FTM questions

Kgridley27 · April 2017

We can discuss the ins and outs of how to do this mom thing here. It should be a neat little place for all of our questions. Ally, you're our STM+ and we expect ANSWERS

mothernorth · April 2017

Okay, but I have a question first!

So this is absolutely abnormal to my experience, but Johnny is really uninterested in eating solid food, and it just makes him frustrated and fussy =/
I don't know what to do to make this easier- I know "just keep trying", but he never gets any less irritable.
One would think because he's mobile and using more energy that he would take to food quickly just out of hunger, but instead he just once more formula. I've already intoduced solids, but I want a "do over", how did you go about starting solids?

Kgridley27 · April 2017

@AllyTheKid does he freak out at the spoon or just anything going into his mouth? (besides a bottle)

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

We noticed that S was very interested in our food and would reach for it. The first time, we put her in her sit me up chair and put a little bit of oatmeal on a spoon. First we put it on her lip and she just looked at us like we were crazy. Then H was able to get some in her mouth and she just took off from there. Now she tries to take the spoon from us but she'll shove it all the way down her throat so we control it all the time. I think she actually just likes the act of eating even if it's a food she doesn't care for. Right now she's wanting to copy us in a lot of things. I gave her a sippy cup for the first time today and she automatically knew to "drink" it. She's super attentive.

fitlady21 · April 2017

For those that are nursing and pumping.. how are you rotating the frozen milk? I have frozen milk in the freezer dated for December still. I don't want it to go bad (which I would probably donate before it got to that point) but I also know fresh milk is the best for LO. Should I just give fresh milk and keep the frozen as an emergency stash (donating as I go)? Or should I use one frozen bag a day? I pump 8-10 ounces more than she eats every day so the freezer is getting overly full.

Kgridley27 · April 2017

B has been sleeping in his own room since night one. He never really made any habit of having trouble putting himself to sleep if he was drowsy. Now, suddenly, he cannot stand the idea of being alone. I am at a total loss for what to do. If he wakes himself up now and we go in to give him a shoosh or help flip him over, he is so intent on us being there. He screams when we try to leave. He now grabs onto your arm whenever you reach into the crib. Has anybody gone through this? My chill baby is suddenly a Velcro baby and I'm terrified!

fitlady21 · April 2017

My LO is also going through a very clingy phase.. I'm chalking it up to just that, a phase. Surely it will pass haha

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

fitlady21 said:

For those that are nursing and pumping.. how are you rotating the frozen milk? I have frozen milk in the freezer dated for December still. I don't want it to go bad (which I would probably donate before it got to that point) but I also know fresh milk is the best for LO. Should I just give fresh milk and keep the frozen as an emergency stash (donating as I go)? Or should I use one frozen bag a day? I pump 8-10 ounces more than she eats every day so the freezer is getting overly full.

I would give her some from the frozen stash here and there so it doesn't go to waste. My stash took a hit with her going through a growth spurt when she was eating 20 oz a day and then when my period tanked my supply. Now she's been eating much less during the day so I've been able to start freezing some. I rarely BF in public so I use the frozen ones when we are going to be out for awhile.

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

I believe during this time the LOs can be going through some separation anxiety with learning that we can leave them. My child seems to have known this from day one though lol. I do think it will pass eventually. Especially when they become more mobile and are more interested in getting into things.

deecee9580 · April 2017

Hi everyone, first off - sorry if this isn't the right place to post this (i'm new here)

my babe is waking up in the middle of the night - she's been sleeping thru the night since she's 6 weeks! of course a lot is happening with growing and teething etc BUT last night when trying to sooth her, I changed her diaper and her legs were sooooo cold. I felt so bad. she had a onesie on with a long sleeve shirt and pants over it. I was half asleep so I didnt look for the wearable blanket I have (somewhere buried in a closet) - i'll look tonight.. anywho i'm babbling -anyone have a similar situation? we don't control the heat and had all the windows closed. she's also teething but i don't think that was the issue because usually she will chew anything in site and she wasn't doing that.. she also seemed happy when I changed her! thanks everyone..

