@ams512 They're baby movement monitors that get clipped onto the diaper or clothes. They vibrate if baby doesn't move for X amount of time, and then sound an alarm if there is still no movement. You'll get more false alarms once baby gets more mobile and wiggles the clip out of place, but I found it to be a comfort in the early months.
Here's a really dumb question, and I know what the answer is before I even ask it, but oh, well. When do you start 'leaking' stuff from your breasts? I am only 12w3d, but I have woken up the last two mornings with some sort of crusty, light yellowish stuff in my nipples. It scrapes off (ow!) or washes off in the shower. It is not uncomfortable or irritating, it's just out of the norm. Any ideas? I am reasonably sure it is not milk this early, but no idea what it could be. Thanks, ladies!
Here's a really dumb question, and I know what the answer is before I even ask it, but oh, well. When do you start 'leaking' stuff from your breasts? I am only 12w3d, but I have woken up the last two mornings with some sort of crusty, light yellowish stuff in my nipples. It scrapes off (ow!) or washes off in the shower. It is not uncomfortable or irritating, it's just out of the norm. Any ideas? I am reasonably sure it is not milk this early, but no idea what it could be. Thanks, ladies!
It's colostrum, and it can start at any time. That's the pre-milk that you'll make for the first few days after your baby is born too.
@sehp8b It's colostrum, I have it now too, have since the middle of last week. I'm 14 weeks, I asked my doctor on Friday and she said it's totally normal and nothing to worry about as long as it isn't getting intense in amount (i.e. leaking noticeably through a shirt in large amounts) I'm not sure how early it comes, I just know when mine started. It also doesn't mean that you will necessarily have tons of milk, but it does mean that you should produce something for your baby. Or so says the internet.
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Is it true that our immune system is weakened while we are pregnant? I keep getting sick with a cold, over and over again, even though I usually never get sick. I have two kids who are obviously bringing in all kinds of germs from the germ factory (aka Elementary School) and whenever they get sick I get it immediately, when usually I never get sick! It's been brutal. I got the flu vaccine in October. I'm sure I don't have the flu, but the sinus pressure is killing me, and I'm just a sneezing, coughing, booggery mess. How do I stop this from happening over and over again? Any tips?
Edited to add: Yes, I know the flu vaccine is only a vaccine against a select few strains of whatever scientists guess would likely be the flue strains this year, and it doesn't mean I won't get the flu if a different strains shows up, but my symptoms are more bad cold related and not the flu. I don't have a fever or chills, just terrible sinus pressure, coughing and a faucet of a nose.
@supermom83 Yes your immune system is suppressed in pregnancy so that your body doesn't attack the "foreign body" that is your growing baby. My best suggestion would be to take more vitamin C, eat garlic, use a humidifier, and eat fruits and vegetables with lots of Vitamin C (oranges, apples, green peppers, to name a few).
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Dumb Question from an FTM who has approximately zero experience with this. When do you change the diaper? I know that as soon as there is poop in it you would want to change it, but what about being wet? Do you wait until it's noticeably soaked and heavy, or do you change it as soon as there is even a little bit of wetness?
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
@kerils I feel like this might be per person. I change it when he's wet even just a little, of course that means more diapers. Daycare had a expectation to change every two hours.
@kerils The nice thing about the newborn and size 1 diapers (at least in pampers and huggies) is that there is a "wetness indicator strip." Essentially, there is a yellow line on the front of the diaper. It turns blue when the baby pees. As someone who had never changed a diaper until my own son, that thing saved me. At first I would change him after the slightest blue mark, and then I started waiting until most of the line was blue. After they're out of 1's, you learn what "wet" feels or smells like, and you get better at figuring out your kid. It's like training wheels lol.
I work at a preschool, and we have a schedule. We change when they poop as needed, and we change at 9:30, 11:30, 3:30 (that is nap time, hence the longer time) and 5:30. We also use diaper cream at every change, though I think that may just be my center's policy, not a necessity.
