House dwellers unite

H&H2014 · July 2014

My LO will be five weeks on Thursday. We still haven't left the house without DH. She hates the car seat and baby wearing hasn't panned out either. I feel like she's been a growth spurt her whole life but it's been particularly crazy the last few days. I feel like I am bf'ing constant from 7am to 2pm and again til 10 whenever she wakes up. Luckily only one MOTNF. Lately day naps have been really short. She's sleeping way less than she was.

Anyone else tied to the couch? How are you dealing? I feel like I'm doing something wrong - that women can't possibly keep their sanity like this.

Unknown · July 2014

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elsa1688 · July 2014

KrystaJ said:
I make an effort to get out of the house at least once a day, even if it is a 15 minute walk. Have you tried feeding in the carrier? It was tricky at first, but works well now that we have it figured out.

I can't figure out how to get him low enough to eat

maybe my breeze doesn't have enough stretch

irenewslee · July 2014

I went out by myself for the first time with LO yesterday (she will be 5 weeks tomorrow). All i wanted was a walk to starbucks and back. The 20 min walk turned out to be an hour and 15 because LO freaked out every time we go over any little bumps. I almost turned around after a block but i told myself that she has to learn. So i went over the bumps very slowly and gave her a pacifier. I also stopped at the park so she could take a break. She didnt scream but her fists were tightly held and she would not open her eyes.

Today i took her out again to target, thinking that there will be no bumps in target. She sucked on the pacifier the whole time and had her eyes closed, fists tight. She dosed off a couple times so i considered that a success. She did cry the whole way back (about 10 mins) since she knocked her pacifier off.

Will try something else tomorrow... Maybe safeway or something. I tried to keep the trips short and make sure she is well fed and diaper changed before we go out. Just a couple less things to worry about.

H&H2014 · July 2014

elsa1688 said:

KrystaJ said:
I make an effort to get out of the house at least once a day, even if it is a 15 minute walk. Have you tried feeding in the carrier? It was tricky at first, but works well now that we have it figured out.
I can't figure out how to get him low enough to eat maybe my breeze doesn't have enough stretch

I haven't figured out the carrier and nursing in it seems like a pipe dream right now. I feel like once I get her latched on the couch I don't want to move for fear she'll pop off. We are still using a shield which just complicates things.

H&H2014 · July 2014

kaysa2 said:
I also find myself wondering how people do this. While I've started doing outings with DD and her stroller and carrier, I don't know how to get anything done in a day other than feeding DD and maybe doing one errand. How people can manage with more than one kid I have no idea.

Me either!!

elsa1688 · July 2014

We have left the house almost every day. I've nursed in the car or under a blanket or nursing cover. The shield isn't as challenging as you would think @amoot890‌. I'm trying to figure out how to nurse in my ring sling. YouTube makes it look so easy.

H&H2014 · July 2014

I've also used the shield in public. It's not too bad as long as LO isn't frustrated with the let down. I just can't figure out the ktan or beco and nursing.

coffee89 · July 2014

We have been leaving the house almost daily since we came home. We are just over two weeks in and I'm not cleared to drive until 4 weeks so it's all been with DH. He has been more nervous about going out that I have been. I'm sure it will be hard when I am going out alone though. I've been wanting to go for a walk with just baby and me but it's been too hot so most of the time it's just me and baby sitting around.

Pepper6 · July 2014

I'm extremely lucky that DH has 6 weeks of paternity leave, so we've either gone out all together, or he has stayed home with DD so I can get out of the house. So far my only solo trip with DD has been stopping by my office and it was only long enough to say hi and drop off some keys. Haven't tried NIP yet, but it still scares me (just the logistics of it).

I'm trying to wear DD around the house to practice, but she very rarely takes to the carrier. In still concerned my K'tan is too small, but I just got my ergo in the mail yesterday, so I might try that.

babygabe614 · July 2014

I haven't gone out with LO alone yet, but DH & I took our first little trip out with her today at 10 days pp. I learned a few things about how to prepare (make sure she's fed & changed immediately before leaving the house, what to bring in the diaper bag, etc) and how to fold/unfold our stroller and take it on an escalator. I feel a little more confident about DH going back to work next week now that we've done that. We are moving toward EP'ing so now I just need to figure out how to store pumped breast milk bottles for a few hours. I'm thinking a cooler bag with ice packs?

Mom&nurse · July 2014

Maybe I'm rare breed but I've been going out alone since SO went to work. 2 weeks pp. My LO has been to 2 movies already. Did great. Lots of shopping. (Mommy has problem) to grandmas work twice. We also usual go out once a day and mostly on our own or with my step children. It's summer vacation so kids trapped inside sucks as much as crying baby.