Kgridley27 · April 2017

@deecee9580 I was told by hospital staff not to judge a baby's body temperature based on the extremities (legs, hands etc) but to touch baby's chest to gauge how comfortable baby is re temperature. That being said, if you're concerned about her being too cold and it waking her, a wearable blanket should do the trick. We use one most nights and he's able to freely roll and spin about without the danger of smothering himself in a blanket. Hope this helps.

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

It definitely won't hurt to use a wearable blanket if you think she is too cold. At this point, the LOs could be waking up for many reasons. S used to sleep through the night all the way until 4 months and I still don't know for sure why she wakes up twice now. She nurses both times, but she really might not need to. Their little brains are going through so many changes that they can go from not waking at all to waking every hour or so. Hopefully one day they will sleep again

.

fitlady21 · April 2017

Mines been waking up twice too. Ugh wish it was just once!

How much is too much concerning solids? I've been feeding her breakfast and dinner. Each time I feed until she lets me know she is full which she always does.. but! Sometimes it's like 4 ice cubes of food (I make her food) plus whatever meat we have (maybe 1 tablespoon) and a pouch of applesauce! Is that too much?

brzvice · April 2017

@fitlady21 that sounds close to how much V is eating a day. I was wondering the same thing luckily her 6 month check up is today. I will be asking the pediatrician and will report back

fitlady21 · April 2017

My pediatrician said only 1-3 tablespoons in a sitting and if she eats more than that, add a meal. So I added breakfast but she is still eating that much at dinner! I guess I could add lunch but for convenience reasons, breakfast and dinner work best right now.

Kgridley27 · April 2017

@fitlady21 my LO eats a similar amount and his dietician is happy with his growth and vitals. I wouldn't be too concerned, but if you are I'm sure your pedi could put your mind to rest. I know a mom who does just a big breakfast (fruit+oatmeal) and a big dinner (veggie+rice cereal) with only BM in between. Her LO is growing like a champ. At this stage I think our LOs are fairly good at regulating how much they want to eat, and as long as she's still drinking enough BM/formula, you're probably just fine.

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

S has her 6 month appt Friday and I plan to ask some questions around solids also. We just use the Ferber baby purées and I normally split one container between 2 meals but now I'm wondering if it's not enough based on everyone's comments. She still does want more when is gone. I know she's not hungry though because I nurse her prior to.
@fitlady21 Yes! I think I could deal with just once. We moved S to her room the other night and now after I nurse her, I'm having a hard time falling back to sleep. So I've been even extra tired the past couple days.

mothernorth · April 2017

@ladybug2821 I just split one container between meals as well. The rule I was told is, before 12 months, solid foods are supplemental ONLY and the majority of nutrients should still coming from BM/Formula, so as long as they are still taking their bottles or nursing regularly, do yo thang.

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

@allythekid I was just hoping maybe if she gets more solids, she'll stop waking up in the MOTN

. But yes, I have always heard food before 1 is for fun.

fitlady21 · April 2017

@Ladybug2821 Haha I was hoping for the same thing! Seems to have the opposite effect here

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

@fitlady21 Well there goes that idea lol.

She really does love food though so I probably will start giving her a little more. She is already at a stage where she wants to do everything we do.

fitlady21 · April 2017

Oh mine too! She even has to drink from my glass if I take a sip haha

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

Yes! I can't believe that at almost 6 months all that is possible. We'll put a drink to our mouth and she's reaching out for the cup. I gave her a sippy cup the other day and she knew exactly what to do. Now if only she would copy us sleeping

.

mothernorth · April 2017

Tip for solid food sleep attempts: Try pureed Turkey, or other poultry. No fruits or veggies that contain glucose so the LOs don't get a sugar kick. Turkey makes people sleeping, and maybe adding some before or after evening nursing/bottle will get those bellies nice and full and assist the sandman in putting the babes down and keeping them down

brzvice · April 2017

Welp we are back from V's checkup and basically i heard from pedi (in more words) that she put it as Ally put it - as long as they are taking bottles or nursing regularly do yo thang! @AllyTheKid showing us FTM's what's up! Love ya girl! So V is going to be super geeked that I can give her more if she wants more. No more crying when all her pears are gone.

