11 weeks old and she's already chewing on everything. Her blanket is now covered in drool. Time to break out the teething toys I guess. She likes her hands too.
5 cycles of "TTC" - 3 intentional, 2 not so intentional. 5 BFPs. My rainbow arrived 10/15/14. TFMC 08.02.13 at 19+ weeks. Everyday I grieve for my little Olive.
You just answered the question I came to post. I''ve been wondering why they didn't pull the more comprehensive CF panel after the first sweat test or the day the second one came out borderline. Glad they're finally doing it.
5 cycles of "TTC" - 3 intentional, 2 not so intentional. 5 BFPs. My rainbow arrived 10/15/14. TFMC 08.02.13 at 19+ weeks. Everyday I grieve for my little Olive.
@FamousEA hugs to you and your Owen! I hope everything's ok!
@crawford411 I'm sorry you're dealing with a sick hubby. Enjoy your long pump breaks as much as you can today, and keep your day after Christmas off! You deserve it.
@keelyd I don't know how you keep dealing with this angry boob. You are a saint. I think of you everytime my boob feels the least bit weird. Is that strange?
Today baby went down easy for a nap. WTF? That never happens.
@FamousEa T&Ps for you and DS. I am so sorry you have all this worry about your sweet babe.
ETA: Percentiles: they show how many kids at that specific age weigh more or less than your LO. So he gained weight, but not enough to still be 3rd percentile.
A kid can be perfectly healyhy at 3rd percentile. They're just smaller than their peers. It's a dramatic rise or drop in percentile that worries docs, because kids should grow along their percentile curve.
My DS1 is 4th for weight and off the bottom of the chart for height. He's 100% healthy, though. Looks age 2 and talks age 4. :P The doctor says he will probably just not be a very tall man. Maybe 5'6" or 5'7".
Guys. I thought the power blipped at work because I thought the luggts blinked off while pumping. But the pump never stopped. I think I just had a mini sleep.
I might be dying of exhaustion for real.
I don't know how you're not! Sending you all the caffeine!
Also I'm supposed to over feed him, so breastfeed first then cram formula down his throat, I have nothing against formula it's just he's always satisfied after feeding, he's going to be puking everywhere.
I might double check on this recommendation. I could see feeding more often, but not supplementing a full baby. Stretching his tummy and forcing large feedings seems a bit risky (both for him and for your milk supply).
Babies take a total daily amount of milk...they really don't tolerate much more than their bodies are made to take. So if you're making him take big feedings, he may tolerate fewer feedings to compensate. That means more formula and less breastmilk overall.
You could ask about pumping and supplementing with breastmilk (to protect your supply), or about offering to nurse every 1.5-2 hours or something. The typical recommendation for babies who are not growing at the proper rate is to wake them every 2 hours to nurse and feed on demand in between. Could you ask if this would be an appropriate course of action before adding formula?
You might want to verify whether you're trying to get greater than normal daily intake or just ENSURE that he's getting a normal daily intake. You could also contact an IBCLC to work with you and your doctor on a plan that's supportive of breastfeeding but ensures that baby gets what he needs.
The Screamer had a good night and only woke up to eat once (dad handled that feeding) and then he slept till almost 7:30, so I had a good night's sleep. He also had a good morning and hung out in his swing while I decorated our Christmas tree. And then I went and ruined my mood by dwelling on my holiday homesickness. Bleah.
Also I'm supposed to over feed him, so breastfeed first then cram formula down his throat, I have nothing against formula it's just he's always satisfied after feeding, he's going to be puking everywhere.
I might double check on this recommendation. I could see feeding more often, but not supplementing a full baby. Stretching his tummy and forcing large feedings seems a bit risky (both for him and for your milk supply).
Babies take a total daily amount of milk...they really don't tolerate much more than their bodies are made to take. So if you're making him take big feedings, he may tolerate fewer feedings to compensate. That means more formula and less breastmilk overall.
You could ask about pumping and supplementing with breastmilk (to protect your supply), or about offering to nurse every 1.5-2 hours or something. The typical recommendation for babies who are not growing at the proper rate is to wake them every 2 hours to nurse and feed on demand in between. Could you ask if this would be an appropriate course of action before adding formula?
