Things I wish someone would have told me!
heathercrist1
Posts: 806 Member
I was going to post this on the Mommy board (Still fit and fabulous AFTER baby)....but I figured that since we are now mommies we would already know these things! lol! Let me also give a warning that a lot of the things I'm about to say are TMI but things most if not all of you will experience! Also let me say that I'm not trying to scare...just keeping it real! And let the "Things I wish someone would have told me" commence.....
After the baby is born, if you breastfeed you will have cramps for the first few weeks after baby is born to help your uterus go back to normal size. Well duh...normal stuff right. I'm sure you all have read this in the books...Well what they don't tell you is that it may also make you have to poop...like NOW! I can't tell you how many times I was nursing and had to lay a screaming, ticked off baby down so I could run to the bathroom to poo! There are several times where I had a few close calls! lol!
So since we are on the subject of poo....well sometimes breastfeeding moms get a bit dried up cause all of your fluids are going to be used to produce milk. This is lovingly known as constipation! I've never in my life had a problem "going". I drink TONS of water, eat plenty of fiber, and exercise daily. I'm a very regular person and like it that way! So when I was getting "backed up" and then not looking forward to having to go because it was oh so very painful to go I knew something was wrong. I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get hemorrhoids during my pregnancy or delivery. I did however start to get them after the baby from straining to go. I even started to bleed when I went and the doc said this was cause by a fissure.... So not only was I sore on my front bottom, I was now sore on my back bottom as well! The magical cure...the highest dose of colace a girl can have! Evidently Miralax isn't approved for breastfeeding women (cause seriously what is it going to do to your baby?! newborns poop every 15 seconds anyways....lucky). So 4 months out and I'm still taking my colace and the doc said I will probably have to take it until I wean... joy.
Oh you thought we were done talking poo? Ha! No such luck! At least I'm not talking about me this time... Many newborns poop...ALL the time! I thought something was wrong with the baby at first. She had gone 6 times in the hospital (yes even after 4 months I can still remember the number of times my baby pooped...as a mom you monitor three things very closely...when they last ate, how long they slept, and the status of their poo) so when we got home on a Friday and she hadn't pooped and it was now Sunday night I was freaking. Well I made an appt first thing Monday morning and come to find out it is pretty normal for breastfed babies to NOT go for up to 12ish days after being born. Well I brought her home and wouldn't you know 10 minutes after walking through the door she had a poop explosion....and it never stopped after that (one of those "be careful what you wish for" kinda things I suppose...). I learned a valuable lesson one day...I had been changing her on the couch (my cream colored microfiber beautiful couch) and all of a sudden she got me good. It had shot out with such force that it got me, the couch, and the rug...like 2 feet away! From then on it was changing table only!
Okay so lets move on...SEX. We all have it (or should I say HAD it...well at least once...or how else would we be in this predicament?!) I actually was a very sexual person prepregnancy. I'd so more than the average girl. I've always thought it was because I have PCOS and a higher amount of testosterone in my body...but who knows. Anyways, when I got pregnant I was so freaked out about having it because I just had 3 miscarriages prior to this pregnancy (all in a row...sucked. BIG TIME). Well then when I was 8 weeks my husband left on a work trip (he is in the Army and this is our normal life). So he was gone during my raging hormone horny time...poor guy. At the end of my pregnancy we had the sex but it was for a purpose...to get her OUT! It was all work and no play...sad really. So after the baby was born most men wait patiently for that 6 week appointment where the doctor clears you to allow things to enter the vagina. I've heard of women begging their doc to lie and say they weren't ready. Well since hubby and I are very honest with each other I just told him that it wasn't happening. Not only was I not "feeling" it...my front and back bottom were still sore and quite a hot mess. Slowly but surely that physical uncomfortableness has gone away, but my hormones still aren't allowing me to "feel it". Basically I've had to force myself to do it or else it will never happen. I'm still attracted to my husband and I love him more than ever...but my hormones just aren't amped up for it anymore. I've talked to him about it and he understands. So we've had to make "sexy time" dates where we just plan on doing it. Once we are I get into it...it is just faking it at first that sucks...
Boobs. So I've always had pretty great boobs. They were a large C/small D before I got pregnant. Perky, which at 30 is pretty impressive if I do say so. After the baby was born my boobs were inappropriately large. I called them my "porn star boobs" (not that any funny business was being had with them of course). They were hard and big but what was really disturbing was how "veiny" they looked. When I was engorged they were bumpy, white (from lack of tanning for 10 months), and veiny. Oh and not to mention the grandma nursing bras make you look and feel oh so very sexy....not.
