Newbie Playdate (Post your random questions here!)

abbyful

kyliedaniellexx said:

I have another one. What size bottles do I need? I know there's lists out there and stuff but wondering about other mama's experience. Is 4oz and 8oz sufficient? Is it worth having a few 2oz bottles to prevent gas in early months?

We only really used 4 oz. DS was a breastmilk baby; if you breastfeed, your milk changes as baby grows, so many breastfed babies only ever drink 4 oz at a time. Formula feeding you'll need 8 oz bottles because formula doesn't change, baby just drinks more of it.
I had an 8 in bottle that came as part of a gift set, DS only ever used it a handful of times, and it was when we were switching him to cow's milk around a year old.
I wouldn't even bother with 2 oz bottles.

PandaCon

tugglek23 said:

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have flat nipples?

Yes it is possible. The lactation consultant showed me the hamburger squish to get the nipple far enough in babies mouth.  After a few weeks/months my nipple actually stuck out and DS was able to latch without the squish.  

A nipple sheild can also help if the hamburger doesn't work. It will "train" your nipple out but can affect supply if used long term. 

PandaCon

abbyful said:

@abbyful‌ , FWIW, I saw 3 different LC after going home. Found one 1/2 hr from home who was really great, but impossible to get appt with, was helpful but, long term, only minor improvement. Probably just me. And, I get it that washcloth =\= baby latch, but anything to reduce skin sensitivity! Ouch!!

Rubbing with a washcloth might make things even worse by removing the oils and drying the skin, leading to more cracking/bleeding. https://www.llli.org/faq/breastprep.html

yes!  Don't use the washcloths. It will only lead to discomfort now and possibly more discomfort down the road.  Getting baby latched correctly is the best way to reduce skin sensitivity. 

PandaCon

kyliedaniellexx said:

I have another one. What size bottles do I need? I know there's lists out there and stuff but wondering about other mama's experience. Is 4oz and 8oz sufficient? Is it worth having a few 2oz bottles to prevent gas in early months?

If your are BF'ing probably only need up to a 4-5 oz bottle.  BUT if you are going to be pumping at work the 8 oz are nice to store milk in until you get home and can divide up into bottles/freeze.

jlove253

JamieK1882 said:

Ok I have some concerns that are probably stupid but figured this would be the place to post them.

I'm 19w2d and still haven't felt baby move at all. Also, during a/a it didn't look like to me baby was moving much. Heartrate has also been low (130s). I must've asked the tech 4 times "is it moving?" And she said yes but all I noticed was her moving the wand.

It just stressed me out when I read everyone else's posts about their wriggling babies. Anyone else have a lazy baby?

My mom told me that I was such a lazy mover the whole time she would have thought I'd never move at all after I was born. And I'm still a really mellow person. Don't worry.

Also, nice to see you posting @PandaCon‌. I feel like I haven't seen you around lately (but I might have just missed it).

freetobekristin

Being honest, I had to google flat nipples.  I had no idea there were so many different nipples.  I probably should've waited to do that until I wasn't at work.

Maelara

flutterbuggie said:

Okay this could potentially be another stupid question but.. aren't all nipples flat until stimulated?  Or do people just walk around with nipples poking out all the time?

Hahah! Yes! Padded bras are my friend

lizzielu82

lissydee said:

There are also inverted nipples. Now this may make breastfeeding extremely difficult, especially of you are flat and inverted!

Does the milk flow inward if that's the case? Jk!

melsod

sweetbabyrahe said:

Anyone with previous latch concerns or pain consider use of a nipple shield? It was an added inconvenience because I always had to make sure I had one with me, but we had a lot of problems with latch and I used one with DS. I would attempt to wean him from it, but I never could. I used it the whole year I bf him. Just an option for people to consider if they have problems or are really concerned.