Also I'm not afraid about nursing in public. I guess my attitude is different. It's like a bottle to me. We use a sling or cover and when it's too hot nothing is used. Can't see anything anyways. I've had people ask to see baby and I say she is nursing. For me boobs are not sexual anymore. It's legal and I kind of like making some people uncomfortable. Don't bother me.

A friend said getting out helps with ppd and I have it bad so I do everything I can to help with that.

H&H2014 · July 2014

Very envious! LO just cries and cries in car seat, on car rides and walks. We try to go out at least every other day as a family but sometimes it's painful. The rest of the days I am choosing sleep over going out because of the constant nursing.

Bozzy2 · July 2014

babygabe614 said:

I haven't gone out with LO alone yet, but DH & I took our first little trip out with her today at 10 days pp. I learned a few things about how to prepare (make sure she's fed & changed immediately before leaving the house, what to bring in the diaper bag, etc) and how to fold/unfold our stroller and take it on an escalator. I feel a little more confident about DH going back to work next week now that we've done that. We are moving toward EP'ing so now I just need to figure out how to store pumped breast milk bottles for a few hours. I'm thinking a cooler bag with ice packs?

If your only going for a few hours it's ok at room temp otherwise I have a little cooler that can hold 4 bottles and an ice pack.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/

jenlynne0624 · July 2014

So jealous of all of you. H's pedi said we can't take little one out in public until he's six weeks (today starts week three), and dh is staying firm on that. The only places we can take him are the drs and family/friends houses. No shopping, no picnics, nada. I'm going insane. Poured yesterday so no walk

whoberry · July 2014

H&H2014 said:
I've also used the shield in public. It's not too bad as long as LO isn't frustrated with the let down. I just can't figure out the ktan or beco and nursing.

I can't figure out my k'tan either no matter how many videos I watch. I am beginning to suspect it's because of my giant size H boobs. D fits in it on my chest perfectly but there is zero head support bc the fabric is too loose up top. I have the beco gemini but haven't tried it yet. Hoping it works better. I haven't been leaving the house either and not getting anything done at home bc he is constantly on the boob. Hoping the carrier will help.
I was also using a shield to nurse due to flat nips. Weaning off it the last couple days and it seems to shorten my nursing sessions sometimes. I think he can get more milk faster without it. Maybe weaning off it will help?
Also I record my feedings with an app. The other day it felt like he was feeding forever and I napped when he napped. Today I didn't nap and it felt like I got more done and he wasn't constantly on my boob. App says I fed him for the same amount of time both days- 5 hours. I think skipping the nap just made my day a little saner. I won't do it everyday bc I need my sleep but I plan to try it every few days.

brooklyngirl46 · July 2014

Totally agree with starting small. I live within walking distance of a library, so we walked to get mommy some books that she will never have time to read. Even a 15 minute walk can do so much good.

Savvy122 · July 2014

It's definitely intimidating, but I think the anticipation of getting out of the house is the worst part. Once you're actually OUT, it feels so good! And once you've made it through that first outing, you'll feel a little more confident about doing it again. I took both boys to Target (of course) when D was about 2 weeks old. They were both perfect angels and I felt like a rock star. Obviously not every outing is going to go perfectly (our trip to the mall play place yesterday ended with an asthma attack for C and a screaming meltdown in the carseat on the ride home for D) but that's parenthood.

SecondTimeinMSU · July 2014

I was taking them out the first week since I was still dropping DS off at daycare three days a week to give us both a break but that didn't really count since it was pretty much all in the car. My first real outing with 2 kids alone was last week. I took the boys to McDonalds for my last day of maternity leave to reward DS#1 for improving behavior. I felt like a rock star for managing it on my own. It was a lot of advanced planning since I brought the snap n go so that I could just wheel DS #2 with one hand while holding our food tray. Hang in there it will get better!!

MrsCase1 · July 2014

My toddler is climbing the walls from the cabin fever. My home-bound issues are tied mostly to my fears about germs and such, not feeding issues. But, this is just a season and soon you'll be out and about more, I promise!