Lastly, a not so TMI subject...your sweet baby. They are ALL different, every single one of them. Just so happens that EVERYONE I knew had a baby the same time I did. Which made the posts from my neighbor at 6 weeks on Facebook about how her sweet, perfect little angel baby was sleeping through the night made my skin crawl and made me feel inadequate as a mother (P.S. Evidently "sleeping through the night" officially means the baby sleeps from midnight to 5am uninterrupted...definitely not MY idea of an all night sleep but whatevs). Everyone will have advice, even I can dish it out (if you ask for it of course), but at the end of the day every baby is different and what works for one might not work for yours. Some babies have difficult personalities and some babies are "angel" babies...Does that mean that you are a bad parent if you have a difficult/higher maintenance baby than that oh so lucky mom of the angel baby? NO! Just means that you will have to do what is best for you and your baby and whatever works I say DO IT! Charlee still ends up in bed with me every morning and quite frankly I love cuddling with her in the wee hours of the morning. Evidently this is a "no no" but it works for us. So ask for help if you need it, but just remember that every baby is different and you are doing the best you can!
I wish you all the best of luck on your journey through pregnancy and being a mommy! I've absolutely LOVED this new adventure! Charlee has made me a better person and taught me so much about life and myself. Patience is probably the biggest advice I can give.
I hope I've made you laugh a little and let you know that all of this is normal. Nobody told me any of this and so experiencing it for the first time was quite a shock. So yes...normal...totally normal!
If anyone has any questions or comments, I'd love to hear em!
Take care my friends!
After the baby is born, if you breastfeed you will have cramps for the first few weeks after baby is born to help your uterus go back to normal size. Well duh...normal stuff right. I'm sure you all have read this in the books...Well what they don't tell you is that it may also make you have to poop...like NOW! I can't tell you how many times I was nursing and had to lay a screaming, ticked off baby down so I could run to the bathroom to poo! There are several times where I had a few close calls! lol!
So since we are on the subject of poo....well sometimes breastfeeding moms get a bit dried up cause all of your fluids are going to be used to produce milk. This is lovingly known as constipation! I've never in my life had a problem "going". I drink TONS of water, eat plenty of fiber, and exercise daily. I'm a very regular person and like it that way! So when I was getting "backed up" and then not looking forward to having to go because it was oh so very painful to go I knew something was wrong. I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get hemorrhoids during my pregnancy or delivery. I did however start to get them after the baby from straining to go. I even started to bleed when I went and the doc said this was cause by a fissure.... So not only was I sore on my front bottom, I was now sore on my back bottom as well! The magical cure...the highest dose of colace a girl can have! Evidently Miralax isn't approved for breastfeeding women (cause seriously what is it going to do to your baby?! newborns poop every 15 seconds anyways....lucky). So 4 months out and I'm still taking my colace and the doc said I will probably have to take it until I wean... joy.
Oh you thought we were done talking poo? Ha! No such luck! At least I'm not talking about me this time... Many newborns poop...ALL the time! I thought something was wrong with the baby at first. She had gone 6 times in the hospital (yes even after 4 months I can still remember the number of times my baby pooped...as a mom you monitor three things very closely...when they last ate, how long they slept, and the status of their poo) so when we got home on a Friday and she hadn't pooped and it was now Sunday night I was freaking. Well I made an appt first thing Monday morning and come to find out it is pretty normal for breastfed babies to NOT go for up to 12ish days after being born. Well I brought her home and wouldn't you know 10 minutes after walking through the door she had a poop explosion....and it never stopped after that (one of those "be careful what you wish for" kinda things I suppose...). I learned a valuable lesson one day...I had been changing her on the couch (my cream colored microfiber beautiful couch) and all of a sudden she got me good. It had shot out with such force that it got me, the couch, and the rug...like 2 feet away! From then on it was changing table only!
