The Mom Thread

[mariazmess]

if i had to do it again, all my maternity shirts would also be nursing shirts. I do not have enough nursing shirts. Also, you need night nursing shirts.

By "nursing shirts" I mean shirts that open in the front, like button down shirts or criss cross shirts.

 

[kirstenmeows]

For those who haven't seen it yet, this is beautiful.
LiveLeak.com - Twins were born, but haven't realized that..

 

[Metal Morphosis]

I delivered using the midwive's birthing stool which was awesome, definitely ask your midwife if they have a stool they can bring.

a friend had a homebirth and she too ended up birthing using the stool. she thought she would deliver in the water and she did in fact float in the birthing tub for a good 3 hours while in labour but she had trouble getting the hang of pushing while in the water so she got out and gave the stool a try and that did the trick

I read some Ina May and "Active Birth" and "The Birth Partner" to try to get my head around the stages of labour and how I'd try to deal with contractions which I think helped.

love Ina May's books. i enjoyed the guide to childbirth.

I too was thankful for husband providing me with water throughout and for applying chapstick - my lips got so dry from the breathing! make sure you have some on hand. Even though I didn't have a home birth, I used midwives so was able to get out of the hospital a few hours post-partum and that made me really happy - to be able to get comfortable in my own house with all of my things and the grandmothers there to cook meals and bring me snacks etc. Visitors for us the first week or so were family only so i didn't ever feel like i needed to entertain - they took great care of me.

 

[Jennika]

Have any of you ladies had experience with a home birth? Any tips or advice for someone considering one?

I had a home birth with my second. it hurt like hell but it was totally awesome and worth it. I loved cuddling in my own bed after eating take-out rather than being stuck in a hospital

if I was ever going to have a 3rd I'd totally 100% do a home birth again

 

[geminigirl]

Ya I guess I'm like, that shit won't happen to us. But conversely, I'm gonna be a new mom and have had zero exposure to babies before this... And have the usual new mom paranoia ya know. Trying to find a balance. But then when I think; holy shit this is my kid's life and I will take zero chances! And then I go stupid again about it.

Hey there.
I have done night care for twins/triplets for 16 years(I run my own business and have doulas/nurses who work for me), I am a sleep consultant and sleep trainer. I have swaddled *every* single baby that I did night care for over 16 years(hundredS of babies), along with my own baby. There is no way that I could be swaddling all my client's babies if there was such a big risk. Because I specialize in multiples, I am working with *very* tiny babies - all who get swaddled.
The reason why swaddling is a very common thing to do is because it can really extend sleep. It could make the difference of your baby waking every hour to feed(unswaddled) or doing bigger stretches(swaddled) because they are so much more cozy. It can buy you A LOT of sleep! My baby did 6 hours on her first night home from the hospital. She would have been up every hour for sure unswaddled. She was just soo tiny and needed to feel snug. She would cry during the day if unswaddled for too long. It is just very unsettling for *some* babies to be so exposed.

The photo below is 2 preemies with double swaddles. I did night care for these little ladies(they are already a few months old in these photos). Ps. I know that they have bumpers which will probably make you cringe too! You would be surprised how many people do all the 'no nos'. At least half my clients break all the rules. Everyone has a very different comfort level.

Anyhow, don't overthink it too much right now. I know for sure that things played out very differently than how I had planned them in my head with my little girl. I think your mommy intuition will just kick right in and you will know how you will want your little one to sleep.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/540473_10150692050698247_851226212_n.jpg

 

[geminigirl]

Note the swaddle in the photo is a hospital blanket swaddle underneath and an Aden & Anais blanket on top.

 

[mingster]

on the topic on swaddling, simon, at 3.5 months, just decided, 5 nights ago that he didn't want to be swaddled anymore. he had one night of crying a lot at bedtime. the next night, I let him have his arms free, and he's been falling asleep easily since. just like that, one night to the next. he's in a sleep sack now and settles down as soon as I stick his legs in it.

i'm very happy about this because it means we're one step closer to him learning to soothe himself to sleep. yay!

 

[geminigirl]

on the topic on swaddling, simon, at 3.5 months, just decided, 5 nights ago that he didn't want to be swaddled anymore. he had one night of crying a lot at bedtime. the next night, I let him have his arms free, and he's been falling asleep easily since. just like that, one night to the next. he's in a sleep sack now and settles down as soon as I stick his legs in it.

i'm very happy about this because it means we're one step closer to him learning to soothe himself to sleep. yay!

Nice job Momma!

 

[mariazmess]

hey ladies, a Q about getting your child to give up asking for something.

