@crossfitbabybump I have osteoarthritis in my hands and after I had my second child also developed carpal tunnel as well. I used to use medication to help, but then it had other side effects so I haven’t used it. The option was going to be fitted with braces to start wearing - can you look into that at all?
So, I learned a little something. The nurses were discussing my discharge the other day and asked if I wanted to go home early and I said no because the last time I went home I didn't get any pain meds, just Motrin. My recovery was hard because of the pain and with three other little ones I wanted to be better healed this time before I leave. They asked me why I didn't get meds and I told them I thought it was because of policy change surrounding narcotics. They laughed and said no that I should have gotten meds and I will definitely get them this time. After my last baby was born my husband tried to get me to call, but I wouldn't because I was too embarrassed to ask for meds for fear of them thinking I was pain meds seeking. Totally stupid and could of been fixed had I not been too embarrassed to ask. However, I am so thankful I don't have to be in as much pain this time.
How is everyone else? Nursing is going well. I think my milk is already coming in. It usually comes in on the later end of normal, even with my last baby that I had nursed his brother throughout the pregnancy (often dry nursing due to hormones). I feel better than last time too and definitely think staying active helped.
Nursing was going well but now Alice fights me for a few minutes before actually latching. She also prefers my left boob over my right. Is that normal?
@crossfitbabybump yup. Babies tend to have their preferences about sides.
Sam is latching more often and better but I haven’t been able to resolve my cracked nipple yet from the pump/last clogged duct. And now I have another clogged duct. I absolutely love when he is latching to me but I am so very much over the pump. I’m super close to switching to formula.
@crossfitbabybump yes, babies can prefer sides. I would still offer the other side or pump the other side while nursing the preffered side to keep your supply up.
@mdfarmchick I struggle with cracked nipples each time. Only time really makes things better for me. I will often use counter pressure on the other breast during the first few minutes of latching to help distract from the pain. I hope it gets better soon.
@crossfitbabybump It might also have to do with your letdown. I remember in the early days, especially at night when I’d get really full, DD1 would latch on and choke on a full force of milk. It helped us to manually express some or use my handpump to lighten the blow before she latched. That said, my right boob was always my super star and her preferred boob. Lefty never had as good of a let down, and I still have a crack in it even though I weaned almost a year ago.
@crossfitbabybump Yes, what @missnc77 and @mdfarmchick said. Both of my nursers have had preferences and I notice they prefer the side that DOESNT choke them. N will latch on, start the water fountain, and unlatch and rub her face around in it. Ughhhh such a mess. Ha! Once it slows down she will latch normally and finish nursing.
Nursing is foing pretty well here, nights are long because she won’t sleep long stretches unless I hold her. She will sleep in the bassinet max one hour, usually only 20-30 minutes though. I love holding her so I really don’t mind, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to get into that habit??
I just love her so much that I could honestly cry about it. She gives me baby fever. I don’t want these days to go by so fast. I don’t know if it’s baby blues or if I’m just so happy? It’s a really weird feeling. I’m on cloud 9 though.
@chasingroygbiv I told my husband I wish I could have bottled up whatever sort of hormonal love surge I got for the couple of days after giving birth. I just loved everything, and everything was so beautiful and wonderful and perfect and huuuuuuugs to everyone and everything. I was like why can’t they make a pill version of that, because it was amazing.
@crossfitbabybump Emma also fights me for a few minutes before she latches sometimes. Not always, but I just keep trying to get her on the breast. Other times she latches on first try. Not sure why lol
Nursing has only gotten easier with time for us. We struggled for the first week or so. We’re just over 2 weeks in and she’s over her birth weight and is nursing more frequently and longer now. She loves her boobies
@chasingroygbiv our longest stretches of sleep also seem to happen if we’re cosleeping. I did it with my son so I’m not really afraid of it with her. As long as it’s done correctly, it can be completely safe. But do what you are most comfortable with! I also totally understand the feeling of just wanting to cry. I’m so glad she’s finally here and I love her so much. I feel like my heart has grown bigger!
Thank you ladies! I got her to use the right boob today, thank goodness! It was softer and a bit smaller than my left so I’m trying to keep it even until I figure out my breast pump! Also, how do you know if you have a clogged duct? I’ve heard it’s very painful but are there other symptoms?
@crossfitbabybump I just worked through a clogged duct. I had a few with my first kiddo and I think it's one of those things where when it happens, you know. I woke up Tuesday morning and my boob was rock hard, super tender and my skin was red and warm to the touch where the clog was.
@crossfitbabybump Definitely what @ashleyf911 said. You’ll also usually feel a pretty good lump and you may notice a decrease in flow on that side until you get rid of the clog.