Okay so lets move on...SEX. We all have it (or should I say HAD it...well at least once...or how else would we be in this predicament?!) I actually was a very sexual person prepregnancy. I'd so more than the average girl. I've always thought it was because I have PCOS and a higher amount of testosterone in my body...but who knows. Anyways, when I got pregnant I was so freaked out about having it because I just had 3 miscarriages prior to this pregnancy (all in a row...sucked. BIG TIME). Well then when I was 8 weeks my husband left on a work trip (he is in the Army and this is our normal life). So he was gone during my raging hormone horny time...poor guy. At the end of my pregnancy we had the sex but it was for a purpose...to get her OUT! It was all work and no play...sad really. So after the baby was born most men wait patiently for that 6 week appointment where the doctor clears you to allow things to enter the vagina. I've heard of women begging their doc to lie and say they weren't ready. Well since hubby and I are very honest with each other I just told him that it wasn't happening. Not only was I not "feeling" it...my front and back bottom were still sore and quite a hot mess. Slowly but surely that physical uncomfortableness has gone away, but my hormones still aren't allowing me to "feel it". Basically I've had to force myself to do it or else it will never happen. I'm still attracted to my husband and I love him more than ever...but my hormones just aren't amped up for it anymore. I've talked to him about it and he understands. So we've had to make "sexy time" dates where we just plan on doing it. Once we are I get into it...it is just faking it at first that sucks...
Boobs. So I've always had pretty great boobs. They were a large C/small D before I got pregnant. Perky, which at 30 is pretty impressive if I do say so. After the baby was born my boobs were inappropriately large. I called them my "porn star boobs" (not that any funny business was being had with them of course). They were hard and big but what was really disturbing was how "veiny" they looked. When I was engorged they were bumpy, white (from lack of tanning for 10 months), and veiny. Oh and not to mention the grandma nursing bras make you look and feel oh so very sexy....not.
Lastly, a not so TMI subject...your sweet baby. They are ALL different, every single one of them. Just so happens that EVERYONE I knew had a baby the same time I did. Which made the posts from my neighbor at 6 weeks on Facebook about how her sweet, perfect little angel baby was sleeping through the night made my skin crawl and made me feel inadequate as a mother (P.S. Evidently "sleeping through the night" officially means the baby sleeps from midnight to 5am uninterrupted...definitely not MY idea of an all night sleep but whatevs). Everyone will have advice, even I can dish it out (if you ask for it of course), but at the end of the day every baby is different and what works for one might not work for yours. Some babies have difficult personalities and some babies are "angel" babies...Does that mean that you are a bad parent if you have a difficult/higher maintenance baby than that oh so lucky mom of the angel baby? NO! Just means that you will have to do what is best for you and your baby and whatever works I say DO IT! Charlee still ends up in bed with me every morning and quite frankly I love cuddling with her in the wee hours of the morning. Evidently this is a "no no" but it works for us. So ask for help if you need it, but just remember that every baby is different and you are doing the best you can!
I wish you all the best of luck on your journey through pregnancy and being a mommy! I've absolutely LOVED this new adventure! Charlee has made me a better person and taught me so much about life and myself. Patience is probably the biggest advice I can give.
I hope I've made you laugh a little and let you know that all of this is normal. Nobody told me any of this and so experiencing it for the first time was quite a shock. So yes...normal...totally normal!
If anyone has any questions or comments, I'd love to hear em!
Take care my friends!
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Heather-Thanks for the many laughs.
So true!!!
~Brenda0 -
I've had two babies in two years and a lot of that brought back memories. I am now pregnant again. I will add a bit since I did not breastfeed and had c-sections so a little different background.
1) If you have a c-section, have them take the spinal out around 24hrs after delivery and get up out of bed. It will be uncomfortable or a bit painful, but even standing up and going to the bathroom on your own will help you recover faster. I had staples and they remove those before I left the hospital 72hrs after delivery and it didn't hurt at all and then I was just left with butterfly bandages.
2) Keep the incision area as dry as possible. If your skin flaps over the area a bit then keep gauze or a pad in that area because when water gets trapped there it will start to smell. Use a blowdryer a few times a day on the area as well.
3) Formula feeding - you newborn probably won't poop as much. IF their poop is hard or they are straining a lot you might want to consider switching formula or giving your newborn 1oz water in between feedings (no in place of a feeding though). Not every baby does well on every brand/type of formula so don't stock up on any one kind as you might have to switch.
4) If you have a boy, be prepared to be peed on. When changing diapers put a baby washcloth over their penis because, especially those first few weeks, when that cold air hits they pee.
5) Take your pain pills on schedule AND your stool softener if you have a c-section. I forgot the stool softener for the first few days after I got home from the hospital and that was a BIG mistake...it was not pretty, I won't say anymore than that. :laugh: If your pain pills are too strong for you while in the hospital let the nurses know because after my 1st c-section the pain pills they used would knock me out so the 2nd time around I got a different kind and it was 100% better experience.
If anyone have any formula feeding or c-section questions feel free to ask me. I'm an open book! 0 -
Thanks for the info girls.