I also had to use a nipple shield with both my girls due to them both being tongue tied.  They weren't able to latch properly with the tie.  We had it corrected ASAP but even then it took a week to get it done & they had to eat in the meantime.  The nipple shield literally saved our breast feeding.  It did take a little bit to wean DD 1 off of it (3 months) but DD 2 just went with the flow.  It did affect my supply with DD 1 but I pumped & took herbs & domperidone to counteract that.  A nipple shield will definitely be in my hospital bag.

freetobekristin

I saw pictures of inverted nipples..so what happens when they get stimulated? Do they just harden where they are, or do they go outward?

carafern

@heisenberg my snoogle experience was not as positive as these other ladies. I found it too hot and not worth it because I was too hot to sleep. I returned it. This probably wouldn't be a problem if you have better temperature control in your house, or in your body:)

Since then I have made due with a bunch of different pillows.

@JamieK1882, I'm 19 weeks and haven't felt the baby either. I get jealous of all these flutter movement posts, but my doctor mentioned that FTMs tend to feel it later because we don't recognize the feeling until its stronger. Also, apparently I have an anterior placenta (do you?), which I think means that the placenta is between the baby and my belly where I would feel it.

tugglek23

I'm not sure about inverted, but having flat nipples, I barely get any protrusion. I never look like I'm nipping. And if you grab my boob and squeeze as though you're trying to push out the nipple (what my breastfeeding friend does to get her son to latch on), mine go inverted even if they're in their erect state. I'm assuming inverted ones wouldn't protrude.

I hope that made sense.

Lilwatz

Ok. I have one. I mentioned to my sister that if I didn't like the pump my insurance company provides I have a friend who said I could have hers. I'd buy new parts but use her pump. My sister flipped out and called me to lecture me on using a used breast pump saying they should only be used for one year...

I know people who reuse pumps with their children over several years. I don't see the problem. Am I crazy or is she?

Maelara

Lilwatz said:

Ok. I have one. I mentioned to my sister that if I didn't like the pump my insurance company provides I have a friend who said I could have hers. I'd buy new parts but use her pump. My sister flipped out and called me to lecture me on using a used breast pump saying they should only be used for one year... I know people who reuse pumps with their children over several years. I don't see the problem. Am I crazy or is she?

I bought my medela swing because I had a nurse tell me I could use it for multiple children. You do need to replace all the pieces. If you are getting it from a friend, make sure it's a closed system pump (mine is not) so there is no cross contamination.

sunflwra

tugglek23 said:

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have flat nipples?

@tugglek23 - My daughter had huge difficulty latching and I had 3 different LCs from the hospital try to help me while there.  Finally had an LC that my ped recommended come to my house and within 2 minutes, she told me I had short nipples and that's why she was having difficulty.  She gave me a nipple shield and we got her latched on right away. It was something to work with the first month or so but then I was able to wean her off it.  I was honestly pissed that none of the other LCs suggested it and we had to wait 3 weeks to get where we did.  All that to say to definitely let your nurses/LCs know and it might not be a bad idea to bring a nipple shield with you to the hospital (you can buy them at Target).  GL!

shindylahoe

kyliedaniellexx said:

wildflower75 said:

kyliedaniellexx said:

Is the Moby wrap really idiot proof? I feel like LO is going to go flying if I get one...

I know it seems silly but this is precisely why I never use wraps...I'm scared to death of my baby falling out
Carriers only for me...

I've never actually heard of anyone injuring a baby by dropping it out of a wrap or anything... but I mean, it's gotta happen right? Even if it doesn't happen often? Everyone I know IRL that has one just tells me it takes a little practice but like you I'm terrified to try. Which sucks because they look much comfier than some carriers.

I actually wrap first and then insert baby! Does that idea help you feel more secure?

abbyful

excitedpreggo12 said:

Ok so I do have a dumb question:

Well more a concern about newborn belly buttons. Depending on where it gets cut does it make it an innie or outie? And what do you do with it when it falls off? And did your kid's ever get infected or does it hurt the baby to touch it? Give me all the real details, not Google basics.

