March PAIF Grads- new mama's

capps42613

@Griffin5413 I didn't exactly measure out how much cereal I put in. I basically just sprinkled some in there, but not as much as the box recommended. It needs to be thin enough to fit through the nipple, which is the difficult part.

ZoeFer

AandDM2014 Congratulations ! I was thinking about your yesterday. I am so happy to read that you have your triplets in your arms now. 
We are doing well. I am getting used to the working routine and I have never realized how important the weekends are. I am trying to spend the weekends to the fullest. Lara is mostly refusing to eat from the bottle, at least until noon. So it upsets me but she eats well in the afternoon and at night. I am not sure how we can get her eat better during the day. Other than that, she is super happy and energetic so maybe she is having enough.

Griffin5413

@ZoeFer - I wonder if it's common for baby to not want to eat as well when you aren't there. Hopefully everything will work out soon 

ZoeFer

thanks @Griffin5413, i was already feeling guilty because work keeps me away from her but now the problem with her feeding increases my guilt to a different level.

capps42613

First full week back to work wasn't too bad at all. I totally psyched myself out. I've been dropping him off around 6:45am and I've been getting to work about a half hour early due to beating traffic. My boss was gracious enough to let me start earlier now too. I now work 7:30am-5:30pm (4 days a week) instead of 8-6. My husband has been picking him up around 3:30pm. He's adjusted well and daycare hasn't disrupted our set schedule at home. He has his 3 month check up tomorrow morning, more ouchies coming his way. 

Griffin5413

@capps42613 - I'm glad your first week back went well! Eli's dr doesn't see him again until 4 months. It's so weird how some doctors schedule that. Hope your appt goes well! 
I cant believe Eli is going to be 3 months tomorrow! This time has just flown by. DH and I are having our very first date night without the baby tomorrow night. Our good friends are watching Eli so I know he is in good hands but it is going to be so strange! But sooo needed

ultratomato

Well ladies I didn't mention this last week after the girls shots but the dr mentioned that Aubrey has a flat spot on her head and could use a helmet. I don't see it and her head looks the same as it did when she came out from the csection. I wonder if she was smushed in the womb by her sister. Anyway been debating the helmet since it's mostly cosmetic. I mean she is going to have to wear it for 23 hours a day. I'm going to see the dr who specializes in it. Anyone have any experience with this? 
The girls are getting big though one is 10lbs and the other is 11lbs. The dr also told me no cereal for them yet and probably not at all in their bottle since they are growing good on formula.im a little disappointed I wanted to add some in their night bottle to get them to sleep longer. Anyone put cereal in their bottles? 
@Griffin5413 DH and I have been getting like one day every other weekend out for the day to do whatever usually errands. My mom is chomping at the bit to take even over night. Although neither my mom or dad know how to swaddle so Brynn is always up and never naps at there house.  
So my in laws are coming to town again can't wait will be here for two weeks which will help because DH may need to go on a business trip for three days. Also doing the baptism while there in town. Brynn will be wearing my dress and Aubrey will wear my nieces who is also going to be her godparent. Which I think I hurt my brothers feelings because I didn't pick him. 
Also i verntured out on my own last week with the girls to a friends house which was a big step since she also has a newborn. Next step is a trip with the girls to Walmart then the mall is then next step. I'm waiting for my snap and go stroller to come in because my other double stroller is huge and I can't lift it. Ok I think I rambled on long enough.

dragonfaerie

@Zoefer I've heard from several people that their baby doesn't eat much while they are gone and then fills up at night.  Some just prefer momma, or the breast, etc. You are doing great,  don't feel bad!
@capps42613 So glad your routine is going well!
@Griffin5413 Yay date night! Wow, time does fly! 
@ultratomato will the flat spot work itself out without the helmet? Just wondering if it's actually necessary. I'm glad you are getting a second opinion. How was your mommy play date? It's fun to chat with other moms. The strollers are SO heavy, I'm glad you have an easier one on the way. 

