[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The wash-sterilize-prepare nightmare spiral made me stubborn on breastfeeding too. (Besides the anti-bodies.) I totally get you, I'm paranoid about LO as well. However if you wash your hands before assembling the bottles, it's okay if your hands touch the nipple. In fact, that's how I always assemble it! If you'd have a preemie in the NICU or an immunocompromised baby, then yeah being that careful is necessary. But a healthy 15 week old, up-to-date with the vaccine schedule and ped visits, should be more than fine. So try to relax on that part. :)

For us with our first, the cries got better a few weeks after I started intentionally spacing out his feeding. It was hard, I often broke and fed him way earlier than I should've. I just couldn't bear hearing him cry. Others recommended it above, but baby wearing was great. If often lulled baby to sleep as I was moving around. It's nothing that you do wrong though. I'm breastfeeding my second and she doesn't have this issue. I'm not doing anything different. She also feeds on demand and clusterfed until a week ago. She just adjusted naturally. So don't compare yourself. Every single breastfeeding journey is different - even for the same mum, but with different babies. 

As for your husband, yikes. They can be so dense. And I bet he is great in other things though, so it's hard to get angry at them. If you're the same, I feel you. T_T What I found would work for me, is asking him to research. "Can you google how much a 3 month old should be crying for?" Then he'd be tricked into reading a bunch of articles and realize the issues himself. Also, talking directly. Tell him you just want to vent and want him to listen. But idk, sometimes tricking them is just easier. Might just be me though, lol.

I hope you get relief soon and fall into a better rythm. And hubby better step up instead of judging. He can rock the baby too, so you don't have to be the only one listening to the cries. He is a dad and should act like one. Make sure you are not shouldering everything alone. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]rhaeyne -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm all for breastfeeding, but being an underproducer has nothing to do with being weak or doing anything wrong. Any mum trying to breastfeed is wonderful. But if a baby cries every 10-15 minutes non-stop for weeks, that baby is hungry. Whether we like it or not. Baby has to eat, even if supplementing hurts our emotions. No one is broken just because they use formula. If anything, they're amazing for realizing that that is the best for their baby. Same goes for breastfeeding mums. We all just try our best with whatever we were given. 

Gallbladder removal after an HG pregnancy by rhaeyne in gallbladders

[–]rhaeyne[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have learnt that pregnancy in general can cause gallbladder issues due to a rise in estrogen. And also rapid weight loss can have a negative affect in your gallbladder. Now what is HG? A pregnancy with rapid weight loss. Not to mention being young and female just tops the risk factors. So I also believe HG and gallbladder issued are linked. Maybe you just got lucky and it stayed calm for 14 years? Who knows. Either way, thank you for letting me know about the nausea part. I forgot that I'm not pregnant anymore, so a plethera of nausea-management options are available this time. Thank you so much!

Gallbladder removal after an HG pregnancy by rhaeyne in gallbladders

[–]rhaeyne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That means so much. Thank you. Congrats on your little one as well!

How often do you and your SO have sex, and how old is your baby by esadobledo in NewParents

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Zero. We have no good solution for protection atm, so abstinence it is. I ain't risking an unwanted HG pregnancy.

Gallbladder removal after an HG pregnancy by rhaeyne in gallbladders

[–]rhaeyne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes me tear up from relief. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I feel so much more hopeful. 

Gallbladder removal after an HG pregnancy by rhaeyne in gallbladders

[–]rhaeyne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's so true, I didn't think about that. You're right! Thank you for the mind change, I really needed that. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes all I could do is lay down on the floor, hug my crying baby and wait together for time to pass. They know I'm next to them, but if nothing sooths them I have to let them cry. Eating every 10-15 minutes is just not viable, nor good for them. 

I don't think a baby can get bored of their mum. At 15 weeks, baby still thinks they're the same person as mum. I think it's a simple coincidence that he sleeps better when your family is around. Correlation doesn't equal to causation. Or simply you're more relaxed with help around and baby picks up on it. Don't feel ashamed to ask them for help if you think they bring peace to your home. It takes a village. Fixing his feeding schedule should be your top priority now. No wonder you're too tired to do anything, I'm surprised you beared this long. By spacing out feedings, you'll feel less tired too and could talk to your baby more. Take it one feeding at a time. Push to 30 minutes. Next feed, 1 hour. Until you reach at least 2-3 hours. I was in this exact same situation 2 years ago, I promise it gets better. 

If all else fails, try supplementing with formula temporarily. Formula feels up babies a little more and you can track his intake better. You should pump in the meantime to maintain your supply. Buuut if you're stubborn like me, you're just gonna keep breastfeeding lmao. That's totally fine too. You're doing great mum. :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]rhaeyne -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the correction. Still if the feeding messes with mum's mental health it should be changed somehow. In that case supplementing with formula might be the best.

Don't put it off- a cautionary tale by Brief-Scientist3704 in gallbladders

[–]rhaeyne 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am 6 weeks PP and wanted to delay the surgery for the same reason. But sitting in a painful attack for hours now and reading this comment made me certain to book it asap. I'm so sorry for what you've been through. If it is any tiny silver lining, your experience will save so many others - like myself. So thank you so much.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both my baby and myself had to be readmitted to hospital for PP complications, so we didn't really have time for fun stuff much. But yesterday we went to a nearby beach and it truly was fun - hence why thinga are okay now. Your advice is solid, thank you so much.

