BUMPIN' 08 - Fall Mommies

[Rinnie]

Hi Weezie I'm glad to hear everything is ok with you. Sorry about the colic!
My TCM says to be careful what you eat if you're breastfeeding.
Foods from the cabbage family such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, turnips and kale. Also implicated are chocolate, peanuts, peanut butter, sugar and white flour. This last group of foods tends to slow intestinal activity in you and baby.

Herbal Teas made from herbs such as chamomile and peppermint can help.

Aromatic seeds such as dill, fennel, caraway, anise and coriander work too. One cup of tea while nursing your baby and the therapeutic effects will pass through your milk to your baby. It is also safe to give teas made from these seeds to your baby with a teaspoon. To prepare the tea pour one cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of the desired seed and steep for about 15 minutes, strain and then drink.

A few drops of liquid bifidus or acidophilus culture from the health food store may be given to baby mixed with a teaspoon of cooled boiled water before and after nursing.

Hopefully its goes away soon...good luck.

Rin

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[KatieG]

Loopie I feel ya on the mastitis it was horrible I got it on halloween and had the 102 fever until late saturday night. It is much better now that I got on antibiotics on monday. I also am just pumping. Parker doesnt take the boob so well b/c i went a few days. I tried to nurse today and he kept pulling his head back with the boob in his mouth and it felt like he was ripping it off. It was no bueno. So i will contunie to pump. I dont know how long I will contunie but It is also much better now that I got a double pump vs just a single.

I have a question what is the longest you can go over night with out pumping. I accidently went like 5 hours bcause parker didnt wake up the other night. It hurt but the sleep was great.

One more ? for Loopie are you pumping? My milk supply has gone down considerbly since I started the meds. Hopefully my supply will return after I am done taking them. I was pumping like 3 oz at a time and now its like 2. I called and they said it was the antibiotics. She told me to take go buy some herbs and take 3 pills 3 times a day. I am not going to do that---- I will just pump alot and see if it will go up after the meds are finished.

Weezie sorry to hear your colic troubles I hope it gets better.

Welcome Tina.

Mellie how many oz at a time do you get when you pump?

Hope everyone else has a great weekend!!!!!!!

[Mellie_1233]

Hi Katie, I'm getting between 120 and 180 milliliters -- probably averaging around 150. An online converter tells me that's about 5 ounces.

I'm renting a hospital pump b/c I read that they were much better than the ones you buy in the store. It's a Medela double-pump. At the hospital they told me to use it every 3 hours for 15 minutes. I increased that to 17 minutes and now I do it ever 4 hours. I actually get more milk by waiting 4 hours between pumps now that everything is established.

Oh, one more breast pumping thing -- I get so bored doing it b/c I don't have a free hand to surf the net or read or anything and I just found a great way to pass the time! I have started watching episodes of tv sitcoms I like (The Office is my personal favorite ) on nbc.com while I pump. The episodes are about 20 minutes and it gives me something to do while I'm strapped to the boob machine. Just thought I'd pass that along in case anyone else is bored silly while pumping!

[tinaO]

I just thought of something for you girls pumping...

Do you have the bra that you can wear that allows you to insert the pump through it and then be hands free??? If not, you HAVE to get one. It will make your life SOOOOO much easier. When I was trying to pump, my college roommate introdcuced me to it and it was wonderful. You don't have to sit there and hold the bottles. You can do things while you are pumping!

http://www.easyexpressionproducts.com/

[CT_Michele]

Hey everyone-

Jomae- good memory! I was a planned c-sec due to breach. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Mel- Thanks to you too! Shots went ok. We had a bottle there and ready to go, so as soon as she got her shots, she screeched and then was handed to me and she ate, which obviously quieted her down. We brought baby tylenol, like the dr recommended, but since our last appt, he said there is new research that may link babies under 1 who had acetametaphine with a 50% increase in chances for childhood asthma. So we didn't give it to her right away. The next day she was running a fever, so we called and they said give it to her. I guess the research is still early, but I will definitely only give it if she really needs it.

Tina- glad to see you here. Glad noah is well too. Hopefully some other august and sept thread buddies will come and join here too.