You might want to verify whether you're trying to get greater than normal daily intake or just ENSURE that he's getting a normal daily intake. You could also contact an IBCLC to work with you and your doctor on a plan that's supportive of breastfeeding but ensures that baby gets what he needs.
You might also ask about mixing formula in with pumped milk for extra calories w/o additional ounces. A friend of mine did this for a long time with her LO bc he was a premie and not gaining well.
No judgment on your friend here, but it's actually recommended NOT to mix breastmilk and formula, for several reasons. For one thing, it changes the composition of the breastmilk and for some reason the micronutrients in the formula become much more concentrated and can damage baby's immature kidneys.
If you're going to feed formula, it's recommended to use it only as directed (mixed with water).
@Emerald27 how many times a day is a baby supposed to eat? Maybe I'm over feeding LO if I've been feeding her every 2 hours?
You can't overfeed a breastfed baby. Don't worry.
Nursing on demand is the best way to ensure that they get all the milk they need. Some babies prefer less milk per feeding and more feedings, others like to tank up and not nurse as often. Has a lot to do with baby's personality and mom's storage capacity.
For this reason it's recommended to leave one ounce per hour she is away when mom and baby will be separated. That's about how much baby will take normally (a couple ounces every couple hours), so this avoids overfeeding by bottle so that the maximum daily intake can come directly from the breast.
ETA: The danger with overfeeding by bottle is that baby will then take less from the breast, so mom's supply will drop. If you heavily supplement, baby will not be as hungry and won't nurse enough. It's just risky. But for your average EBF baby or the baby who gets ~1oz per hour mom is away when she is at work, there's no concern about overfeeding and supply.
@Emerald27 how many times a day is a baby supposed to eat? Maybe I'm over feeding LO if I've been feeding her every 2 hours?
You can't overfeed a breastfed baby. Don't worry.
Nursing on demand is the best way to ensure that they get all the milk they need. Some babies prefer less milk per feeding and more feedings, others like to tank up and not nurse as often. Has a lot to do with baby's personality and mom's storage capacity.
For this reason it's recommended to leave one ounce per hour she is away when mom and baby will be separated. That's about how much baby will take normally (a couple ounces every couple hours), so this avoids overfeeding by bottle so that the maximum daily intake can come directly from the breast.
ETA: The danger with overfeeding by bottle is that baby will then take less from the breast, so mom's supply will drop. If you heavily supplement, baby will not be as hungry and won't nurse enough. It's just risky. But for your average EBF baby or the baby who gets ~1oz per hour mom is away when she is at work, there's no concern about overfeeding and supply.
I was working on scheduling and this thing said to feed every two hours (basically) regardless of hunger cues. At night she's been super gassy and throwing up and just pissed off. It makes me think I'm forcing the schedule thing too much and over filling her belly...when I should probably just let her sleep during the day.
Doctor appointment over. She didn't even cry when she got the shot. They were out of the other so I have to call next week. Head is 16 in, 11# 10.6 oz., 22.75 in long. 50/60th percentile for height and weight. 90th for head, because. Frank. (my husband's head is huge) It's no wonder she doesn't do tummy time. That shit's heavy.
According to my chart, though, she should have gotten DTaP, Polio, HiB, PCV13, and Rotavirus. She got Rotavirus. Then she got one shot, I'm assuming the DTaP/Polio/HiB combo. They were out of "prevnar," so that's the PCV13. I have to call back next week for it.
I am so excited! One of my close friends is due on Christmas. She just texted me and told me her water broke this morning, but she is only at 3 cm. If she doesn't progress in the next hour, her doctor is recommending pitocin. She was hoping for a pain med free birth, so fx she progresses on her own.
I can't wait to meet her LO and for our babies to have play dates! (And moms to have wine dates!)
@keelyd All of the sympathy in the world. I had a clogged duct once with DD2. Just once. And it haunts me in my nightmares. I can't imagine what you're dealing with. Hope it all clears up soon and stays clear.
