Weekly Questions w/o 1/21

bumblenaut

Questions on all things baby/pregnancy/products/whatevs. Ask away!

atj13ne

Sooo, my fourth baby, i have always bottle fed my babies formula, my last two has terrible tummy troubles, i would like to try breast feeding supplementing bottles with breast milk for when i return to work... any tips on the best nursing pillow?
best breast pump?
good bottles to switch back and forth with?

episcowitch

@atj13ne I bf all 4 of mine. By far the best pump I've used was the manual Medela Harmony

chillmama1518

@atj13ne We has good success with the Dr. Brown’s bottles with the newborn flow nipples for the occasional bottle while mostly breastfeeding. Low flow nipples tend to be recommended to avoid the dreaded “nipple confusion” because baby has to work a bit at the bottle like he does at the breast. We had a gassy/spitter-upper and these were the bottles we found best to prevent that! 

nlc8424

@atj13ne I LOVED my brest friend nursing pillow 100x more than my boppy. It provides much better support and actually wraps all the way around you and has an adjustable strap. I did well pumping with the medela pump in style electric pump, but plan on getting a spectra since I've heard really good things about it.

baby3ob

Medela pisa and handheld were awesome both pregnancies for me. We did great with just the medela bottles 

baby3ob

Anyone else still spotting? I go every other day with some. I'm waiting for my hcg tests to come back and super Nervous. Of course I had to wait all weekend  

rlpointer

I have been dealing with discharge as one of my symptoms. It's not terrible and it's clear and almost eggwhite-ish but whenever I feel it I get all freaked out that it's blood (I have had three previous miscarriages). I am a nervous wreck in general about this pregnancy but I keep trying to convince myself that having discharge is a good sign (I don't remember discharge with my two live birth pregnancies before) because my hormones are doing what they are supposed to be doing? 

Anyone else dealing with it as a symptom?

bumblenaut

@rlpointer Oh yes. I think it might even increase as you progress. It did with my first, anyway. It does feel so similar to the beginning of a period, I understand the concern. Just try to breathe and remember that discharge is totally normal!

embri12

Is anyone else totally not excited about their pregnancy? We’ve always wanted another baby and though the timing isn’t great, I was so thrilled to find out I was expecting. Maybe it’s because of how tough the ms has been but man. I haven’t gotten excited about anything pregnancy/baby related in weeks. Feels a lot like PPD. 

Also, continuing the discharge question, what about very infrequent, darker mucus colored discharge? Lovely, I know...

mamagain520

@embri12 I’m in a different spot this pregnancy so I’m not feeling that, but I do remember with my son googling prenatal depression A LOT. I’m not sure if that’s what it was but I consistently felt the blues while pregnant with him. It went away as I got further along and I never suffered PPD so I’m not sure what it was but I remember feeling ‘this is not what it’s supposed to feel like’. As per usual I blame hormones! In any case, hang in there and I hope the MS stops soon and you begin to feel excited...eventually  

bumblenaut

@embri12 Color can vary. It could just be some old blood making its way out. The cervix is super sensitive, and tiny amounts of spotting can occur (from sex or related activities). I think its yellow/greenish stuff that is a bit more concerning, along with foul odor. Obviously talk with your caregiver though if you're at all worried!

prpl11butterfly

@rlpointer I freak out everytime I feel a gush too. 

@embri12 hang in there, hopefully once the MS let's up you will feel excited again.


For those of you on your 3rd+, when do you feel like the blump was replaced by actual bump? I didn't start showing until about 20 weeks with DS (and is so sooo rideable and dimisable unless you knew me well) but this time around I already look preg in most of my work cloths. I know it's just bloat, but it's driving me nuts. I'm trying to get by but I feel like I have only 2 dresses and a small # of tops that it's not noticeable.

