I have to ignore my crying newborn a few times a day... Newborning with a two year old is hard!
My confession. I act like I have it together (whatever that means) in front of people, but I spent an hour last night bawling alongside my unconsolable newborn (while DS played with his blocks). Newborns are hard and as much as I love my little lady, I can't wait until she's a few months older. I also can't wait until DH is done his night float shifts at the hospital.
@mccall35 yes! Newborns and toddlers are HARD! Cry it out girl and get some help if you can. Even if it's just for a nap.
My LO has thrush and was up all night screaming. I finally got him to sleep at 530 this morning.... I have been letting my daughter play on the iPad for over an hour so I can lay in bed and rest. I have no guilt about the amount of screen time she gets today.
I'm seriously getting sooooo annoyed with people who say "Can I come over on this day at this time?" Then they cancel or just don't show. I refuse to beg anyone to come, because I am enjoying the peace and quiet of of newborn, toddler and husband to be honest. I know everyone wants to meet her, and I'm trying to fit everyone in but when they don't come its annoying. This is the second day in a row. I'm also tired of people making up their own rules for visiting. Like bringing their children without asking. Ok maybe I'm just being a witch. Lol. The baby is only a week old. I told my husband if we have a 3rd I will just plan a sip and see when they are like a month old. If you come you come, if not, you'll see the baby when I see you. Long rant... Lol
@mccall35 yes! Newborns and toddlers are HARD! Cry it out girl and get some help if you can. Even if it's just for a nap.
My LO has thrush and was up all night screaming. I finally got him to sleep at 530 this morning.... I have been letting my daughter play on the iPad for over an hour so I can lay in bed and rest. I have no guilt about the amount of screen time she gets today.
@mccall35 Newborning with a toddler is so hard! Glad to know I'm not the only one letting the LO cry a few times a day. I hope things get easier for you.
@ksimo6 dang girl I feel for you! I hope your LO's thrush goes away soon. I too have been guilty of letting DS play on the iPad more so than I would care to admit.
I am having a difficult time telling when my boobs are empty and the lactation lady said make him finish his dinner (first boob) before dessert (other boob) but since I can't tell very well anytime after about ten minutes I just burp him and switch. I know that the higher calorie stuff takes time to get to but I just can't tell when I'm empty. FTM problems hopefully I will be able to figure it out soon.
I am having a difficult time telling when my boobs are empty and the lactation lady said make him finish his dinner (first boob) before dessert (other boob) but since I can't tell very well anytime after about ten minutes I just burp him and switch. I know that the higher calorie stuff takes time to get to but I just can't tell when I'm empty. FTM problems hopefully I will be able to figure it out soon.
I just recently read somewhere that on average babies only get like 60% of milk from out during a feeding. I'm not sure how accurate that is but it sounds like maybe they are never completely EMPTY. Also, I've been EP'ing and I can see that the milk at the beginning is different from the milk later on. The milk is more watery in the beginning and gets thicker later on. However, this happens pretty fast for me. Probably within a minute or so of starting. So, I would think if you are getting 10 minutes on a boob he is definitely getting to the higher calorie stuff.
I feel like a moron for still having occasional trouble distinguishing a contraction from a baby movement or being able to properly time when a contraction starts and stops. DH looks at me like this should be an obvious thing which it is sometimes but not others.
I am having a difficult time telling when my boobs are empty and the lactation lady said make him finish his dinner (first boob) before dessert (other boob) but since I can't tell very well anytime after about ten minutes I just burp him and switch. I know that the higher calorie stuff takes time to get to but I just can't tell when I'm empty. FTM problems hopefully I will be able to figure it out soon.
My LC today said as long as her poop wasn't "hulk green" (her words) she was getting enough out of each breast. That happens when you don't "finish" & get the hind milk.
I feel like a moron for still having occasional trouble distinguishing a contraction from a baby movement or being able to properly time when a contraction starts and stops. DH looks at me like this should be an obvious thing which it is sometimes but not others.
LO has fallen asleep on top of me while feeding. I should go change him, but I don't want to wake him. I'm waiting until DH is out of the shower so he can change him and I can have breakfast!
I took the afternoon off work without warning to take my four year old to see Inside Out. I feel like as we get closer to my due date I need to lather him up with some extra fun and attention because this is going to be a big transition for him, and the next two weeks are going to be a little tight financially because I'm going from working seventy hours a week to only being able to use 40 hours a week of vacation time which is basically cutting our income in half.... So, today was our last hoorah for a while, and my boss can get over it.
