I have had a couple bouts of crying for no reason, but they don't last. Crying over tv shows is pretty new to me too. I'm not much of a crier. The chills actually scared me a lot, until I realized I didn't have a fever. I'm guessing my body is trying to figure out what's going on now that baby is out. But its sttange its always at night for us both @entropically I'd almost forgotten what it was like to be cold! But now I notices too that my appetite is much less than it was the first few days after having him. I try to eat, but I forget often, only remembering because i get the shakes. and nothing ever sounds good. That happened with my first two kids, but since I'm nursing and it's going well, I'm afraid losing my appetite will affect my supply. A pp mental check in sounds like a great idea @AliKay20.
@Stephanie7693 I've definitely had a lot of hormones and crying. A lot of panic about going back to work and all sorts of things! It's so many feelings and so exhausting lol.
I am breastfeeding this time and exhausted! Much shorter periods before next feed lol but loving it!
DD still adjusting to new baby but has become much more interested. She is having some tantrums though. I assume testing the boundaries to see if they've changed.
@jacmkelley my son is testing us too. He's 6. He's in summer school for now, so that's helping, but he's constantly tired because he has to get up early again. I'm just waiting for real school in the fall. Hopefully by then I can get everyone, even baby, on a schedule. Schedules make for happy kids. And yes, this is my first being exclusively nursed, and boy is it never ending sometimes! I feel like I can't finish anything I start between the feedings, poop, and general fussiness. Levi started eating every hour in the afternoon, so that's been fun too. Oh the joys! Lol but I'm still soaking up every moment of it... we aren't doing this again!
@Stephanie7693 exactly this has happened to me both times after be having babies. My mom calls it milk fever? Idk if that's a thing but I get it every time.
@Stephanie7693 exactly this has happened to me both times after be having babies. My mom calls it milk fever? Idk if that's a thing but I get it every time.
I'm glad I'm not alone. I've never experienced that before, and it freaked me out a little, especially the first time. I hope it passes soon!
I'm fine so far with the hormones but I know they will go crazy in the next few days. I'm a little scared. DH and I had some crazy fights last time. This time I told him when i get crazy he should just come over, hug me and say he loves me. He shouldn't try to argue with my postpartum hormones haha
@sbelle474 My son needed swaddling to sleep better, if not he would wake himself up wiggling his arms around. I started with just the swaddling blankets and then went to the swaddling sacks which are much faster. I'm already prepped for LO with the sacks and blankets in case she needs the same thing.
I have had a couple crying episodes as well. This is why I love this tread and this whole community. Knowing that other people have been having the same thing is very comforting.
34 Mother of 4 year old and 2 Labs. Happily Married to my Hubs of 6 years.
I cried for about 2 hours yesterday. Mainly because I was exhausted and couldn't fall asleep and I had the chance to sleep 3 hours. I've noticed I tend to cry mainly when I don't get enough sleep, I told SO if I start crying for no reason I need about 3 hours of sleep and I'll be ok.
And yes yes to the swaddle me Velcro sacks. I just had my mom pick up another pack. We use them at night and keep their arms out and swaddle the lower half.
I too had my random cry today to DH. Mom left this past wknd and this week is the last week DH & I will be staying at home together during our leave. He's going back next week and taking the rest of his leave after I go back to work which isn't for another couple of weeks.
At this point, I told DH I just would like some damn consistency in our lives. This period of transition feels so long yet baby's growing so fast. What a feeling to have. Time is going by so slowly yet so quickly at the same time. Oxymoron to the max.
Apparently I missed a memo. With my discharge instructions they just told me I can't lift anything over 10lb until cleared at 6 weeks by my ob. I held my toddler several times in the last 48 hours!
ugh. The first thing he said after hearing I gave birth was "you can hold me now, mommy?" How do I tell him no for 6 more weeks?!?!
Hey guys so I was wondering if any of you mamas are using an app to track breastfeeding/pumping/diaper changes? My sister recommended Baby Connect, I've looked at My Medela .. just seeing if y'all have any recommendations!!
@Curls919 I don't think I'll be able to follow that rule either. When I was on modified bed rest, I tried to carry him less, but there was no way I couldn't hold him at all... Especially with all of the changes going on already!
Hey guys so I was wondering if any of you mamas are using an app to track breastfeeding/pumping/diaper changes? My sister recommended Baby Connect, I've looked at My Medela .. just seeing if y'all have any recommendations!!