MandyMost

atj13ne said:

Sooo, my fourth baby, i have always bottle fed my babies formula, my last two has terrible tummy troubles, i would like to try breast feeding supplementing bottles with breast milk for when i return to work... any tips on the best nursing pillow?
best breast pump?
good bottles to switch back and forth with?

@atj13ne you’ll need to pump at work in order to keep your supply up...you may find you can pump enough that you don’t need to use any formula. I had intended to exclusively breast feed my first, giving bottles with breast milk when she went to daycare and I went to work. I was lucky that there was no nipple confusion...she had no problem switching back and forth from bottle to breast. I was pumping at least 3x/day (every 2-3 hours) while at work...essentially pumping to replicate the missed feedings plus extra (it’s ALL about supply and demand)...and still couldn’t pump enough. My body just didn’t love the pump. Her bottles started out with maybe an ounce of formula supplementing the breast milk around 5 months, to the reverse by 1 year. 

[Deleted User]

@baby3ob  I have had slight spotting for even a few days at a time here and there.  Then it clears.  I spoke with the nurse and she said it's totally normal and not concerning unless it becomes heavy like a full period and/or accompanied by strong cramps.  Nothing ive had has been anywhere close to that, so I'm not worried.  Hopefully you dont need to be, either! (((Hugs)))

@atj13ne. Not BTDT, but you may want to check with your insurance, or reach out to Aeroflow, have them let you know what breast pump models are offered through your insurance, and go from there.  Most women I've heard recommend the spectra if it is offered.  I wouldn't get too many of any one bottle till you know what works for you both, as it may be a bit of trial and error.  Lately, I have heard ladies like the kiinde system where you can pump right into the 5oz storage bag, freeze it, thaw it, and pop one of three nipples on to choose the flow.  I am not sure if I will try that whole system or not, but it does sound pretty user friendly.  You can also pour the breastmilk into whatever other bottles baby prefers.  I want to try the comotomo silicone ones, and the joovyboob glass ones first, but there are so many good ones on the market, I don't think you can really make a wrong decision. ;)

ellbeedee

Cat people! We just got a cat a few weeks ago so I didn't have to deal with this issue during my other 2 pregnancies. How bad is it really to clean the litter box if you aren't touching anything but the scoop and washing hands right after? It is my daughters job but she is 4 and needs some assistance. 

[Deleted User]

@ellbeedee. Is the cat an indoor cat?  My understanding is it's only dangerous if the animal is currently infected with toxoplasmosis, which they are more likely to get from being outdoors, where they would need to eat infected prey.  I think if you wear gloves, wash hands immediately, and change the litter daily so nothing is sitting more than 24 hours, it's pretty low risk.

https://pets.thenest.com/likelihood-toxoplasmosis-indoor-cats-9640.html

hollowway

@ellbeedee I would have you DH clean the litterbox. Not worth the risk.

rlpointer

@ellbeedee I agree to have DH clean the litterbox. Just to be on the safe side. 

lilsebastian

Is there anything i can take for a cold? Any recommendations to relieve the classic cold symptoms?

Redpuma119

@ellbeedee I would have your H clean the box. When we started trying 2 years ago, I told my H he was on cat box duty.. and never looked back. It's most likely okay, but why risk it? 

Jyoung327

Anybody else find that there is a specific time of day where your pregnancy symptoms are infinitely worse?  Im trying to not let this twin thing get into my head too much but I did read with twins youre twice and sick and twice as tired.  I didnt have much of any morning sickness with DS but I am nauseous constantly (without ever throwing up), and there is a period between 1-3 pm where I am so tired I can barely function.  I am trying to work MORE to save up for two but I am so discouraged by how bad I feel, and worrying that itll only get worse.  Anyone else sicker at certain times? How do you push through? I have grape propel water to get me drinking, all the snacks (which dont always sound appealing) Im also hypoglycemic and anemic and those seem worse...ugh. 