@mccall35 yes! Newborns and toddlers are HARD! Cry it out girl and get some help if you can. Even if it's just for a nap.
My LO has thrush and was up all night screaming. I finally got him to sleep at 530 this morning.... I have been letting my daughter play on the iPad for over an hour so I can lay in bed and rest. I have no guilt about the amount of screen time she gets today.
Since coming home with my LO, my two year old has watched more Nick Jr. than Id care to admit. Sometimes it's the only way I can get through a feeding session with LO with out a meltdown from my toddler because I can't come do whatever while I'm breast feeding. I'm trying to remind myself that it's only temporary.
My LO is almost two weeks old and DH has changed no diapers. And since I'm EBF, I'm the only one up for feedings too. Mommy is tired.
@mccall35 yes! Newborns and toddlers are HARD! Cry it out girl and get some help if you can. Even if it's just for a nap.
My LO has thrush and was up all night screaming. I finally got him to sleep at 530 this morning.... I have been letting my daughter play on the iPad for over an hour so I can lay in bed and rest. I have no guilt about the amount of screen time she gets today.
Since coming home with my LO, my two year old has watched more Nick Jr. than Id care to admit. Sometimes it's the only way I can get through a feeding session with LO with out a meltdown from my toddler because I can't come do whatever while I'm breast feeding. I'm trying to remind myself that it's only temporary.
My LO is almost two weeks old and DH has changed no diapers. And since I'm EBF, I'm the only one up for feedings too. Mommy is tired.
I really started to resent my hubby because of this same reason. So he started to burp her and hold her upright for the 30 mins afterwards. At least during normal hours. I let him sleep at night since he's the one working. But you should just take the reins and tell him to change your LO or take and burp for you
I'm terrified for when DH goes back to work next Monday.
EBF and he's doing the post-feed changing and soothing, so I can sleep. When he has to work, I'm going to lose out of a ton of help so he can get sleep for work.
Strongly considering flying out my mom to be an extra person in the house so I don't freak out.
Don't know how you ladies are doing it or have gotten through the first few weeks, especially with multiple little ones! Praise.
I'm terrified for when DH goes back to work next Monday.
EBF and he's doing the post-feed changing and soothing, so I can sleep. When he has to work, I'm going to lose out of a ton of help so he can get sleep for work.
Strongly considering flying out my mom to be an extra person in the house so I don't freak out.
Don't know how you ladies are doing it or have gotten through the first few weeks, especially with multiple little ones! Praise.
Have your mom pack her bags and send her out on that plane. Get all the help you can!
I'm terrified for when DH goes back to work next Monday.
EBF and he's doing the post-feed changing and soothing, so I can sleep. When he has to work, I'm going to lose out of a ton of help so he can get sleep for work.
Strongly considering flying out my mom to be an extra person in the house so I don't freak out.
Don't know how you ladies are doing it or have gotten through the first few weeks, especially with multiple little ones! Praise.
Have your mom pack her bags and send her out on that plane. Get all the help you can!
And then a few weeks after that... he goes to AFRICA! Yikes. Definitely going to be bringing in the mom help.
@mccall35 yes! Newborns and toddlers are HARD! Cry it out girl and get some help if you can. Even if it's just for a nap.
My LO has thrush and was up all night screaming. I finally got him to sleep at 530 this morning.... I have been letting my daughter play on the iPad for over an hour so I can lay in bed and rest. I have no guilt about the amount of screen time she gets today.
Since coming home with my LO, my two year old has watched more Nick Jr. than Id care to admit. Sometimes it's the only way I can get through a feeding session with LO with out a meltdown from my toddler because I can't come do whatever while I'm breast feeding. I'm trying to remind myself that it's only temporary.
My LO is almost two weeks old and DH has changed no diapers. And since I'm EBF, I'm the only one up for feedings too. Mommy is tired.
Totally with you on this! We're moving this week and I've sat DD down and let her watch Nick Jr all morning until It's nap time. I don't normally do this but it's been making things soo much easier!
Both DS and DH have colds. Seriously want to shank DH at times when he's complains about his cold symptoms. He's been a big help with distracting DS for the most part...too much screen time, but I tolerate because I know they're both sick.