I'm using iBabyLog. I used it with DS1 and like it. I used it to track sleep for him for a long time. Now I'm using it to track nursing for the baby and I'll probably add in diapers once we're home until he's gained enough weight.
@Curls919 that makes me really sad to think I won't be able to hold DD for 6 weeks. I don't think I'm gonna be able to follow that either but I'll have to go a few weeks I know because of the section. I'm gonna have to get DD a step stool that way she can reach things and I'll only have to help her instead of lifting her completely.
I am am so unprepared for these post partum hormones, I am really dreading it. I'm also unprepared for the post partum body. I really struggled with my body image after having DD because for some reason I just thought I would go back to normal and instead had this weird deflated belly.
Im so conflicted, ready to have the baby and yet thankful for these last week we have.
@Lynnlove28 if this serves as any consolation to you (& I hope it does), know that you have a whole community of us who will be supporting you during and even after transition.
As a FTM, I wish more women around me had talked about the emotional roller coaster after giving birth (I mean, to each their own but this part of being a mom isn't really exposed). I felt so alone and strange when I first felt the wave!
I'm so frustrated with my postpartum body. I lost the weight quickly, but I'm more than two months postpartum and my belly looks like jelly. I tried a pencil skirt on the other day and I had a front butt. With DS1 it took me longer to lose the weight, but once it was gone my body looked mostly normal. I guess I am older now.
@AliKay20 My mom has always said the first two weeks postpartum are harder than the whole pregnancy. It's absolutely draining on your body and mind. No one really does talk about it, its definitely a lonely feeling sometimes
I am going to admit something here that I am not proud of, but I guess I just need some help. First off, yes, these first two weeks post-partum have thus far been the most draining weeks of my life. DH and I, despite being in good spirits for the most part, are exhausted.
Baby E cries a lot at night (okay pretty much all night), despite constant feedings, diaper changes, walks around the house, white noise, dim lighting, low voices, and tight swaddling. The only time that I can get him to sleep is when I lay him on my chest.
For the first few nights, I adapted to this by watching movies on my phone with headphones in and then trying to nap throughout the day. But the past two nights, the exhaustion has caught up to me and I have fallen asleep with him on my chest.
It is a terrible feeling. I feel so guilty that I might be putting his life in danger, but it feels out of my control. I don't know what else to do. I'm scared to admit it to our pediatrician for fear of scolding and shaming. Everytime I wake up I thank God that the baby is still alive.
I am trying to read 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' during the day when I am not napping and doing chores, but I haven't finished it. I heard that it addresses this problem.
Has anyone else experienced this with a newborn? Every night I say it won't happen again, and then it does. I'm scared, I feel guilty and ashamed, and, perhaps worst of all, I feel so grateful to get even a little bit of sleep.
Don't beat yourself up about it. I know easier said than done. It happened to me all the time with my DD. I don't have any concrete advice or anything, but you just have to survive through those first few weeks. Thinking of you.
@entropicallyfavored Tryto get the happiest baby dvd if you can - I found it at the library for free. It is only half an hour long and goes over everything in the book plus seeing the moves in action is extremely helpful.
I am going to admit something here that I am not proud of, but I guess I just need some help. First off, yes, these first two weeks post-partum have thus far been the most draining weeks of my life. DH and I, despite being in good spirits for the most part, are exhausted.
Baby E cries a lot at night (okay pretty much all night), despite constant feedings, diaper changes, walks around the house, white noise, dim lighting, low voices, and tight swaddling. The only time that I can get him to sleep is when I lay him on my chest.
For the first few nights, I adapted to this by watching movies on my phone with headphones in and then trying to nap throughout the day. But the past two nights, the exhaustion has caught up to me and I have fallen asleep with him on my chest.
It is a terrible feeling. I feel so guilty that I might be putting his life in danger, but it feels out of my control. I don't know what else to do. I'm scared to admit it to our pediatrician for fear of scolding and shaming. Everytime I wake up I thank God that the baby is still alive.
I am trying to read 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' during the day when I am not napping and doing chores, but I haven't finished it. I heard that it addresses this problem.
Has anyone else experienced this with a newborn? Every night I say it won't happen again, and then it does. I'm scared, I feel guilty and ashamed, and, perhaps worst of all, I feel so grateful to get even a little bit of sleep.