JLyn821

atj13ne said:

Sooo, my fourth baby, i have always bottle fed my babies formula, my last two has terrible tummy troubles, i would like to try breast feeding supplementing bottles with breast milk for when i return to work... any tips on the best nursing pillow?
best breast pump?
good bottles to switch back and forth with?

I EBF both of my kids. I only ever used a nursing pillow for the first week or two and found it to be more of a hassle. I thought the nursing pillow was only helpful doing the football hold and my kids switched out of the position by two weeks old. That being said, other women find them really helpful. 
I’ve found the Medela Harmony to be the best pump for me. It’s the manual pump. It’s best for me because I usually only pumped one boob at a time because I SAH. When I was a working mom, after my first, I used the Medela Advanced Double. It worked just fine. 
We also only ever used the Medela bottles and nipples. My kids took both of them easily. 

nlc8424

@Jyoung327 honestly since last week (~5 weeks) I have symptoms almost all day long. I have a small window of reprieve in the middle of the afternoon. I definitely didn't have such bad MS the first time and I'm assuming I have a singleton pregnancy, but terrified of the thought of twins (I'm sure I'd grow to love the idea but it's an overwhelming thought to me right now). I took a nap yesterday when DS did and I'm kind of snacking/eating small meals all day long. I don't have much else to offer, but if MS gets too bad I'd talk to your doctor about getting a prescription or doing the unisom+b6 combo. 

Patience7150

@lilsebastian I usually just neti pot, use these zicam nose swabs and maybe some cough drops but that's really it. Your doctor should provide you a list of what they deem safe, but all the good stuff is off limits. 

SkilledSailor

@jyoung327 Yes. My symptoms are worst between waking and 11am and the again 4p-8p. I try to schedule/do things in the hours I know I’ll feel best. I hope you feel better soon! 

AdmiralKitty

@ellbeedee if the cat has strictly been an indoor cat it’s entire life then you may be in the clear, but if you can’t prove that then I wouldn’t risk it. My 11yo kitty has been indoors 100% since he was a tiny kitten so my OB ran a test on me early on for toxoplasmosis and since I didn’t have it early already that meant he most likely didn’t either. Even with that knowledge she told me to avoid it as much as i could. 

Jyoung327

@nlc8424  Ughh yes the idea is still overwhelming me haha maybe thats why I feel sick.  It sucks because even if I have windows where I feel better, my job has to continue during the times I feel bad and Im a therapist with people all day lonnnng. My mind races so much its really hard to nap but I have tried to lay down when DS does. @SkilledSailor Thanks! I hope so too! and those windows dont really give you much time either!

pourmeanothermocktail

@Jyoung327 I definitely have times I feel better and worse. Getting hungry always leads to feeling worse, and late afternoon is a huge tired hump for me too. Having life savers constantly seems to help nausea and blood sugar...fruit for the tired, when I can handle the thought of eating it. Mandarin oranges usually are on my safe list.

Mandamay1414

@Jyoung327 My last pregnancy I would feel like crap in the evenings (starting around 5 PM) like clockwork. I would prophylactially take unisom at like 4 PM during the first tri to ward off the major nausea I would get. Unfortunately, this pregnancy has been less predictable for me. Right now I'm only guaranteed to feel ok in the morning. Symptoms seem to randomly come and go after lunch. I wish it was predictable this time..

pourmeanothermocktail

Not sure if this is too early, so I'm trying to gauge interest, but I was thinking of starting a thread for c section moms-both those who already had at least one, and for those who will need one for whatever medical or emotional reasons. Hoping to get some VBAC and general recovery info for everyone. It can wait for a couple months if that's more everyone's speed-just throwing out ideas.

SkilledSailor

@pourmeamocktail That sounds like a good thread in a couple of months after more of us have had the anatomy scan and more OB visits. I feel like right now, many won't know if they need a c-section or not but more will later on. 

treeofcheem

@atj13ne - I had a Hygeia pump last time and really liked it. I heard a lot of mixed reviews about the PISA - some really good, some bad. I will definitely do more research before I chose one. One thing I know that can be really helpful is having separate speed and suction strength. Not all pumps have that. It helps make the pump more customizable. Sometimes even during one pumping session I'd need to change the suction but not the speed or vice versa, and I really think it helped get more milk.

