Newborn chatter

[scm1011]

I still have about 8lbs to go, and have since one week postpartum. I lost the rest immediately (I gained ~25lbs total). Its making me feel crappy, but I haven’t really tried to lose it to be honest.

With DS EBF emaciated me (I ended up 15lbs below my pre-preg weight by 2 weeks PP). Clearly that isn’t happening this time (which is fine, back to pre-preg would be nice!)

[pooh8402]

Aug 11, 2019 10:54:09 GMT -5 hamster said:

How is everyone doing with weight loss?

I lost the initial baby + fluids weight and then haven't dropped a pound. I'm not intentionally trying, but I also feel like I dont eat nearly as much as I'd like so I feel like SOMETHING should be coming off. Or is that whole EBF weight loss concept a sham?

I'm not being unrealistic but I'd realllly like about 10 pounds to come off so I have some clothes to wear. The remaining 15-20 can take time.

Eh... I gained 45 pounds. (My labor nurse, who I work with, was like OH! when I told her. In a funny way, not judgmental) I'm almost 5 months PP and am about 10 pounds from prepregnancy weight. I held onto 5 pounds until I weaned last time. I'm expecting to hold onto 5-10 until I wean this time. Still have a flabby belly though, even though my diastasis is gone per my PT


I'm still wearing maternity shorts, though I'm back in prepregnancy jeans.

[pooh8402]

Aug 11, 2019 14:32:55 GMT -5 gastro said:

On the subject of getting your body back - does anyone have good post-natal yoga you tube videos to recommend? And/or pelvic floor exercise videos?
A friend mentioned seeing a chiropractor for pelvic floor - has anyone done that?

I see a pelvic floor physical therapist and it has made a huge improvement. I highly recommend.

[Susie]

Aug 11, 2019 11:08:40 GMT -5 latte said:

hamster some people I know how EBF didn’t lose weight until after they stopped. My SIL was that was with all 3 of her kids.

hamster, unfortunately this is me.

I gained 35 lbs. this pregnancy. I lost the first 17 or 18 within the first week - which was probably my 7 lb. 8 oz. baby and 10 lb. of placenta and fluids - and my weight has not budged an oz. since then. I'm 10 weeks pp now, EBFing with surplus, and still the same 17-18 lb. up from pre-pregnancy.  

This happened last time too.  I shed the weight fairly easily in the 6 months starting when DD weaned (at 13-14m), so by the summer she was 20ish mo., I was back to pre-pregnancy weight (although not the same shape).  Unfortunately, due to a combination of starting out 2 lb. heavier and gaining about 7 lb. more during this pregnancy, I'm about 9 lb. heavier than the weight I held at post-baby #1, so the clothes from that year don't fit yet.  I'm afraid they won't until I lose it all at once when I wean, and then I'll blow right past that size.  Ugh.  

I haven't figured out if it's hormonal and I actually can't lose while BFing, or if it's that working full time + BFing doesn't leave me enough time to work out.  I am able to lose weight pretty effectively (not the same as easily) using MFP and being extremely disciplined about calories, outside of the BFing context.  When BFing and working, I can't seem to find the right time of day to workout.  I can't do it in early AM because my boobs are too full/leaky.  If I nursed first, I'd have no one to handle DS while I worked out.  If I pumped first, I'd be up at the ass crack of dawn, and that doesn't work when we're not STTN.  Evening, I'm done by the time we get home from a full day, get both kids fed and in bed.  I'm unhappy about it, but I'm sort of reconciling myself to the idea that BFing + working FT + losing weight is not an attainable trifecta for me.

[lovelyshoes]

Aug 11, 2019 10:54:09 GMT -5 hamster said:

How is everyone doing with weight loss?

I lost the initial baby + fluids weight and then haven't dropped a pound. I'm not intentionally trying, but I also feel like I dont eat nearly as much as I'd like so I feel like SOMETHING should be coming off. Or is that whole EBF weight loss concept a sham?

I'm not being unrealistic but I'd realllly like about 10 pounds to come off so I have some clothes to wear. The remaining 15-20 can take time.