It gets cut a couple inches up, nothing anybody can do will determine innie or outie, it's just pure chance of how it heals when it falls off.

Throw it away when it falls off.

It doesn't hurt baby to touch it gently, it's just like a scab. (So if you are rough with it, it would probably be a little uncomfortable, but not "painful".)

Don't listen if you have older people tell you to put alcohol on it, that's outdated information, doctors now say just leave it alone.

Maelara

excitedpreggo12 said:

Ok so I do have a dumb question: Well more a concern about newborn belly buttons. Depending on where it gets cut does it make it an innie or outie? And what do you do with it when it falls off? And did your kid's ever get infected or does it hurt the baby to touch it? Give me all the real details, not Google basics.

The cord does not become a part of the baby :P it will fall off and your babies genetic belly button will be there. When it fell off (it took N's almost 2 weeks) I just threw it away. I think some people might save it but no thanks. N's never got infected but they can. Hers bled and you just keep the area clean (I used a wet wash cloth). If it has pus, take your kid in to the doctor. Don't touch the cord if you can help it. I don't know if it hurts them but it could make it come off before it's ready. When bathing you baby, don't get it too wet and keep it as clean and dry as possible. Fold the diaper under it and it's a good idea to put clothes on the baby that won't directly irritate it, like s shirt and pants. Do onsies (with pants is fine) and sleepers.

I hope my munchkins BFF is doing good in there today

lizzielu82

I have another one! #sorrynotsorry

I was told today I have an anterior placenta. I've still been feeling kicks. Does that mean I'm in big trouble to get really big painful kicks later on since I can already feel LO even with the anterior placenta? 

Maelara

excitedpreggo12 said:

Another dumb question: when did you first start taking newborn out? I'm a hermit in the winter myself, let alone now a paranoid ftm. I know I may get super bored and stir crazy but if it's not a short emergency run to store or mom's house, I just don't think I can take him outside of the house! And I've seen plenty of kids a week after they're born leave the house. What did you do?

I left the house within the first week (being home, I had a csection so I spent Tuesday-Friday in the hospital) I had too, it was for a doctors appointment. I also went and visited my work place at 3 weeks. I then joined a new mommy and baby group and got out of the house at least once a week after that. Once N was about 5-6 months I was leaving almost every day. Make a goal for once a week and then go from there The inside DD is kicking away too! It's getting pretty constant :x

melsod

excitedpreggo12 said:

Another dumb question: when did you first start taking newborn out? I'm a hermit in the winter myself, let alone now a paranoid ftm. I know I may get super bored and stir crazy but if it's not a short emergency run to store or mom's house, I just don't think I can take him outside of the house! And I've seen plenty of kids a week after they're born leave the house. What did you do?

We started going out pretty much right away.  Even if it was just for a quick trip to Walmart or to grab myself a burger.  I found that the trips out of the house helped to build my confidence as a FTM.  I started with small, little trips then built up to bigger ones like picking a mall about an hour away to visit for the afternoon.  Just knowing that I knew what to pack (diaper bag with the essentials, breastfeeding pillow, stroller &/or baby carrier) & that if DD needed to breast feed I would just pull off the road  & feed her helped me to have more confidence in what I was doing.  Being a FTM was very overwhelming for me & becoming independent with DD was a huge deal.  Getting out of the house was a must for me.

Maelara

excitedpreggo12 said:

excitedpreggo12 said:

Another dumb question: when did you first start taking newborn out? I'm a hermit in the winter myself, let alone now a paranoid ftm. I know I may get super bored and stir crazy but if it's not a short emergency run to store or mom's house, I just don't think I can take him outside of the house! And I've seen plenty of kids a week after they're born leave the house. What did you do?