BusyPK - you are the first person on here I have heard talk about bottle feeding. Im only 17 weeks and not 100% if I want to breastfeed or bottle. I need to research more into it. Did you have to bottlefeed or is that what you preferred to do?
Heather - was bottle feeding ever considered as a choice for you?
I think I will try breastfeeding but worried as Im not 100% I will just go into it halfhearted and then struggle more. My friends are 50:50 with what they have done so far. Any opinions welcome.
Helen0 -
See this is the stuff I need to know....thanks for being open and honest ladies!
On that note....I did post this in the product topic but I'm wondering if any one has used cloth diapers? I'm thinking I want to give it a try but there are so many kinds out there I'm not sure where to start.0 -
I just used the trusty ole disposables ones...but I had considered cloth as well. I hear the G diapers are pretty good with the disposable liners. I guess I couldn't find enough pros to go cloth so disposables it is. I've also tried all the disposables and found that Huggies worked best for Charlee. The Luvs irritated her skin (there is some kind of fragrance in them), the pampers were a hot mess and she had blowouts and leaked pee all the time, and the huggies just seemed to fit her better. But I truly believe that what works well for one baby doesn't always on another so don't buy all one kind of diaper cause it just might not work!0
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Thanks for the info girls.
BusyPK - you are the first person on here I have heard talk about bottle feeding. Im only 17 weeks and not 100% if I want to breastfeed or bottle. I need to research more into it. Did you have to bottlefeed or is that what you preferred to do?
Heather - was bottle feeding ever considered as a choice for you?
I think I will try breastfeeding but worried as Im not 100% I will just go into it halfhearted and then struggle more. My friends are 50:50 with what they have done so far. Any opinions welcome.
Helen
Helen~
Here is the pro breastfeeding side:flowerforyou:
Check out these sites and do a lot of research before you decide. I myself don't understand why you would choose to formula feed if you are able to breastfeed. And I mean that, I genuinely do not understand. I am not slamming formula feeding, just giving you some info to start your own research. Breastfeeding is cheaper, better healthwise for mom and baby, protects baby from illnesses, easier, and there is no chance of using a recalled or contaminated product. If you have any other questions feel free to message me:)
Benefits of breastfeeding:
Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition, breastfeeding is associated with higher I.Q., breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system (formula provides neither of these benefits), nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born, pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants, formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes, formula feeding increases baby's risk of otitis media (ear infections), formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.) , Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis, respiratory infections, vision defects, and hemophilus b. virus. All these statements were found at http://www.notmilk.com/101.html. Plus there are many, many more like these!
http://www.notmilk.com/101.html
(101 awesome reasons to breast feed. All have sources after statements. Best info I've found:)
http://www.thebabybond.com/InfantDeaths.html
(great article on increased risk associated with formula feeding, at the bottom of the page it shows links to studies about breastfeeding/formula feeding and infant death rates)
http://www.fitpregnancy.com/motherhood/breastfeeding/reasons-breastfeed?subsection=breastfeeding
http://www.jobdescriptionmommy.com/job-description-mommy/2010/12/100-reasons-to-avoid-infant-formula-like-the-plague.html (not sourced, but gives you some things to think about and possibly do more research into)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6469558
(breastfeeding provides health advantages for infants in study)
http://www.naturalnews.com/019338.html
(interesting article of additives in formula,and also discusses benefits of breastmilk)
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html
(formula does come with its own set of risks, and every mother needs to be aware of those so she can make a truly informed decision on whether to use it or not)
The World Health Organization (WHO) actually states: “The second choice is the mother’s own milk expressed and given to the infant in some way. The third choice is the milk of another human mother. The fourth and last choice is artificial baby milk.” http://www.salon.com/1999/07/20/formula2/
Can you tell I love breastfeeding??? Pumped exclusively for 10 months with son (latching issues) breastfed 14 months with daughter (would have kept going if I could have!) lol, good luck!0 -
Thanks for the info girls.
BusyPK - you are the first person on here I have heard talk about bottle feeding. Im only 17 weeks and not 100% if I want to breastfeed or bottle. I need to research more into it. Did you have to bottlefeed or is that what you preferred to do?
Heather - was bottle feeding ever considered as a choice for you?
I think I will try breastfeeding but worried as Im not 100% I will just go into it halfhearted and then struggle more. My friends are 50:50 with what they have done so far. Any opinions welcome.