Well, Ella is doing well. Sleeping alot...maybe a 3 month growth spurt coming up. She slept in her crib for the first time the other night. She is having trouble adjusting to the new time. Up to now, we have just let her be with us until bed, but now we try to put her down a bit earlier. She was fussy in the crib too, but yesterday I got her one of those fisher price ocean wonders aquarium crib soothers, and she really likes it. She stays awake for a while, but stays quiet and just stares.

She weighed 10 lbs 7 oz at her appt which was 10 wks old. She is now growing out of alot of her newborn clothes. Unfortunately, she has developed a little bit of flat head from always laying on one side. Dr recommended a positioner and to be vigilant about keeping her off the flat side, he said if we do that, it should fix itself by next appt. I forgot to ask him, she arches her back alot, even sometimes sleeps with her back arched. She doesn't appear to be in pain, just seems to like the position, especially when she is stretching. Anyone else seen that yet or know anything? I think I am going to call dr on monday and ask, I am sure it is normal.

Well- I was finally able to get into your photobucket. The babies are all adorable. I am going to finish looking and post a couple of ella. Talk to you all later.

[sugabeanzs]

For you ladies trying to get more milk: More Milk Plus. It is all natural and herbal. It helps your supply. I think we have talked about that before or I may be thinking of the other thread I am on (Double Trouble). But it helped a lot of my friends.

I am sorry for all you ladies with the infections. Get better soon!!!

Mackenzie is playing on her play mat at the moment and hitting the things above her and LOVING it! They are now starting to play so it is fun! Poor Brooke can not be on her back or tummy though cause of Reflux so I have to talk to the doctor about that cause she will not learn with me holding her all the time. Anywhoo, babies crying time to feed. Update later

[cornybaby]

CT_Michelle...welcome and congratulations! Glad to have you here. About the arching...does she have reflux? I know that arching is something they tend to do a lot when they have reflux. Just a thought...

Well, Abby was 6lbs 10oz at the doc this week! I can't even believe it. She is getting SO big. Tomorrow she will be 11 weeks old. And when we brought her home 4 weeks ago, she was only 3lbs 11oz. She's growing so fast. I even sold most of her preemie clothes on eBay. It made me really sad, but no need to hold onto it when it doesn't fit her anymore.
She had 3 vaccines too. 1 oral and 2 shots. She took them like a champ, but I guess after what she's been through, a couple of needle pricks are no big deal to her.

It sounds like they want to do the surgery sometime in February to put her intestines back together. Ugh. I am dreading having to put her back in the hospital...although it's for a good reason. Uh oh...gotta go...I hear MIL coming in the front door.

[riogirl71]

Hi girls! I have been quiet but always reading. I find it so much harder to do things these days! Bub is doing great and at his one month old check up he is 9lbs 14oz and 23 1/2" so he is in the 50% of weight and 90% of height, tall bub! I now am treating my bladder infection, my gallbladder problems might have been due to hormones in pregnancy. My incision still hurts, the skin is numb and swollen around it. Feels weird! The good news is that because of my GD diet, I lost all the weight I put on for bean in 3 weeks! I could not believe it! All 22 lbs gone and then 4 more! I am hoping to lose about 20 more during the next few months to get ready for #2. Bean sleeps 4 hours at night and is a very good baby, he fusses once or 2 a day for no reason but my Ped said 6 week old babies cry more than anything else and for no reason. I just bought my Medela dual pump and will have to take tips from you girls! Bub is still exclusively bfeeding now.