@stokesm21 we had a sizeable stockpile in the freezer the last time and it was a total life saver. Things like: - lasagna - Mac & cheese, just add grilled pork chops - precooked stir fry, just add fresh rice - pre packaged fajita filling, just fry up in a pan and add cheese
my mom was there the first 2 weeks so she made fresh meals then. Then our friends brought dinners for 2 weeks. Then we were on our own and pretty much clueless, so it really helped us survive. Especially since dd wanted to be held from 5:30-7...
we will be doing it again for sure!
Thanks! I can't recall my Mom making any meals for my sis so I can't see her doing it for me and TBH, we don't really have a lot of friends. Or none that have enough brains to think of stuff like that haha! I was just thinking about how little I cooked the first 3 months of my pregnancy because of how exhausted I was and I know having a newborn is going to be a repeat of that (but worse lol) so I think I'd definitely like to have a stash available.
@kerils In the early days we changed DS pretty much as soon as he was wet but thats partly because he lost his mind until we did. As he got older the frequency of changes decreased. It will also depend on things like is your LO prone to diaper rashes. DS has pretty sensitive skin so we have to stay on top of changes or he gets a rash.
Ok I have a dumb question for any STM+ moms- is it possible to get mastitis during pregnancy if you aren't currently breastfeeding? I breastfed DD until her first birthday and then got pregnant with this baby a few days later. We didn't have any trouble weaning and I definitely felt like I had deflated balloons for weeks. Now I'm 12 weeks pregnant and all of the sudden my boobs feel super full and lumpy... I don't want to hand express and cause any issues but if I were currently nursing I'd definitely be concerned about mastitis and I'd be hand expressing or pumping.
Definitely shooting my midwife an email but just wondering if any other moms who have breastfed in the past are feeling this way?
@OperaSingerMommy mine feel full and sort of lumpy and I haven't breastfeed in 2 years. Hopefully your midwife can give you some good advice.
Thanks! Good to know I'm not alone with the lumps, lol. Last time I remember feeling really full right away in my pregnancy but I don't remember any lumps and bumps.
@operasingermommy I'm still nursing. Do you mean you think you may have a plugged duct? If so, you can treat at home but if it is mastitis, my understanding is that you would know - do you have a fever? Hope your doctor replies soon! In the meantime, the lalecheleague website (www.lll.org) has a lot of helpful information about distinguishing the two. Keep us posted!
@caribbeanmama Thanks! I'm sure I don't have mastitis right now... No fever or anything. I was just curious if that was even possible to get from a pregnancy, if that should even be on my radar? I'm probably overthinking it. It feels like it could be a clogged duct, I'm just nervous to hand express or pump since that might trigger more production. I was surprised that I went so far in this pregnancy without feeling boob swelling and all of the sudden, boom!
We always changed her as soon as she showed a blue strip- thank God for Pampers swaddlers! We went through a lot of diapers, but in 3 years, she has had 1 diaper rash. We also use lots of wipes, and minimal diaper cream, unless she looks a little red.
Oh and when she was really young. For each middle of the night wakeup, DH would change her and hand her off to me for feeding. I would nurse her, then put her down. That way I didn't nurse then have to change (waking her up) worked well for us!
I have been having the weirdest let down pains, and I haven't pumped in about 6 months! Also, when bubs was little we'd change it usually when he peed. Only because he wouldn't poop in a wet diaper..high maintenance, I know.
@caribbeanmama Thanks! I'm sure I don't have mastitis right now... No fever or anything. I was just curious if that was even possible to get from a pregnancy, if that should even be on my radar? I'm probably overthinking it. It feels like it could be a clogged duct, I'm just nervous to hand express or pump since that might trigger more production. I was surprised that I went so far in this pregnancy without feeling boob swelling and all of the sudden, boom!
Hmmmm I don't know - would be odd I think as I've only heard nursing mothers talk about it. I would unplug a clogged duct in a second though - those get painful!
My boobs got smaller with this pregnancy - I was still nursing my son 10-12 times a day when I found out - so I feel you on the deflated balloons. I have been actively weaning him and we are down to 2 times a day. They have only just started to become a tiny bit full in the last week or so. I'm pretty bummed as big boobs (relatively speaking for me) is the one perk of being pregnant. I'm still waiting on that boom!
