Bonding with newborn/milk production/nipples/visitors question...
Now that it's clear that baby will arrive two days before the ILs and SIL fly in, I'm trying to figure out how to best establish some bonding time. I'd like to establish expectations before everyone arrives, so there is no disappointment on anyone's end...
Doula says that bonding is natural, and I won't have to work at it. Doctor says I need to walk around my house barechested, with baby right there to help my milk come in. Pedi says that visitors holding baby all day might interfere with milk production.
1. in your experience, was wearing a shirt comfy? Or should I really expect/prepare to walk about nekked?
2. How long does it take to BF in those first days? 20 minutes? an Hour? (I'll have people sitting in my living room for probably 8 to 10 hours a stretch, so I want to prepare them timewise for my frequent disappearances.)
3. How did you manage newborn bonding/instructions/dos and don'ts with all-day visitors? (in my case, they'll be here for over a week.)I know they will want to hold, change and bathe the baby.. But pedi said baby doesn't need a bath until the stump falls off. So again, I want to manage expectations, but I don't want to come off super bossy either.
4. Did you watch your ILs handle your baby/change your baby? Did ILs come with you to baby's first doctor's appointment? If so, how did it go?
Re: Bonding with newborn/milk production/nipples/visitors question...
I think the uncertainty of everything bothers me. NO clue what will happen or how or how easy/hard it'll be. I'm trying very hard to Let go! But then docs introduce a whole new issue with this milk let down thing. I wasn't even THINKING about that until they brought it up. But glad to hear that the crowd sourcing says I can wear my shirt. It's the fall. It's too cold to be in my house without covering up.
I think I don't need to know too much in advance. I might do better with a learn as I go approach to baby care bc i'm definitely a worrier.
As far as BF, my sleepy baby is just now getting up to about 15 to 20 minutes. The first few days he would only eat for about 10 minutes at a time. With my nipples so sore, I actually found it more comfy without a shirt. Once the bleeding stopped and they weren't quite as sore a shirt was fine.
I didn't need to walk around bare chested. I stayed dressed except when we fed, I just took my top off while we fed and he stayed swaddled.
It took me about an hour at first- 30 minutes on each side.
I just took him when it was feeding time, and went in the nursery, Everyone understood.
I let my parents hold/change my baby without hovering. They raised me fine
DH and I only went to the appt.'
Good luck
1. in your experience, was wearing a shirt comfy? Or should I really expect/prepare to walk about nekked?
No, but it is the best way to sooth sore nipples. I wore a robe over a nursing tank or over nothing. I do love skin to skin with a squish newborn though.
2. How long does it take to BF in those first days? 20 minutes? an Hour? (I'll have people sitting in my living room for probably 8 to 10 hours a stretch, so I want to prepare them timewise for my frequent disappearances.)
At minimum, 10 minutes a side of active nursing (no sleeping), every 2-3 hours or more often if baby needs it.
3. How did you manage newborn bonding/instructions/dos and don'ts with all-day visitors?
Visitors are there to hold the baby and help us (cooking, running errands). I handed off the baby when I needed to sleep or do things, but you shouldn't feel obligated to hand over your baby. Dh and I did all diaper changes/sponge baths.
4. Did you watch your ILs handle your baby/change your baby? Did ILs come with you to baby's first doctor's appointment? If so, how did it go?
Yes to make sure my bsc mil knew what she was doing. And no.