Corny good job on Abby's weight gain! I can't believe she will be 11 weeks old already! I am sorry she has to go through another surgery.
Suga how are you feeling? Better with the meds? I can only imagine how overwhelmed you must be with twins. I hope Brooke is better from her reflux.
CT michele I had a csec from bean being breech also. We also have male fert factor and got preggers on first IVF! Do you put Ella on tummy time? There are a couple of good mats that help with that. Our bean also arches a lot, I think it is normal.
Tina Thanks again for the encouraging words! I got the Medela bustie also, they have it cheap at addalittlelove.com
Mellie- I took our bean to the fert clinic to show the off and talk about our next cycle. We are going to try again but not sure when, probably Oct next year, not sure. When are you doing it? Do you have forsties? We don't, I worry about the numbers since we had 4 fert great embies and only one stuck...
KatieI hope you are feeling better from the mastitis, I can't imagine how painful that must be. Bfeeding is definitely tough and painful! Whenever I go more than 4 hours my boobs let me know cause it really gets hard and it hurts.
Rin I sent you a PM, I am so excited for you! Congrats!
Loopie I can't believe the nurse blew you off! So sorry you had such painful issues, ouch! About feeding, I do the same and let bean decide, sometimes is 2 to 3 hours and then at night usually he gets 2 4hour breaks. You measure by the amount of wet and soiled diapers, if he has that amount then he is getting plenty. I forgot what the amount is but I can look it up. Also after 6 weeks babies can go days without pooping. Which is weird! When do you pump? Right after he eats or an hour after? Hope you feel better soon!
Weezie - I can olny imagine how hard it must be to hear bub cry and not be able to sooth him. I am so sorry. It must be heartbreaking. WE have a co sleeper also but I am doing what I probably shouldn't and that is he is on the bed with me on top of his co sleeper mattress, we have a firm bed. This way it is easier for me to check on him and get him to bfeed because of tummy pain. How is the eveil ex? My SD has a cold and we have been trying to keep her from getting bean sick, we explain how bad it is if he gets a cold now but she doesn't care.
Jomae - how did you deal with not being able to pick up DS after the csec? I worry about that for next time. our bean gets like that too, in fact he is unsettled right now but is clean and well fed so the pedi said babies just "vent" sometimes. Our bean is bfed and cries like he is in pain to poop, pdei said it is also normal. OUr pdei said not to use pacifiers but to let bub suck on hands and help him with it, cause in the middle of the night if he loses a pacifier he will cry but he will always have his hands. Also with bfeeding it can create nipple confusion cause the sucking is different. Look for ones that are ortho approved or it could mess up his teeth.

Hope you beautiful mommas are having a great weekend!

[sugabeanzs]

Corny: I think your little one is going to pass mine in weight here soon! LoL! I weighed mine on the scale at home and they are both over 9 lbs!! So they have a doc. appt this week so we will get the official weight here soon.

Rio: It really is hard to do things when you are preoccupied with babies! LoL! I have no life now! I can not believe he is so big!! Gosh! Your skin will feel numb for awhile....mine still feels weird at times. Congrats on the weight loss! I think I need to go on a GD diet! lol

Well, the girls slept from 8PM to 8AM! Not straight of course. But I am making their bedtime at 8 from now on. They "dream feed" at 10PM then they woke up at around 3AM for a feeding then they woke up at 8!!! It was wonderful!!! I hope they can keep it up! Now they are not wanting to take their usual morning nap...so I suppose they will nap after their 11AM feed. I can not believe they are getting old enough not to need so many naps during the day!!!

[Mbre]

Hi Mommies..

I missed you guys! Boy i have alot to report... Well you all read my birth story i hope back oan our previous board...Well all is going good.. i guess bedise the fact that my little one sleeps all day and up all night.. here is where i need help @.

1. I was breast feeding at the hospital but she was loosing weight. She was born 1 week late and was 6lbs on the dot, well the day before i left the hospital she went down to 5.11 oz. so doc said give her formula until milk flows.. well know she gets so frustrated with the breat becuz she is so used to the flow of the milk. Im so confused. I pump and then put it in bottle and i also substitute with the formula hospital used. but its hard in the middle of nite to pump ( to keep milk flowing) ..
2. Last night OMG she was colicky uo from 8pm to 4 am cried all night! i went to walgreen and no am using the emfamil easy digestion, my poor jurnei had gassiness! maybe thats y shes colicky??/ Im going to Pediatrics in the morning....
3. How can i post pics? I saw all of you guys lovely babies i wana post mine!!!

OK, now im going to go back up and read some of you guys' post and respond tomorrow...
I hope all of you mommies r well....
Isnt this hard? OMG its amazing how 1 little being can change your life dramitcally!!! OMG... and i cant stop kissing her and smelling her... Her belly button came off yesterday so know i can bath her woohoo!

