So I really want to bring my fleece blanket to have on the mother-baby floor for the day(s) were there. It's pretty large (could cover a twin bed). I just feel like it will help me relax better to have that piece of comfort. Is this really silly to bring?? I'm packing 2 separate bags, one for L+D and one for mother-baby, so it would only be brought up once were over there. What do you think?
If it is something that will bring you a little bit of comfort, I don't think that it is silly. I know grown women who have taken their baby blankets (which were THEIR baby blankets....not their baby's baby blanket), for comfort. I brought my own pillow because I knew I wouldn't like the hospital ones, but I didn't bring a blanket. However, I was there for five days, and there were some nights that my room was a little chilly (I was cold but my husband wasnt) and I asked for another blanket.
My baby already seems to be on its own schedule...certain times of the day it's really active and certain times quiet often at the same time each day (which is normal I'm sure!) Did any STMs notice that their baby kept to that wake/sleep pattern after birth at all?
My baby already seems to be on its own schedule...certain times of the day it's really active and certain times quiet often at the same time each day (which is normal I'm sure!) Did any STMs notice that their baby kept to that wake/sleep pattern after birth at all?
My first did....down to the hiccups. She was always awake from 11am-3pm and 10pm-2am, and always got hiccups around 9am. Same thing happened after she was born.
Two random questions: 1. We got a baby swing at my baby shower and I didn't know where it was most likely to be used so I just put it in the living room for now. Anyone have suggestions on where a swing is most useful? I don't really even know what situation calls specifically for a swing. It's super cute and I know we used them a lot when I worked in a church nursery and there weren't enough arms to hold all the babies, but that's the extent of my experience.
2. I have heard anecdotes about pineapple juice being a must have for breastfeeding as it supposedly helps prevent mastisis and engorgement...any experience with this? People even recommend packing it for the hospital! I'm not sure how seriously to take this recommendation..
ETA question 3: I've been reading through birth announcements from other BMBs and several mentioned that their water didn't burst but just leaked for awhile. How do you know if it's your water leaking and not just watery discharge? Is that just one of those 'you'll know it when you see it' sort of things?
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@winnie1122 1) we kept moving to swing to be near us.
2) no idea. This is new to me about pineapple and BF. I can look it up if you want.
3) this is what we told our patients. If you think you water has broken but aren't sure. Lay down with a pad for 30 minutes. Gravity will prevent the majority of it from leaking, and it will pool in your vagina (unless you have a ton). Then stand up, if your pad is very wet, or its running down your leg, then it is most likely your water. It is usually a constant dripple.
@winnie1122 we are putting our swing in the living room too! Depending on LOs sleep needs it may be moved to the bedroom. When DS was little the only way he would sleep for a few months was in the swing, so his was in his room.
Thanks @winnie1122 for posting question #3! I had the same question this morning but was going to do some searching around because I wasn't sure if it had been asked on this thread already.
@winnie1122 1. We always had the swing in the living room because I could see it from the living room, dining room, and kitchen.
2. Never heard of this pineapple thing.
3. Along with what @BecauseBabyIamAPug mentioned, I had a few friends that had a slow leak, and as soon as they laid down, it gushed out. It was like the baby's head was like a cork and keeping it from all coming out, but as soon as they laid down, the baby shifted and tons poured out. So you may not even have to wait 30min or so for it to pool in your vag, it may come out as soon as you lay flat.
So I found out that breastfeeding/pumping can cause your vagina to become slightly inflamed and itchy. I thought I had an infection or something. What a waste of a dr appt. Why does no one tell us these things?!?
@Weville we started using a highchair with DS at 6 months. We probably could have started a little sooner, maybe 4 to 5 months, but we wanted to wait until he was really sitting up great and had some bulk so he didn't slip through the restraint.
So I found out that breastfeeding/pumping can cause your vagina to become slightly inflamed and itchy. I thought I had an infection or something. What a waste of a dr appt. Why does no one tell us these things?!?
I don't know if it's related but it sounds like it could be..After I had my son, I had a second degree tear and it just would not heal properly. When I went to my 6 week check-up, the OB told me that I was super low on estrogen from breastfeeding and that was the reason my tear was not healing quickly. She gave me a prescription for a tube of literal estrogen to apply to the area and that shit healed up instantly.
The artist formerly known as Butters. July BMB June Signature
So I found out that breastfeeding/pumping can cause your vagina to become slightly inflamed and itchy. I thought I had an infection or something. What a waste of a dr appt. Why does no one tell us these things?!?
I don't know if it's related but it sounds like it could be..After I had my son, I had a second degree tear and it just would not heal properly. When I went to my 6 week check-up, the OB told me that I was super low on estrogen from breastfeeding and that was the reason my tear was not healing quickly. She gave me a prescription for a tube of literal estrogen to apply to the area and that shit healed up instantly.