I've done it this time around too. I was admitted back in the hospital last week on Friday night for a high fever. They thought I might have an infection and the ER Doctor told me I might be too sick to feed my baby. It was time to eat, I didn't want him in the ER and so I sent him home with my MIL and told her to feed him some formula feeling I had no other choice. Long story short the ER dr completely overreacted but kept me over night and said I may have a UTI but that my dr would be to the hospital the next morning and talk to me. She said the fever was from breast engorgement and she's seen it before. My boobs were huge and leaking so it made sense. But she didn't come until the next day and they put us in L&D unit to sleep where we had been earlier that week with the baby. I was able to bring the baby overnight but his tummy was so upset from the formula that he wouldn't let anyone else hold him but me. Literally only me. Wouldn't lay in the crib or go with DH. Would cry if I wasn't holding him. I think being away from me for hours plus the tummy issues from the formula freaked him out. I felt beyond exhausted from crying for hours in the ER over missing my kids, feeling guilt for not being with them after a new baby and all the change, I felt scared I was ill, I cried because I thought I wouldn't be able to breast feed. It was horrible and I was beyond drained. He fell asleep on my chest and one point I fell asleep too. It's scary but sometimes as a mom you make the call. Hang in there momma!
@entropicallyfavored don't be afraid to share this with your pediatrician. They may be able to give you tips and tricks to help with baby's sleep issues. This LO is going to be my 4th and it happened to me with all of my other kiddos. I was scared also and, like you, thanked God that baby was still breathing when I would wake up. This time, I bought a co-sleeper that goes right in my bed so hopefully that helps with sleeping issues. The description says that baby feels that you are near and that is supposed to help. We'll see. Don't beat yourself up!
@entropicallyfavored I'm sure there are many many women out there in the same boat! Any pediatrician who is going to go straight to scolding doesn't get it. As a FTM, I'm not in your position (yet), but I foresee it happening. We actually covered this in birthing class because it's very common. The best advice given was to enlist the help of DH, or other family members/friends, to help out as a watcher. It might be difficult to find a volunteer at night, but during the day if you need a nap and someone is available, you could see if they would mind just keeping an eye on you and LO while you take a snooze.
I hope things start looking up and the LO starts to settling down in the evenings for you!
@entropicallyfavored I've done that with all 3 of my kids. One time with ds1, I woke up and he had started to slide off my chest, thankfully his head was still, and the only part of him on my chest. So so scary. If you know you won't be able to stay awake with baby, just try to make your sleeping area as safe as possible. No blankets, no super squishy pillows, and lots of open space. I think babies are made to cosleep, but I try to avoid it too because it can be scary when they are so little. And definitely talk to your pediatrician about it. They should not scold you, if they do, find a new one. Remember, they have heard it all, and you will probably be the thousandth mom to bring up this issue to them. Good luck mama, I hope he starts to let you sleep a little soon!
@entropicallyfavored this happened to me so many times with DS1, it's definitely something that happens to most new moms! I would look at different bassinet-type things you can have baby sleep in. I went to babies r us in desperation after the 3rd night home and bought a rock n play. It was a total lifesaver because I could have it right next to my side of the bed, rock him, and it was on an angle, which helped tremendously. Something you can put in your bed, like a co-sleeper, might be another good option. Don't beat yourself up, you are an exhausted new mom, we all go against "the book" sometimes, and any good pediatrician will understand this.
Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement. We're going to the pediatrician tomorrow and I will definitely tell her about it.
We also have a leftover gift card to Babies R Us, so I might try to swing by there today to see what kind of options they have for co-sleepers or bassinets.
Thank you all for being so kind and helpful--I was falling apart last night and this morning and I appreciate the help so much.
Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement. We're going to the pediatrician tomorrow and I will definitely tell her about it.
We also have a leftover gift card to Babies R Us, so I might try to swing by there today to see what kind of options they have for co-sleepers or bassinets.
Thank you all for being so kind and helpful--I was falling apart last night and this morning and I appreciate the help so much.
We are going to buy a co sleeper too and I'm a STM I didn't think I'd need one this time around but nursing changes the game up a bit for me.
Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement. We're going to the pediatrician tomorrow and I will definitely tell her about it.
We also have a leftover gift card to Babies R Us, so I might try to swing by there today to see what kind of options they have for co-sleepers or bassinets.
Thank you all for being so kind and helpful--I was falling apart last night and this morning and I appreciate the help so much.
Prayers for some rest for you soon. Also, you might look online at BRUs and see what they have in stock before you go, and reserve it to save some physical energy at the store!