I have 30 pounds to lose and it is barely moving. I am so upset with the whole process and the way I look. I held off buying work clothes and now I need them since nothing is changing. My stomach is still big. I don’t know what to do to get this moving. I think nothing will change until I stop bf. It’s really upsetting me.

[oceanstbride]

I'm 4m PP and still have over 10lbs to lose to get to pre-preg weight, which was a good 30lbs over what I started at with DS . I am hoping that being back to work will actually help with forced meal planning/better eating habits. But I know I can definitely make better choices and not use breastfeeding as an excuse. I was sad to have to buy new pants to wear.

Any advice on bottle feeding? I went back to work on Monday and H is home with DD for the next few weeks. I gave him a rough routine and she should eat at least 3 times while I'm at work, typically every 3 hours with sometimes a longer 4 hr stretch. She either wakes up between 5 and 6 or I wake her up a little around 6/6:30 to feed her before leaving (she goes back to sleep). H says she's barely eating (taking 30 minutes+ to take in 1 oz) around 9am, then naps, and will take 3 oz around lunch time and 3oz in the afternoon. He says she's satisfied and doesn't seem hungry. I chose 3oz based on what I remembered DS taking in when he was around the same age. I pump more than 3oz to replace a feed so supply isn't an issue yet. Any tips/suggestions? We've tried a few different bottles and she does best with MAM. Because she's not eating as much during the day, on the days I worked last week, she was up earlier than normal at night. It was pretty clear because I don't work every day :/. It doesn't help that the last 2 days she's been spitting up a ton and H thinks that it's because she's eating "too much" from me since she hasn't spit up at all with him. I think she's starting to teeth because her hand is constantly in her mouth and tylenol has helped. I'm thinking of doing a weighted feed to get a better idea of how much we should be giving her.

[pandorica]

Aug 11, 2019 10:54:09 GMT -5 hamster said:

How is everyone doing with weight loss?

I lost the initial baby + fluids weight and then haven't dropped a pound. I'm not intentionally trying, but I also feel like I dont eat nearly as much as I'd like so I feel like SOMETHING should be coming off. Or is that whole EBF weight loss concept a sham?

I'm not being unrealistic but I'd realllly like about 10 pounds to come off so I have some clothes to wear. The remaining 15-20 can take time.

I've lost barely anything and feel awful about it (DD is 4.5 mo). I'm definitely eating too much but with BF I'm ALWAYS hungry. Plus MOTN snacking when she gets up...

[Susie]

pandorica, same on being starving all the damn time. I was just trying to explain to H how frustrating that is. You want to lose weight, but you're so freaking hungry. I am even very careful to eat most of my calories in protein, fat, and fiber, for satiety. It doesn't help.

I don't eat MOTN because I sleep with a retainer in (just finished Invisalign this spring) and I don't take it out overnight, but the rest of the time all bets are off.

[hamster]

See, I'm never hungry OR full. My appetite is basically flat. Don't feel hunger for survival because meals can be missed, and don't feel full because I'm nursing. So when I eat, I EAT.

At least I feel better knowing we are all in the same boat. I tried some clothes on today from my closet. My newfound lumps and rolls are rather prominent. I'm gonna have to go spend $100 at target and get something that fits, I think.

[katespade]

I’m still in a weird place where I have a lot of loose skin hanging around my torso. So my clothes kind of fit, but not the way they used to. I’ve got extra lumps and bumps pretty much everywhere and my body just feels and looks so different from how it used to.

[pandorica]

I feel like I'm going crazy. Third night of no sleep. DD doesn't want to eat, bounce, rock, walk, be in her crib...
She's in a zipadee zip for the first time and it's doing shit

[pandorica]

Aug 11, 2019 21:34:11 GMT -5 Susie said:

pandorica, same on being starving all the damn time. I was just trying to explain to H how frustrating that is. You want to lose weight, but you're so freaking hungry. I am even very careful to eat most of my calories in protein, fat, and fiber, for satiety. It doesn't help.

I don't eat MOTN because I sleep with a retainer in (just finished Invisalign this spring) and I don't take it out overnight, but the rest of the time all bets are off.