I feel mom guilt about not doing enough or playing enough with DS right now. Honestly I've been so consumed with everything associated with feedings right now, that I feel like I'm a milk machine. Pumping between feedings to increase supply and trouble with her latch yesterday made it feel nonstop.
Having some mom guilt for putting Jack in his swing after this last feeding. DH is asleep and I don't want to hold and bounce him while I eat a middle of the night breakfast. I'm *starving* and my back hurts.
Jack is wide awake, so I should be talking to him, but I really just want him to sleep!
I'm terrified for when DH goes back to work next Monday.
EBF and he's doing the post-feed changing and soothing, so I can sleep. When he has to work, I'm going to lose out of a ton of help so he can get sleep for work.
Strongly considering flying out my mom to be an extra person in the house so I don't freak out.
Don't know how you ladies are doing it or have gotten through the first few weeks, especially with multiple little ones! Praise.
To be honest I didn't handle week 1 without DH well. Lots of crying, jealousy that DH got to sleep overnight, and frankly some dark thoughts - like not being sure having a kid was the right choice for me. It gets better, but I can't lie, only moderately so.
Weirdly, what helped the most is LO growing to where she can engage me with smiles and awake time. It felt very thankless and therefore more tough in the first 2 weeks.
My mom came for three days during week 3. That helped. I wanted her to stay longer but DH convinced me that having her as a crutch won't help us get into a routine.
If your DH is like mine, he will be helpful and take LO duties over when he's home and let you get some rest.
When you are home alone, don't be afraid to leave LO to shower or eat, I learned they won't die if they cry for an extra 3 minutes while I shove food in my gullet. And best advice is if you are going to lose your marbles, put LO down somewhere safe, and go outside (or to another room at least) for a few minutes to calm down or cry or whatever. And have some friends who don't mind you calling them during freak outs
This is not my confession, but could have been: a friend who had her baby at end of February said that one day when her LO was a few weeks old, she really needed a break. So she left LO with her husband and went to the grocery store, which was just a couple blocks away. And she said that there was a moment where she was standing in the middle of the store, and genuinely thought about just taking off and never going back home, or seeing husband or LO again.
This friend is the best mom, has a great marriage, always looks super cute, and is a great friend and advisor, etc. She told me this when I called her crying on a bad day, and it made me feel sooo much better about things feeling hard. But she said what everyone says. "It gets better. Hang in there!"
@Westypet IDK if your time stamp is accurate because idk where you are in the world. But for me it says that your post was 4:30 am. If so, I personally wouldn't feel guilty at all for putting LO in a swing after middle of the night feed. I was just reading that its actually good to limit stimulation at night to teach them the difference between night and day. With my guy I leave the lights really dim and hardly say anything during night feedings but interact a lot during the day. I think its working! He sleeps really well between night feedings and has more wakeful hours during the day. Anyway, don't feel guilty!
have a scary confession. @virginiaunicorn11. 'S story makes me want to share here.
I have always struggled with depression and anxiety. I am very proactive about it and get treatment when needed. However, its just going to be something I will always have to cope with. So here it is... when I first got home from the hospital I was so anxious that something could happen to LO. Like sobbing I was so worried he would die somehow. Totally irrational. But in some of those moments I kept thinking that I couldn't live my life like that. I felt like I would never be able to deal with the anxiety because I love him so much. I kept thinking I would be better off dead. Now, before anyone freaks out, suicide is not something I would ever do and did not consider doing at the time. It was just this feeling that I could couldn't deal with the intensity of my emotions.
I feel a lot better but the anxiety is still uncomfortable. I've always had these crazy anxious fantasies where I ruminate about what if this happened? But its so much worse now because i'm so desperately in love. It's really hard. I have a lot of resources for help if needed and my dh is super supportive. But it is hard right now and I just hope it gets better with time. I don't want to be one of those mom's who is too restrictive on their child because of their own fears.
Thanks for sharing @mcknzzee. I'm currently obsessing over my babies breathing, probably just newborn stuff but who knows. I'm also feeling so guilty about his tongue tie and retruded mandible. I have a history of anxiety
have a scary confession. @virginiaunicorn11. 'S story makes me want to share here.