I've found levi will sleep great in his bassinet in a swaddleme or a sleep sack. The first 5 days or so he wouldn't sleep good in there. Don't know if it was getting used to life or if he was just cold or uncomfortable, or gassy/constipated, but swaddling didn't work, and he only slept good with me. The last few nights he slept without much fuss in his swaddles. Maybe try a few different kinds of swaddlers, and see if he eventually takes to them. He's adjusting to his new life too, so just because it didn't work last week doesn't mean it won't work tomorrow.
@entropicallyfavored we had the same issue the first few nights and ended up buying a rock and play as well. So far so good, although today he has been fussy all day so I'm preparing myself for a long night. Good luck!
I agree with so much that has been said by others. We co-sleep and try to do it safely, but those first few weeks there were definitely times when DD fell asleep on me and on DH. At the time, our hospital actually encouraged it, but I think policy has changed since then. The rock and play was a lifesaver for us after a few weeks at home. We tried to do a pack and play in the room, but that was just too big for baby. This time we will use that and probably invest in a co-sleeper that goes in between us in bed.
Just attended our first breastfeeding group class. Little A was the smallest bubba in the class and everyone kept saying how tiny she was! I didn't realize until coming here and meeting a group of moms with their 4-weekers and babies at different weeks because compared to when we brought her home, she looks so big to us at just over 7 lbs!
Anyway, we learned baby A may have latch issues so we are going to see a LC soon. I asked if it was normal to see my nipples at a certain angle or pinched and the instructor said no. Good thing I learned that now - no wonder my girls felt a bit raw! This mom also shared that if we flip baby's upper lip and lower lip, it helps baby to latch on properly. I'll have to try this...apparently preemie's have a bit of a learning curve.
I know going to these places as FTM's can be a bit scary but they were so inviting! Moms who are regulars at these mtgs told me going out for coffee after class is also good as we form our groups. I definitely wanted to but DH came along and he felt out of place going (I so appreciate him coming with - apparently there's a group for dads and breastfeeding that he may be interested in going).
This is all so new to me but I'm glad I went outside my comfort zone and even breastfed little A in class, boobs out and open and all! It was just even comforting to be sitting in a room full of moms (& very few dads) with their babies and listening to their concerns and advice on not just breastfeeding but even sleep patterns.
I was getting too tired to even be alert to participate on TB here lately (thank goodness Fran is still keeping up with these snowflakes). After I feed baby A at 6 AM, I am knocked out until 11 AM. I shower and eat lunch then it's already 1 PM or so. Nurse baby then do minimal errands and it's already dinner time. Nurse baby again. Repeat. Exhaustion bound to set in over time! Hope my coffee dates with these moms go well and not as awkwardly as I imagine it to be right now
Also, major envy right here learning some moms pump out 8-11 oz per pump session. I thought my eyes were going to fall out when I heard this.
Oh and some babies at like 4 mths of age are sleeping from 10 PM to 6 AM. There IS light at the end of the tunnel. Just a few more months, baby A...FX.
@AliKay20 have you tried nipple shields? They gave them to me in the hospital and I swear it's the o ly reason we are doing so well with bf. I highly suggest trying them if you haven't. It's hard for them to latch wrong with them. Though sometimes I do have to get Levis upper lip flipped for him. Usually just if he's too fussy to latch... which is every morning when he's so hungry he doesn't want to work for his milk lol
@Stephanie7693 yeah! We bought one but Avery wouldn't take it so I stopped using it!! I figured it would be easier on her but I guess not...
Make sure you get the right size for you and her. I know Levi takes one better than the other, but he learned. I need a different size for each nipple. And it might take getting used to... if you're struggling with nursing. As great as they are, I do hope Levi doesn't need them too much longer, just bc they can be a nuisance with having to bring them everywhere and wash after every use.
Re: All Things Postpartum!
A pp mental check in sounds like a great idea @AliKay20.
I am breastfeeding this time and exhausted! Much shorter periods before next feed lol but loving it!
DD still adjusting to new baby but has become much more interested. She is having some tantrums though. I assume testing the boundaries to see if they've changed.
And yes, this is my first being exclusively nursed, and boy is it never ending sometimes! I feel like I can't finish anything I start between the feedings, poop, and general fussiness. Levi started eating every hour in the afternoon, so that's been fun too.
Oh the joys! Lol but I'm still soaking up every moment of it... we aren't doing this again!