Helen
To Helen and anyone else thinking of breastfeeding for the first time- I wish someone had told me......
nursing is something you will have to work at constantly and consistently to master in the first month to two months. Thinking back on it, learning to nurse is similar to learning to eat healthy and exercise regularly. It takes time, dedication, practice, and a mindset that you ARE GOING TO DO THIS. (* And sometimes in specific situations it still doesn't work.) It is so easy to get frustrated and give up. You have good days and bad days. After you start to get the hang of it, you have more good days than bad days but you still have to work for it everyday, everytime you feed your baby.
I really struggled trying to make breastfeeding work with my first baby. After about 3 weeks and lots of tears I broken heartedly threw in the towel and gave up. I kept pumping my milk for 6 months but I could just not get it for some reason. (I had books, classes, nurses, and a family friend all trying to help me do it. But it just didn't click.) When I had my second baby, I was again determined that I was going to breastfeed him. And guess what! I did. It was not easy and I got frustrated and discouraged (daily in the first few weeks) but I did NOT give up. I nursed him until he was about 19 months and I am so glad I did. It was kind of like that with my weight loss too- I didn't start losing until I made up my mind that I was determined to do it and I have not given up. I have lost almost 60 pounds. More than I have ever lost before. So I would totally encourage you to do it, but if you can't or deciede it is not for you, then don't lose any sleep over it. Just enjoy your baby!! Best of luck.0 -
Thanks for the info girls.
BusyPK - you are the first person on here I have heard talk about bottle feeding. Im only 17 weeks and not 100% if I want to breastfeed or bottle. I need to research more into it. Did you have to bottlefeed or is that what you preferred to do?
Heather - was bottle feeding ever considered as a choice for you?
I think I will try breastfeeding but worried as Im not 100% I will just go into it halfhearted and then struggle more. My friends are 50:50 with what they have done so far. Any opinions welcome.
Helen
To Helen and anyone else thinking of breastfeeding for the first time- I wish someone had told me......
nursing is something you will have to work at constantly and consistently to master in the first month to two months. Thinking back on it, learning to nurse is similar to learning to eat healthy and exercise regularly. It takes time, dedication, practice, and a mindset that you ARE GOING TO DO THIS. (* And sometimes in specific situations it still doesn't work.) It is so easy to get frustrated and give up. You have good days and bad days. After you start to get the hang of it, you have more good days than bad days but you still have to work for it everyday, everytime you feed your baby.
I really struggled trying to make breastfeeding work with my first baby. After about 3 weeks and lots of tears I broken heartedly threw in the towel and gave up. I kept pumping my milk for 6 months but I could just not get it for some reason. (I had books, classes, nurses, and a family friend all trying to help me do it. But it just didn't click.) When I had my second baby, I was again determined that I was going to breastfeed him. And guess what! I did. It was not easy and I got frustrated and discouraged (daily in the first few weeks) but I did NOT give up. I nursed him until he was about 19 months and I am so glad I did. It was kind of like that with my weight loss too- I didn't start losing until I made up my mind that I was determined to do it and I have not given up. I have lost almost 60 pounds. More than I have ever lost before. So I would totally encourage you to do it, but if you can't or deciede it is not for you, then don't lose any sleep over it. Just enjoy your baby!! Best of luck.
And like you Amanda I had problems with my first and also decided to pump. It worked wellfor 10 months, but it way way harder than naturally breastfeeding. Something for second time moms who had problems bfing first, just because you had problems breastfeeding your first doesn't mean you won't be able to bf second. I had to pump with my first, he was so clueless at latching! I was worried/anxious/positive that I would have problems with my daughter. She latched on and was a pro! The first week was still hard, but after that we worked it out and made it to 14 months when back issues caused me to quit. Quitting was sooo hard! All babies are different, and don't be discourged if you have problems. Even the best breastfeeders need some time to work it out. It is hard in the begining so be prepared to work!
Amanda, I love to hear about extended breastfeeders (though I don't think anything under 2 should be considered "extended")! That is so awesome that you did it for 19 months! I was shooting for 18 months. This time I am hoping for 24 months at least! But it will take a of TON dedication!0 -
Regarding breastfeeding vs. formula - the decision was not actually mine, but my bodies. I am pro-breastfeeding and believe if a mother is comfortable she should try. Even if you do it just a handful of months! I tried my hardest, seeing many lactation consultants and using many different products, but after my second son was born the last LC I saw said I had something called IGT (Insufficient Glandular Tissue) and I just didn't produce milk (or very, very little). I pumped for a month with my first getting barely anything out each time. It was very hard for me to deal with, but I've come to terms with it now. I am newly pregnant with baby #3 and will do formula from the start and I am at peace with it.