We started going out pretty much right away.  Even if it was just for a quick trip to Walmart or to grab myself a burger.  I found that the trips out of the house helped to build my confidence as a FTM.  I started with small, little trips then built up to bigger ones like picking a mall about an hour away to visit for the afternoon.  Just knowing that I knew what to pack (diaper bag with the essentials, breastfeeding pillow, stroller &/or baby carrier) & that if DD needed to breast feed I would just pull off the road  & feed her helped me to have more confidence in what I was doing.  Being a FTM was very overwhelming for me & becoming independent with DD was a huge deal.  Getting out of the house was a must for me.

*************** I think that's what my problem is. As I go along I'm losing more and more confidence. I over-think everything! I thought maybe I'd get a routine going so I don't panic in public when LO cries or something. I'll try to be more "go with the flow" and not so uptight and nervous.

It's normal to be uptight and nervous when the baby gets here just be true to yourself and set small goals for getting out of the house!

hopeangel2023

kyliedaniellexx said:

I have another one. What size bottles do I need? I know there's lists out there and stuff but wondering about other mama's experience. Is 4oz and 8oz sufficient? Is it worth having a few 2oz bottles to prevent gas in early months?

With ds, we stuck to the 4 oz bottles the entire 1st year. He never wanted more then that at all. We did use the 2 oz for cereal when he got older and we were traveling or for the sitter.

We have 3 8oz, like 20 4oz, several 2 oz but think I used 4 of them.

hopeangel2023

excitedpreggo12 said:

Another dumb question: when did you first start taking newborn out? I'm a hermit in the winter myself, let alone now a paranoid ftm. I know I may get super bored and stir crazy but if it's not a short emergency run to store or mom's house, I just don't think I can take him outside of the house! And I've seen plenty of kids a week after they're born leave the house. What did you do?

DS's first time out was at 2 weeks to get pics done. We tried to keep life as normal as possible. We did keep him covered and tried to keep him as "clean" as we could in public. We just didn't want to isolate him.

Kristil2014

How you do plan on keeping baby warm in their carsear this winter? I am in Central Alberta and our winters are freaking cold.

AnnieRoo13

I'm kind of wondering about when I'll be able to get out of the house with baby to just go for a walk. I realize I might not be up for it for the first week or so, but we live right off of the river and there's fantastic walking paths. November/December might already be pretty cold here (Southern Ontario), but if I wear the baby would he stay warm enough?

mommymeg143

This is a scary question for me but with most of us being halfway now I always think about it. What is the "safe" week for a baby to born? I know it's ideal to let them bake the entire 40 weeks but what week do they consider baby viable to live? I meant to ask my OB at my a/s but completely forgot. I don't want to google it because the google freaks me out with answers sometimes.

PandaCon

I believe 28 weeks is "viable".

My friend did have a baby at just under 24 weeks. It was quite a long ordeal months and months in a NICU.

Although she still has some seizures and is behind in "normal" development, she just celebrated her first birthday this week. They obviously still have a long journey ahead of them, but the doctor didn't expect her to live even a week so obviously somebody was looking out for this little baby.

PandaCon

FhSTAR81 said:

PandaCon said:

I believe 28 weeks is "viable".

My friend did have a baby at just under 24 weeks. It was quite a long ordeal months and months in a NICU.

Although she still has some seizures and is behind in "normal" development, she just celebrated her first birthday this week. They obviously still have a long journey ahead of them, but the doctor didn't expect her to live even a week so obviously somebody was looking out for this little baby.

28 weeks was what i put at first. Wikipedia said 28 but then a google said 24 weeks. Unless I'm reading wrong, I'm so over tired. Lol

------------end quote--------------

That actually makes more sense now that I think about it. With my friend they actually would only put baby on basic life support for a few days until she hit 24 weeks. They wouldn't do any extras surgeries or anything like that until she had passed the 24 week mark. They also would not resuscitate her if she did die. I'm assuming that because 24 weeks is more likely to be "viable".

