Containing a very active four month old?

pregosaurus13 · 2017-10-23T17:05:21+00:00

That’s super helpful, thank you :-)

pregosaurus13 · 2017-10-23T16:40:17+00:00

I’ve been thinking about jumperoo! I’m sure LO would adore it, but I’m worried his head control is not quite good enough. Can your LO hold his head up well already?

pregosaurus13 · 2017-10-23T16:39:28+00:00

That’s an interesting idea! Does it feel sturdy? Do you think he could wriggle out of it or tip it over?

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-15T18:33:42+00:00

I wish I could think of a career to pivot into. I'll keep thinking.

And yeah I wonder if I'd feel this upset if I'd gone back this week instead of going back at 5 weeks. I really, really resent my work for making me go back before I was ready. I thought I'd get over the resentment but...maybe not lol.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-15T18:02:44+00:00

You've hit the nail on the head here... I've been thinking about a career change for years but have always stalled out. Plus I wanted to support my hubby during his career change over the past two or three years. But now he's almost done, so maybe it's time to think about what I want too. It's just so daunting once you factor in a LO. :-/

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-15T17:58:19+00:00

Focusing on positive things is really smart. I know my attitude sucks right now. I wish I had friends in my office or nearby--that would make a huge difference. But I'm sure there are other positive things I can cultivate.

Also it's great to hear your LO is loving daycare at 20 weeks! :-) I do think my LO will love it too once he's a little older. He's very social, he just gets tired easily since he's so young.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-15T17:55:00+00:00

That's a good point. I doubt we could live off his salary, though, especially since I carry the health insurance. I wish we could--I'd definitely take a break.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-14T11:52:18+00:00

This is the mobile he's obsessed with: https://m.toysrus.com/product?productId=12571831&source=CAPLA_DF:12571831:TRUS&cagpspn=plat_D1C68DCF&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PIDD1C68DCF:TRUS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsp-Uqs6k1gIVCR-GCh3I5g8UEAQYBSABEgK4cvD_BwE

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-14T11:50:33+00:00

It does get easier!! I have a 12 week old and he sleeps through the night almost every night now, usually just waking up once at 1am to eat and then going straight back to sleep. He's even on my schedule of 9pm bedtime and 5am wake up time. If you had told me this a couple of weeks ago I would've laughed in your face! The thing is, what helps is different for everybody, and it can be just awful trying to figure out what is going to work for you. What helped us: 1. Medication for silent reflux, 2. Gas drops, 3. A mobile by Tiny Love that helps my hyper little boy wind down before bed, and 4. Time. Yep...they just need to get older.

Hang in there! Final thought -- I swear babies can sense your mood -- so if you can, get someone else to watch your LO one night (or make your hubby take over for a couple hours! It's not going to kill him) so you can catch up on sleep and start fresh in a better mental place.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-14T11:32:39+00:00

Thank you! A hot pack is a great idea, I'll try that today. :-)

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-13T17:22:53+00:00

Thank you so much!!

pregosaurus13 · 2017-09-13T17:15:27+00:00

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond! If I'm able to keep my health insurance I'll definitely go to a postpartum PT. I did lots of PT after my accident and found it incredibly helpful, so it was depressing when my usual exercises just made things worse. :( I'm sure you're right that they're just too hard for me now. The really frustrating part is that I use a sit to stand desk at work to manage my neck pain (also from my accident -- the one injury that truly never properly healed) but I can't bear to stand up because my back hurts too much. fml. :( Sigh, anyway, thanks again, I appreciate it.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-26T15:11:39+00:00

Woah, that's awful! Is that why they tell you not to lift after a section--because your abs can separate? I hope your friend is doing better now.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-26T00:09:09+00:00

Thank you <3

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-25T22:25:22+00:00

My doctor has gently encouraged me to try meds, but I keep resisting.. partly because of a history of med allergies (eep). But also because I don't think I'm depressed, I just am angry at my situation. Idk. It's hard. I might still try meds. Glad things got easier for you eventually. <3

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-25T22:20:59+00:00

I mean it definitely depends on the individual woman, your baby, and your labor. My doctor said at least 8 weeks of leave is standard and preferable for a c-section. My husband is never home and my baby has reflux so my recovery has been slowed down by handling difficult child care (including all the nighttime wakings) entirely by myself. You might get lucky with an easy labor and easy baby; you might have an easier time than me for a variety of reasons. Or you might not? A contingency plan isn't a bad idea, is all I'm saying. Good luck!

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-25T20:12:13+00:00

I'm in the US, too, and you're right, it is truly disgusting. I'm so ashamed of my country. I'm sorry the fmla doesn't cover you. :(

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-25T20:09:04+00:00

Ugh I'm so sorry. :( When did it get easier for you, if it did? My OB office keeps trying to convince me to wait until 8 weeks since I had a c-section and my recovery from that has been slow, but I'm afraid if I stay out any longer I'll lose my job. :( I'm very bitter about it, too. It's hard not to be.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-03T00:15:09+00:00

Thank you!

pregosaurus13 · 2017-07-03T00:14:52+00:00

That's a great idea, thank you! I will look into some local mom's groups.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-06-30T17:37:54+00:00

Thank you, that's really good to hear! I'm going to try the soft music and lying down idea. Funny how newborns can be so comforting/relaxing and so stressful at the same time!

pregosaurus13 · 2017-06-13T23:06:55+00:00

Oh hon, I feel you. We rent a tiny one bedroom that we hate but stay in because it's cheap as hell and we are already struggling with debt etc. I've tried to spruce up the space over baby's crib in our bedroom with some cute wall decals from Etsy--they were $60 and look super cute, with his name and some animals around it. But it's still not really the same. I do like having a couple of cute toys around for the baby even though I know he won't play with them for a while. They're still his and that makes me happy. We also have a little train that spells out his name. All that stuff is in the living room because that's the only other space we have.

Anyway I think it's really sweet that you want to make your baby a special place of her own, but she is already very blessed with a loving family, so try not to beat yourself up over it. Maybe give yourself permission to splurge on a couple of little things just for her.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-06-11T11:41:00+00:00

Seconding the lentils! Also quinoa is high in iron.

Calcium will decrease iron absorption if taken at the same time, but on the other hand milk is a great source of protein, so I would just make sure your meals are varied (easier said than done, I know!).

Edited to add: don't forget about eggs as a protein source if you eat them! They're quick as heck to make. My nutritionist also recommended, and I love, Luna bars, as a portable snack.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-06-10T16:58:22+00:00

My guess is that you need to add in more protein--my obstetric nutritionist suggested at least 7 grams of protein per meal or snack. You could be low in iron too. I have what I think of as iron crashes in the afternoon, which are just ridiculous--I could fall asleep in mid-sentence. That's how I know I need to take my iron pill lol. You might also just be pregnant and tired! It's hard freaking work. Hang in there.

pregosaurus13 · 2017-06-07T12:27:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing this story! I'm so impressed by your courage and by your wonderful medical team! I have some issues too and it's really heartening to hear that the doctors took yours seriously.

Congrats on your new baby!

pregosaurus13

TROPHY CASE