Regarding cloth diapers - we use cloth on both my boys. I have a 2yo and a 6mo. I don't want to spam on here, but love the cloth we use and can talk your ear off regarding many different brands as we've tried a ton. 0 -
Sarah, You should be able to make it 24 months or longer. Mine is just shy of 2yrs old and he still asks if "mamas are gone?" and trys to cram his little hand down my shirt and pull one out! haha. I decided to stop bf him bc my husband and I wanted to try for our 3rd and I was not sure if I was ovulating. (Even though I was only nursing him 1-2 times a day and I was having a period. ???) I still did not test positive for ovulation on the OPK's for 2 months in a row. So I stopped
. (btw- I tested positive the very next month and am due nov 1 : ) ). I wasn't too broken hearted over it though. He would latch on and off for 30 min. and play in between and jump all over me so he was losing intrest in it. He is also very affectionate and I really have not missed it bc we have just replaced bf with tons of snuggling and nuzzling. I plan to bf my next one for 2-2.5yrs if he/she will let me as well. It is a wonderful "relationship" to take part in and I hope your next one goes well. 0 -
Hey ladies! So this post was intended to be a kind of funny truth telling post to all the soon to be mommies of things I wish someone would have told me... It isn't to debate what is better bottle vs breast or disposable vs cloth. I'm sure there are other boards on here for such things. I don't want to offend anyone, but I just want this to be light hearted and honest. I hope you ladies all the best!0
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Apologies if I offened anyone. Not my intention. Actually I was just reading Heathercrist's labor and delivery story and it made me think of something I wish I had known ab labor...... Your contractions may not be the text book 3-5 min apart lasting 60-90 sec each. Mine were all over the place. Some were 5 min apart, some were 10 min apart, some were 2 min apart, and some seemed like they lasted for like 5 min straight!!! They never conformed to the every 3-5 min thing. Luckly I was in so much pain I made the decision to just go to the hospital. Oh and did I mention I was also in labor for 3 days?!?! Contractions started Monday one every 20- 30 mins lasting ab one min. Tuesday came and went, same story. All day Wednesday (at this point I was getting pissed!) contraction every 15 mins. FINALLY Wed night around 7pm they started getting a little closer so I would start timing them, then they would spread back out. I was so confused. But by 10pm I was in labor and arrived at the hospital dilated to a 6. But the contractions never did fall into a nice pattern for me. ? (And I was induced with my 1st and that's a different ballgame.)0
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I also apologize I I offended anyone. That is info I would like to know before I had a baby. Helen asked for opinions on breastfeeding to help her with her decision. I was just trying to be supportive. Just trying to be helpful! :flowerforyou:0
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A few other things I thought of...
It's a bird, it's a plane....it's a HOT FLASH!!!! For the first few weeks at night I would wake up literally drenched in sweat! My hair was wet to the tip! I was SOOOO hot! Oh and then I'd start to freeze cause it was winter...Awesome. Your hormones are all over the place after the baby is born and this is totally normal.
Leaking....Stock up on the breastpads cause it is gonna happen. I still have to wear them and it has been 4 months. I do recommend buying a "Milkies" if you are breastfeeding. They are pretty awesome for leaky moms. I still sleep in my beloved Bravado nursing bra with breast pads. I bought 2 and that wasn't enough so I bought 2 more. 4 is a good number to have. I still leak and if the pad is off to the side I've made some pretty milk stains on my tshirts (so thankful I was home).0 -
Ha, sorry my fault. Thanks for info though girls, x0
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Thanks for the info girls.
BusyPK - you are the first person on here I have heard talk about bottle feeding. Im only 17 weeks and not 100% if I want to breastfeed or bottle. I need to research more into it. Did you have to bottlefeed or is that what you preferred to do?
Heather - was bottle feeding ever considered as a choice for you?
I think I will try breastfeeding but worried as Im not 100% I will just go into it halfhearted and then struggle more. My friends are 50:50 with what they have done so far. Any opinions welcome.
Helen
I chose the best of both worlds honestly. I pumped breastmilk and bottle fed it to my son, I'm pregnant again and honestly, don't even plan on breasfeeding...I'm gonna pump again and bottlefeed. You get all the benefits of breast milk but the ease and convenience of bottlefeeding. The only thing you really have to think more about is storage and youre diet and all that stuff.
