Dumb Questions

hopefuldog · February 2014

@akrani
I am 39 wks today and to my knowledge have not had one Braxton hicks or contraction. I feel silly saying it, but I'm also worried I won't know when I'm in labor. I've had some cramping, but nothing excruciating. I tend to have a high pain tolerance. So basically, I have no advice, but I definitely don't think your question is dumb!

rachaelmary · February 2014

Soo...really dumb question.

Thinking of pumping for the first time (LO is 17 days old)...she hardly ate last night for some reason so my boobs are rock hard and I need some relief.

How much do I pump?? When's the best time to pump? After I try feeding her?

versed · February 2014

rachaelmary said:

Soo...really dumb question. Thinking of pumping for the first time (LO is 17 days old)...she hardly ate last night for some reason so my boobs are rock hard and I need some relief. How much do I pump?? When's the best time to pump? After I try feeding her?

It's still early and your supply is establishing itself. If you pump because you are engorged, that tells your body to keep producing that much milk. At this time, you just want to hand express some to find some relief.

Katherine8908 · February 2014

Idk if this is dumb or not but what does the hosp. Actually give you to take home after delivery for comfort etc. and what should I buy ahead of time at the store/ pharmacy ( not online I don't have enough time) to keep myself as comfortable as possible after pushing out a watermelon and help with healing ?

ziggy903 · February 2014

Katherine8908 said:
Idk if this is dumb or not but what does the hosp. Actually give you to take home after delivery for comfort etc. and what should I buy ahead of time at the store/ pharmacy ( not online I don't have enough time) to keep myself as comfortable as possible after pushing out a watermelon and help with healing ?

From what I can tell here, every hospital is a little different

JackieP1023 · February 2014

Katherine8908 said:
Idk if this is dumb or not but what does the hosp. Actually give you to take home after delivery for comfort etc. and what should I buy ahead of time at the store/ pharmacy ( not online I don't have enough time) to keep myself as comfortable as possible after pushing out a watermelon and help with healing ?

I think it depends on the hospital. Mine sent me home with a bag of pads, plus an extra package of smaller pads. Also, a few pairs of mesh underwear. I asked for an extra container of tucks, plus they gave me numbing spray and numbing ointment. (I asked). The only thing I have bought since being home:more tucks! (And motrin!)

tiggernorton04 · February 2014

Katherine8908 said:
Idk if this is dumb or not but what does the hosp. Actually give you to take home after delivery for comfort etc. and what should I buy ahead of time at the store/ pharmacy ( not online I don't have enough time) to keep myself as comfortable as possible after pushing out a watermelon and help with healing ?

I made frozen witch hazel pads. Just soak sanitary pads in witch hazel and freeze. Also ordered some earth mama angel baby bottom balm from amazon though not sure if you can find that in a local store. I bought Advil and a big package of overnight pads.

iwubrory · February 2014

JackieP1023 said:

Idk if this is dumb or not but what does the hosp. Actually give you to take home after delivery for comfort etc. and what should I buy ahead of time at the store/ pharmacy ( not online I don't have enough time) to keep myself as comfortable as possible after pushing out a watermelon and help with healing ?
I think it depends on the hospital. Mine sent me home with a bag of pads, plus an extra package of smaller pads. Also, a few pairs of mesh underwear. I asked for an extra container of tucks, plus they gave me numbing spray and numbing ointment. (I asked). The only thing I have bought since being home:more tucks! (And motrin!)

Last time around, my hospital sent me home with a bag filled with all of the above. Also, some chucks which I was super happy to have.

Breeze1107 · February 2014

@akrani take it from a FTM who just delivered on Thursday... You WILL know the difference between Braxton hicks and real contractions. I had the same worries during my pregnancy because I had constant Braxton hicks. But when the real contractions hit, I knew it was about to be game time.

ziggy903 · February 2014

bribbon said:

megash113 said:
I have one!

Everyone talks about taking Motrin for the PP pains. I know Motrin and Advil are both ibuprofen. So... Will I be able to just use Advil? Is there any reason why I would specifically need Motrin?
I was wondering this too! From what I can tell, there is no difference beyond the dose of ibuprofen, and the rationale behind prescription Motrin appears to be to help us all with the math (ie, one pill, not 3-4). But I'm curious to know whether anyone else has actually asked her doctor this question.

I don't ask my doctor, but I left the hospital late during the day- and when DH took my Motrin prescription to the pharmacy, they couldn't get it done until the next morning. He told them he HAD to have something for me and the pharmacist told him to get regular ibuprofen(even double checked the bottle because DH wanted to be sure he was getting the "right" thing) and have me take 800mg when I would be taking a Motrin.
So yeah... They're interchangeable.