Edit: stupid quotes.

abbyful

24 weeks is considered "viable", but babies have survived born earlier than that. (The survival rates increase each week, obviously.)

My hospital will not attempt to stop labor after 36 weeks. If you're 35 weeks or earlier, they'll try to stop it. If you're 36+ weeks, you're having the baby

Maelara

Kristil2014 said:

How you do plan on keeping baby warm in their carsear this winter? I am in Central Alberta and our winters are freaking cold.

I live in southern Alberta and we routinely get -50*C with wind chill. I got a car seat canopy to help with the wind. Then I dressed the baby warmly (fleece pants and a sweater that isn't too thick. Then I would put a very warm blanket over N. I have a car starter and would not take her out to the car until it was warm enough.

Maelara

AnnieRoo13 said:

I'm kind of wondering about when I'll be able to get out of the house with baby to just go for a walk. I realize I might not be up for it for the first week or so, but we live right off of the river and there's fantastic walking paths. November/December might already be pretty cold here (Southern Ontario), but if I wear the baby would he stay warm enough?

It depends on how cold it is. Wearing your baby definitely helps but you don't want their skin exposed to extreme cold. There are winter coats that have baby carriers built in. Dress the baby warmly and having the carrier should be good for most weather.

Celticlass6

I have breastfeeding/pumping question. When are you supposed to pump to build up a supply for the baby to eat when you're not around? Doesn't it take time for the supply to replenish, and isn't it then time to feed baby again?

Maelara

Celticlass6 said:

I have breastfeeding/pumping question. When are you supposed to pump to build up a supply for the baby to eat when you're not around? Doesn't it take time for the supply to replenish, and isn't it then time to feed baby again?

You pump whenever the baby would eat. So if your baby eats every 2 hours, you pump every two hours. Pumping is a good way to increase your supply so even if you don't think your supply has replenished, pumping will signal to your body and brain that it needs to replenish faster. I was also told to help with supply to pump on each side for 15 minutes AFTER the baby ate.

Maelara

kyliedaniellexx said:

Are my nipples ever going to go back to normal or will they be dark and fertility-goddess like the rest of my life? :-/

Mine have stayed big I don't know about other moms though??

PandaCon

Maelara said:

kyliedaniellexx said:

Are my nipples ever going to go back to normal or will they be dark and fertility-goddess like the rest of my life? :-/

Mine have stayed big I don't know about other moms though??

Mine have stayed too. Although I was still BF DS when I got pregnant. Not sure if that factors in. 

PandaCon

Celticlass6 said:

I have breastfeeding/pumping question. When are you supposed to pump to build up a supply for the baby to eat when you're not around? Doesn't it take time for the supply to replenish, and isn't it then time to feed baby again?

After the first few weeks, if you would like to create a stash, you can pump for a few minutes after the baby eats. 

With DS, he would only eat off of one side for the first morning feed, since they were really full.  I would pump one side while he ate (You get more if you can manage both at the same time!) off the other. I would get 3-5 oz and there was always enough for his net feed. 

Maelara

PandaCon said:

Maelara said:

kyliedaniellexx said:

Are my nipples ever going to go back to normal or will they be dark and fertility-goddess like the rest of my life? :-/

Mine have stayed big I don't know about other moms though??

Mine have stayed too. Although I was still BF DS when I got pregnant. Not sure if that factors in. 

DD self weaned at 3 months. I assume it was because my supply was so low. Anyway, mine are still big and I wasn't able to do it for long.

hopeangel2023

Celticlass6 said:

I have breastfeeding/pumping question. When are you supposed to pump to build up a supply for the baby to eat when you're not around? Doesn't it take time for the supply to replenish, and isn't it then time to feed baby again?

With DS, I would nurse him then pump what was left. Also if he missed a night feeding, I would still get up and pump. It sucks, but I will be doing it again.

mommymeg143

Thank you ladies!