And yes yes to the swaddle me Velcro sacks. I just had my mom pick up another pack. We use them at night and keep their arms out and swaddle the lower half.
At this point, I told DH I just would like some damn consistency in our lives. This period of transition feels so long yet baby's growing so fast. What a feeling to have. Time is going by so slowly yet so quickly at the same time. Oxymoron to the max.
ugh. The first thing he said after hearing I gave birth was "you can hold me now, mommy?" How do I tell him no for 6 more weeks?!?!
I am am so unprepared for these post partum hormones, I am really dreading it. I'm also unprepared for the post partum body. I really struggled with my body image after having DD because for some reason I just thought I would go back to normal and instead had this weird deflated belly.
Im so conflicted, ready to have the baby and yet thankful for these last week we have.
As a FTM, I wish more women around me had talked about the emotional roller coaster after giving birth (I mean, to each their own but this part of being a mom isn't really exposed). I felt so alone and strange when I first felt the wave!
BFP #2 8/22/12 | EDD 5/5/13 | DS1 born 5/9/13
BFP #3 4/25/15 | EDD 1/7/16 | MMC 7/2/15 @ 13w1d | D&E 7/8/15
BFP #4 12/9/15 | EDD 8/22/16 | DS2 born 5/18/16 at 26w2d
Just keep swimming.
Baby E cries a lot at night (okay pretty much all night), despite constant feedings, diaper changes, walks around the house, white noise, dim lighting, low voices, and tight swaddling. The only time that I can get him to sleep is when I lay him on my chest.
For the first few nights, I adapted to this by watching movies on my phone with headphones in and then trying to nap throughout the day. But the past two nights, the exhaustion has caught up to me and I have fallen asleep with him on my chest.
It is a terrible feeling. I feel so guilty that I might be putting his life in danger, but it feels out of my control. I don't know what else to do. I'm scared to admit it to our pediatrician for fear of scolding and shaming. Everytime I wake up I thank God that the baby is still alive.
I am trying to read 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' during the day when I am not napping and doing chores, but I haven't finished it. I heard that it addresses this problem.
Has anyone else experienced this with a newborn? Every night I say it won't happen again, and then it does. I'm scared, I feel guilty and ashamed, and, perhaps worst of all, I feel so grateful to get even a little bit of sleep.
Don't beat yourself up about it. I know easier said than done. It happened to me all the time with my DD. I don't have any concrete advice or anything, but you just have to survive through those first few weeks. Thinking of you.
I hope things start looking up and the LO starts to settling down in the evenings for you!
Good luck mama, I hope he starts to let you sleep a little soon!
We also have a leftover gift card to Babies R Us, so I might try to swing by there today to see what kind of options they have for co-sleepers or bassinets.
Thank you all for being so kind and helpful--I was falling apart last night and this morning and I appreciate the help so much.
Prayers for some rest for you soon. Also, you might look online at BRUs and see what they have in stock before you go, and reserve it to save some physical energy at the store!
Anyway, we learned baby A may have latch issues so we are going to see a LC soon. I asked if it was normal to see my nipples at a certain angle or pinched and the instructor said no. Good thing I learned that now - no wonder my girls felt a bit raw! This mom also shared that if we flip baby's upper lip and lower lip, it helps baby to latch on properly. I'll have to try this...apparently preemie's have a bit of a learning curve.
I know going to these places as FTM's can be a bit scary but they were so inviting! Moms who are regulars at these mtgs told me going out for coffee after class is also good as we form our groups. I definitely wanted to but DH came along and he felt out of place going (I so appreciate him coming with - apparently there's a group for dads and breastfeeding that he may be interested in going).
This is all so new to me but I'm glad I went outside my comfort zone and even breastfed little A in class, boobs out and open and all! It was just even comforting to be sitting in a room full of moms (& very few dads) with their babies and listening to their concerns and advice on not just breastfeeding but even sleep patterns.
I was getting too tired to even be alert to participate on TB here lately (thank goodness Fran is still keeping up with these snowflakes). After I feed baby A at 6 AM, I am knocked out until 11 AM. I shower and eat lunch then it's already 1 PM or so. Nurse baby then do minimal errands and it's already dinner time. Nurse baby again. Repeat. Exhaustion bound to set in over time! Hope my coffee dates with these moms go well and not as awkwardly as I imagine it to be right now
Oh and some babies at like 4 mths of age are sleeping from 10 PM to 6 AM. There IS light at the end of the tunnel. Just a few more months, baby A...FX.