Supposedly 11lbs is the magic number for when babies can start sleeping through the night cuz their metabolism is such that they don't need to snack as often. Well, Riley is 6 weeks and 11lbs (little chunk...) so I'm hoping we get there soon. Or at least can eliminate one of his feeds. I'm thinking when he hits two months I'll start trying to offer the pacifier for his second wake, unless he starts sleeping on his own. We put him down around 7:30 and then he wakes at midnight-ish and 4ish. But then he naturally wakes uo around 6:30am and is generally raring to go. It's weird

Griffin5413

@ultratomato - at Eli's 2 month the dr said that he had a slight flat spot that if it got worse he may need a helmet but that it could get better on its own. We should know more next month at his 4 month check up. I have been putting a teaspoon of rice cereal in Eli's bottle right before bed for about 3 nights and I think he had about an extra hour of sleep but that's also noting that he was. Ack to waking up every 3. One night we got 5 and the other almost 5. 
@dragonfaerie - at 3 months Eli typically has 2 feeds at night still between 3-4 ounces and I think he is almost 15 pounds. He has a longer stretch around 5 hrs and then another 3 but it sounds like Riley is already doing that at 2 months. Hopefully that works well for you guys! I am really hoping to have Eli down to 1 feed per night before I go back to work in 4 weeks

tvh1982

If it eases your guilt, I'm at home and Pia doesn't eat well during the day @zoefer. 
She gets her filling in the evening, night and early morning. Between her morning bottles and evening bottles could just be 1 hour time. The night feeding she drinks a big bottle. During the day if I don't just offer one she's ok with 5 hours inbetween and only drinks 2oz. So I try to feed her after 3 hours and am happy if it's 2 oz during the day.

My cousins little boy used a helmet @ultratomato, he has a perfect little round head now, and it didn't bother him as he didn't know better.
I haven't noticed a flathead on pictures, think they both are as cute as a button.
I do know it's cosmetic, but unfortunately the world is very much into that. If it was Pia I'd have a long think about it if it's something that will be noticeable by others and/or if it will be covered by hair. 
I don't want her to feel 'sad' about something that could have been 'easily' fixed. 

Pia did did the same as Riley @dragonfaerie. It's easier for babies to skip the 11pm feeding. But you kind of want them to skip the 4am one.
So I give Pia a dreamfeed at 11pm, and she now sleeps until 5am and then does another 3 hour sleep.
Yesterday, after yet another flight I put Pia to bed at 8 and went to bed at 9 skipping the dreamfeed. She automatically wakes up at 3 and at 6. So I notice she needs that dreamfeed. But as I slept with her I knew I would be woken up twice anyway. And I too needed that long stretch in the beginning of my sleep

Glad to hear going back to work is working out for you ladies. Think you are all amazing. 

Date night will be fab! Definitely weird and slightly tough. I had my first night with my bestie who visited from Norway when Pia was 8 weeks. I didn't stay away too long, but it was nice to eat with both hands and warm food

So Pia and I had another flight, this time within Norway, so passports weren't needed, but I had them!
But now we had a poop explosion I had packed a clean outfit, but had forgotten a clean onesie! I'll get there in the end
Shes been a trooper travelling and sleeping in different places or attached to me. I'm back in my first appointment I rented when living here and it's weird to be here as a mum. And I forgot how cold it is.

ultratomato

Ladies so did you ask your dr about the rice cereal being added to the bottles or did you just do it yourself? Brynn spits up a lot on this new hypoallergenic formula and a friend told me that rice cereal in the bottle would help. Called pediatrician and of course they want to see her before letting her do it even though they just saw her last week ugh. Don't they know it's hard to cart both babies out or get a babysitter 

capps42613

@ultratomato I used cereal in the bottle with my daughter but it didn't make a difference for Cason, so I stopped. I'm sure the doctors won't recommend it so early, but plenty of people do it anyway lol. I don't have any experience with a helmet, sorry! Hope it works itself out. 

@Griffin5413 enjoy your date night!

@tvh1982 ugh! Blow outs are never fun. I could only imagine on the plane... impeccable timing lol

His 3 month visit went well, he got his pneumonia shot. We go back again next month. He's 13.6lbs & 23.75" long. The only thing doc said was that he can tell Cason favors to put his head to the right side. There is a long drawn out word for it. It's not a big deal he just recommends to not lay him down flat. He actually wants him to sleep on his belly now if he'll tolerate it at night. The bumbo seat will also help him. He also says he's quite strong for his age.

ultratomato

@capps42613 I have heard of that thing with babies preferring one side to look it starts with a t I believe and my friend who is a nurse mentioned that to me so I try to make sure the girls move their heads while playing during the day from side to side. I think that might help him to 

tvh1982

Here if a baby prefer one side they recommend to go to a physiotherapist for babies as they could loosen up the other side. As it often is a little stuck from birth.
I went to a specialist with Pia when she cried so much and hated the car seat.
But she didn't had it stuck and I got shown a different way to put her in the car seat which solved that problem (and the correct formula solved the other problem) 
Does Cason seems to avoid one side because of discomfort or he just doesn't like that side? @capps42613