JackieP1023 · February 2014

bribbon said:

megash113 said:
I have one!

Everyone talks about taking Motrin for the PP pains. I know Motrin and Advil are both ibuprofen. So... Will I be able to just use Advil? Is there any reason why I would specifically need Motrin?
I was wondering this too! From what I can tell, there is no difference beyond the dose of ibuprofen, and the rationale behind prescription Motrin appears to be to help us all with the math (ie, one pill, not 3-4). But I'm curious to know whether anyone else has actually asked her doctor this question.

I actually got the generic ibuprofen, and was taking the equivalent of 800mg (4 pills). I only took it religiously probably the first 5 days, but I still take on occasion, depending on my discomfort.

iwubrory · February 2014

I was told I could use generic ibuprofen when I was discharged with DS.

@golfergirl08 I'm in Northern CA. I delivered/will deliver at one of the Kaiser hospitals.

iwubrory · February 2014

So this truly is a dumb question, but as discussed in FFFC there isn't that much going on around here for those of us with inside babies, so indulge my crazy.

With DS my belly button wasn't even close to popping, it got shallow but didn't pop. With this LO, it still hasn't popped but it is WAY closer. Anyway, do you think this means a bigger baby or baby is just in a different position? My weight is basically the same this go 'round.

I know this is purely speculation and the question is totally just for fun.

iwubrory · February 2014

@anji1820 Are you delivering at a Kaiser hospital? I loved my experience having DS at one.

atencle · February 2014

megash113 said:
I have one!

Everyone talks about taking Motrin for the PP pains. I know Motrin and Advil are both ibuprofen. So... Will I be able to just use Advil? Is there any reason why I would specifically need Motrin?

Motrin is just a name brand like Tylenol. Ibuprofen is the actual medication, just like Tylenol the actual medication is acetaminophen. Probably just what people are use to buying (brand wise ) so they call it that.

sprashley · February 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:
Can LO make your water break? Sometimes I feel like he's moving so hard down there I just expect a gush of fluid!

I don't know, but sure feels like LO could sometimes.

emar129 · February 2014

megash113 said:
@sakura0019 Thank you! That's actually really helpful. I felt so incredibly stupid asking that question, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who was concerned about it.

P.s. Have your sinuses improved since your baby came out?

My nose is constantly draining..blood tinged boogers. Sorry if that's tmi. I just want to breathe!!! Soooo over the congestion I've had since September

versed · February 2014

megash113 said:

Once I can give LO baths (once he's here), is there any reason why I can't do a shower instead? I plan on doing a bath when there's time, but if there's a time crunch... is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to use the bath seat and detachable shower head (on a light setting), and just do it that way? I'm just thinking of middle of the night blow outs and such. I'm not going to want to do a full bath in that scenario, I'm just going to want to get him clean.

I imagine it couldn't hurt to try. One of the benefits of a bath is that baby is surrounded by a constant temp, whereas with the shower, their body has a chance to feel cold. I do "showers" with my toddler, and it makes things move a lot quicker/easier. However, I still have DS2 in his tubby while I shower DS1.

iwubrory · February 2014

DreamingBabies said:

Once I can give LO baths (once he's here), is there any reason why I can't do a shower instead? I plan on doing a bath when there's time, but if there's a time crunch... is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to use the bath seat and detachable shower head (on a light setting), and just do it that way? I'm just thinking of middle of the night blow outs and such. I'm not going to want to do a full bath in that scenario, I'm just going to want to get him clean.
Baby wipes will be your friend for untimely blow outs. I imagine you could do a shower, but I prefer to keep stimulation to a minimum during the night for little one.

This. I can't imagine a blowout that would require a bath in the middle of the night. Wipes will get the job done. I'd also be worried about the temperature issues that NextVersusUnknown brought up. DS did not want to be cold for even a split second during baths and would scream bloody murder at even a hint of cold. That being said, you could always try it and see how it goes.

PeachLove25 · February 2014

We ran out of NB twice but have so many 1. I try them and they're ridiculously big, so we order more NB.

Moms::::: How many lbs was your LO when you moved to size 1?

Nikkijo1022 · February 2014

PeachLove25 said:
We ran out of NB twice but have so many 1. I try them and they're ridiculously big, so we order more NB.

Moms::::: How many lbs was your LO when you moved to size 1?