Emma Rose - 9.14.05 Beckett - 5.26.07 Sawyer - 9.22.12 Lennon Mae - 9.26.14
Also I'm supposed to over feed him, so breastfeed first then cram formula down his throat, I have nothing against formula it's just he's always satisfied after feeding, he's going to be puking everywhere.
I might double check on this recommendation. I could see feeding more often, but not supplementing a full baby. Stretching his tummy and forcing large feedings seems a bit risky (both for him and for your milk supply).
Babies take a total daily amount of milk...they really don't tolerate much more than their bodies are made to take. So if you're making him take big feedings, he may tolerate fewer feedings to compensate. That means more formula and less breastmilk overall.
You could ask about pumping and supplementing with breastmilk (to protect your supply), or about offering to nurse every 1.5-2 hours or something. The typical recommendation for babies who are not growing at the proper rate is to wake them every 2 hours to nurse and feed on demand in between. Could you ask if this would be an appropriate course of action before adding formula?
You might want to verify whether you're trying to get greater than normal daily intake or just ENSURE that he's getting a normal daily intake. You could also contact an IBCLC to work with you and your doctor on a plan that's supportive of breastfeeding but ensures that baby gets what he needs.
See I didn't like that either. I asked him twice and he said that after breastfeeding I should give him a bottle. I just don't get it because he's satisfied after feedings and I feed on demand. I called the nurse and I'm waiting for a call back.
So glad you called for verification. See, offering a bottle after feeding only really makes sense if baby isn't getting enough at a feeding. I would much rather feed on a schedule (@minimum every 2 hours and on demand in between) and have a weight check in two weeks, than offer formula and mess with my supply. I'd propose the above and see if they would accept that as an alternative, at least to start with, before offering bottles.
ETA: You could even offer to keep a log of feedings and dirty/wet diapers.
@Emerald27 how many times a day is a baby supposed to eat? Maybe I'm over feeding LO if I've been feeding her every 2 hours?
You can't overfeed a breastfed baby. Don't worry.
Nursing on demand is the best way to ensure that they get all the milk they need. Some babies prefer less milk per feeding and more feedings, others like to tank up and not nurse as often. Has a lot to do with baby's personality and mom's storage capacity.
For this reason it's recommended to leave one ounce per hour she is away when mom and baby will be separated. That's about how much baby will take normally (a couple ounces every couple hours), so this avoids overfeeding by bottle so that the maximum daily intake can come directly from the breast.
ETA: The danger with overfeeding by bottle is that baby will then take less from the breast, so mom's supply will drop. If you heavily supplement, baby will not be as hungry and won't nurse enough. It's just risky. But for your average EBF baby or the baby who gets ~1oz per hour mom is away when she is at work, there's no concern about overfeeding and supply.
I was working on scheduling and this thing said to feed every two hours (basically) regardless of hunger cues. At night she's been super gassy and throwing up and just pissed off. It makes me think I'm forcing the schedule thing too much and over filling her belly...when I should probably just let her sleep during the day.
Schedules can be helpful in certain situations, but in the normal course of breastfeeding, just nursing on demand and letting LO establish her own routine is typically easiest and healthiest for everyone. And eliminates any worry that LO isn't eating or sleeping enoigh, since babies will nurse and sleep as needed, and it's best for maintaining an adequate milk supply.
Babies are also usually pretty consistent (save growth spurts and milestones and teeth, all of which are made very obvious by how consistent babies are). DS1 was nursed and napped on demand, and he kept a pretty strict schedule. Always napped at about the same time each day, and I knew about when he would be hungry too. Just takes a little while for that little personality and their preferences to show through.
@spurp13 I wrote this to you on a different page but I want to make sure you see it!
Can I just say that I'm thrilled to see you so happy these days Purp. I was worried about you in the beginning but you've really taken this mother role and ran with the shit. I'm happy for you dude
Thank you! I honestly don't know if it would have happened if I didn't have this board, because the feelings I had, I found out were not that abnormal, because some other people were feeling them as well.