Pia throws up more too with the formula she has. I haven't dared to add anything yet due to the allergy.
The 20th and 27th she'll get tested. After that I'll dare to experiment a little more with food. As she's 4 months and can sit (this girl is going way to fast!) I may introduce food. But I don't want to mess up the test as she might react different on foods and I might blame the formula they'll give.
I don't think I'll ask other then what would work with her allergy @ultratomato.
I've noticed I'm a pretty good liar when it comes to our check ups: yes she sleeps in her own bed every night, no I don't rock her to sleep, ... the 'I don't add anything to her night bottle' is easily added

Tulips29

@capps42613 glad to hear Cason's appointment went well. Aiden also prefers his right side. His head naturally just turns to the right when he's laying down. He does switch to the left also when he sleeps but he pretty much always starts out on the right. Our doctor said to just keep turning his head to the left whenever possible. 

@Griffin5413 date night sounds great, enjoy it! We've been trying to schedule one and something always comes up. I'm also hesitant to leave Aiden with anyone just yet. I just want to be with him all the time. 

@tvh1982 look at you and Pia traveling and doing such a good job! Sounds like you've got it done well. A friend sent me a list of what to pack when traveling with a baby and it's so extensive! I give major props to anyone who is able to travel with a child and pack everything that's needed for them. 

So we had our 2 months check up yesterday and Aiden is doing well, growing, but the doctor did say she wouldn't mind if he gained more weight. He's not underweight, but he's in the 8th percentile. She said he's just a skinny baby and I shouldn't worry just yet or supplement with formula. But I can't help it. I now weight him before and after each feeding to see how much he eats and these 2 days have been bad. He's only eating about 1-2 oz from both sides combined. Granted, he'll stop on his own, or fall asleep, or spit the boob out and just close his mouth showing me that he's done. He's content after he eats and falls asleep, so no major issues there. But I can't help with wonder why he's only eating so little. I pump after he eats and am able to get another 2 oz on average, so I know he can get more out on his own. It's either he's a lazy eater or he doesn't want more. Today I am trying to give him another 1-2 oz from a bottle after he eats and he gladly takes it. His last feeding I gave him 3 oz just from a bottle and he ate it all up. Does he just prefer the bottle because it's easier than a boob and he doesn't have to work as hard? I have no clue what to do. I don't want to exclusively pump either. I'm hoping when I go back to work and he'll be eating 3 oz bottles during the day, he will gain more weight. Just not sure how to make him eat more from the breast now. 

ZoeFer

thanks @tvh1982 for your comment, it helps to know it could have happened even though i was at home and Pia is doing well with this eating schedule. She actually ate better today and it made my day. 
on our way back to US, Lara had two blow outs during the flight. i had to change her entire outfit twice in that tiny plane toilet bymyself )
@Tulips29 i dont have any experience with this but do you think if it could help to see a lactation consultant? i hope it gets better and you figure out a way that works for you and your baby.

Tulips29

@ZoeFer I did see a lactation consultant a month ago when we were having painful latch issues. That has been fixed and he's been eating fine. Just these 2 days have been bad. I've been supplementing with a bottle of pumped milk all night today because he wasn't even eating 1 oz before passing out on me

Griffin5413

@capps42613 - glad Cason's appt went well! It's interesting that the dr said to have him sleep on his tummy. 
@tulips - glad Aidens went well too. When Eli wasn't putting on weight we started supplementing with formula but that was right after he was born. The dr said to follow up bf with 1-2 oz of a bottle which could be either breastmilk or formula. Hope you get it figured out soon

Griffin5413

The app cut off the rest of my response...
@tvh1982 - sounds like Pia is a little champion traveler!
our date night was great! It was so nice to get dressed up like an adult! I officially stopped pumping so I didn't even feel bad about the 2 martinis I had! Our good friends watched Eli so we knew he was in good hands. He actually fell asleep around 7:50 and slept all the way until 1:45. This is the 2nd night in a row he has skipped one of his feedings and slept for almost 6 hours! Maybe my little chunky monkey is turning a corner and doesn't need as much food at night

tvh1982

I forgot you travelled with Lara @zoefer.
Oh men, two blow outs! I better pack a second outfit and enough onesies for our way back next week!

Glad datenight was a succes @griffin5413! And way to go Eli on the sleeping!

yelllow22

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be on this board! I'm reposting my story here from the 3rd tri board.