Yes, it's the lack of estrogen! Wtf? Why does one of the most "womanly" things one can do cause you to be less womanly? Lol
For the STM, when did you get/ start using a high chair?
I had a reclining Space Saver one that was on a counter level stool...and it reclined, so I started at 4mo. But that was just to put her up high, while I did stuff in the kitchen, not for eating. She started using it for eating at about 6mo. I got rid of it due to space, so I have to get a new one for this kid and wont be getting one until about 6mo.
Two random questions: 1. We got a baby swing at my baby shower and I didn't know where it was most likely to be used so I just put it in the living room for now. Anyone have suggestions on where a swing is most useful? I don't really even know what situation calls specifically for a swing. It's super cute and I know we used them a lot when I worked in a church nursery and there weren't enough arms to hold all the babies, but that's the extent of my experience.
@weville we never had a formal high chair. First she was in the RNP while we ate, then the bumbo, then maybe 4ish months she went into the fisher price chair attached to a dining chair where she's been ever since (now almost 4 years old)
@WevilleDS started around 4 months when he was mostly able to sit up. That's when I first tried rice cereal, too. He was a super early crawler (5.5 months) and physically was stable enough. A lot of babies are better off waiting another month or two.
That being said, part of the reason I loved the highchair was because I was a working, single mom and when I was getting ready in the morning, cooking dinner, or cleaning, he liked to be around me. I felt bad leaving him stationary in another room, so I plopped him in the highchair with things to play with and dragged him around the house. Our highchair had wheels and my house had hardwood floors, so it was easy that way.
Thanks guys! We haven't bought one yet and I figured I'd wait for a great sale/ we needed it but it occurred to me I'm not 100% sure when that would be. I had been thinking about one that strapped onto our chairs because we live in an apartment and minimizing some of his furniture seems like a good idea
I'm a FTM, 32+5. Is there any reason to be concerned that I've had no signs of my colostrum coming in at this point?
Nope, not a big deal. I never got a drop until the week baby was due. Some never do until after baby is born.
A friend of mine is a NP and a lactation consultant says the big warning signs is if your breast has not changed at all during pregnancy, either size, shape, wright, color (breast or nipples).
I'm a FTM, 32+5. Is there any reason to be concerned that I've had no signs of my colostrum coming in at this point?
Nope, not a big deal. I never got a drop until the week baby was due. Some never do until after baby is born.
A friend of mine is a NP and a lactation consultant says the big warning signs is if your breast has not changed at all during pregnancy, either size, shape, wright, color (breast or nipples).
they've definitely gotten bigger and the nipples have changed pretty significantly in terms of color and size. Most of that happened during the second tri though, no changes recently which is why I started to wonder. Thanks for the reply! I'll wait and if everything stays the same I'll mention it to the doc later.
Does the cold cabbage leaves on the breasts actually help ease pain when your milk comes in? I don't plan on breastfeeding so I know the pain might get to me a bit, just wondering has this actually worked for anyone or is it another old wives tale?
@LF93 I keep hearing the cold cabbage leaves are for lowering/drying up your supply and actually work very well for that. Never done it so correct me if I am wrong BTDT mamas.
Does the cold cabbage leaves on the breasts actually help ease pain when your milk comes in? I don't plan on breastfeeding so I know the pain might get to me a bit, just wondering has this actually worked for anyone or is it another old wives tale?
i've never tried them but they are supposed to reduce engorgement.
Okay now that things are on the horizon- STMs what did you wear while actively in labor? Did you keep the hospital gown on? A sports bra and nothing else? What should I expect? I somehow managed to screw up how to put on a hospital gown this week so clearly I need some help.
@theshannondee not a STM but I'm planning on wearing a loose stretchy cotton skirt and a nursing bra (my sports bras don't fit right now haha) and maybe a tank top. I despise hospital gowns with a passion. They are itchy and make me feel like a sick person. I'm also bringing a light weight robe.
@theshannondee Not a STM either but at my ante natal classes the midwife recommended an old t shirt that you can throw away after. She said a lot of new mothers brought in a special gown or nightdress and that 90% of them never wore it and opted for a hospital gown instead because when baby arrives and you feel a bit better you're just going to want to take it off and shower. I myself am going to wear a very loose cotton t shirt, something that is very airy because the hospital will be very warm!
Okay now that things are on the horizon- STMs what did you wear while actively in labor? Did you keep the hospital gown on? A sports bra and nothing else? What should I expect? I somehow managed to screw up how to put on a hospital gown this week so clearly I need some help.
I actually didn't think about it..they handed me a gown and I was told to take everything else off.
The artist formerly known as Butters. July BMB June Signature
@theshannondee What @stellaluna14 said. My birth center doesn't give out gowns so had to think about it. Doula recommended loose, flowy black skirt with a sports bra, a light robe for afterwards, and a tank and old jogging pants and LARGE underwear to head home. I'm bringing a pretty, silk robe for photos, but assuming all of these things may or may not need to be burned after the fact...
