There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc names a few!
Some of my best advice came from here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=1010100&highlight=
A few things that normally come up
Pain - Yes, it is painful when you start. Not only are your nipples sensitive from hormones, but they're doing something they aren't used to doing! A problem means pain, but pain doesn't always mean a problem. It took about 3 weeks for the pain to go away for me. That's not on the side with the cracked nipple...
Injury - Another thing that happens, but is treatable! We had trouble latching on the right side and I developed a crack in my nipple. A week of pumping on that side (the pain was toe curling and I couldn't nurse) and offering a bottle, neosporin, and lanolin and I healed up. It's kind of cracked again, but I can handle it this time so we're still nursing.
Latch - Learn what a good latch is BEFORE you give birth. Yes, there are people at the hospital that can help...but if you get a nurse like my night nurse (I felt more educated about BFing) you'll be glad you were well informed.
When to start - IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH! Even if he isn't strong enough or awake enough to really suck, trying helps! Relationship needs to be developed ASAP and this helps. As soon as they're done with the evaluations you need to try nursing again. Don't be discouraged if he "doesn't get anything" because that's not true. During this time you produce colostrum which is more nutrient dense than breastmilk. As my day nurse told me "A tablespoon of your breastmilk right now has more nutrition than an entire bottle of formula." It can take several days for your breastmilk to come in (not in my case, I was engorged on day two)
Watch the baby NOT the clock. Some will tell you to feed every 2 hours (my night nurse for example) Your baby will wake up to eat! You shouldn't have to wake him up... unless it's several days later and he's going 4+ hours without eating...then wake him. DO NOT try to "develop a schedule" or "train" your child. (Stay away from Babywise books!!!) He may want to eat every 20mins or every 2 hours. He knows best! The first few weeks are hard because he'll probably eat constantly. As long as he's dirtying plenty of diapers there is nothing wrong with your supply. I had a similar issue early on. He eats like that to boost your supply (usually happens during a growth spurt) It's hard, but stick it out.
Hmm....any questions? I'll answer them in the next note.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Every Mom Needs To Know...
This list will probably be never ending! I have, however, come up with a few things that every mom needs to know...
1) Gripe Water : You can buy it at the pharmacy. It's basically ginger and fennel based (it also has sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, in it) . It's used for stomach problems like gas, hiccups, colic, etc... I got it for Franklin because he gets hiccups pretty bad. It works WONDERS. Half the time I only have to use a half "dose" for him and the hiccups are gone in minutes. Also, when he gets gassy or when his tummy gets upset it helps it settle. It's amazing and I recommend it 110%!
2) Maalox and Aquaphor : Mix the two together in equal parts and use on diaper rash/irritation. How? A lot of diaper irritation is because of acids in whatever mommy/baby are eating. Maalox negates the acid and Aquaphor is healing for skin irritation. Aquaphor is also great for cracked/irritated skin during breastfeeding (And, according to Hayley, great for tattoo care)
3) Cornstarch : If the diaper irritation is caused by being wet frequently this is great. I know the first several days of Franklin's life we were constantly changing his diaper and, therefore, he was wet frequently and his skin was irritated from always being wiped. Cornstarch helped out!
4) Nursing pads : Whether you nurse or not you will lactate! When the baby cries your breasts will leak (at least, at first). When you get engorged your breasts will leak. If you're nursing on one side and the baby bumps the other side it will leak. Sometimes nursing one side will cause the other one to leak. You will WANT to wear a nursing pad or you'll be changing clothes all the time.
Crap, I know there's more but I have baby brain (yes, it lingers) and I can't remember. More later, I guess. If you have questions I can answer them in later posts!
1) Gripe Water : You can buy it at the pharmacy. It's basically ginger and fennel based (it also has sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, in it) . It's used for stomach problems like gas, hiccups, colic, etc... I got it for Franklin because he gets hiccups pretty bad. It works WONDERS. Half the time I only have to use a half "dose" for him and the hiccups are gone in minutes. Also, when he gets gassy or when his tummy gets upset it helps it settle. It's amazing and I recommend it 110%!