@crossfitbabybump Do you only have an electric or do you have a manual as well (like a medela harmony)? I can’t recommend getting a manual enough! I responded so much better to my manual, and it really helped to just quickly take the edge off without having to strap up with my double electric and get out clogs without throwing off my supply.
I agree with @ashleyf911 - you’ll know if you have a clog. When I got one it was painful, and I could actually feel it under my skin like a hard bump. I’d stand in the shower under hot water and massage it and try to hand express as I was massaging. You can also try to press something that vibrates against it like an electric tooth brush.
Nursing has been interesting for us over here. Between a tongue tie and nipple shield we are doing a good amount of pumping. But as long as Trey is fed I'm good.
@missnc77 I'm with you on the rainbows and sunshine feelings. I love EVERYTHING and EVERYONE around me. Bring on all the hormones!
@DDRRT1982 I had some second-degree tearing that required a bunch of stitches that hurt like all get-out: by the two-week mark, they were mostly feeling better and I was able to function like a human. Hoping you feel better soon!!!
@DDRRT1982 yup lol DH kind of made the decision with my OB. I think she kept saying she thought I would tear but I couldn't answer her. Hubs just said do what's best. The stitching was kind of itchy but better now.
I know this is TMI, but I'm having some intense pressure near or above my clit at the end of the day. Anyone else have any experience with that? I'm guess that means sit my butt down but who knows?
And pro tip: Do NOT watch The Fault in our Stars or any YA film postpartum. I have been crying for the last 30 minutes over this darn movie.
@DDRRT1982 I asked DH and he said he couldn't remember, which probably means yes I am anxious to see the OB Monday. I want to talk about all the PP things.
@cford08 If the pressure you're experiencing is a falling open, my-insides-are-about-to-be-outsides feeling, I'm with you! I too took it as a "sit your ass down" message from my body - it's almost entirely gone now.
@DDRRT1982 Omg, the joy of doing what was pregnancy-forbidden! The first day I had black coffee and a runny egg for breakfast, I wept!
How can the baby fever be this hard already? She’s not even two weeks! Ovaries need to calm down... but my hormones have calmed down it seems. Haven’t cried Thursday! Fingers crossed lol
@crossfitbabybump - I know exactly what you mean! It makes you want another almost immediately. When I was pregnant I was positive Charlie was the last and now all that is out the window. My husband definitely is done but I just love all things newborn baby. The snuggles, smells, and sweetness makes it all worth everything.
It took me 4 years to get baby fever again. Probably because my recovery was SO rough. Took me like 8 weeks until I could walk without feeling like my insides were going to fall out.
@mmom3 - I agree with @baybeesunflower the recovery is rough but at the same time I haven’t been this attracted to my husband ever. (And I love him more than anything) Seeing him being a father to our little girl is driving my hormones crazy! Before I was pregnant, my husband had this scent to him that would just drive me up a wall and once I was pregnant, I couldn’t smell it anymore. Now all of a sudden it’s all I smell. And of course makes me want to have sex, lol. The female body is a strange thing lol! “Oh here, you just went through 9 months of morning sickness, weight gain, major swelling and discomfort. Oh not to mention birthing out an 8 lb baby. But screw it, hormone overload. Just look at your husband. You want another baby. Now.” I feel like my hormones are taking my body hostage haha!
@mmom3 - hang in there it’ll pass! I cried because I asked my husband to get me a glass of milk and he had just sat down to eat so he was slightly annoyed. Then I realized I over reacted and really could get my own milk lol best advice, just let it out. Cry. Don’t hold it in. I feel like the more I cried the better I felt! When I tried to hold it in, I felt more sad.
First week on my own with the baby and toddler this week! So far, so good! Both are currently napping! @crossfitbabybump I'm totally with you.. I miss being pregnant like the day after giving birth lol!!
After being ng/bottle fed for 2.5 weeks, I'm doing over half of the feeds on the breast now and even got Cohen to latch without the nipple shield! So excited! It makes MOTN way easier when I don't have to worry about feeding him AND pumping!
Oh my gosh, all you ladies wanting to be pregnant again. I love it, but definitely need a break. However, I was adimit that Samantha would be the last, but failed to commit to tying my tubes. I just don't have that done feeling and my MFM said I was ok to have another cerclage if need be. We'll see. I need a longer break than just a year.
We had her follow up check up today. All is good. She looked a little jaundice this weekend, but I nursed a lot and took her outside for some sunshine and dodged the bullet. I was a little nervous about her new pedi since I hadn't seen him with a newborn before, but he is more relaxed about weight gain than I am.