Same here. LO fills these diapers but no blow puts yet so I'm going to continue to use them. We just ordered another pack and will probably move up after?? He's still in NB clothes for another week or so yet at the 1's just seem too big (he's right about 8lbs)

JackieP1023 · February 2014

We switched to 1s when we ran out of NB. (I couldnt stand the thought of having a few leftover in too small a size!) She has had a few blowouts in the NB size... But it got to the point where we couldnt keep the diaper from slipping down her butt (especially with large amounts of poop or pee). We havent had much of a problem with the 1s yet-except I gotta constantly show DH how to put it on tight enough so there arent gaps by her legs! (He leaves the diaper too low, leaving the leg hole area too big)

kt_arr · February 2014

We switched to size 1 last week. She's around 8lbs. The NB sizes were getting too tight around her legs too, so we switched.

The hospital gave us size 1's while we were there (and when she was readmitted for jaundice). She was 6lbs, so it was weird making those work. Now she's definitely fitting in them.

iwubrory · February 2014

DS was 7lbs 8 oz at birth and used newborns for 4 or 5 weeks. However, our hospital uses size 1s from the start. They just fold the top of the front part of the diaper down. We never had any problems making the size 1s work while we were in the hospital, it was just a matter of successfully copying how the nursing staff put them on. So if you're concerned about wasting some newborns, you can probably move up much earlier than you think. Even if the diaper looks a little funny.

iwubrory · February 2014

@klutzygrl26 We weren't given any restrictions on diaper cream with DS. His plastibell ring took an abnormally long time to fall off, so we definitely used diaper cream while his circ was still healing since we initally irritated his poor little bottom by changing before and after feedings. That being said, if he doesn't have any problems then why not wait a while longner to use it? You could pat his bottom dry with a cloth to help take up any extra moisture to help avoid a problem. If you begin to see the start of something then break out the cream.

Nikkijo1022 · March 2014

Ok this may take the cake for dumbest question but here goes....
I live in WI and it's cold. I'm talking the "feels like" temp is -7 right now and honestly that's not bad compared to what it has been! That being said my tolerance for cold id different than most and so is how warm it feels when it does start to warm up. Ex- 35 degrees and I could be in light jacket

For moms In normal climates ... When can I bust out the stroller for a walk?! Lol LO just has a big fleece onsie jacket thing and in thinking with that and blankets maybe upper 40's?? Too cold ? Told you this was dumb but I've honestly never thought about it before.

Flyingtoast · March 2014

@nikkijo1022 I was wondering the same thing. It 'feels like -20' today for us, which is warm comparatively. It's such a beautiful sunny day here, and wanted to take a hike, but am unsure on the whole too cold for LO. She has a down(can't outsmart autocorrect here) papose thing, but it just seems to much, when I'm going out in jeans, shirt, and jacket.

Rosie137 · March 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:

Any one else's entire body sore after delivery? Also, my guts feel like the baby is still in there moving. Its super freaky. I can't laugh because it feels like I have no ab muscles and also feels so weird. I'm just a hot mess right now and pretty traumatized by all this L&D stuff. Im just ready to feel better so I can do more with LO then just feed him. More of a vent than question but I needed to get that out

Yes! Totally normal! I felt like I got hit by a ton of bricks. Ask for pain meds if they didn't give it to you already and stay on top of them. I'm almost 2 weeks out and I'm feeling much more normal now, the first days were the worst.

Rosie137 · March 2014

I took the vicodin and the motrin for a week and a half. I'm not taking the vicodin anymore but still taking the Motrin, I'm two week out and I had a 1st degree tear. I'm not too sure what a normal range is though

cksmith29 · March 2014

OTMFL said:

utpony said:
Don't fear the poop, just let it happen.
Zen poop

Haha. I felt like a rockstar for pooping 1 day pp. I bragged to the nurses who high fived me.

First poop is scary, but it's not as bad as you think. Now wiping..... A bit trickier.

mdr619 · March 2014

@golfergirl08 Same here. I started to just shower afterwards insteads.

JessWhatINeeded · March 2014

When putting on diaper rash cream after a poopy diaper, has anyone or how often will you get pooped on by a second squirt? I've had 3 poop volcanos erupt mid-diaper change and am dreading the day it happens on my hand. Ways to tell if LO is really done pooping?

djtippietoes · March 2014

adinashoshana said:
Another one: lo's soft spot on the top of her skull is pulsating. Normal? Due to her skull not fully fusing together yet? Super specific question, I know. I just noticed this today and was curious.

Mine does that too.

JackieP1023 · March 2014

BlueDot818 said:
@beachbumm2214 I wish I asked for a suppository when I was still in the hospital... It took all my courage to get that first poop out (I was 4 days PP when it finally had to happen). It wasn't as bad as I thought... but scary all the same.