2) Maalox and Aquaphor : Mix the two together in equal parts and use on diaper rash/irritation. How? A lot of diaper irritation is because of acids in whatever mommy/baby are eating. Maalox negates the acid and Aquaphor is healing for skin irritation. Aquaphor is also great for cracked/irritated skin during breastfeeding (And, according to Hayley, great for tattoo care)
3) Cornstarch : If the diaper irritation is caused by being wet frequently this is great. I know the first several days of Franklin's life we were constantly changing his diaper and, therefore, he was wet frequently and his skin was irritated from always being wiped. Cornstarch helped out!
4) Nursing pads : Whether you nurse or not you will lactate! When the baby cries your breasts will leak (at least, at first). When you get engorged your breasts will leak. If you're nursing on one side and the baby bumps the other side it will leak. Sometimes nursing one side will cause the other one to leak. You will WANT to wear a nursing pad or you'll be changing clothes all the time.
Crap, I know there's more but I have baby brain (yes, it lingers) and I can't remember. More later, I guess. If you have questions I can answer them in later posts!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Previews
Next week I'm going to do posts on:
1) A few checklist items for every new mom to have!
2) Breastfeeding (the ups and downs and everything in between...possibly even list the benefits)
As well as other fun updates!
Stay tuned
1) A few checklist items for every new mom to have!
2) Breastfeeding (the ups and downs and everything in between...possibly even list the benefits)
As well as other fun updates!
Stay tuned
Friday, May 1, 2009
Pictures!
This kid has long toes (like his parents) and really big feet. I'm thinking he's going to be tall... Of course, they said that about me and look at how I turned out!
He's so precious when he sleeps! He did that a lot today because he was up most of the night. He's having another growth spurt so he eats ALL THE TIME!!!
This was right after he'd eaten. I laid him back on his nursing pillow (he enjoys sleeping on it like this) and he threw his hands up and sighed really big. He was QUITE satisfied! :)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Doctor's Appointment...Kind Of
Franklin turned 2 weeks old yesterday! Good Lord, time is already flying by!
Well, apparently our appointment that we had yesterday had been miscommunicated to us and is actually for next week. We had to be there for his PKU anyway so it was only a tiny frustration. He did well for his PKU; he barely made a fuss when she stuck his heel.
He's getting better about riding in the carseat. I think as he gets more head control it will continue to get easier. I'm pretty sure he gets carsick, though. It's not surprising because both of his parents did as children (and do as adults).
Mom had an appointment with her doctor (who used to be in the Family Practice at the hospital where I delivered) and we had him give Franky the once over while we were there. He said that everything is totally fine. Still not sure how much he weighs (I know somewhere north of 8lbs because I've held him while standing on the scale) but I'm not worried. He still eats frequently :) The number of times he eats have decreased as he's gotten a lot better at nursing. So, he eats for longer periods of time because he knows a little more about what he's doing and has better control over his muscles. But, yay!
I did get chastised about not vaccinating, though. I knew that was going to happen. I know I'm not going to find a doctor that is 100% okay with our decision, and I accept that. I'll just be better prepared to defend myself next time. (I'm working on lack of sleep and my brain is not working so I felt like a deer in the headlights)
I'll try to keep this updated more often (if nothing else, with pictures!) Honestly, though, we don't do much but sit around and chill most of the day. I watch sitcoms and shows I DVR and Franklin eats and sleeps. I've started reading a little bit more (more than not at all basically) but I'm finding that I can only do it in short bursts because I get tired...it's odd for me.
No new pictures today (sorry!!!) Hopefully I'll have some tomorrow (or whenever I update again!)
Well, apparently our appointment that we had yesterday had been miscommunicated to us and is actually for next week. We had to be there for his PKU anyway so it was only a tiny frustration. He did well for his PKU; he barely made a fuss when she stuck his heel.