PLUS breastfeeding BURNS CALORIES! Yay! Its like 20 cals for every ounce so if youre like a cow like I was you could burn about 800-900 calories a day just by hooking your boobs up to a machine! I'm not huge on excersize and well does it get any easier than hooking yourself up to a machine? I doubt it...
You can rent a machine from a medical supply store and just buy the tubing and flange kit and if it doesnt work at least you're not out a few hundred dollars from a machine....just something to think about!0 -
A few other things I thought of...
It's a bird, it's a plane....it's a HOT FLASH!!!! For the first few weeks at night I would wake up literally drenched in sweat! My hair was wet to the tip! I was SOOOO hot! Oh and then I'd start to freeze cause it was winter...Awesome. Your hormones are all over the place after the baby is born and this is totally normal.
Leaking....Stock up on the breastpads cause it is gonna happen. I still have to wear them and it has been 4 months. I do recommend buying a "Milkies" if you are breastfeeding. They are pretty awesome for leaky moms. I still sleep in my beloved Bravado nursing bra with breast pads. I bought 2 and that wasn't enough so I bought 2 more. 4 is a good number to have. I still leak and if the pad is off to the side I've made some pretty milk stains on my tshirts (so thankful I was home).
I went to my fancy work christmas party 2 weeks after I had my son. Luckily I had mommy brain and went the day after the party so I missed it. When I came home I had 2 huge wet milk spots on my dress shirt! I would have been mortified if that happened at the party! lol, after the first month I tossed out the pads and never had another accident. But def good to know! WEAR BREAST PADS!0 -
I didn't take offense to anyones comments above, and hopefully no one took mine offensive as that was not my intent. I just wanted to give my outlook on things as I had c-sections and formula feed.
I did remember another thing, after having my two sons my stomach felt so funny. You will have skin that sags and even when you start fitting back into your pre-pregnancy pants, they might just fit a little different as you might have a pooch afterwards for some time.
Also, after c-sections it's common for that area to be numb for up to months afterwards. Actually, after my first son a 3in section was numb for about 6 months afterwards, but it's normal and nothing to worry about (at least that is what I was told, lol).0 -
Yes! I always heard about people losing 20lbs after delivery and I expected to lose a ton. I lost like 6 lbs when I left the hospital and still looked pregnant! Being pumped full of iv fluids didn't help either. I was shocked when I looked at pics after having the baby. So don't be surprised if you still look pregnant! And if your face is unrecognizable due to iv fluids!
My c-section scar still feels weird and kinda numb in spots, and it's been over 3 years since my last c-section! Guess that's what happens when you cut into nerves, some are bound to be damaged!
Don't be surprised if you get sick after having a c-section. I was so nauseous after both of mine that I didn't even want to hold the baby:( Last time I had morphine and a spinal and it made the room spin. I was so dizzy, it sucked. This time I'm gonna see about getting just a spinal and no extra pain meds through iv. Maybe that will help!0 -
Thanks for the info girls.
BusyPK - you are the first person on here I have heard talk about bottle feeding. Im only 17 weeks and not 100% if I want to breastfeed or bottle. I need to research more into it. Did you have to bottlefeed or is that what you preferred to do?
Heather - was bottle feeding ever considered as a choice for you?
I think I will try breastfeeding but worried as Im not 100% I will just go into it halfhearted and then struggle more. My friends are 50:50 with what they have done so far. Any opinions welcome.
Helen0 -
I wasn't able to breast feed...for whatever reason, my milk didn't come in. I felt guilty and disappointed, etc. I think as a new mom, you just expect to breast feed and that it will be easy and "normal". However, looking back, I wish someone would have told me that it my baby would be just fine being fed formula. I have a very happy healthy 2 year old. She's had her share of colds, but has been relatively healthy. She's loves to eat fruits and veggies and drink water, etc. I don't think the way you feed (BF vs. formula)your baby pre-determines their health. I do think the choices you make for him/her as a toddler does. I/we enjoy riding bikes, going for walks, and getting lots of fresh air. We rarely have the TV on. You just need to do what's best for you and don't let anyone (friends, family, media, etc) make you feel guilty. Healthy family, healthy baby! Congrats and good luck on the new arrival!0
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Regarding breastfeeding vs. formula - the decision was not actually mine, but my bodies. I am pro-breastfeeding and believe if a mother is comfortable she should try. Even if you do it just a handful of months! I tried my hardest, seeing many lactation consultants and using many different products, but after my second son was born the last LC I saw said I had something called IGT (Insufficient Glandular Tissue) and I just didn't produce milk (or very, very little). I pumped for a month with my first getting barely anything out each time. It was very hard for me to deal with, but I've come to terms with it now. I am newly pregnant with baby #3 and will do formula from the start and I am at peace with it.
