July 2017 Moms
CPR79
member
FTM Check-in
CPR79
member
Hope no one minds that I started this, but I saw the STM thread and thought this would be useful!
How old is your LO?
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
Whats your biggest concern right now?
Anything else to add?
How old is your LO?
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
Whats your biggest concern right now?
Anything else to add?
Re: FTM Check-in
physically I'm doing better than I expected after delivery. Really bad hemorrhoids cleared up faster than I thought they would thank god. Have my 4 week PP appt on Tuesday.
Emotionally every day is different. Happy baby days I'm good, cranky baby days I have some resentful thoughts sometimes.
Harder than i expected: dealing with crying. I get really stressed/anxious when he cries and I can't calm him down. H is much better.
Easier: nights ( knock on wood). He wakes up every 2-3 hrs, sometimes 1.5, but he has been eating and going right back to sleep.
H going back to work tomorrow. He did a few half days last week but full days are much scarier to me. It just seems like such a long day!
any tips for what to do during baby awake time? I'm good with eating and sleeping, but I find during most awake times I'm just hoping he doesn't start crying. We do the play mat and tummy time and sometimes just hang out in the bouncer and talk/dangle toys in front of him.
2 weeks
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
Have to constantly remind myself to take it easy but doing pretty well. Emotionally, it's still early but I'm doing ok. My mom was a big help the first week. I was having LO feed on demand which was sometimes hourly and my mom convinced me he was using me to soothe and told me to wait at least 2 hours every time. He gained more than a pound in one week and my nipples were super grateful. Trying not to be short with my DH, he's been trying really hard, just isn't good with babies.
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
I thought being up to feed every 3 hours would be the hardest. I'm struggling more with him not going back to sleep (or sleeping, then waking up 20 minutes later). He'll even go a 4+ hours stretch but it doesn't really feel like a victory if it took over an hour for him to go down.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
Definitely September when DH goes back to work and October when my MIL will be watching
Anything else to add?
I tried pumping for the first time yesterday. The directions said switch to expression mode when your letdown starts but I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't feel her let down. I tried switching when it started to speed up but then nothing came out. I still got about 4oz but I'm going to have to play around.
8 weeks!! It's crazy how fast time flies.
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
So much better on both fronts. My hormones finally settled and the pain from my tear healing is gone. I still have back pain (but I've heard that can last months).
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
I guess dealing with diapers has been easier. Even though my baby girl poops during every single feeding (and sometimes in between), it hasn't been that bad. I hear it gets worse when they start solids but I have some time before then.
unfortunatelty, post-party's sex is worse than I anticipated. I knew it would hurt the first couple of times but I didn't imagine just how painful. I know I need to keep trying until it gets better but it's gotten to the point where I dread it.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
Finding a good and affordable daycare. My mom has kindly agreed to watch the baby until she's 6 months old but I don't want to burn her out by going past that. We contacted a daycare a while ago but they said it was too far away to let us know if they have a spot.
Anything else to add?
Baby's milestones are so amazing. They're happening so fast. It's like each week she's learning something new. Pushing up on her elbows, cooing, holding her head up. But NOTHING compares to her smile.
Last night she slept from 12:30am-6:45am. It's the longest stretch she's ever done. I'm hoping it wasn't a fluke and she does it again tonight.
Also, how do you go 2 hrs between feedings if LO is hungry and crying? Do you let him cry it out?
How old is your LO?
3 weeks!
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
Physically I'm doing a lot better than I was the first and second weeks. I had a lot of body aches those first two weeks to the point that I was crying and trembling and miserable. No more pain like that now! Emotionally I have my ups and downs. Most days I'm really happy and over the moon, but if I or LO have a rough day, I really beat myself up.
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
Breastfeeding has been SO MUCH HARDER than anyone ever explained to me. I was unable to properly breastfeed in the hospital and was given so much conflicting information from multiple nurses/LCs. Now that I've been working on it and using a nipple shield, LO is nursing great and we are working on latching without the shield.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
DH goes back to work on Wednesday...and I'm nervous to be on my own lol. I also had to turn down 2 long-term teaching positions, so I'm worried about my chances of finding decent work when I go back, but I also don't want to think about going back to work because deep down I don't want to.
Anything else to add?
I feel like he's growing so fast already! How is that possible?