He's getting better about riding in the carseat. I think as he gets more head control it will continue to get easier. I'm pretty sure he gets carsick, though. It's not surprising because both of his parents did as children (and do as adults).
Mom had an appointment with her doctor (who used to be in the Family Practice at the hospital where I delivered) and we had him give Franky the once over while we were there. He said that everything is totally fine. Still not sure how much he weighs (I know somewhere north of 8lbs because I've held him while standing on the scale) but I'm not worried. He still eats frequently :) The number of times he eats have decreased as he's gotten a lot better at nursing. So, he eats for longer periods of time because he knows a little more about what he's doing and has better control over his muscles. But, yay!
I did get chastised about not vaccinating, though. I knew that was going to happen. I know I'm not going to find a doctor that is 100% okay with our decision, and I accept that. I'll just be better prepared to defend myself next time. (I'm working on lack of sleep and my brain is not working so I felt like a deer in the headlights)
I'll try to keep this updated more often (if nothing else, with pictures!) Honestly, though, we don't do much but sit around and chill most of the day. I watch sitcoms and shows I DVR and Franklin eats and sleeps. I've started reading a little bit more (more than not at all basically) but I'm finding that I can only do it in short bursts because I get tired...it's odd for me.
No new pictures today (sorry!!!) Hopefully I'll have some tomorrow (or whenever I update again!)
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Couple Of Thoughts
Labor and Pain: Oh. My. God. So, labor pain was WAY worse than I expected. Several people had told me that because I got horrible menstrual pains (like, put me in bed wanting to throw up pain) that labor wouldn't be that bad. I wish! Of course, my body went from zero to "baby time" in only a few hours so that might have had something to do with it. Thank God for epidurals!
Breastfeeding: Another painful experience. I understand now why a lot of women stop breastfeeding early on...it hurts! However, I just tell myself that #1 It gets easier (and has already) and #2 It is the BEST choice I could be making for my child. We've already started to even out in supply and demand.
Pee, Poop, Puke: Within the first week I had all of these on me at some point in time. He peed on me before he was even 24 hours old, puked on me a couple of days later, and before a week was up he had pooped on me. Funny thing is; I didn't care. Of course, when I was up at 5am a few days ago cleaning up baby puke it didn't bother me until after he was back asleep...only then did I realize "I don't handle puke very well" and got nauseated. (and then went to sleep) This kid can also pee like a fire hydrant! Like, to the point that diapers overflow (and that's after one pee) I seriously think his bladder holds more liquid than mine does...
Sleep: I had to look this word up to make sure I remembered what it meant. All I know is I'm not getting any...
We have our first doctors appointment on Wed. I'll update again after that!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Birth Story (finally)
I'm finally getting around to posting my birth story! Sorry it's taken so long... I'll try to not be graphic, but there's a certain amount of detail involved in a lot of it. Deal with it!
On April 14th I had my weekly doctor's appointment at 7:45am (which translates to getting up at 7am and getting seen around 8am) The doctor I saw was not my normal doctor. My normal doctor was going to be out of town that weekend and wanted me to see a different doctor "just in case" something happened. The doctor I saw did the usual exam (checked to see if I was dilated and measured my fundal height) She said I was still only dilated to 1/2cm (the magic number is 10cm...that's when labor happens) and I was measuring right around 38.5 weeks. So, right on target. She basically said "See you in a week" and implied I was going to carry to my due date (April 29th)
Uhm...someone had other plans.
Around 6pm I had a huge increase in discharge. After a bit of poking around on the internet I concluded that when she checked my dilation she irritated things and I was probably losing my mucous plug. (Gross little thing, let me tell you) This meant nothing. Losing a mucous plug (all at once or slowly) could mean labor is hours or weeks away. No big deal. I just dealt with it. I crawled into bed, exhausted, around 11pm.
Well, about an hour later I jumped out of bed because it felt like I'd peed all over myself. Now, this isn't unheard of for a pregnant woman...but it would be a new one on me. So, I conference called my mom and asked, "How would I know if my water broke?" I think, honestly, I knew what had happened all along...but I was in denial because the doctor had basically said I was getting nowhere! My mom called the OB unit at the hospital and they told me to come in and check things out just to be sure nothing was happening. This was around 12:30am.
