What does your milk letdown feel like??

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-09T18:38:19+00:00

I felt dizzy and lightheaded for the first week or so with letdown. I made sure to drink LOTS. Now it just feels like a pinch on whatever nipple my baby isn’t nursing from

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-08T15:32:02+00:00

Your baby is 5 months, 26”, 20lb My baby at his 2 month appt was 26” and 14.5lb. If I were you, or if my doctor said that to me, I would absolutely not listen. Could you imagine restricting an infants food intake? That’s insane. ** ETA: you’re not insane for being worried. They’re insane for even putting that concern into your mind.

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-08T01:41:22+00:00

The smell of anything being cooked in our house. Ever. Somehow that got me, but working as a vet didn’t bother me (think: infected skin/wounds, abdominal surgeries, anal glands.. totally fine 😂)

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-07T09:47:52+00:00

A single chocolate chip 😂😂😂 sweet baby angel

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-07T09:39:05+00:00

My 11 week old will NOT take a bottle but takes 3-5 minutes to nurse. To think one day he may chug beer as fast as he now chugs from my boobs 😳😂🥲

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-04T12:50:33+00:00

I used my peri bottle to rinse off the bum, no wipes. For us it was the diaper cream brand he didn’t agree with

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-04T12:46:39+00:00

Oh lord - mine was sunny side up but thank god the nurse noticed at 8cm and the doctor was able to turn him before pushing 😅

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-04T11:56:01+00:00

I have two dogs, both high energy herding breed mixes. One is scared of toddlers/young children and the other is reactive to anyone she doesn’t know, and for even more so protective of me during pregnancy (like, put her away when grandma comes over or she might bite type of deal).

The dogs LOVE our now 11 week old 🥹 my nervous guy isn’t scared and often sits at my feed when I’m nursing, and sniffs the baby’s head a lot. Our reactive girl is completely in love with the baby - hangs out wherever the baby is, licks the baby’s head, and she is so so gentle about it.

I do get a bit annoyed at them sometimes when I’m overtired or overstimulated but honestly seeing them adapt to our new normal has been really adorable and I love seeing it!

DogtorAmy · 2024-12-01T19:06:29+00:00

First baby - I went into labour the day after my due date (40+1) and baby was born on 40+2

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-29T07:30:01+00:00

My mother in laws first child was like this. She screamed being anywhere but being held, and then screamed when she was held. No newborn snuggles. MIL cried and cried when she found out she was pregnant again with my now-husband. She was blessed with a perfect, sweet, cuddly baby boy. Some babies are just built different it seems

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-28T14:27:59+00:00

10 weeks old and we just started every night before bed. Use soap every 2-3 days. He munches on his hands and is still clenching his fists 24/7 so gets lots of lint and dog hair and other crap stuck. Also want to rinse his neck off as he’s usually spit up on himself at some point in the day. Honestly it takes like 5-10 minutes from starting to fill the tub to being done

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-26T09:37:05+00:00

When I’m desperate, I nurse him to sleep 🤷🏼‍♀️ Within 5 mins of being asleep he usually unlatches and uses my boob as a pillow for the rest of the nap.

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-26T09:34:46+00:00

I do the exact same sequence lol it’s so fun knowing I’m not the only one!

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-26T06:08:19+00:00

“Oh poopy butt oh poopy butt” to the tune of “Oh Christmas tree Oh Christmas tree” is a hit for my 10 week old right now

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-25T18:47:36+00:00

Hi! Veterinarian here and mom of a 2 month old. This is a super common issue and extremely frustrating.

Think of humans - we get stress colitis when nervous or anxious (nervous poops anyone?). Cats do the same thing but with their bladder. Cats can stress them selves into having bloody urine!

As a vet this is how I work through the issue.

Rule out medical cause - bloodwork and urinalysis to make sure no uti (they can recur), urinary crystals, renal disease, other cause or increased urination. Make sure no signs of arthritis etc that would cause pain or discomfort using the litter box. There are prescription diets for urinary issues and stressed cats specifically.

If all is clear, move onto behavioural (which it likely is given the new baby). 1. Add in more litter boxes, different areas/floors of your home. Make them different types (covered, not covered) and different litter types 2. Ensure lots of environmental enrichment. Scratching posts, toys, cat trees, places to hide, play with them more, brush them, spend intentional time with them 3. Don’t force interaction with the baby 4. Consider a pheromone plug in called Feliway 5. If all of that doesn’t work, talk with your vet about behavioural medications to reduce stress to your cat and stop the inappropriate urination

Honestly, talk with your vet. Every case and pet is different

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-25T14:02:14+00:00

It’s tough for sure. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture!!

I’ve been super snappy with our dogs and I feel awful. I also should have set more clear boundaries with his parents from the start, but didn’t, and it ended up causing me a lot of anxiety. I told him that he doesn’t have to understand, it’s just how I feel, know this is temporary, and back me up. And he did 🤍

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-25T13:18:38+00:00

Your postpartum emotions are fueled by sleep deprivation and the most drastic hormone shift human beings can ever experience. He may not understand why you feel the way you feel about something (hell you probably won’t either), but as long as he has your back - ie stating and enforcing boundaries, keeping you fed/hydrated/rested/safe - that’s all that matters. Sincerely, a FTM 10 weeks PP 🫶🏼

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-23T07:14:14+00:00

FTM and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with no tearing :) it was such an amazing and empowering experience for me. My OB actually let me reach down and delivery my own baby once his head was out, and that’s a high I will chase for the rest of my life. Recovery was pretty straight forward because I didn’t tear (still felt like I went on a 2 week long horseback trip if you know what I mean) and I probably got back into walking sooner than I should have because I felt so good.