Regarding cloth diapers - we use cloth on both my boys. I have a 2yo and a 6mo. I don't want to spam on here, but love the cloth we use and can talk your ear off regarding many different brands as we've tried a ton.
I have to look into IGT!! I wonder if that was my problem too. I saw a lot of LC and they essentially told me that I wouldn't be able to. They would weigh my daughter, i'd nurse her for 30 to 40 minutes and they'd weigh her again. She wouldn't even gain 1/10 of an ounce. It was very difficult to come to terms with. Good luck with #3!0 -
...and to get back to a less serious note, make sure you new mommies stock up on those lovely pads and undies at the hospital They look ridiculous but really come in handy once you're home.
...it's normal to want to send your baby back to the hospital on your first night home when he/she won't stop crying,
...and don't feel bad when you can't swaddle them as well as the nurse can at the hospital
...let dads, sig others, friends, family help. they love to and you will need to rest
...snuggle that little peanut as much as you can. They grow up way too fast
Congratulations and Welcome to Mommyhood!!0 -
Remembered another one...I've mentioned this before on previous posts...but I think it worth saying again. If you are nursing most likely you will have raw nipples. "Soothies" were lifesavers and bring them with you to the hospital! When you shower put on the Lanolin cream before getting into the shower. The water from the shower will feel like razor blades on your tender nipples and the ointment helps protect them from the water (aka water razorblades! lol). Trust me...learned this lesson the hard way!0
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Another one - take those mesh panties from the hospital home with you, and ask for more on the way out. :laugh: They came in so handy those first few days home from the hospital when I was recovering from a c-section. 0
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Another one - take those mesh panties from the hospital home with you, and ask for more on the way out. :laugh: They came in so handy those first few days home from the hospital when I was recovering from a c-section.
I stole so many of those bc I wasn't about to ruin my own and the plastic sheet cover things, I took a lot of random things from the hospital I knew I'd use at home. Hell, who has modesty after having a baby?0 -
Another one - take those mesh panties from the hospital home with you, and ask for more on the way out. :laugh: They came in so handy those first few days home from the hospital when I was recovering from a c-section.
I thought I was the only one who loves those things! lol, i agree take em home!!! They are great post c-section :happy:0 -
I stole so many of those bc I wasn't about to ruin my own and the plastic sheet cover things, I took a lot of random things from the hospital I knew I'd use at home. Hell, who has modesty after having a baby?
Oh yeah, I took home the plastic on one side/fabric on another side things they put under you in the hospital bed! :laugh: I took the mini toothpaste, packs of gauze and pads and even a few newborn side button shirts for my son. :blushing:0 -
If you have a boy and circumsize. keep the gauze moist before you put it on! It will stick. My neighbor/close friend had a boy 2 months after and his was VERY stuck the night they came home from hospital. Dad almost passed out (doesn't do well with blood) and mom was an emotional wreck because he was screaming.
Also, if you do decided to BF and baby is crying ALL the time...dr may say it's just colic. Try eliminating things from your diet like dairy,whey, eggs and soy. Both my boys had this. It's an "allergy" or reaction to the protein. Stinks but life is so much better when you cut it out. In fact, this time I'll stop consuming all of that at the end of August (due Sept 25). I'l slowly introduce it but I have a feeling all my children will have it, It's likely that's why I screamed when I was a baby and was colicky.
Take home the squirty bottle with you from the hospital....its wonderful when you go to the restroom. It helps with the burning.0 -
Here are some things I wish I had known:
1. Just because you decide to breastfeed doesn't mean you will lose weight more quickly! That is always touted as one of the benefits of breastfeeding, but in truth, is only true for about half of moms. I breastfed exclusively and it took me FOREVER to lose the weight, and guess what... the weight loss really sped up after I stopped breastfeeding! I referred to it as "Walrus Syndrome." My body was hanging on to all of the fat to make sure I could make enough milk for my baby.
2. The sound of other infants crying will make you leak, not just your own. Sometimes the sound of a baby crying on TV can make you leak as well!
3. Physical intimacy with your partner, while typically OK to resume after 6 weeks, isn't going to be the same for a while. It takes time for your body to heal and adjust after a baby. Be patient with yourself and with one another. It might even be that things that "worked" for you pre-baby no longer have the same effect. Experiment and know that different than before is OK.
4.You will never experience fatigue like the first six weeks home with a new baby!0
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