On the drive over I started having contractions. It felt like menstrual cramps. I'm holding back tears because I desperately wanted Stefan to be there and knew that this meant he was going to miss it.
They got me in to check things out around 1am. By this time the pain was intense and I was rolling around on the bed trying to remember how to breathe. (You know how you tend to hold your breath when you're in pain? That's BAD when you're in labor...) They checked to see if I was, in fact, ruptured. According to the test, no...but according to the nurse, yes. She checked to see if I was dilated and felt me go from 3cm to 4cm. (Yeah, it was happening that fast) That was close to 2am I think. (My sense of time is VERY fuzzy) Somewhere during all of this I threw up (the nurse was amused by the appearance of mushrooms... "What did you eat??" was uttered with a laugh), they took close to 8 vials of blood, and I was given an injection for pain and nausea and hooked up to an IV.
They gave me Stadol for pain...the nurse informed me that it would "take the edge off" but not take the pain away. Uhm, it didn't work. The pain was just as intense. It did, however, make me so groggy and sick that I was miserable with that. I couldn't keep my eyes open because the room kept spinning. I couldn't focus on anything anyone said or keep track of who was in my room or where people were. It sucked. Looking back, I should have just dealt with it until the epidural got there.
I think it was around 2:30am (maybe closer to 3am) when they checked me again and I was at 6cm. Let me tell you, that's FAST for anyone; not to mention a first time birth. Usually the first one takes HOURS to progress anywhere. (I'm sure you've heard about women being in labor for 36 hours before, right?)
They gave me an epidural. (I begged for it) That was an odd experience. As soon as it went to work I had no pain...well, no feeling at all between right under my breasts and the top of my knees. I could feel my lower legs and feet. So, when my foot slipped off the bed I could feel the blood rush to it and knew it was throbbing, but I didn't have the muscle control in my thighs to pull it back up. Also, I kept sliding down the bed and my moms kept having to pull me back up. THAT was a bit humiliating! And you know that pain you get when you sit for too long in a movie or on a long car trip? Yeah, I could feel that too.
My doctor showed up and went over my birth plan with me. 90% of it was going to be followed to the letter. (The epidural and fast progression of labor changed some things) She went to get her scrubs on and came right back. It was a little after 6am at this point. She checked my progress and I remember her saying, "You're fully dilated and effaced...and I can feel the baby's head." My response? "Uhm...What???"
The room came alive! Suddenly there were nurses everywhere, I was being covered in sterile blue dressings, and people were being instructed on where to stand and what to do.
I was given Pitocin (usually given to induce labor) at the end of my labor because I was exhausted (I'd been awake roughly 24 hours straight), the contractions were getting less frequent and less intense, and the baby was in distress.
At 7:12am he was born. Again, the room was alive with activity. It reminded me of a beehive. Everyone had a job and no one was standing still. They gave him his Vit K shot and he didn't even flinch. He was taken to get bathed and whatnot for about an hour (I was instructed to sleep...) and was with me for most of the time after that. I took lots of pictures and videos and kept sending them to Stefan. (He got to come down the next day and spend the weekend!)
Our baby a few hours after birth! Yes, he always sleeps Superman style, even on his tummy!
On April 14th I had my weekly doctor's appointment at 7:45am (which translates to getting up at 7am and getting seen around 8am) The doctor I saw was not my normal doctor. My normal doctor was going to be out of town that weekend and wanted me to see a different doctor "just in case" something happened. The doctor I saw did the usual exam (checked to see if I was dilated and measured my fundal height) She said I was still only dilated to 1/2cm (the magic number is 10cm...that's when labor happens) and I was measuring right around 38.5 weeks. So, right on target. She basically said "See you in a week" and implied I was going to carry to my due date (April 29th)
Uhm...someone had other plans.