Yes, it is so frustrating! And I totally feel you on having no time to work out between EBF and working full time. Losing weight feels impossible.

[lovelyshoes]

I ear pretty clean, but I’m starving all the time too.
I’m seriously having some anxiety about going back to work in this shape. I’ve never been this heavy and it’s not even the weight, it’s my shape that bothers me. Nothing looks good with the way my stomach is now. And to add insult to injury, my shoes aren’t fitting 😢

[woowoo]

lovelyshoes, this is where I'm at. I only have 3 or so lbs left of the pregnancy weight and another 7 or so to get back to pre-fertility treatment weight, but my clothes aren't quite fitting right any more. I wear full professional dress every day for work and I'm stressed about what to wear when I go back in 4 weeks. Suits and such don't have a lot of give.

Hoping I can lose another 5-6 before I go back and maybe that will help.

[lovelyshoes]

Aug 12, 2019 7:28:44 GMT -5 woowoo said:

lovelyshoes, this is where I'm at. I only have 3 or so lbs left of the pregnancy weight and another 7 or so to get back to pre-fertility treatment weight, but my clothes aren't quite fitting right any more. I wear full professional dress every day for work and I'm stressed about what to wear when I go back in 4 weeks. Suits and such don't have a lot of give.

Hoping I can lose another 5-6 before I go back and maybe that will help.

Did you lose it after you weaned? I don’t know how to dress this new shape. Nothing looks right. I want to get to my pre-fertility weight so bad, but I’ll take my pre-pregnancy weight at this point.

[Susie]

Speaking of weight and postpartum bodies, what is everyone wearing for swimsuits through this period?  I am working with DD in the pool to supplement her swim lessons, and we're going on vacation at the end of August, so I need to wear one.  I don't feel good in anything though, even more so than in dry clothes.  Specifically:  belly, back fat, and my boobs don't fit in anything I own.

I ordered a tankini top from Lands End with a high waist tummy control bottom, but it was terrible.  The bottoms gave me awful muffin tup, and my nursing boobs spilled out of the top.  My cup size varies so much with how long it's been since I nursed/pumped, I wouldn't know what to say my size even is to find a cup sized top that stays decent.  Obviously I wear a cup sized bra, but that's more acceptable to gap and bulge out of (and be asymmetrical in) because there's a shirt over it.  None of the high neck tops would be nursing-compatible.

I ordered a high waist, non-tummy control bottom and a D-cup version of the same tankini top, but I don't know how hopeful I am...

Yesterday I took DD to the pool to practice her swimming and had to wear a blousy tankini top that I bought for maternity just because nothing else fit.  I hated how I felt in it.

[vlinder]

I feel like Grimace right now, very round. I lost a few pounds initially but have stayed about the same the past few weeks—of course eating everything not nailed down doesn’t help that. I got a gift certificate for Stroller Strides for my birthday so I’ll be starting that soon.

Susie, I’ve been wearing a tankini I constructed postpartum with my first—
This bottom in black): Gabrielle-Aug Women's Solid Black Sports Skirt Bottom Swimsuit(FBA) www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHPWHB6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2gCuDbPYQ12XA

and this top:
Gabrielle-Aug Women's Retro Sailor Stripe Adjustable Modest Tankini Top Swimsuit(FBA) in black and white stripe www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y4SBVPL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RiCuDbZANXS9Y

The top isn’t the most supportive, but it works, and is relatively flattering.

[pooh8402]

Aug 12, 2019 14:31:55 GMT -5 Susie said:

Speaking of weight and postpartum bodies, what is everyone wearing for swimsuits through this period?

Tankinis or one pieces. I feel okay as long as my tummy is covered. And I usually need a deep V halter top for nursing access. Similar to what is posted above. I wear a bikini bottom but the tankini tops cover the hips. Nothing is very tight.

[hamster]

Ugh. I made a bottle of formula to try and retrain D on milk that doesn't taste like ass. I failed terribly. Grandma got 1.5 oz before he said no more.