My son has recently understood going to the store to buy toys. He understands that you can go to a store and buy things and take them home with you. Now he's been RELENTLESS in asking for some Mike the Knight and another castle he's seen (he's really big into knights right now -- and still everything horse related). He's also discovered How To Train Your Dragon.

I will not give in to buying him everything he asks for -- even if he asks EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. a few times a day. As soon as he wakes up in the morning. During lunch. After lunch. When he wakes from his nap.

I commend him on his diligence, but it ain't gonna happen. Anyone else encounter this? Any tips on how to get the kid to give up? I told him that these things are expensive, so we can think about getting one toy at Christmas, and maybe another for his birthday, but he doesn't understand how far away things are. I told him to ask Santa and he went to the door, went outside and started yelling, "SANTA!! SANTA!!" It was so cute.

 

[awwnaw]

Day 2 in the world and the only thing that soothes her is swaddling. Was still to paranoid though, and sent hubs to go pick up those zip up swaddle sitches that make them look like theyre glowworms and is working like a charm. $100 in sleep sacks wasted Continues right in line with the advice of every baby is different and you won't know til she's here.

Also holy shit. Milk came in. My boobs are exactly the size of cantelopes. She had/has a great latch but sometimes seems like she's slipping off cause the milk makes things a bit slippery for her. Assuming this works itself out soon on its own?

And because they both came in at once, second boob was so enorged she had so much trouble latching and getting milk. Any tips on what to do to help her out in the future should the timing f up again? Pump a bit out?

 

[peko]

Congratulations!

 

[mariazmess]

Day 2 in the world and the only thing that soothes her is swaddling. Was still to paranoid though, and sent hubs to go pick up those zip up swaddle sitches that make them look like theyre glowworms and is working like a charm. $100 in sleep sacks wasted Continues right in line with the advice of every baby is different and you won't know til she's here.

Also holy shit. Milk came in. My boobs are exactly the size of cantelopes. She had/has a great latch but sometimes seems like she's slipping off cause the milk makes things a bit slippery for her. Assuming this works itself out soon on its own?

And because they both came in at once, second boob was so enorged she had so much trouble latching and getting milk. Any tips on what to do to help her out in the future should the timing f up again? Pump a bit out?

congrats!!
don't throw away the sleep sacks yet - tomorrow is a new day with new likes/dislikes.

re: engorgement - as she/her mouth get bigger, that won't be such a problem, but yes, expressing a little with your hand or with the pump (save that shit in a bottle yo!) is the easiest way to solve the engorge problem.

good luck!!! xox

 

[leigh]

Congratulations awwnaw!

And thank you to everyone for the home birth advice / encouragement. Hopefully it works out for us!

 

[peko]

I'm in love with my bottle warmer. It makes life so much easier right now. I never seemed to need it with #1 - so much is different with #2.

Toddler MINE phase = sheesh

Christmas for a 2 year old - what's too much, what's a good present haul, how much decorations?

I could give OC a bunch of chocolate kinder-kind-of eggs (thanks to the Disney Collector on Youtube) and she'd be sooo happy. Where do you get those Disney Egg Surprises? Maybe I'll make my own (buy small actin figures and stuff em in plastic eggs).

 

[leigh]

Has anyone had experience with a newborn not sleeping? We've just been blessed with a little insomniac. He literally won't sleep at night - from about midnight to 6 he will not close his eyes, and even during the day he doesn't sleep what I think would be normal for a baby.

He'd nurse all night if I could let him, but I've had problems with latch so my breasts are a little worse for wear. If he falls asleep at the breast, should I break latch, because I think he's just suckling and not actually eating.

This is only night 4, but it feels like night 40 with the lack of sleep

 

[awwnaw]

So my boobs are not making enough milk (doing a couple things to increase supply) and I need to supplement with milk. What's a fast way to heat up cold formula? I just run hot water for a few minutes but my girl screams her head off just the same. I do powder but my husband bought a giant case of ready to serve--but I only need 2 oz at a time max and these bottles are big. Peko your bottle warmer made me ask the question. How's that work? Fast? What do you use it for (breadt milk or formula or both?)? I'll use it for sometime, even after I'm done with formula and just have breast milk?

 

[awwnaw]

And congratulations Leigh!!! I'm sorry to hear about the insomnia.

 

[peko]

So my boobs are not making enough milk (doing a couple things to increase supply) and I need to supplement with milk. What's a fast way to heat up cold formula? I just run hot water for a few minutes but my girl screams her head off just the same. I do powder but my husband bought a giant case of ready to serve--but I only need 2 oz at a time max and these bottles are big. Peko your bottle warmer made me ask the question. How's that work? Fast? What do you use it for (breadt milk or formula or both?)? I'll use it for sometime, even after I'm done with formula and just have breast milk?