[riogirl71]

MBre - Congrats on your little bean! what day was she born for the list?

Tina - what is Noah's b-day

[geckogirl]

Hi Moms,

Sorry I haven't posted recently, but I have been keeping up on all your posts. Life was pretty busy here! I was on my own for nine days while DH worked a shift and then did a week of training. Boy was that hard! But, it did convince me that I can do this. Declan and I established a bit of a schedule and we got through the days just fine. I am soooooo happy that a week ago he started sleeping for longer times at night - anywhere from 5-8 hours straight!!!!! I am feeling much less sleep deprived. I still try to nap with him during the day though.

Mbre - I had the exact same breastfeeding problems that you are experiencing. It really sucked (no pun intended) and I finally had to just let him be on the bottle. I pump all day and get about 9 ounces a day of breast milk and I just give it to him in a bottle and then suppliment with formula. I am using the Enfamil Gentlease for gassy babies and it seems to help. Sometimes he will actually nurse too, which is nice. I try to put him on the boob at least once or twice a day. Mostly he finds it comforting when his is fussy.

Sugabeanz - Horray for the girls sleeping through the night. I can't wait until mine sleeps for 12 hours!

Rio - My incision still hurts too. In fact, if I do too much during the day I am really sore at night. I get these hot firery pains deep inside and that is when I know I need to take it easy. Motrin helps. Congrats on losing the weight!!! I lost about 30 lbs pretty fast but still need to lose 20 more to get to my pre-pregnancy weight. I am hoping to get it off by the spring since I would like to start a FET this summer. I can't wait for baby #2!!! Don't know how we can afford it, but at my age I just can't wait.

Corny - Hooray on Abby's weight gain! She is such a cutie pie! I am glad she is doing well.

CT Michelle and Tina- Welcome!!!! I have been following your stories on the other thread. It is great to get advice from you since your babies are
a few months ahead of my baby. I get to know what is coming up!

Katie - I hope you are feeling better and that the breastfeeding is going better. I pump too and only get between 1 and 2 ounces at a time. It is frustrating because Declan eats so much more than that. But some is better than none!

Weezie - Sorry about the colic. It must be really hard to have them cry all that time and not be able to help. I hope your pedi can give you some tips.

Jomae/ Loopie - How are you doing?

Have a wonderful Monday!!!!!

[sugabeanzs]

Gecko! Glad everything is going well for you and he is sleeping well at night. Mine are not totally sleeping through the night they wake up twice to eat but it is much better than every three hours!! But they are in bed from 8-8 (well 7:30 in most cases). Mackenzie is doing great on this schedule. Brooke has some catching up to do on 8 being the bedtime lol she still wants to be awake till like 10. *sigh*

THE GIRLS ARE SICK! They have a cold. I took them to the doctor just now. Of course, I am sure I am the one that gave it to them. But Brooke is wheezing and is breathing a little fast so I have to watch her. They both are gasping for air at night so I have to turn on the light and watch their color now too. If they start to turn blue around the mouth then they have to go to the hospital (RSV) and if Brooke's breathing gets worse she has to go to the hospital. SO PLEASE pray for my little ones that they do not get worse!! I have to do saline drops and such and suction out their nose. SO I am in for a few long nights I suppose and me not feeling well does not make it too much fun!

[KatieG]

Suga i am sorry that your girls are sick hopefully they can get rid of it soon.

I have a question for you moms that are giving formula. How many ounces are you giviing your baby. I am giving mostly breastmilk but I give parker formula in the middle of the night and somtimes once other bottle durning the day. The rest of the time its what I pump.

[sugabeanzs]

KatieG: When mine started out eating (like 36 weeks old) they were eating 1 1/2 to 2 oz. Now (one month old adjusted) they are eating 3 oz to 3 1/2 oz to SOMETIMES 4 oz (rare). But they have added rice cereal in theirs as well so it makes it thicker.

I just had to call the doctor (at 8PM) Brooke has started wheezing more and breathing harder. So hopefully she calls me back here soon and I do not have to take her to the hospital (or actually I would like that to get her an xray!) I will keep you update...she is crying gtg