I have always struggled with depression and anxiety. I am very proactive about it and get treatment when needed. However, its just going to be something I will always have to cope with. So here it is... when I first got home from the hospital I was so anxious that something could happen to LO. Like sobbing I was so worried he would die somehow. Totally irrational. But in some of those moments I kept thinking that I couldn't live my life like that. I felt like I would never be able to deal with the anxiety because I love him so much. I kept thinking I would be better off dead. Now, before anyone freaks out, suicide is not something I would ever do and did not consider doing at the time. It was just this feeling that I could couldn't deal with the intensity of my emotions.
I feel a lot better but the anxiety is still uncomfortable. I've always had these crazy anxious fantasies where I ruminate about what if this happened? But its so much worse now because i'm so desperately in love. It's really hard. I have a lot of resources for help if needed and my dh is super supportive. But it is hard right now and I just hope it gets better with time. I don't want to be one of those mom's who is too restrictive on their child because of their own fears.
I went through this with my first to the point that I could barely eat or sleep because I was so terrified something bad was going to happen. I quit my job, even, because I kept thinking of all the worst-case daycare scenarios, I checked him constantly in the middle of the night scared to death of SIDS...
One night, I went into his room and we had just got a nightlight in there and as I cracked open the door, he looked blue. I stopped breathing, ran to his crib, and jerked him up into my and so fast it startled him awake, and he cried SO hard his face looked like a tomato.... That's when I realized I was being WAY too crazy... I was still highly anxious, over protective, and checked on him often, but not so much to the point of obsession....
It's normal, to a point... But I think it's especially hard for those of us with anxiety or PTSD, we love this little person SO MUCH that we wall around constantly terrified that something awful is going to happen... For me, it was this big sense that I didn't DESERVE anything that good, and perfect, and pure... That somehow, the universe made a mistake giving him to me, and that at any minute, the universe or fate or karma out God was going to take him back....
I worked through it, and you can, too. Just talking about it to another person helps. Everyone has these terrible thoughts, they're called 'intrusive thoughts' and most people immediately push them away and reject them... Schizophrenics or those with severe mental illness tend to act on them, but most people are so scared of their own dark thoughts that they never talk about them... But that's what we should do, is take them out in a safe place, examine them, figure out where they come from, and flush them away.
@Westypet IDK if your time stamp is accurate because idk where you are in the world. But for me it says that your post was 4:30 am. If so, I personally wouldn't feel guilty at all for putting LO in a swing after middle of the night feed. I was just reading that its actually good to limit stimulation at night to teach them the difference between night and day. With my guy I leave the lights really dim and hardly say anything during night feedings but interact a lot during the day. I think its working! He sleeps really well between night feedings and has more wakeful hours during the day. Anyway, don't feel guilty!
I'm in EST-- no idea why the crazy time stamp. This app is weird.
I feel bad for reverting to the swing so much. Every time he's on my chest and it's not right after a feed--- he thrashes around looking for a nip!
I keep having terrifying visions of dropping LO. It makes me hold on tight and pay close attention to what I'm doing.
@mcknzzee thanks for sharing. So glad you can recognize these fears for what they are, and have people you can talk to about it. Keep doing that, or talk to us if nothing else. That's what we are here for!
@janit368 I totally get where you are coming from. The anxiety is killer especially in the beginning. Keep an eye on it and make sure to seek help if it gets worse.
@itsshayday Yes! I think a lot of it is not believing that I could be this lucky. When I was pregnant I really didn't believe I would have a healthy baby. Now that I have one it's terrifying to even consider something happening.
My confession is that I love working and having DH stay home! I love getting 6 hours of straight sleep most nights and going to a job I love every day. That being said, I love coming home to DD cuddles and snuggles.
Re: FFFC: Flame free Friday Confessions
My confession. I act like I have it together (whatever that means) in front of people, but I spent an hour last night bawling alongside my unconsolable newborn (while DS played with his blocks). Newborns are hard and as much as I love my little lady, I can't wait until she's a few months older. I also can't wait until DH is done his night float shifts at the hospital.
I think I need a hand.
My LO has thrush and was up all night screaming. I finally got him to sleep at 530 this morning.... I have been letting my daughter play on the iPad for over an hour so I can lay in bed and rest. I have no guilt about the amount of screen time she gets today.
ETA: I'm totally kidding. Mostly.
@ksimo6 dang girl I feel for you! I hope your LO's thrush goes away soon. I too have been guilty of letting DS play on the iPad more so than I would care to admit.
So, today was our last hoorah for a while, and my boss can get over it.
My LO is almost two weeks old and DH has changed no diapers. And since I'm EBF, I'm the only one up for feedings too. Mommy is tired.