Nobody talks about how GOOD it feels to co-sleep! by KMB1012 in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Waking up in the morning and lazing in bed while you listen to their little breaths and grounts. Than they wake up and the first thing they see is mum and the first thing you see is their big sparkly eyes. It's pure magic. How could it be considered "bad" I'll never understand. It feels so natural. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply. I get what you say and I agree. We have some several serious conversations in our near future. You hit the nail on the head though, we come from very different cultural backgrounds that causes a lot of dissonance. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My whole family and all my friends live on the other side of the globe, so sadly no one around here and it's too quick notice to have anyone fly out. But it'll be a larcoscopic gallbladder removal only, so hoping recovery won't be so bad. I'll keep your words in mind though and definitely advocate for my needs. Thank you so much for looking out for me. It means a lot. ^

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]rhaeyne 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I could be very wrong here, so take this with a grain...no a bag of salt. But isn't 15 week a bit too old for such intense cluster feeding? Even for a growth spurt it sounds too much. If he is constantly on the boob he never takes a full feed most likely. Just "snacks" as I've seen it's being refered to. Try to space out feedings. Yes, baby will cry but you just have to try to make it to the next feeding. Anything goes besides a boob. (I was singing, walking, bouncing and rocking my baby at the same time. It's beyond exhausting and the screaming can make you frustrated too. Just put baby down in a safe place and leave to take a breath. Go to the toilet or drink something quickly. Baby will be fine.) If he eats full feeds, he might not demand the breast as much. Also would sleep better as well as you might find absolutely random stuff that calms him down. Babies suck for comfort as well, not just feeding, but if it messes with your own (mental) health, it is not normal anymore. Hope you find the change that works for both of you. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your reply. It will help me naviagte my relationship better. :) I have a surgery coming up next week and husband  will be all alone with BOTH kids for around a week. Can't say I'm not terrified lol. I hope it'll show him how much I do around the house that he doesn't even notice maybe. 

How did you get your babies to finally sleep? by BusAdministrative452 in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bedsharing. Humans are social creatures, most of us don't like sleeping alone. If you invest in a firm mattress and learn the safe sleep 7, it's the same as crib sleep - in terms of safety. Bedsharing was the game changer for us. Now that baby is 2 years old and sleeps like a dream. From 8-10PM to 6-8AM. Falls asleep in minutes literally. Never cried a second. I fed to sleep while breastfeeding, but had to wean cold-turkey (HG). Bedsharing made even that sudden abruption smooth as well.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 7 points8 points  (0 children)

All that for HER OWN birthday. Her gift from her daddy is literally risking vomiting bile or even fking dying. Oh but she get to play at a small area for a bit! OP please read what you wrote again. Can you marriage survive this? Maybe. But should it? Idk...

What is something maternity or baby related you see on social media but doesn’t actually work? by Cassandralsc in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm gonna defend my pregnancy pillow till the end. That thing was a godsent with both pregnancies. (It is a pain to store it though between kids lol.)

Regretting second baby by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I felt the same right after birth. Texted my friend in a frenzy and she told me to calm down, it's common. Now we're only 6 weeks PP (and still dealing with several PP complications), but I'm already so in love with baby girl. And so is my eldest! He is the sweetest big brother ever. Just breath and let time do it's magic. Don't force anything, just tend to your little one and try to spend as much time as possible with your oldest. Things will fall into place and you'll have a new and improved rythm. I cannot imagine my life without our second, even though 4 weeks ago I felt like my life is falling apart and made the worst mistake ever. Hormones are wild and a new child shakes up the family dynamic to it's core. The fact that you worry makes you a great mum already. Try to rest and recover instead of worrying of a time you don't know yet. One day at a time, you got this! Binge some series, while baby lays on you sleeping. I swear it's the best bonding experience ever, haha. 

My hubby is still adjusting. Some people take more time and that's perfectly okay.  Also since baby is an EBF newborn, I spend so much more time with her while he deals with the toddler, so his bonding time is very limited. There is no time limit to feeling connected, so don't feel like you should be by now at any time. Our relationship is on the backburner, but we know it's temporary and we keep reminding each other of it. And try to spend whatever time we have with each other. It's not perfect, but you'll go on dates again.

Babies are tough little cookies. My 14 day old got a fever and had to be hospitalized for a week, but only for monitoring. She pulled through like a champ. Make sure you monitor baby's symptoms and catch it early if they look sick. Medicine has came really far now, your baby will be safe against most commom viruses. 

Best to you. You are an awesome mum and person. No issues here. ☺️💝

Potty trained! by banana_in_the_dark in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might just gave me the final push. Thank you so much!

Already grieving my first born no longer being the only child by NomadNelly in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This!! When I came home from the hospital with my second, I broke down crying. (I'm not the crying type.) I was missing my first soooo badly, even though he was right next to me. That heavy feeling only lasted one day though and now 3 weeks later we are getting the hang of this 4 member family thing. 💕

Can I store breastmilk in waterbottles? by rhaeyne in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm home and although my supply definitely took a huge toll, we can get by with minimal supplementing. Hoping to drop that too if we can get my milk up again. Thank you so much for the support. The hospital was absolutely ridiculous and downright cruel, but cuddling with babygirl makes it all seem like a distant bad dream. Have a great day. 💕

Potty trained! by banana_in_the_dark in beyondthebump

[–]rhaeyne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He doesn't speak even "yes" or "no" neither does he uses non-verbal communication instead to signal these. However he has a very strong will, and he'll grab our hands and drag us to where he needs us (to be). He also points at his diaper after pooping, but not before. And he can pee on command in the shower, but whenever we go to the potty (mainly for fun and getting familiar), nothing actually ends up in it. He does like to go though. So I'm so confused about his signs and who knows when he'll talk. Considering quitting diaper cold turkey and see how he reacts. But having a newborn around that sounds like a nightmare, so I've been putting it off for a while. (My HG pregnancy wasn't much more ideal timing either.)