I can try RTF instead of powder but man. This sucks. Scalding 3 oz of milk at a time sounds awful, and impossible on a weekday. My poor (almost complete) freezer stash and subsequent freedom and sleep

[katespade]

We're getting ready to start swim lessons with DD. I ended up going with a two piece suit - super high waist bottoms and a bandeau style halter top. I got a top that has a tie band and bought it two sizes bigger than I normally wear. I tried on so many styles, and that was the only way that really worked to keep everything contained. Swim lessons are only 30 minutes long, so I'm not really worried about nursing access at this point.

[katespade]

Aug 12, 2019 17:28:19 GMT -5 hamster said:

Ugh. I made a bottle of formula to try and retrain D on milk that doesn't taste like ass. I failed terribly. Grandma got 1.5 oz before he said no more.

I can try RTF instead of powder but man. This sucks. Scalding 3 oz of milk at a time sounds awful, and impossible on a weekday. My poor (almost complete) freezer stash and subsequent freedom and sleep

I'm so sorry, hamster. 1.5 oz is great for a first try with formula! Are you only having trouble with your freezer stash, or your fridge stash, too?

[hamster]

Aug 12, 2019 18:09:01 GMT -5 katespade said:

Aug 12, 2019 17:28:19 GMT -5 hamster said:

Ugh. I made a bottle of formula to try and retrain D on milk that doesn't taste like ass. I failed terribly. Grandma got 1.5 oz before he said no more.

I can try RTF instead of powder but man. This sucks. Scalding 3 oz of milk at a time sounds awful, and impossible on a weekday. My poor (almost complete) freezer stash and subsequent freedom and sleep

I'm so sorry, hamster. 1.5 oz is great for a first try with formula! Are you only having trouble with your freezer stash, or your fridge stash, too?

The stuff I pumped yesterday started to turn within an hour or so. I couldn't just save a few days worth and scald a bigger batch. I'll have to try a bottles worth this weekend and see how he does.

[lillaguma]

I gained a huge amount of weight with DS - 65 lbs. It's almost double what I gained with DD. The first 20 lbs came off in the first 2 weeks, and I've lost about 15 since then. I'm trying to buckle down now and clean up my diet and move more. Not counting calories or anything, just aiming for more vegetables and lean meats. There are nights though when I am so hungry, and find I need to eat something with protein around 9 pm. I'm just attributing that to nursing and going with it.

I bought some cheap shorts and t-shirts and am just going with it. I work freelance so have been able to get away with my maternity work pants still and two or three tops I can make do.

I bought this swimsuit last month for the beach and actually like it, the flutters hide the side boob overspill and I could whip out my boob to nurse. It's actually semi-flattering and I don't hate it. - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N7ZPXW8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[scm1011]

It’s 11pm and we’re already on our 2nd wake-up, so this bodes well😭.

[latte]

Aug 12, 2019 22:04:34 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

It’s 11pm and we’re already on our 2nd wake-up, so this bodes well😭.

I started second wake up at 11:45, but it’s almost an hour later and she doesn’t seem as though she is going to fall asleep anytime soon. I, on the other hand, am fighting to stay awake.

[pooh8402]

Sleep training sucks. Sleep training in a hotel room sucks even more. E2 refuses to sleep without me right now. E2 last nursed an hour and a half ago. He literally cried thr entire 90 minutes since. 90 minutes was my limit with E1 aand it's still the same.

I've already argued with DH. He shut up when I told him he was more than welcome to actively help, since he has done jack shit to help sleep train this time. Every time E2 has so much as whimpered, he has gone to another room. He can't escape this time.

[Susie]

lillaguma, I like that suit, thanks!

[hamster]

Omg. 4.5 hour stretch of sleep! Go baby D!

[namasteak]

Baby woke at 1245 and 515. But the big kids woke at 430 asking to get up. They went back to sleep but the timing was just bad and ruined an otherwise good nights sleep

[scm1011]

My formerly decent sleeper has become a nightmare. She's up 4-5 times a night now and takes FOREVER to get back down. I haven't had more than a 1 hour stretch of sleep in like a week. Its too early for the 4 month sleep regression (she's 11 weeks tomorrow), and I don't know WTF is going on. I'm dying.