@keelyd You can try it, but higher suction often results in lower output, so I'm not sure it would really help. Think of what would happen if you sucked super hard on a straw...it would compress and you wouldn't be able to drink through it. Same thing can happen to ducts when the shctuon is too high. This is why so many moms report an increase in ourput when they turn it down.
All that said, I would try all the things. Good luck and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! Was it really pus or just separated milk (when it rests above the clog, cream will rise to the top)?
Has the pus that has been aspirated been cultured for MRSA? If the fluid is tested, they may be able to identify what bacteria is present and prescribe an antibiotic that is specific to fighting that organism.
Apparently reducing saturated fat intake can help prevent recurring plugged ducts, but that's not a helpful tip for getting rid of them...
In one study 48% of mothers who experienced breast abscesses required just one aspiration, whereas all but 2% of the remaining women required 2-5 treatments in order for them to clear.
@emerald27 -- Not sure if it was milk, pus, or a combo. It was definitely thick and kind of yellow. I just took a shower (per the nurse's recommendation) and a LOT more fluid came out (I'd guess another 20cc or so). There was a small amount of blood mixed in, but this was also definitely on the yellow side.
And thanks for the recommendation on pumping --- I'm not actually anticipating it helping move milk out, but I think I can see hardened milk in two of the ducts at my nipple, and am wondering if higher suction might help move those out (though I do see what you mean w the straw anology).
It's worth a try!! Any word on the cultures from the fluid they expressed, to know if you should be on an antibiotic? And that does sound like pus, which is to be expected with an abscess.
Are you able to do more effective massage (maybe even with a vibrator) now that the abscess has been drained? I know you've tried that before, but that dried milk gives me hope that it might be breaking up. FX for you that this might be the last treatment you need!!
So, apologies if this has already been discussed (it's been hard for me to keep up lately because we've had so many visitors), but it seems like there's been a noticeable resurgence in "is this normal?" or "does anyone else ___?" type of posts from randoms. Are these trolls fucking with us again?
I probably am doing this often, only because I disappeared for a while after DD came, it was hard to keep up. Now that I am back at work its easier to bump. Not a troll, just took a vacay
My husband's aunt sent Audrey a $25 gift card to WalMart.
I never know what to do in this situation. Do I use it? To buy her things?
We also got money for "Audrey" and I used it on something kinda related to her, but I forget what it was. It might have been her doctor copay one day. Oops? Am I supposed to save it and set it aside?
My husband's aunt sent Audrey a $25 gift card to WalMart.
I never know what to do in this situation. Do I use it? To buy her things?
We also got money for "Audrey" and I used it on something kinda related to her, but I forget what it was. It might have been her doctor copay one day. Oops? Am I supposed to save it and set it aside?
I'm bad at this.
Anything that's hers is yours for now. That said, when we get gift cards and money for the kids, we usually spend it on stuff for them. Just got E some fleece PJs.
If the cash is enough (at least $25), you could open Audrey a savings account that you can put any money she gets as presents until she's old enough to want to keep some to spend on stuff.
Re: Friday Randoms
Ew. This might be the one thing we don't have in common. Chips are nasty yo.
Wait. You don't like any kind of chips?!
TFMC 08.02.13 at 19+ weeks. Everyday I grieve for my little Olive.
TFMC 08.02.13 at 19+ weeks. Everyday I grieve for my little Olive.
@crawford411 I'm sorry you're dealing with a sick hubby. Enjoy your long pump breaks as much as you can today, and keep your day after Christmas off! You deserve it.
@keelyd I don't know how you keep dealing with this angry boob. You are a saint. I think of you everytime my boob feels the least bit weird. Is that strange?
Today baby went down easy for a nap. WTF? That never happens.
ETA: Percentiles: they show how many kids at that specific age weigh more or less than your LO. So he gained weight, but not enough to still be 3rd percentile.
A kid can be perfectly healyhy at 3rd percentile. They're just smaller than their peers. It's a dramatic rise or drop in percentile that worries docs, because kids should grow along their percentile curve.