Taylorgabbitas · July 2014

@jennyd321‌ I don't understand why your ped told you walks were ok but a picnic isn't? They're both outside activities. Our ped is pretty strict (nowhere public for 2 months!) but she said anything outside was great! Parks, walks, we even went and got a snocone the other day, and may go to a food truck tonight for dinner. She said the danger is the enclosed spaces where everyone is touching doorknobs and handles and what not. I just wear her in my solly baby wrap for our little outdoor outings. Drives are great too! I'm super paranoid so I'm following her directions but even I'm ok with that kind of stuff

babyglo350 · July 2014

I have been going out since 9 days pp. luckily my fam is local so I have been going to my mom's house often. I have been out to lunch with my dad on off hours when restaurants are empty and have used my bug and sun shield on those occasions to make sure no one even attempts to touch him. Go out and get some fresh air. It will be good for you and the babe.

jenlynne0624 · July 2014

@taylorgabbitas I guess I wasn't clear with the word picnic. I meant graduation parties and July fourth cookouts and stuff when there would be a ton of people around. We go for daily walks and got frozen yogurt last night which was the highlight of my week lol.

Taylorgabbitas · July 2014

@jennyd321‌ oooh I see, I would avoid stuff like that too. It's the little things that help at this point! DD had been fussy all day so we just loaded up and went through the drive through. Whatever keeps you sane at this point. 8-}

irenewslee · July 2014

For the LOs who hate carseats, have you tried unstrapping them once they arent in the car? I found that my LO hates being strapped in so she screams and cries. As soon as i unstrap her or once the car starts to move, she gets a lot better... Unless she is super tired and her paci falls off. She was very nervous the first few times we went out because she was not used to the little bumps on the road. It gets better though. Just keep trying!

BMaidPlanner · July 2014

kaysa2 said:
I also find myself wondering how people do this. While I've started doing outings with DD and her stroller and carrier, I don't know how to get anything done in a day other than feeding DD and maybe doing one errand. How people can manage with more than one kid I have no idea.

This. I also thought a summer baby rather than winter was smart but some days are too hot to wear her. Guess too cold would also apply but damn. Let me outta here.

BMaidPlanner · July 2014

@brookyngirl46 good idea, I can make it to a library in Queens too. I also am joining local Mom groups since my friends don't have children.

kd&cd · July 2014

I take LO out almost daily and she's just over two weeks. Whether it's a 30 min walk stubs the neighbourhood or a 3 hour trip to the mall. It's feels so good to get our of the house and I feel like I've accomplished something during the day. As PPs have said using a nipple shield in public isn't too bad as long as LO isn't frustrated. The first time I NIP she was so frustrated cause I waited too long, lesson learned: just do it! It's gets easier each time.

tclayton53 · July 2014

I started by joining a breast feeding support group when LO was 1 week. It got me out of the house but put me in an environment where I could feed her and meet other brand new moms. Then I'd start tacking on an errand or 2 after the group since I was out and Lo was fully fed. Now we try to get out at least once a day to grocery shop, grab a coffee, visit a friend or take a walk. It feels good to be able to leave the house with her.

H&H2014 · July 2014

Wow, so envious of you all. I need to get off the couch and brave the world.

Questions, how are you getting out? My LO is six wks now and this week and last has fed constantly. I serious don't know when one feed ends and another begins... It just seems like one marathon of feeding with some cat naps. Do you pack them up and get them in the car seat when they nap or after a feed?

We went for a walk two days ago and she screamed the entire time. It was brutal and honestly I felt worse and it hardly felt worth it. We are thinking a bassinet stroller may help but we haven't got one yet. She is very unhappy in the car seat. Is it practice or arw you just muscling thru it?

Thx ladies.

whoberry · July 2014

H&H2014 said:

Wow, so envious of you all. I need to get off the couch and brave the world. Questions, how are you getting out? My LO is six wks now and this week and last has fed constantly. I serious don't know when one feed ends and another begins... It just seems like one marathon of feeding with some cat naps. Do you pack them up and get them in the car seat when they nap or after a feed? We went for a walk two days ago and she screamed the entire time. It was brutal and honestly I felt worse and it hardly felt worth it. We are thinking a bassinet stroller may help but we haven't got one yet. She is very unhappy in the car seat. Is it practice or arw you just muscling thru it? Thx ladies.

My LO eats the same way. I do not get 2-3 hr nap breaks between feeds like others do. Today after feeding for awhile he got into his "quiet alert" phase so I stuck him in the carseat and we went to Target. But my LO likes his car seat unless he is hungry.

Pepper6 · July 2014

Anyone have tips on keeping baby cool in her car seat? We just bought a new car that has vents in the back seat, but since she's rear facing, it doesn't really blow on her. I also try to get the ac running for a while before I put her in (although that's not really possible on the way home), but she so gets so sweaty on her back and that makes her fussy.

It just makes it so difficult to go anywhere when it's so hot outside. I can't imagine how people lived here before ac, lol.

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House dwellers unite

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IF, 5 losses, 1 son, 1 on the way.

IF, 5 losses, 1 son, 1 on the way.

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