I EBFd, and my daughter had bottles when I was at work (3 days a week). We used the Phillips Avent bottles and she never had any problems going between breast and bottle. One thing to consider is that some people like to be able to pump right into the feeding bottles. I never did that; I pumped into the bottles that came with the pump then poured the amounts I needed into bags to freeze. If you want to, though, some pumps and bottles are more easily compatible. There are usually adapters you can use to mix and match, too.

We had the Dr. Brown's Gia nursing pillow. It's kind of shaped like a comma, which I really liked. I never felt trapped by it - the thought of the ones that go all the way around make me a little twitchy. That's my issue, though! lol You don't *need* a nursing pillow, but for some people they help, others they don't. My daughter took a lot of naps being held, and the nursing pillow made that easier, too. She'd nurse and then fall asleep and I could just hold her on the pillow when she was small.

@baby3ob I have spotting off and on. It's frustrating but hasn't gotten worse.

@Jyoung327 Some people have worse MS with twins, but some don't. Each pregnancy can be different for whatever reason. It would be great if we could just replicate what happens in the "not sick" ones! I feel worst in the evenings, although I'm feeling pretty bad all day at this point. Dealing with hypoglycemia and anemia on top of regular first tri symptoms does not sound fun. You have my sympathies.

DanyTargaryen

We used Philips Avent Naural and Medela with DS and he did fine transitioning between bottles while I was at work and BF-ing at home.

Patience7150

Did anybody get the non-pregnancy flu shot (mmm, mercury) BEFORE conceiving this little one and talk to your OB about it? I think I got the flu shot in early November, but we had no plans of conceiving so I didn't even think of asking for the preservative free shot. 

chelletn

@pourmeamocktail I'll be excited for a c section mom's as soon as you want to post it. I know a lot of FTMs wont know until later on but there are probably several of us STMs who already know. 

pourmeanothermocktail

@chelletn That was kinda my thought. I was a c section for the first one, but it wasn't necessary, and I'm so passionate about trying for a vbac, I don't want to be cut again unless it's medically necessary. That all being said, I have all the respect in the world for anyone who chooses or needs a c section too, it just isn't for me unless it's needed.

chelletn

@pourmeamocktail I am 100% with you. I'm going to try so hard to get them to let me try without a c section but I'm afraid I may be fighting a lost battle on that one. But having a space for moms to talk about options and recovery tips would be great. 

JNR6510

@rlpointer increased discharge is totally normal. I had it a lot with my first.

adirat

@Patience7150 Only the multi-dose flu shots have thimerosal in them, so there's a good chance you weren't exposed -- most pharmacies and doctor's offices use the single-use vaccines. For instance, we got our flu shots at Rite Aid this year. I specifically asked for the pregnancy-safe version because we were about to do IVF, and the pharmacist told me that they only use the single-dose version so it's all thimerosal-free. Multi-dose vaccines are more common in the developing world. But either way, I remember seeing that thimerosal has a much shorter life than methyl mercury, so it isn't as risky. I would hope that it would dissipate by the time you conceived. It may be worth a call to your gyno just in case but I wouldn't worry. 

starswilldiex2829

Hey guys FTM here so not sure if this is normal but I am already starting to not fit into clothes. I am 5 weeks today and pre-pregnancy I was 143. Now I do have a big mid-section/loose skin I never got fixed following my gastric bypass and 132lb weight loss. But now I already have a bump, I am sure a lot of it is bloat because I have only gained 3 lbs. I have been eating and drinking a lot of protein and dairy. Anyways I had to buy bellaband from my work for some of my khakis that I have to wear at work (I work at a retail store). Anyways is this normal for some? Thanks.