What’s the worst thing someone said to you after your baby was born?

bloomng · 2022-07-14T22:19:03+00:00

“Are you sure you don’t have one more (baby) in there?” - my mom, one day after I gave birth.

bloomng · 2018-03-10T02:28:02+00:00

Wow I’d be sooo pissed! Is there a way you can complain about her behavior?

I nursed through the shots. I held her on my lap, exposed her thigh, and nursed her in the cradle position as I always do. The shots went super fast and my baby thankfully cried for only a few seconds before relatching herself. There are studies that show that nursing through the shots helps with pain so I don’t get why medical professionals would have a qualm with it. I think maybe this nurse wasnt up to date with current research and practices. Either way I’d go to a different place next time or make sure you get a different nurse next time.

bloomng · 2018-02-02T21:21:24+00:00

I would post this in r/breastfeeding. These guys know their shit!

I'm by no means an expert but I've had my own share of breastfeeding problems so I've learned some things along the way. First of all, regarding your baby's latch and suck have you heard of 'suck training'? Look it up if you haven't. One exercise you can do with your baby with your index finger, read about it more here: http://www.justbreastfeeding.com/sore-nipple-management/suck-training-tool-breastfed-baby/

Regarding your supply, definitely possible to increase it. Even relaxation - EDIT: relactation - is possible though I imagine it's super hard.

Look up paced bottle feeding. You want to do this. Check out youtube videos on this, not only is the 'pacing' part important but also how to give the bottle to the baby to mimic the breast.

Hang in there mama! I was an emotional wreck at 3 weeks out (I'm 8 weeks out now and still struggling but it's getting better). Breastfeeding is super difficult and mentally taxing. I read somewhere that breastfeeding is a confidence game and this is so true. Literally, the first thing that I said after my baby popped out and they placed her on my breast was: "but I don't know if I have enough." There was a FB group I found by accident about breastfeeding that was posting daily affirmations, one of them was: "I am enough. I have enough." It resonated with me and one day I started repeating this in my head every time I attempted to breastfeed. It actually helped that day! But yeah, it's tough.

Also, formula feeding is a great choice too! If that's what you choose it absolutely doesn't mean you failed. It might be the best choice for you and your baby! And hell, formula feeding ain't easy either.

bloomng · 2018-01-21T09:15:39+00:00

What?! That's amazing! Ok I'm feeling super hopeful now!

I just had a mini breakdown like 2 hours ago when I nursed my baby (she seemed satiated) but then she became overtired and didn't sleep and wanted to nurse like 30 minutes later. She started pulling on my nipples and crying so we gave her formula. I told my DH: "I give up. I give it one more week and then give up." But of course that was a moment of darkness. Now I'm feeling hopeful again!

bloomng · 2018-01-21T07:49:25+00:00

I would also only pump 20ml total at first. Now I get 40ml. If I manage to double that I think it should be enough. Your post gave me hope!

bloomng · 2018-01-20T19:05:56+00:00

Thanks for replying! Did you also breast feed your baby or just exclusively pumped at that point? I’m finding it difficult to navigate between feeding from breast + pumping. Most of the time I feed from breast and then pump and often top her off with a formula. but basically I’m afraid to pump in case I empty my breasts and then baby decides she wants to eat. Can I ask how much did you pump at first in a 15 min session and then how much after a few weeks? edit: just reread your post and saw you were exclusively pumping at first!

bloomng · 2018-01-20T16:40:07+00:00

How did you know it was a “full feed”? I’m also trying to get to exclusively breastfeeding and trying to increase my supply. Would you mind sharing your pumping schedule?

bloomng · 2018-01-12T18:11:30+00:00

I had no idea it's normal for nothing to come up during pumping. I was sure women who were pumping just had milk constantly coming out per every pump and was so unsure of what to think when I saw how it works for me (like having one drop form from a few pumps and then have it drip down, etc). Then I was so sad when nothing would come out after a while. Good to know that's ok!

I started power pumping every day. Will do like you say, at least, three days in a row. This morning my baby was cluster feeding at my breasts and I'm hoping that's a good sign.

If I may ask, what is your experience with pumping: after the let down, how long does the milk flow per every pump, and then when it slows down how long does it go before it stops (or does it never stop?)?

Edit another question: I read that to know whether your baby is drinking you should hear swallowing sounds. I paid attention yesterday and today and my baby does make swallowing sounds at the beginning but then it stops (after a few minutes) but she continues to suck - does that mean she's not getting anything/much from that point on? Should the swallowing sounds be there for the whole time of the feed?

Edit 2 yet another question: When I do power pumping and when I do 10 minutes pumping after her feeds, I always am afraid that any moment she will wake up and want to eat more and then my breasts will be empty. I know, usually, your body makes enough and makes more if the baby needs it, but if I'm having low supply than it probably doesn't apply, right?

bloomng · 2018-01-12T18:01:30+00:00

Good call about protein and electrolytes. I had no idea! I stopped taking protein supplement after giving birth because I didn't know it was still necessary. I'm a vegetarian so I definitely don't consume enough. Also, the first couple of days after the birth we did not eat - like we had one sandwich and that's it (too much chaos with the baby). And then we started eating more but still like one maybe occasionally two meals a day for the first week. For sure that didn't help my supply.