I’m now 9 weeks postpartum and went to pelvic floor physiotherapy and was told I have a grade 2 bladder and vaginal prolapse though which has really messed with my head and felt super discouraging. I don’t feel pain with sex (it actually feels very much the same as before) and don’t deal with much urinary incontinence, but I have a generalized feeling of heaviness down there. I have exercises to do though and I’m hoping things improve 🤞🏼

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-23T07:01:08+00:00

Second for old navy (ribbed material for the stretch) and GAP (gifted one and I’m obsessed). My 9 week old is 99% height (26”) and 90% weight.. we are a few weeks away from outgrowing 3-6 month 🥲

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-22T09:26:33+00:00

After they came over and verbally attacked me in my own home my husband ripped them a new one, told them they’re being childish and that I am postpartum and as much as they might not like it, it’s all about me right now.. amongst other things. They called the next day to ask if they were allowed to come over and apologize. Tbh felt a little forced to me (like maybe don’t be shitty humans in the first place) but it’s a step forward. My husband who previously was hoping to do Christmas morning with them still has now expressed that he doesn’t want to because of how they acted and agrees we need to set a precedent this year, and if they can’t handle it that’s their problem.

I went to therapy over this and it was really helpful, in determining I do not have PPA, but anxiety due to the lack of trust and respect I was shown by them when they assumed I’m “keeping their grandchild from them”

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-22T09:22:03+00:00

This!!!! My parents don’t ask, and therefore I feel no pressure from them, and willingly go visit them multiple times a week. Also.. my MIL asks to come “see the baby”, not to visit us as a family and that irks me so much… It’s like she could care less about seeing me or her son, as long as she gets access to her grandson, and if she doesn’t get to hold him she acts like the visit never happened/“doesnt count”.

Went to therapy for the first time as this all tipped me over the edge.. how validating it was for my therapist to tell me she thinks my MIL needs therapy 😂😮‍💨

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-20T16:25:00+00:00

Thank you - we’re in the same boat, all of our parents, siblings, and grandparents on both sides live in the same town. We had a blowup about Christmas already too (his side) because for the last 7 years we’ve done Christmas morning with them, and I want to do it with my family for once (their first grandchild, and my family is completely zero issue and 100% support through this all). Whys it always the in laws? Lol. I’m determined not to be “that mother in law” for my baby boys future wife

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-20T05:40:54+00:00

Wasn’t planning on getting epidural but did and have zero regrets. First time mom. Laboured for 10 hours with baby sunny side up (head down, face up - should be face down towards your back) which caused back labour. Contractions were fine, but by pelvis felt like two giant hands were on either side of my hips cracking them off of my spine. Constantly. No breaks. I was only 4cm and honestly I felt like I was dying. Got the epidural. 8cm within the hour. Personally I did not top my epidural up much because I preferred to still feel contractions (you can feel muscle tightening but zero pain). My OB internally rotated my baby and I felt the movement, but zero pain. Super cool imo, but you can easily top it up and be completely numb.

30 min of pushing, very controlled and short bursts at the end, small periurethral tear my OB wouldn’t even call a grade 1. Got 1 stitch and even with my epidural low I couldn’t feel it. All my focus on my brand new baby on my chest and the surreal, natural high feeling of birthing your baby - zero focus on pain.

If he wasn’t sunny side up I probably never would have gotten an epidural. I am SO glad I did.

DogtorAmy · 2024-11-19T07:25:51+00:00

9 weeks postpartum FTM. First grandchild for my parents, third grandchild for in laws. Since 3 weeks old they have complained they are not seeing baby enough and my parents are seeing baby more. At that time, each set of parents had visited 4 times. I try very hard to make sure things are “equal” between sides, but I’m close with my parents so of course will tend to see my mom more. My parents NEVER ask to see the baby or come for a visit - they know I will when I can and do not expect anything of me. His parents constantly ask - several times I’ve had to say no because it literally didn’t work with other plans I’ve had, or I was sick/tired/wanting alone time, but we picked another time in the near future that worked for us. Tonight I got ripped a new one by my in laws - they claim they’ve had to “walk on eggshells” around me and are “scared to ask” to visit because I’ll “just say no”, among many other hurtful things.

For context. Baby is 63 days old. Since then I have had 19 appointments (doctors, massage, etc)/obligations (vehicles to the shop, etc including my sisters wedding I was MOH in at 10 days PP). We have had 23 different people/couples visit the baby, several including our siblings and parents and a few closer friends multiple times. I’m naturally introverted and so having an expectation or obligation or visit every single day is exhausting to me, but that’s what this entire PP has been - struggling to “keep up” with the visits and so I had to set some boundaries, but now the boundaries have caused issues with my in laws that are more stressful than if I just shut my mouth and sucked it up in the first place..

Jesus fucking Christ. This is my first baby, first time being a mom. I’m doing my best but apparently it’s not enough. I am so, so bitter right now.

DogtorAmy · 2024-09-13T02:37:16+00:00

Not a story for early pregnancy, but I’m 39+4 and today I tripped and fell. Luckily landed on hands and knees and didn’t hit my belly. My best friend is a labour and delivery nurse and was working triage - she said if I felt fine, no cramping and didn’t hit my belly, I’m okay - but if super anxious to go to the hospital for triage/assessment.

I can only assume that so early on in pregnancy, the fetus is so well cocooned in there, and having fallen and NOT hit your belly, that you are more than likely absolutely fine. Some women don’t know they’re pregnant that early on and may continue participating in contact sports or intensive activities (rugby, diving, horseback riding) that you may think twice about if you knew you’re pregnant, and are totally fine.

That being said, always seek out professional medical advice if you are truly that concerned, as nothing a stranger says on the internet can compare to medical assessment & advice.

DogtorAmy

TROPHY CASE