Around 6pm I had a huge increase in discharge. After a bit of poking around on the internet I concluded that when she checked my dilation she irritated things and I was probably losing my mucous plug. (Gross little thing, let me tell you) This meant nothing. Losing a mucous plug (all at once or slowly) could mean labor is hours or weeks away. No big deal. I just dealt with it. I crawled into bed, exhausted, around 11pm.
Well, about an hour later I jumped out of bed because it felt like I'd peed all over myself. Now, this isn't unheard of for a pregnant woman...but it would be a new one on me. So, I conference called my mom and asked, "How would I know if my water broke?" I think, honestly, I knew what had happened all along...but I was in denial because the doctor had basically said I was getting nowhere! My mom called the OB unit at the hospital and they told me to come in and check things out just to be sure nothing was happening. This was around 12:30am.
On the drive over I started having contractions. It felt like menstrual cramps. I'm holding back tears because I desperately wanted Stefan to be there and knew that this meant he was going to miss it.
They got me in to check things out around 1am. By this time the pain was intense and I was rolling around on the bed trying to remember how to breathe. (You know how you tend to hold your breath when you're in pain? That's BAD when you're in labor...) They checked to see if I was, in fact, ruptured. According to the test, no...but according to the nurse, yes. She checked to see if I was dilated and felt me go from 3cm to 4cm. (Yeah, it was happening that fast) That was close to 2am I think. (My sense of time is VERY fuzzy) Somewhere during all of this I threw up (the nurse was amused by the appearance of mushrooms... "What did you eat??" was uttered with a laugh), they took close to 8 vials of blood, and I was given an injection for pain and nausea and hooked up to an IV.
They gave me Stadol for pain...the nurse informed me that it would "take the edge off" but not take the pain away. Uhm, it didn't work. The pain was just as intense. It did, however, make me so groggy and sick that I was miserable with that. I couldn't keep my eyes open because the room kept spinning. I couldn't focus on anything anyone said or keep track of who was in my room or where people were. It sucked. Looking back, I should have just dealt with it until the epidural got there.
I think it was around 2:30am (maybe closer to 3am) when they checked me again and I was at 6cm. Let me tell you, that's FAST for anyone; not to mention a first time birth. Usually the first one takes HOURS to progress anywhere. (I'm sure you've heard about women being in labor for 36 hours before, right?)
They gave me an epidural. (I begged for it) That was an odd experience. As soon as it went to work I had no pain...well, no feeling at all between right under my breasts and the top of my knees. I could feel my lower legs and feet. So, when my foot slipped off the bed I could feel the blood rush to it and knew it was throbbing, but I didn't have the muscle control in my thighs to pull it back up. Also, I kept sliding down the bed and my moms kept having to pull me back up. THAT was a bit humiliating! And you know that pain you get when you sit for too long in a movie or on a long car trip? Yeah, I could feel that too.
My doctor showed up and went over my birth plan with me. 90% of it was going to be followed to the letter. (The epidural and fast progression of labor changed some things) She went to get her scrubs on and came right back. It was a little after 6am at this point. She checked my progress and I remember her saying, "You're fully dilated and effaced...and I can feel the baby's head." My response? "Uhm...What???"
The room came alive! Suddenly there were nurses everywhere, I was being covered in sterile blue dressings, and people were being instructed on where to stand and what to do.
I was given Pitocin (usually given to induce labor) at the end of my labor because I was exhausted (I'd been awake roughly 24 hours straight), the contractions were getting less frequent and less intense, and the baby was in distress.
At 7:12am he was born. Again, the room was alive with activity. It reminded me of a beehive. Everyone had a job and no one was standing still. They gave him his Vit K shot and he didn't even flinch. He was taken to get bathed and whatnot for about an hour (I was instructed to sleep...) and was with me for most of the time after that. I took lots of pictures and videos and kept sending them to Stefan. (He got to come down the next day and spend the weekend!)
Our baby a few hours after birth! Yes, he always sleeps Superman style, even on his tummy!
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