We welcomed baby Luciana to the world on Thursday March 2nd at 8:01 am. The c-section went absolutely great. I was a bit scared about the spinal block, and it was barely painful at all. The actual surgery was incredibly quick, I got nervous when I started feeling cold and a little light headed and then DH came in and the feeling of his hand holding mine was so comforting, it took my fear away. Luciana weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and measured 20 inches, she cried so loud when she came out!  And she has a head full of hair. I could not hold my tears in the OR, the joy I felt was overwhelming!  
I've heard a thousand times that you feel a love like never before but still that's not enough to describe how much I love her.
We've barely slept but it does not matter, we are so happy! 
The first time I tried to breastfeed she was not interested and I almost freaked out, but we tried again a little later and she latched right on which made me so happy because We were concerned about bf problems due to my breast implants through periareolar incisions which could have possibly damaged nerves/ducts. The next day I was told she lost too much weight (6%) even though she was feeding very frequently so she would have to be monitored for another day and if she lost more than 10% we may need to supplement. I worked really hard in her latching and feeding her as soon as she showed hunger cues, and prayed a lot, and it was worth it. By Saturday morning she had not only stopped losing weight but she was gaining, she fed 27 times in 24 hrs!!  (I slept for a total 1 hour maybe) and my milk came in on Saturday afternoon!
We were discharged on Sunday morning and are trying to adjust, 1st pediatrician visit went great too.

She is now 6 days old, and she eats a lot, sometimes every hour! It's not easy, I'm sleep deprived and sometimes my nipples hurt a lot even though I try to get a good latch but seing her happy and healthy gives me strength.

tvh1982

Welcome @yelllow22 and your beautiful little girl Luciana!

I must admit I still find it hard to read all the bf successes on here, don't get me wrong I'm happy you all succeed, it just emotionally tough as I didn't. 
Its refreshing being in Norway at the moment. I have this great bestie over here and she's so good with making one feeling enough. Shes opened my eyes on a lot of things as to 'mommy knows best' and 'do what works for Pia and I'.
The only tough part about being here is the weather, it's cold, rainy or snowy and Pia is at the moment not a fan of being in her stroller awake! She wants to see everything and well laying down she only she's a grey sky! 

Griffin5413

@yellow22 - congrats!!! What a beautiful little girl.
@tvh1982 - I totally understand about breastfeeding. I think bc I had to start supplementing and all of the stress with our house and the move I never really got to do all of it. I mainly pumped and that just got to be too much so for the last month I was really only getting 1 bottles worth a day. I finally quit pumping this weekend and I'm both relieved and disappointed at the same time. 

ZoeFer

My flights were 10-11 hours, i packed 4 sets of outfits :-) luckily we only used 2 @tvh1982 . Have fun in Norway ! I found it super helpful and refreshing to go back home and meet my friends. 

Congrats @yellow22 ! She is adorable 

 

capps42613

@tvh1982 I know what you mean! I wish I could've more successful as I was. 

@yelllow22 Congrats! I love her name. She's beautiful.

ultratomato

@yelllow22 congrats 
so I ventured out today to the stores with my dad and the babies wasn't that bad luckily I had his help to feed a baby while driving. Not sure when I will try again. DH just told me he has to go away for work for a week luckily his parents will be here to help though 

Tulips29

@yelllow22 congratulations! Luciana is absolutely adorable and sounds lIke you're doing amazing already! 

@tvh1982 I hear you, bf is not easy. Don't feel bad or beat yourself up for not doing it. What's most important is that you have a healthy and happy little girl. 

yelllow22

@tvh1982 I understand how you feel. During this journey there are things that are within our control and some that are not. I've followed your story for a long time and you are just amazing, You have done everything you can to make sure she's happy and healthy. Pia is such a lucky baby to have you!

tvh1982

Thank you ladies. 
You girls rock to make one feel better. 
This bundle of joy called Pia decided she wants to see more of her mommy at night and reckons she can start her day at 06:30! Did someone mention 4month sleep regression!
Luckily she's a happy all full of smiles in the morning and is ok to lay awake next to a sleeping mommy

It's indeed lovely being 'home' as I lived here 11 years @zoefer.
Our flights are/were 1,5hours and 40min. So almost over once one has taken a proper seat
I've missed my friends badly. Even went into work and the struggle without me (is it bad that the latter made me happy?!?) Colleagues are trying to convince work that I need a home office in the Netherlands.