Kgridley27 · April 2017

@brzvice thank god...get that girl some pears!

mothernorth · April 2017

I'm finally getting little man to accept solids without protesting or trying to swallow the spoon!
Now if I could just get him to sit up unassisted... He'll crawl, but he won't sit up, what gives kid?

Kgridley27 · April 2017

'Cause slouching is the best!

mothernorth · April 2017

Oh my gosh, if I don't hold onto him, he'll double over onto his big ol' bean head everytime...
It's like he's constantly playing the trust game, and guilting me into not letting him fall.

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

Are we able to give them those puffs things at this age? Also, I'm assuming at this point MOTN feedings really aren't necessary. I'm going to ask the pedi Friday but does anyone have any advice on how to cut them out? I'm thinking cold turkey and crying will be involved.

mothernorth · April 2017

@ladybug2821 Has she mastered chewing, swallowing, and keeping food in her mouth? If not, I wouldn't recommend puffs yet. They dissolve easy if they stay inside the mouth, but get really pasty if they get spit out, and dry hard like cement =/ I have a love/hate relationship with those things.

Kgridley27 · April 2017

@Ladybug2821 we tried the puffs even though it says crawling and he's not crawling yet. He actually cried real tears when one went into his mouth. He does love those teething wafers, though, which make a big mess, and bread crusts, which aren't as bad mess-wise

mothernorth · April 2017

@kgridley27 what are these teething wafers you speak of?

fitlady21 · April 2017

@AllyTheKid She's probably talking about mum mums. You can find them by the baby food. Lots of kids love them!

Kgridley27 · April 2017

Yeah, there's a bunch of different types. We got plum organics pumpkin & banana wafers. It's three ~1"x3" wafers in each little package and 6 packages in the box. I think it was like $4 or $5 where I live. He really does love them though and I figure it's teaching him how to bring food to his mouth and chew so it isn't the worst thing. The dogs love to clean up after, too

brzvice · April 2017

@Ladybug2821 I successfully cut out MOTN feed awhile back by not picking her up when she startled herself awake and using soothing techniques like singing, humming, hand on chest, and stroking her face/cheeks. She did cry for 4-5 minutes when I started using the technique but then the crying went to 3-4 minutes, then 2-3 minutes etc. Now she startles herself once a night or so and is back to sleep in 30 seconds.

As far as if they need the calories of the MOTN feed I believe it depends on if Pedi is happy with baby's growth? Be sure to ask Friday and report back, I'm curious on that as well.

mothernorth · April 2017

My kids' pedi also offered advice on MOTN feedings back in the day: She said if baby is getting around twice their body weight in BM/Formula during daytime hours (i.e. 13lb LO = 26oz BM/Formula) then a MOTN feeding isn't necessary to sustain growth

Hope that helps!

Also, that looks like a legitimate equation

fitlady21 · April 2017

My ped also said my LO doesn't need the MOTN feedings and that I can cut that habit. I'm just not ready to make her cry it out in the middle of the night though!

Ladybug2821 · April 2017

I'm not sure how much she is getting total since I nurse for some of her feedings. She's been taking 15-20 oz while I'm at work and then I nurse her before bedtime. Some mornings I nurse before work but that doesn't always happen. I still don't think she needs the MOTN feedings and that she is waking out of habit. I will be doing cry it out eventually. I think I'm going to start with bedtime first, then MOTN.

For the moms who LOs are going to sleep on their own, are you rocking them into a drowsy state and then laying them down or do you just put them in their crib (or place of sleep) when its bedtime after your routine?

Kgridley27 · April 2017

B gets rocked while he is fed his nighttime bottle with only a crack of light coming through the doorway and the white noise machine on. He is quite good at letting us know when he's done eating and ready to sleep (turns his head in, pinches his lips closed). We will then lay him down in his crib, "plug him," as we say, he rolls onto his side and falls asleep shortly after. I honestly don't think we played any role in it. I'm not taking credit.

mothernorth · April 2017

I just lay him down at bedtime, no rocking or anything, and shut off the light. He never really gives me any static, so I think he knows it is night night time once the lights go out.

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