Dumb Q from me: do I need to buy bottles and stuff before baby gets here? Or can I just wait until after she's here? I exclusively bf last time but if for whatever reason we need to supplement with formula, we can just get some/take the hospital stuff, right?
Dumb Q from me: do I need to buy bottles and stuff before baby gets here? Or can I just wait until after she's here? I exclusively bf last time but if for whatever reason we need to supplement with formula, we can just get some/take the hospital stuff, right?
I would probably only buy one of those cheapie packs? If your goal is EBF and you don't have to pump to store milk for when you're gone, I probably wouldn't worry about it. And yes, the hospital will give you some too! They usually have those sample pre made bottles.
Okay that's what I was thinking - I will buy some medela 5oz bottles and freezer bags with my pump, but I've never gotten like, dr browns etc I think. I forget. I've forgotten everything, lol.
@kerils yep, what the other moms said, but also wanted to add this. It very much depends on the baby. My friends baby girl would howl bloody murder if she had a wet diaper, whereas my kid would sit for days in a soaked diaper and not have a care in the world.
Oh man, I forgot the "diaper first or nurse first?" middle of the night conundrum!! Woof.
Has anyone here had a second kid in a place far from family? I'm not sure what to do about childcare for DS when I go into labor. My friends all work or have their own kids. Wondering if I should just ask my mom to come a week early, and hope LO doesn't come any earlier than that.
Oh man, I forgot the "diaper first or nurse first?" middle of the night conundrum!! Woof.
Has anyone here had a second kid in a place far from family? I'm not sure what to do about childcare for DS when I go into labor. My friends all work or have their own kids. Wondering if I should just ask my mom to come a week early, and hope LO doesn't come any earlier than that.
Mine always pooped while eating, so that was never a conundrum for me...
Do you have any sort of expat community where you live? Lots of the folks here network with other expats for childcare support when having a kid. Others have family members come out "on shift" to make sure they'll have coverage whenever the new LO arrives.
I guess this question goes here because it's kind of dumb: does anyone else have a lopsided bump? I am 16 weeks and I don't have too much of a noticeable bump normally, but I've noticed when I have a full bladder in the morning, I can really feel my uterus if I'm on my back. The past few days I've noticed it's been significantly harder on one side. I poke and prod it, but it doesn't change. I have a hard time believing it's baby over there but I guess it could be. I will ask my doctor next week but I was just wondering if anyone else had the same..
@virginiaunicorn11 I'm planning to have my mom come out at 39 weeks and I have a few mom friends on standby in case something happens before then.
@kat0607 No bump yet but I was completely lopsided with DD! Towards the end, I swear you could see the outline of her butt if I was laying on my side, so weird.
@kat0607, I don't have a lopsided bump this time, but with my son, I absolutely did, and right about where you're at now and under the same circumstances (disappeared when I stood up but very obvious when on my back in the morning). It's absolutely baby, and according to my son's doctor, it's baby's butt, haha. That's what makes the bump hard right now. That was a really exciting time for me, last pregnancy, because it felt like the first tangible proof that there was actually a baby in there.
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
@virginiaunicorn11 do you know about Toy Town Germany ? Kind of like a forum/ non-creepy Craigslist/ community for expats... my expat friends have previously had success with it
Thanks, ladies! My big lesson last round was "learn how to ask for help." I seem to have forgotten that this time. There's a strong local group of expat parents on Facebook. Good call, will ask them.
@kat0607, I'll see if I can dig up a picture I took of my "lump" around 16 weeks with my son last pregnancy. I think it's on my computer downstairs. It's pretty comical.
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
@OperaSingerMommy@ktewart thank you both!! It's kind of exciting to finally have some proof that baby's actually in there haha. And ktewart I'd love to see that pic!! I should have taken one of mine this morning, I almost woke DH up to see/feel how weird it was haha.
@virginiaunicorn11 both our parents are 5 hrs via flight in opposite directions - and while we're scheduling a cs, I think we'd still rather wait a week or so to have either of them out here. We'll probably have dd stay with our closest friends.