@theshannondee The nurse at my hospital recommended just wearing their gown during L&D as you will probably get gross. I'm bringing soft and flowy black pants, a nursing tank, and a lightweight black robe to put on after I've showered and stuff so I feel a little more like myself when visitors come. But I really don't want to be bringing home gross laundry so I'm planning on using hospital stuff for most of the messy parts of birth.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@theshannondee, FTM so take that into account... I'm planning on a hospital gown or 2 (one front way and one backwards for walking the halls) for labor and delivery. I do plan to bring a bathing suit top to put on when laboring in the tub. I'm still undecided about clothes for after and going home, but probably hospital gowns at least initially just so I don't stain my own stuff. I will say that almost everyone (family and friends) have told me they ended up naked or nearly naked by the time delivery came around and didn't care one bit. It's hard to imagine that, but it seems pretty common.
I'm a FTM, 32+5. Is there any reason to be concerned that I've had no signs of my colostrum coming in at this point?
Nope. I didn't have anything previous to DD's birth and had a crazy supply after her birth. I currently don't have any with this one either, and I am not worried about it.
Re: Ask a BTDT mom questions about birth/recovery/breastfeeding
If it is something that will bring you a little bit of comfort, I don't think that it is silly. I know grown women who have taken their baby blankets (which were THEIR baby blankets....not their baby's baby blanket), for comfort. I brought my own pillow because I knew I wouldn't like the hospital ones, but I didn't bring a blanket. However, I was there for five days, and there were some nights that my room was a little chilly (I was cold but my husband wasnt) and I asked for another blanket.
My baby already seems to be on its own schedule...certain times of the day it's really active and certain times quiet often at the same time each day (which is normal I'm sure!) Did any STMs notice that their baby kept to that wake/sleep pattern after birth at all?
1. We got a baby swing at my baby shower and I didn't know where it was most likely to be used so I just put it in the living room for now. Anyone have suggestions on where a swing is most useful? I don't really even know what situation calls specifically for a swing. It's super cute and I know we used them a lot when I worked in a church nursery and there weren't enough arms to hold all the babies, but that's the extent of my experience.
2. I have heard anecdotes about pineapple juice being a must have for breastfeeding as it supposedly helps prevent mastisis and engorgement...any experience with this? People even recommend packing it for the hospital! I'm not sure how seriously to take this recommendation..
ETA question 3: I've been reading through birth announcements from other BMBs and several mentioned that their water didn't burst but just leaked for awhile. How do you know if it's your water leaking and not just watery discharge? Is that just one of those 'you'll know it when you see it' sort of things?
1) we kept moving to swing to be near us.
2) no idea. This is new to me about pineapple and BF. I can look it up if you want.
3) this is what we told our patients. If you think you water has broken but aren't sure. Lay down with a pad for 30 minutes. Gravity will prevent the majority of it from leaking, and it will pool in your vagina (unless you have a ton). Then stand up, if your pad is very wet, or its running down your leg, then it is most likely your water. It is usually a constant dripple.
1. We always had the swing in the living room because I could see it from the living room, dining room, and kitchen.
2. Never heard of this pineapple thing.
3. Along with what @BecauseBabyIamAPug mentioned, I had a few friends that had a slow leak, and as soon as they laid down, it gushed out. It was like the baby's head was like a cork and keeping it from all coming out, but as soon as they laid down, the baby shifted and tons poured out. So you may not even have to wait 30min or so for it to pool in your vag, it may come out as soon as you lay flat.
July BMB June Signature
July BMB June Signature
@WevilleDS started around 4 months when he was mostly able to sit up. That's when I first tried rice cereal, too. He was a super early crawler (5.5 months) and physically was stable enough. A lot of babies are better off waiting another month or two.
That being said, part of the reason I loved the highchair was because I was a working, single mom and when I was getting ready in the morning, cooking dinner, or cleaning, he liked to be around me. I felt bad leaving him stationary in another room, so I plopped him in the highchair with things to play with and dragged him around the house. Our highchair had wheels and my house had hardwood floors, so it was easy that way.
Married: October 2014
TTC #1 since September 2015
Some never do until after baby is born.
A friend of mine is a NP and a lactation consultant says the big warning signs is if your breast has not changed at all during pregnancy, either size, shape, wright, color (breast or nipples).
they've definitely gotten bigger and the nipples have changed pretty significantly in terms of color and size. Most of that happened during the second tri though, no changes recently which is why I started to wonder. Thanks for the reply! I'll wait and if everything stays the same I'll mention it to the doc later.
Married: October 2014
TTC #1 since September 2015
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DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
KellyMom lists it as a tip for treating engorgement here: https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/engorgement/
July BMB June Signature
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DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
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DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
July BMB June Signature
Married: October 2014
TTC #1 since September 2015
Depending on how things go down... I think I'm gonna wear a nursing bra and the hospital gown bc I'll prolly just wanna throw that thing out...