@CPR79 Definitely didn't let him cry it out. Started off with my DH or mom jumping around soothing him (if I help him or even spoke he would start rooting). Now I can soothe him in between as long as I don't lay him on my chest or cradle him. I do the Dr. Karp windshield wiper and it puts him to sleep immediately.
How old is your LO?
5 weeks
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
Physically I'd say I'm about 85% which is actually a tough place to be mentally. I had an episiotomy and it still hurts sometimes. It's been long enough that I feel like I should be at 100% and I have to remind myself that my body went through something hard not that long ago, and that healing takes time.
Emotionally- pretty good, but I have some anxiety (about sids, about whether I'll ever fully heal, about whether I'm messing everything up...). I don't think it's PPA, but there's been a little too much MOTN googling.
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
The first 2 weeks were so much harder than I expected - and I expected them to be hard. I got almost no sleep, my hormones were insane, and breastfeeding hurt a lot. Things have gotten so much better since then.
Easier- after my poor beat up nipples healed, breastfeeding became easier than I expected. I feel very fortunate about that.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
We've been doing entirely baby led eating and sleeping, which has been good, but I'm starting to worry about how to get her on a schedule that will work with me going back to work. I still have over a month but I'm starting to research when and how to transition to more of a schedule. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Anything else to add?
Just feel grateful to have this baby safely in my arms after a very long wait (sleeping as we speak
6 weeks tomorrow
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
Physically, ok. Csection healed nicely and I've been able to do most of what I want...with the exception of being exhausted.
Emotionally-this week has been rough. LO hit a growth spurt and leap 1, along with peak fussy all at the same time. My good boy that was sleeping so good vanished over the last week and I'm starting to feel like we'll never get him back...and it makes me feel like I'm doing everything wrong.
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
Breastfeeding - worrying that he's getting enough and that I'm producing enough. Even thou all the signs point to yes on both.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
Sleep...his and mine.
Anything else to add?
We got some smiles this weekend which have helped my mood. These last 10 days have been taxing physically, mentally and emotionally so seeing that little smile brought me some hope that we'll get thru this.
Married: 6/2016
TTC:6/2016
BFP: 11/22/2016 | EDD: 7/29/2017
well, my start of full days alone was delayed one day bc H has had a man cold all weekend and decided to call in sick. I really hope LO and I don't get it!
6 weeks
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
I am doing pretty good. I have my appointment on Friday, and I expect to be cleared for normal activity. Emotionally, I am doing better than expected. I have a history of depression and anxiety, so I was scared of PPD, but I seem to be okay for now. I am crying more often, especially in response to stuff my husband says. Overall, I am happy with how things are going.
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
I am not a stationary person, and sitting too long makes me really anxious. Delaney needs to be held all the time, and that means that I spend most of my day lying on the couch. We are working on putting her down during the day, but it is not going well.
She is overall a really easy baby. She doesn't fuss too much unless something is really bothering her. She is healthy, growing well, developing on schedule, all of that. I think I am really lucky to have gotten such an easy baby. There are challenges, of course, but I think that I have an extremely easy time of it.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
Delaney does not like being held by anybody but me. She has started screaming and crying when my husband holds her and won't stop until I take her back. I have tried to reassure him that it is just a phase and we have to work through it and be patient, but he is taking it really hard. He is convinced that she hates him and it will be years before the can have a relationship. He even sometimes blames me for intentionally creating the problem, because he thinks that it is breastfeeding that is at fault. He hasn't outright asked me to stop, but he has implied that he wants me to, and he has said that he doesn't want our next kid to be breastfed and he will not recommend it to anyone else. I have told him point blank that I am not going to stop, but he is really upset about the whole situation. I really hope this phase passes soon, because it is causing a lot of problems between us.
Anything else to add?
I am really grateful for this board. I am a very shy person, and I do not have a lot of friends. I don't have anyone that I can really unload on without feeling like I am just complaining all day or trashing my husband. Just typing out my problems and frustrations helps tremendously.
6wks
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
Things have gone really well, starting with the birth. I was up and moving about 90min after DD was born and able to discharge home when she was 32hrs old. I took advil/tylenol the first few days, but felt better quickly. Emotionally things have been good, as well. I have a history of anxiety and depression, so I was worried. But because of I felt good physically, I have made it a point to get out often, which helps a lot. I did have a few rough days when DD refused to sleep or be put down. Also *TW* the normal crash of hormones on day 7 coincided with the anniversary of our mc. It was a very tough day, but I made it through. *end TW*
What has been harder than you expected? easier?