Another one from me: what are the good pumps to get? Should I stick with another medela? Is there something better out there? (Not counting on insurance to still cover breast pumps for us, but it didn't cover when I was pg last time either, I'm willing to invest in a good pump)
@satsumasandlemons insurance is required to cover it now, they usually only have 2-3 ones depending on the company you have. I went with the same medela the last two pregnancies so I could easily swap out parts and equipment. I will try to get the same one this time for the that reason.
@kerils I promise you will find a good rhythm with diaper changes, I would change mine after the stripe was completely blue since both of my babies hated getting changed and didn't mind a little wetness. My other advice is (for us anyway) Johnson and Johnson makes a aloe Vera baby oil, it is much thicker than regular baby oil, and I usually put that on them once a day to keep their bums from getting irritated and their skin healthy. I had so much more success with that over creams and it felt so much lighter and breathable than regular diaper rash cream - plus I felt bad using it when they didn't have a rash. Aquaphor is another good option, for both your nips and baby bums
@satsumasandlemons I plan on EBF but I bought 1 pack of small bottles (4oz) and 1 of large (9oz), just in case. (I can't remember the exact sizes) Chances are if I am able to EBF I will still pump at some point so I got the pump attachments for them.
Anything can happen and I'd rather be a bit prepared. My cousin EBF's but for the first week her milk didn't come in so she had to formula feed. I guess what I'm saying is maybe have a few used or cheap ones on hand just in case.
Re: A Big Thread for Dumb Questions
https://us.snuza.com/
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Edited to add: Yes, I know the flu vaccine is only a vaccine against a select few strains of whatever scientists guess would likely be the flue strains this year, and it doesn't mean I won't get the flu if a different strains shows up, but my symptoms are more bad cold related and not the flu. I don't have a fever or chills, just terrible sinus pressure, coughing and a faucet of a nose.
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
TTC: Since 09/16 ~ BFP 10/28/16 ~ EDD 7/5/17
Team Pink * Canadian Bumpie
Definitely shooting my midwife an email but just wondering if any other moms who have breastfed in the past are feeling this way?
Oh and when she was really young. For each middle of the night wakeup, DH would change her and hand her off to me for feeding. I would nurse her, then put her down. That way I didn't nurse then have to change (waking her up) worked well for us!
My boobs got smaller with this pregnancy - I was still nursing my son 10-12 times a day when I found out - so I feel you on the deflated balloons. I have been actively weaning him and we are down to 2 times a day. They have only just started to become a tiny bit full in the last week or so. I'm pretty bummed as big boobs (relatively speaking for me) is the one perk of being pregnant. I'm still waiting on that boom!
Has anyone here had a second kid in a place far from family? I'm not sure what to do about childcare for DS when I go into labor. My friends all work or have their own kids. Wondering if I should just ask my mom to come a week early, and hope LO doesn't come any earlier than that.
Do you have any sort of expat community where you live? Lots of the folks here network with other expats for childcare support when having a kid. Others have family members come out "on shift" to make sure they'll have coverage whenever the new LO arrives.
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
@kat0607 No bump yet but I was completely lopsided with DD! Towards the end, I swear you could see the outline of her butt if I was laying on my side, so weird.
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
(@mj8215 I do know and love Toytown!)
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
(Not counting on insurance to still cover breast pumps for us, but it didn't cover when I was pg last time either, I'm willing to invest in a good pump)
@kerils I promise you will find a good rhythm with diaper changes, I would change mine after the stripe was completely blue since both of my babies hated getting changed and didn't mind a little wetness. My other advice is (for us anyway) Johnson and Johnson makes a aloe Vera baby oil, it is much thicker than regular baby oil, and I usually put that on them once a day to keep their bums from getting irritated and their skin healthy. I had so much more success with that over creams and it felt so much lighter and breathable than regular diaper rash cream - plus I felt bad using it when they didn't have a rash. Aquaphor is another good option, for both your nips and baby bums
Anything can happen and I'd rather be a bit prepared. My cousin EBF's but for the first week her milk didn't come in so she had to formula feed. I guess what I'm saying is maybe have a few used or cheap ones on hand just in case.
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
TTC: Since 09/16 ~ BFP 10/28/16 ~ EDD 7/5/17
Team Pink * Canadian Bumpie