EBF and he's doing the post-feed changing and soothing, so I can sleep. When he has to work, I'm going to lose out of a ton of help so he can get sleep for work.
Strongly considering flying out my mom to be an extra person in the house so I don't freak out.
Don't know how you ladies are doing it or have gotten through the first few weeks, especially with multiple little ones! Praise.
Totally with you on this! We're moving this week and I've sat DD down and let her watch Nick Jr all morning until It's nap time. I don't normally do this but it's been making things soo much easier!
I feel mom guilt about not doing enough or playing enough with DS right now. Honestly I've been so consumed with everything associated with feedings right now, that I feel like I'm a milk machine. Pumping between feedings to increase supply and trouble with her latch yesterday made it feel nonstop.
Jack is wide awake, so I should be talking to him, but I really just want him to sleep!
Weirdly, what helped the most is LO growing to where she can engage me with smiles and awake time. It felt very thankless and therefore more tough in the first 2 weeks.
My mom came for three days during week 3. That helped. I wanted her to stay longer but DH convinced me that having her as a crutch won't help us get into a routine.
If your DH is like mine, he will be helpful and take LO duties over when he's home and let you get some rest.
When you are home alone, don't be afraid to leave LO to shower or eat, I learned they won't die if they cry for an extra 3 minutes while I shove food in my gullet. And best advice is if you are going to lose your marbles, put LO down somewhere safe, and go outside (or to another room at least) for a few minutes to calm down or cry or whatever. And have some friends who don't mind you calling them during freak outs
This friend is the best mom, has a great marriage, always looks super cute, and is a great friend and advisor, etc. She told me this when I called her crying on a bad day, and it made me feel sooo much better about things feeling hard. But she said what everyone says. "It gets better. Hang in there!"
I have always struggled with depression and anxiety. I am very proactive about it and get treatment when needed. However, its just going to be something I will always have to cope with. So here it is... when I first got home from the hospital I was so anxious that something could happen to LO. Like sobbing I was so worried he would die somehow. Totally irrational. But in some of those moments I kept thinking that I couldn't live my life like that. I felt like I would never be able to deal with the anxiety because I love him so much. I kept thinking I would be better off dead. Now, before anyone freaks out, suicide is not something I would ever do and did not consider doing at the time. It was just this feeling that I could couldn't deal with the intensity of my emotions.
I feel a lot better but the anxiety is still uncomfortable. I've always had these crazy anxious fantasies where I ruminate about what if this happened? But its so much worse now because i'm so desperately in love. It's really hard. I have a lot of resources for help if needed and my dh is super supportive. But it is hard right now and I just hope it gets better with time. I don't want to be one of those mom's who is too restrictive on their child because of their own fears.
I went through this with my first to the point that I could barely eat or sleep because I was so terrified something bad was going to happen. I quit my job, even, because I kept thinking of all the worst-case daycare scenarios, I checked him constantly in the middle of the night scared to death of SIDS...
One night, I went into his room and we had just got a nightlight in there and as I cracked open the door, he looked blue. I stopped breathing, ran to his crib, and jerked him up into my and so fast it startled him awake, and he cried SO hard his face looked like a tomato.... That's when I realized I was being WAY too crazy... I was still highly anxious, over protective, and checked on him often, but not so much to the point of obsession....
It's normal, to a point... But I think it's especially hard for those of us with anxiety or PTSD, we love this little person SO MUCH that we wall around constantly terrified that something awful is going to happen... For me, it was this big sense that I didn't DESERVE anything that good, and perfect, and pure... That somehow, the universe made a mistake giving him to me, and that at any minute, the universe or fate or karma out God was going to take him back....
I worked through it, and you can, too. Just talking about it to another person helps. Everyone has these terrible thoughts, they're called 'intrusive thoughts' and most people immediately push them away and reject them... Schizophrenics or those with severe mental illness tend to act on them, but most people are so scared of their own dark thoughts that they never talk about them... But that's what we should do, is take them out in a safe place, examine them, figure out where they come from, and flush them away.
I feel bad for reverting to the swing so much. Every time he's on my chest and it's not right after a feed--- he thrashes around looking for a nip!
@mcknzzee thanks for sharing. So glad you can recognize these fears for what they are, and have people you can talk to about it. Keep doing that, or talk to us if nothing else. That's what we are here for!