Formula, super fast (3-5min for 4oz). It's Dr.Brown's Deluxe. Fill a water container on side of warmer thermos (lasts 6-12bots per fill), pop in a bottle, close the lid, hit start (< or > time as you wish), beeps when ready but you already know because it sounds like a kettle turning off.

It fits other bottle brands/types / sizes too. Not sure what you'd use it for after bottle feeding stage is finished.

I'm checking out dish washer bottle bins now.

Breast milk - you could probably warm it up too. I can't answer that one.


Congratulations Leigh!

 

[peko]

Aawnaw!

Walmart.ca sells 6 or 12 packs of Similac Advanced - 120ml glass bottles (ready serve). I love these little bottles.

You can also get 12pk of 255ml concentrate which makes 4 (4-6oz) servings per 255 tin. Each of thèse 12 packs costs $45-$50, so about $90-150/month.

How are the big bottles? How long does it last once you open it?

Formula smells like bad tequila.

 

[peko]

Walmart.ca sells 6 or 12 packs of Similac Advanced - 120ml glass bottles (ready serve). I love these little bottles.

You can also get 12pk of 255ml concentrate which makes 4 (4-6oz) servings per 255 tin. Each of thèse 12 packs costs $45-$50, so about $90-150/month.

Correction - Walmart stores have the 120ml glass bottles too - hard to find (approx.$20). Great to have when you're in a pinch & can't mix or short on storage.

It's a 12 pack of 385ml concentrate not 255ml size for $45-$50, where each tin makes 770ml of formula.

 

[awwnaw]

Sorry was typing that so quickly it didn't make sense!

I expect I'd use the warmer for pumped breast milk that was in the fridge and formula. Wondering if after a year when parents give kids a 'bottle' before bed I just assumed this was cows or almond milk or some sort of concoction, and maybe the bottle warmer would heat that too?

Wal-marts are way in the burbs in vancouver (what I wouldn't give for some dufferin mall action to avoid driving 30 mins out of my way. Ya I would brave that shit) but if I'm out I will pick up a bunch. Hoping to start making enough that formula is only infrequent. Right now I'm supplementing between 6-8 oz a day and beating myself up about it. She eats SO much and is 2.5 weeks old. 4 oz a feed, and at least every other feed hungry for another top up half an hour later. I swear she came out like a one month old. Already raises her neck and moves it from side to side.

 

[awwnaw]

Leigh, I'm sure the moms here have way more insight than I but two things we've recently tried is a soother, and swaddling. I'm far too paranoid to use a blanket to swaddle but we got a bunch if those zip up cocoon looking thing and those straight jacket things. Instant change and she slept soundly and longer. I've also been TRYiNG to get her to get used to a soother because it totally soothes her. She's still spitting it out unintentionally but when I'm there to put it back in she really likes it and calms quickly.

 

[Dirty Girl]

baby shower. ----- what cool thing can i buy that they might not have thought of cause they barely registered for anything

 

[awwnaw]

Aden+anais swaddles, nosefrida booger sucker, buzz b nail trimmer. All are amazing products new parents love. All are almost always carried at specialty baby stores. (I ended up buying 80% of my stuff at baby stores. Before I became a parent I thought all shit came from babies r us, but really not until their bigger for toys and bigger items like swings. Most stuff they have thats needed for newborns isn't awesome)

Good to have:
JJ cole bundle me, any tummy time mat. Both you can get at most babies r us or walmarts.

I tried twice to post the links to this shit but every time I flip to a new tab I'd come back when I was 90% complete and the fucking page would reload.

 

[mcbee]

Congrats leigh and awwnaw! sounds like you both are surviving the early days! leigh, I'm sure you've tried all of this but wearing your baby, rocking, shushing, bouncing, swaddling and white noise all helped Brooklyn fall asleep. As for falling asleep nursing, I htink yes break the latch? Two good sites for breastfeeding info are Dr Newman's site and Kellymom...I'm sure both will have lots of info on what to do re the latch.

awwnaw, don't beat yourself up about supplementing. I did both and regret only the self blame. Both Dr Newman and Kellymom have tons of info about upping your supply. Have you tried fenugreek and blessed thistle? Also, tube feeding is a good way to manage supplementing while still having baby at the breast, thereby increasing your supply. Your midwife or breastfeeding clinic can show you how. Its a bit of a bitch to get the hang of, but does work.

as for me, guess its time to out myself here too. Baby 2.0 (3.0) is on its way! Brooklyn is going to be a big sister come July! I'm feeling excited about this baby, and will be more excited when I stop feeling so tired and sick. I love you diclectin!!

sarah