I think we are still in survival mode, but things are getting better. DS was born at 37 weeks (also on July 2nd), and we have been working on a) getting him back to birth weight and b) clearing up his jaundice (his numbers were always normal, but he was yellow past his belly button etc., so we kept a close eye on that with the pediatrician. He is kind of a sleepy eater and would also just get mad and refuse sometimes, so we have been supplementing with formula since we got home. I was okay with this, and it saved my sanity. He is eating so much better at the breast, gaining weight, and staying full longer (while still getting more breast milk overall). I am not pumping because I hate it, and my supply is fine.
He will now sleep in his crib between feedings instead of on mom or dad and that is awesome. That means we can get at least some sleep. My mom has been here cooking cleaning and helping out which had been awesome.
My greatest lifesaver has been the pedi telling us to go ahead and use the pacifier even before a month. It really helps with the spiraling rage when something is wrong and we can't immediately help.
Hugs narockshard - it is so hard in the beginning. Hang in there!
We're also supplementing due to slow weight gain. Looks like it's a trend in the July babies. I'm hoping I can start supplementing with what I start pumping, but am going to ask the pedi about it at his 1 month (!!!) appt next Friday.
We also recently introduced a paci, way earlier than I wanted to but if the early intro of a bottle didn't kill his desire and ability to BF, I wasn't going to get hung up on it. So far it's been a sanity saver for us as well.
Draining is really a good word for how I feel. It is mentally, emotionally, physically and literally draining to be the only one that can feed her at this point when she wants/needs to eat so often.
I am jealous of my husband whose life can more or less carry on- meaning he can sleep, work, see friends. I have no idea when I will be able to do any of that. He is trying so hard to understand and be supportive, but I still struggle with overwhelming emotions (both good and bad)
We introduced a paci in the hospital after I swore I was going to wait 4 weeks. Lolol
sj - hugs. I've had a lot of the same feelings about my h. I just keep reminding myself that once I get a good stash built up and we introduce bottles that I'll get some of my freedom back. I fully intend to assign h one of our night feedings (though I'll probably lay in bed and pump), have lots of dinners out with friends, and finally get my highlights redone! having specific things to look forward to has really helped me.
Draining is really a good word for how I feel. It is mentally, emotionally, physically and literally draining to be the only one that can feed her at this point when she wants/needs to eat so often.
I am jealous of my husband whose life can more or less carry on- meaning he can sleep, work, see friends. I have no idea when I will be able to do any of that. He is trying so hard to understand and be supportive, but I still struggle with overwhelming emotions (both good and bad)
I felt like this a lot with my first, even though he was EFF. I was so resentful of my H going to work and carrying on like nothing had changed. Remember this is all temporary and the newborn phase shall pass.
Post by missymoose on Jul 16, 2014 22:22:29 GMT -5
Hi!! Baby Lucy is three weeks old and one day today!!
She has been pretty happy so far, although today was the grumpiest day ever. We sleep in three hour chunks until 4, then twoish hour chunks after that. (Although if we hold her after 4 she will sleep for up to four hours... it's hard to choose between wanting to sleep and wanting her to get used to sleeping on her back in her bassinet.)
Our biggest challenge has been with her big brother (20 months). We have been praising the crap out of him every time he does something nice for her (rock her, pat her back, tickles her feed). He was pretty jealous the first few days (tried to push her off my lap... D:) We have been doing really well the last few days which makes me feel really heartened.
Sleep. I'm not getting any. Nothing longer than a 2.5 hour stretch since she's been born. I keep it dark (well, dim - I can't change/feed in the dark), no TV, etc. She is up every 45 minutes overnight with hunger cues that move quickly to wailing. I love her dearly, but I am honestly starting to lose my shit. She's gotta sleep soon, right? /quote]
This is my child. I just posted about it actually because I am losing it. DS2 just turned 7 weeks and I am so exhausted. He has been gaining weight really well though and I feel like breastfeeding is easier this time so that's great. I also think that he has a milk sensitivity issue - I've been noticing more mucous in his stools after I have a lot of dairy plus he gets really fussy. So that stinks. My first son has a severe dairy allergy and needs an epi pen so I was hoping we wouldn't have another dairy issue but it looks like I might be wrong.
Hi!! Baby Lucy is three weeks old and one day today!!
She has been pretty happy so far, although today was the grumpiest day ever. We sleep in three hour chunks until 4, then twoish hour chunks after that. (Although if we hold her after 4 she will sleep for up to four hours... it's hard to choose between wanting to sleep and wanting her to get used to sleeping on her back in her bassinet.).
Yeah we are here too. I've been letting her sleep on me/in my arms to maximize sleep, but I know I should probably start different habits
Hi!! Baby Lucy is three weeks old and one day today!!
She has been pretty happy so far, although today was the grumpiest day ever. We sleep in three hour chunks until 4, then twoish hour chunks after that. (Although if we hold her after 4 she will sleep for up to four hours... it's hard to choose between wanting to sleep and wanting her to get used to sleeping on her back in her bassinet.).
Yeah we are here too. I've been letting her sleep on me/in my arms to maximize sleep, but I know I should probably start different habits
You're still in survival mode right now - don't worry about forming any bad habits! Just do whatever allows both of you to get rest. Remember, you can't spoil a newborn.
Post by chickadee77 on Jul 17, 2014 2:15:30 GMT -5
Not to jinx myself, but I *think* I am starting to kind of maybe see a glimmer of the start of a routine. Hooray! I've also gotten a couple of 2-3 hour stretches of sleep, which makes SUCH a difference.
I feel everyone that's talking about the adjustments to life, etc. Being older, and married for ten years, we're definitely set in our ways. And, while I am sympathetic to H and his feelings of helplessness (after all, I'm the one with the milk, which is typically why she cries), I find myself resentful when he mentions being "so exhausted." After I'm the one that's been up every hour with her attached to me while he dozes. He's being wonderful, really, but I get it now when I remember reading, "There will be a point where you will want to smother your sleeping husband with a pillow. Resist this urge."
I've considered formula just so A. I can get some sleep, and B. so I can maybe someday leave the house for longer than a half hour. Then I feel bad because breastfeeding has been relatively "easy" for me so I should suck it up and stop being selfish. I plan to talk to the pedi in a couple of weeks when we do a weight check, etc., to see how things are going.