DD has decided she doesn't like to nap unless she is being held, and even then sometimes no nap, and rarely more than 45min. Finding time to shower, eat, tidy the house, etc has been difficult. Thankfully she sleeps great at night and has no issues with her bassinet when the room is fully dark and I am sleeping nearby. Overall, though, she has been a very easy baby.
Whats your biggest concern right now?
See above re: resisting naps! Also, my left breast is only producing 1/3 what my right does, so working with a lactation specialist to figure that out...
Anything else to add?
I can't believe my maternity leave is more than half over! On the one hand, I will appreciate feeling more objectively productive and the mental challenges it will bring. On the other, I am going to miss her so much!
6w1d
How are you doing physically/emotionally?
Physically I'm okay. Looking forward to starting to work off this "flap of flab" as I call it lol! 6w check up on Friday and I'm hoping to get the all clear. Mentally I'm okay as well I guess. First few weeks were hard but I'm okay now. Going a bit stir crazy though and need to start seeking out some Mom friends. My LO is fighting going down at night right now so that's testing me emotionally and I guess physically in the way of sleep but we're making it through.
What has been harder than you expected? Easier?
Harder - Husband being useless lmao! Breastfeeding. Particularly getting on a feeding and pumping schedule. Not having a routine. I'm type A and the state of my house drives me nuts on a regular basis. I hate having to choose between sleeping and cleaning. I choose sleep most of the time.
Easier - Adapted to the sleep deprivation pretty well although I always suspected I would because I used to be a nightowl. People always said how hard it us to "get up and go" with baby but I do just fine. Not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
What's your biggest concern right now? Getting LO off the 2 supplement bottles and strictly on breastmilk.
Anything else to add? Mmmm I really do love being a Mom. Aanya is a great baby overall and she fit so seamlessly into our lives. She's the light of my life and even when I am sooo frustrated with her that face just melts me every time. ❤️
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
My friends with kids mostly have older kids. I did find a local support group for new moms but there's only ever been me and one other mom. It is run by a social worker though so sometimes it just helps to talk things out.
@stokesm21 I def hear you on how LO can totally frustrate you yet all it takes is one little look from that face to get you through. Crying fits are still really hard for me though I've mostly moved from pure frustration to worry something is wrong I'm not seeing. Having said that, Elliot was super crank all morning, I could tell he was tired but would not sleep! He finally gave in to my incessant rocking and he just looks so sweet now I don't want to put him down!
How old is LO: 6 weeks!
How are you doing physically/emotionally? Physically- great other than exhaustion. I recovered and am just working off those last few pounds. Emotionally, again, other than exhaustion, feeling well. My husband is going back to work, so I am worried about feeling isolated.
What has been harder than you expected? Doing anything other than caring for DS. I had this vision that since I was home all day, I would keep the house clean, plan and cook dinner, do laundry, and get up every day and look somewhat put together. I can't do any of that. No one else seems to care other than me, but it feels a bit like a failure every night I think I'm going to cook dinner and then can't get to it.
Easier? Breastfeeding- DS took to it early without any problems and I know we're super lucky!
What's your biggest concern right now? Sleep. DS only sleeps when held, during the day and during the night. **TW** We are super worried about SIDS, so we're trying so hard to "follow the rules", but he just will NOT sleep on his back! Without co-sleeping, we're just absolutely exhausted. **end TW**
Anything else to add? Other than the sleeping issues, he seems absolutely perfect to us and we feel so fortunate.
@NutellaToast I'm so sorry! Agreed- the demands of BF are so hard, you certainly don't need anything to make it harder.
@optbaby2017 I feel you on your sleeping struggles and your maternity leave thoughts! I'm also half way through and have mixed feelings. Every time I snuggle with DS I'm sad to leave him, but then I read work emails and get anxious to return and take care of things. I'm glad we've got another 6 weeks together
@cpr79 I just downloaded this new app so I haven't really used it much yet but it's like Tindr for moms. It's called Peanut, it connects you with local moms who are looking for company. If you both swipe it gives you a chance to meet up.