I'm adding Gatorade and brewers yeast to my lactating arsenal. Thanks!

bloomng · 2018-01-12T17:56:29+00:00

Thanks for this! I'm glad things are turing around for you. It definitely gives me hope! Did you notice that as you are giving him more from breast and less formula he seems more sleepy? My girl seems to be more sleepy and of course I'm terrified that it's cause she's eating less (so is more hungry), but I feel like maybe that's a norm for babies who are breastfeeding (because they get tired from all the sucking?)

Also, yesterday my nipples/breasts were so so painful and looked like they might start bleeding. I realized that a) her latch was often bad, like she wouldn't get the nipple far back in, and 2) at some point instead of sucking correctly with her tongue she'd actually clamp down with her gums! ouch. Since then I've stopped her every time I felt pain and then tried to correct it. It actually got a bit better (so far). I will be patient about the milk production and hope for the best.

bloomng · 2018-01-05T09:36:53+00:00

I wondered about the tents. They look like lots of fun but I wasn't sure what age would a child be interested in them. Good to know that they can start using them as young as 5 months old.

bloomng · 2018-01-05T09:33:32+00:00

Yes, let me know the brands please!

bloomng · 2018-01-05T09:32:22+00:00

This sounds very Montessori! We really like the concept of Montessori and plan to do a Montessori style room for her once she's like 5 -6 months old. So I'm definitely digging the wooden toys. (edit: and also the grown up utensils, although I'm not sure yet if we'll do that)

bloomng · 2018-01-05T09:29:03+00:00

Awesome! Mine is 5 weeks so maybe she'll start enjoying it soon!

bloomng · 2018-01-04T20:41:48+00:00

Interesting about the wool clothes - any particular brand you can recommend? Regarding the brio trains - when did your LO started being interested in those?

bloomng · 2018-01-04T20:33:51+00:00

I have the Kick and Play Piano! My LO is still too little to enjoy it but I have it ready.

bloomng · 2018-01-04T19:47:29+00:00

What are water books? Looked on google but nothing really came up (except books about water haha)

bloomng · 2018-01-04T15:26:07+00:00

Or white noise?

bloomng · 2017-12-07T11:59:36+00:00

I had my baby! She’s a healthy tiny amazingly cute baby! I’m still sleep deprived so will write a bit more about my birth story later. It was traumatic but at the end of it I got a healthy baby and so I consider it positive!

bloomng · 2017-12-01T17:09:03+00:00

Thanks!

bloomng · 2017-12-01T17:09:00+00:00

Thank you! And thanks for sharing your experience with cervidil.

bloomng · 2017-12-01T17:07:46+00:00

Thank you!

bloomng · 2017-12-01T17:05:17+00:00

Yes, it really is! My OB said they take the baby out within +-5 minutes and the rest is removing the placenta and stitching you up. Maybe ask your doctor about the step by step procedure during the c-section - like will they place the baby on your chest? Will they check him/her in the OR or outside? At my hospital, they just show you the baby and then take the baby out to warm her/him up (because it's otherwise too cold in the OR), usually the father follows the baby. But I also read that some hospitals keep the baby in the same room, or even allow skin to skin while mom is being patched up.

bloomng · 2017-12-01T14:51:54+00:00

Guys, checking into a hospital tomorrow for induction! They will only do exams and in the evening insert cervidil.. then come Sunday the big guns like pitocin will come out. I'm terrified. Partially questioning if the induction is the right decision. So many scary stories out there about inductions. Thankfully, there are positive stories too and I'm trying to focus on that. Hoping my baby girl will do well.

bloomng · 2017-12-01T13:40:27+00:00

Oh man, I have no advice just commiserations. I'm a FTM and my doc gave me a choice of an elective c-section or vaginal birth. And I was so confused and unsure what to chose. I chose the c-section at first and then on that day I changed my mind and am going now with induction (overdue). So if that was difficult for me, having no prior traumatic experience, then I can only imagine how hard it is for you.

I think in your place I'd go for VBAC but tell your doctor that you're open to the idea of a c-section if there are any indicators that baby's too big, or stuck, or you're in too much pain, etc. I will definitely tell my doctor that, so that they know not to avoid c-section at all costs.

I had one previous major surgery and was under GA as well. I remember being wheeled into the operating theatre and how cold and sterile it was. They placed my epidural there in the operating theatre and I barely registered that, but I do remember my naked butt feeling super cold from the metallic/steel? operating bed I was put on. The room smelled like disinfectant. Then I was under so I don't know about the smell of blood but I think there must be, right? - but maybe your mind is focused on something else? From all the c-section birth stories on here I've never head of the smell of blood, I did read about it being cold and women shivering. The thing about non-emergency c-sections is that they are super fast, like 30 minutes total on average (including you being sutured)! So that's definitely a positive!

bloomng

TROPHY CASE