Griffin5413

@tvh1982 - isn't it so nice to be missed! My bosses who are like my adopted family (since my family is in California) have a countdown until April 3 when I come back to work. It makes you feel special knowing you are loved and missed

Drove2u

Hey girls!! I haven't posted in a while but all caught up on the posts just now. Mat leave has been pretty busy. I'm really taking advantage of being home now with Viktoria. We're doing lots of things and getting outside almost every day. Although today they're predicting some kind of snow storm so I guess we're staying inside. 
Congrats @yellow22 love the name too and glad bf is going well. 
@tvh1982 I totally know how you feel. I feel like I failed in the bf dept. 
we had our two month appt yesterday. V is now 11lbs, 12oz so she's growing well. Unfortunately it looks like her open heart surgery is unavoidable and most likely will happen September. We see the cardiologist again in April so will know more then. 
It's great to read that everyone is doing so well. V has been sleeping ok as well but it's just so random each night. I don't feel too sleep deprived though. 

tvh1982

Oh wow @drove2u. September...isn't is scary now they gave you a month? It makes it even more real. Is Viktoria in any discomfort due to her heart?

Its definitely nice to be missed @griffin5413. I'm pretty sure you're not counting down until April 3rd!

dragonfaerie

Hey all - sorry I've been MIA. It's been a rough week with Wee Boy needing held ALL.THE.TIME. and me still trying to teach him to finish eating in 20 minutes. Fortunately, he has started taking naps after lunch so I either get to nap with him, or just get a break from holding and feeding him. I'm probably going to start making sure I have nothing scheduled from noon to 3 everyday so that I can make sure he sleeps, and maybe me too! Today though my aunt and uncle are coming by to pick up some baby items that I don't need. So I tried doing our bedtime routine (long feeding, rocking, song) and put him down in his bassinet. We'll see how it goes! --- as I type this I can hear him waking up. Sadly, he doesn't like to nap unless I am in the same room. Momma to the rescue... hope you all have a great weekend!

ZoeFer

nice to hear that you are doing well @Drove2u . it is really snowing today and more snow is expected on Tuesday do you live in Brooklyn? i remember both you and @Tulips29 were in NY , maybe we can arrange a playdate in central park this summer i am sorry that Viktoria has to have the surgery, could it get well by itself until September? i hope there is such a chance.
@tvh1982 it feels good to be missed for sure, everytime i went to my old lab i felt really good when ecerybody leave their work to chat with me and ask me bunch of questions about the lab. also i understand the second home idea. even though my 'home' is still Istanbul, I have been living in NY for 9 years and it became my second home

Griffin5413

@dragonfaerie - Eli went through that stage where he wanted to be held all of the time. That was when I started wearing him just to get things like the dishes done. It was a life saver!

tvh1982

Pia has done that too @dragonfaerie. Both because she was in pain and well, we mommies rock, so of course they want to be close
I also was wearing Pia.
At the time I used the old version of baby björn which wasn't friendly on my back.
I then bought an ergo baby 360 which was way better.
A few weeks back I bought a baby k-tan, and absolutely love this one. Regret not knowing about it before. As it's so easy to put on, not big or bulky and doesn't kill my back. Easy to take with too and Pia loves it! It's like a baby wrap, but putting it on in 1-2-3 If buying it, definitely buy a size down!

Its good to have two homes isn't it @zoefer! But it's a whole trip for you to visit yours! 
Sometimes I wish I could still teleport like when I was little (you know, you fell asleep in the car or on the sofa and wake up in your bed. Sometimes even in your pj's )
It'd make life so much easier

dragonfaerie

@tvh1982 I'm glad to hear a good review for the ktan as we were thinking of getting one.  I currently have a moby that is okay,  but I feel like I still have to support his head.  @Griffin5413 what do you use?

Griffin5413

@dragonfaerie I have a moby that I kind of hate and the ergo 360 which I love. The moby is hard to get on by myself especially when Eli was so little. It's getting a little easier now that he is bigger but the ergo is so easy to use and I can do it all by myself. The only bummer about any carrier in Phoenix is that they are all going to be too hot in the summer. The Eego is great on my back top

Drove2u

@zoefer I love in pa right across from jersey border but I work in Nyc. I'll be back end of this month. 
@dragonfaerie I use the bjorn. What a lifesaver and easy to put on and take off. There is good head support there too. 
So there is no way that viktorias heart issue will resolve itself. They want her to be at least 9 months before surgery but it could happen sooner. I'm trying not to think about it too much but I will be such a mess as it gets closer. Here she is at 10 weeks  

tvh1982

Look at that little ladybug! She's too cute for words @drove2u