Dumb question: When will I be able to get my wedding rings back on? I tried again today at 2w4d PP and they fit on, but wayyyy too tightly and took some time to get off. My shoes also don't fit the same yet...

Another question: Where does your LO sleep for daytime "naps" ?

My rings fit about 2-3w pp (first time I even tried them) but are actually somewhat big. (I'm down about 15lb from prepreg). I haven't kept them on religiously because 1) I have a tendency to scratch LO with my diamond... 2) my hands have been super super dry, and I try to keep lotion slathered on, but take my rings off for that. 3) I'm a little worried/nervous about losing them, since they are loose now. And 4) I'm just not used to wearing them-they've been off since 20ish weeks.

As far as naps, she sleeps in either the swing, bouncer, or on one of our chests. (Sometimes on the couch if we have nothing better to do than watch her sleep). Nighttime she sleeps in the crib in her room.

JessWhatINeeded · March 2014

I just put my rings on today, 10 days PP. they're tight so may have rushed things.

mdr619 · March 2014

Anyone have recommendations to help a baby who's got a bad tummy ache? He's been crying and miserable for the past hour. He's starving and trying to eat but takes a few sips and continues screaming. We've tried the 5s' s, walking him, bouncing him, rubbing his belly etc. He's definitely constipated. I called the pedi earlier today and she said it's normal and nothing to be too concerned about. But my baby is in pain and it's breaking my heart. Help! I'm ready to start crying, too.

mdr619 · March 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:
Does you LO ever jump in their sleep? Mine will throw his hands in the air like he's scared but he's sound asleep. Sometimes he'll open his eyes but goes right back to sleep. I feel bad for him but at the same time it's kind of funny

Yup, mine does. I think they all do. It's called the Morro reflex and my OB said they even do it in utero.

cksmith29 · March 2014

golfergirl08 said:
Last night, LO was fussy every time I would try to put her in her bassinet. She just wasn't having it. She was fed and clean, nothing was wrong, and it would seem like she was asleep until she was put down in the bassinet. Well, she fell asleep on my chest, and I let her sleep like that while I sat up in bed, and I fell asleep too. I did this on purpose so that we could both get some sleep. It wasn't worth putting her in the bassinet only to have to get up 10 minutes later every time.

I know she should be sleeping in the bassinet, but is this okay to do every once in a while? We both needed sleep, and it seemed like that was the only way it was happening. I will probably try not to do this every night.

When you are exhausted and baby is exhausted, there is nothing wrong with doing what you need to sleep. We have spent many hours in the recliner for sanity sake.

A couple of things I started doing was a tighter swaddle (think straight jacket) and getting her bassinet warmed up. I put a heating pad in it , then take it out right before I lay her down. It's not such a shock from my warm arms to a cold bed that way. It works like a charm.

cksmith29 · March 2014

golfergirl08 said:
Last night, LO was fussy every time I would try to put her in her bassinet. She just wasn't having it. She was fed and clean, nothing was wrong, and it would seem like she was asleep until she was put down in the bassinet. Well, she fell asleep on my chest, and I let her sleep like that while I sat up in bed, and I fell asleep too. I did this on purpose so that we could both get some sleep. It wasn't worth putting her in the bassinet only to have to get up 10 minutes later every time.

I know she should be sleeping in the bassinet, but is this okay to do every once in a while? We both needed sleep, and it seemed like that was the only way it was happening. I will probably try not to do this every night.

When you are exhausted and baby is exhausted, there is nothing wrong with doing what you need to sleep. We have spent many hours in the recliner for sanity sake.

A couple of things I started doing was a tighter swaddle (think straight jacket) and getting her bassinet warmed up. I put a heating pad in it , then take it out right before I lay her down. It's not such a shock from my warm arms to a cold bed that way. It works like a charm.

mdr619 · March 2014

bribbon said:
@mdr619, how do you know he is constipated? If he's BF, that is not likely. If you're pretty sure that's it, though, try infant glycerin suppositories. They work within a few minutes to produce a BM, usually. Our ped told us to cut off 1/4 of the full suppository and start with that. Maybe ask your ped? Odd that she said it was all normal and didn't recommend tx if the baby was constipated.

He went from having 15, 000 poopy diapers to having 1 in 24 hours. And all day yesterday, he was grunting, straining, and red faced...I just assumed he was constipated. Last night we got him called down with a bath and he finally had a huge poo. Then he slept the longest stretch... till almost 2am. Amazing!

I, too, was surprised the pedi didn't offer any recommendations. She said it was normal for them to go from one extreme to the other.

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