@DDRRT1982 - we had discussed that if I had a c-section I would tie my tubes because we were done. Well, after a failed attempt for a vaginal birth, I had a c-section. The doctor said we could do it during the section, however, I failed to consent. I just couldn’t pull the trigger. I already miss Charlie being inside. Maybe pp hormones, but I could totally do this again despite all the troubles. I say that now though.....
Re: New Mom check-in
So, I learned a little something. The nurses were discussing my discharge the other day and asked if I wanted to go home early and I said no because the last time I went home I didn't get any pain meds, just Motrin. My recovery was hard because of the pain and with three other little ones I wanted to be better healed this time before I leave. They asked me why I didn't get meds and I told them I thought it was because of policy change surrounding narcotics. They laughed and said no that I should have gotten meds and I will definitely get them this time. After my last baby was born my husband tried to get me to call, but I wouldn't because I was too embarrassed to ask for meds for fear of them thinking I was pain meds seeking. Totally stupid and could of been fixed had I not been too embarrassed to ask. However, I am so thankful I don't have to be in as much pain this time.
How is everyone else? Nursing is going well. I think my milk is already coming in. It usually comes in on the later end of normal, even with my last baby that I had nursed his brother throughout the pregnancy (often dry nursing due to hormones). I feel better than last time too and definitely think staying active helped.
Sam is latching more often and better but I haven’t been able to resolve my cracked nipple yet from the pump/last clogged duct. And now I have another clogged duct. I absolutely love when he is latching to me but I am so very much over the pump. I’m super close to switching to formula.
@mdfarmchick I struggle with cracked nipples each time. Only time really makes things better for me. I will often use counter pressure on the other breast during the first few minutes of latching to help distract from the pain. I hope it gets better soon.
Nursing is foing pretty well here, nights are long because she won’t sleep long stretches unless I hold her. She will sleep in the bassinet max one hour, usually only 20-30 minutes though. I love holding her so I really don’t mind, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to get into that habit??
I just love her so much that I could honestly cry about it. She gives me baby fever. I don’t want these days to go by so fast. I don’t know if it’s baby blues or if I’m just so happy? It’s a really weird feeling. I’m on cloud 9 though.
Nursing has only gotten easier with time for us. We struggled for the first week or so. We’re just over 2 weeks in and she’s over her birth weight and is nursing more frequently and longer now. She loves her boobies
@chasingroygbiv our longest stretches of sleep also seem to happen if we’re cosleeping. I did it with my son so I’m not really afraid of it with her. As long as it’s done correctly, it can be completely safe. But do what you are most comfortable with! I also totally understand the feeling of just wanting to cry. I’m so glad she’s finally here and I love her so much. I feel like my heart has grown bigger!
Also, how do you know if you have a clogged duct? I’ve heard it’s very painful but are there other symptoms?
I agree with @ashleyf911 - you’ll know if you have a clog. When I got one it was painful, and I could actually feel it under my skin like a hard bump. I’d stand in the shower under hot water and massage it and try to hand express as I was massaging. You can also try to press something that vibrates against it like an electric tooth brush.
@missnc77 I'm with you on the rainbows and sunshine feelings. I love EVERYTHING and EVERYONE around me. Bring on all the hormones!
I know this is TMI, but I'm having some intense pressure near or above my clit at the end of the day. Anyone else have any experience with that? I'm guess that means sit my butt down but who knows?
And pro tip: Do NOT watch The Fault in our Stars or any YA film postpartum. I have been crying for the last 30 minutes over this darn movie.
My episiotomy feels 1000 times better today. Still sore, but nothing like the two days.
Just had sushi again. Experiencing things I hadn't for 10 months is one of my favorite PP things.
@DDRRT1982 Omg, the joy of doing what was pregnancy-forbidden! The first day I had black coffee and a runny egg for breakfast, I wept!
How can the baby fever be this hard already? She’s not even two weeks! Ovaries need to calm down... but my hormones have calmed down it seems. Haven’t cried Thursday! Fingers crossed lol
I feel like my hormones are taking my body hostage haha!
best advice, just let it out. Cry. Don’t hold it in. I feel like the more I cried the better I felt! When I tried to hold it in, I felt more sad.
@crossfitbabybump I'm totally with you.. I miss being pregnant like the day after giving birth lol!!
After being ng/bottle fed for 2.5 weeks, I'm doing over half of the feeds on the breast now and even got Cohen to latch without the nipple shield! So excited! It makes MOTN way easier when I don't have to worry about feeding him AND pumping!
We had her follow up check up today. All is good. She looked a little jaundice this weekend, but I nursed a lot and took her outside for some sunshine and dodged the bullet. I was a little nervous about her new pedi since I hadn't seen him with a newborn before, but he is more relaxed about weight gain than I am.