My DS1 is 4th for weight and off the bottom of the chart for height. He's 100% healthy, though. Looks age 2 and talks age 4. :P The doctor says he will probably just not be a very tall man. Maybe 5'6" or 5'7".
I'm sorry lady. This must be so stressful. I'm thinking about you guys. ♥
Babies take a total daily amount of milk...they really don't tolerate much more than their bodies are made to take. So if you're making him take big feedings, he may tolerate fewer feedings to compensate. That means more formula and less breastmilk overall.
You could ask about pumping and supplementing with breastmilk (to protect your supply), or about offering to nurse every 1.5-2 hours or something. The typical recommendation for babies who are not growing at the proper rate is to wake them every 2 hours to nurse and feed on demand in between. Could you ask if this would be an appropriate course of action before adding formula?
You might want to verify whether you're trying to get greater than normal daily intake or just ENSURE that he's getting a normal daily intake. You could also contact an IBCLC to work with you and your doctor on a plan that's supportive of breastfeeding but ensures that baby gets what he needs.
@crawford411 keep the day after Christmas, you deserve it!!!!
Sooooo glad its Friday!!!!!
According to DH I lay around and eat bonbons all day. With a cabana boy fanning me and feeding me grapes too.
Well, I like tortilla chips but only with salsa and sometimes I'll eat salt and vinegar chips but ONLY if I'm eating a tuna sandwich with it.
Tuna. :-&
If you're going to feed formula, it's recommended to use it only as directed (mixed with water).
Here is some more information regarding mixing formula and breastmilk:
https://www.eatsonfeets.org/docs/The_Effect_of_Nutritional_Additives_on_Anti-Infective_Factors_in_Human_Milk.pdf
Nursing on demand is the best way to ensure that they get all the milk they need. Some babies prefer less milk per feeding and more feedings, others like to tank up and not nurse as often. Has a lot to do with baby's personality and mom's storage capacity.
For this reason it's recommended to leave one ounce per hour she is away when mom and baby will be separated. That's about how much baby will take normally (a couple ounces every couple hours), so this avoids overfeeding by bottle so that the maximum daily intake can come directly from the breast.
ETA: The danger with overfeeding by bottle is that baby will then take less from the breast, so mom's supply will drop. If you heavily supplement, baby will not be as hungry and won't nurse enough. It's just risky. But for your average EBF baby or the baby who gets ~1oz per hour mom is away when she is at work, there's no concern about overfeeding and supply.
@keelyd That boob of yours... Angry doesn't cover it!
I can't wait to meet her LO and for our babies to have play dates! (And moms to have wine dates!)
Emma Rose - 9.14.05 Beckett - 5.26.07 Sawyer - 9.22.12 Lennon Mae - 9.26.14
ETA: You could even offer to keep a log of feedings and dirty/wet diapers.
Babies are also usually pretty consistent (save growth spurts and milestones and teeth, all of which are made very obvious by how consistent babies are). DS1 was nursed and napped on demand, and he kept a pretty strict schedule. Always napped at about the same time each day, and I knew about when he would be hungry too. Just takes a little while for that little personality and their preferences to show through.
Married 10/06
Baby Girl "C" arrived on 10/07/14 (39 weeks, 6 days)
All that said, I would try all the things. Good luck and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! Was it really pus or just separated milk (when it rests above the clog, cream will rise to the top)?
Has the pus that has been aspirated been cultured for MRSA? If the fluid is tested, they may be able to identify what bacteria is present and prescribe an antibiotic that is specific to fighting that organism.
Apparently reducing saturated fat intake can help prevent recurring plugged ducts, but that's not a helpful tip for getting rid of them...
In one study 48% of mothers who experienced breast abscesses required just one aspiration, whereas all but 2% of the remaining women required 2-5 treatments in order for them to clear.
Are you able to do more effective massage (maybe even with a vibrator) now that the abscess has been drained? I know you've tried that before, but that dried milk gives me hope that it might be breaking up. FX for you that this might be the last treatment you need!!
If the cash is enough (at least $25), you could open Audrey a savings account that you can put any money she gets as presents until she's old enough to want to keep some to spend on stuff.