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Post Partum support thread! - 10/26/2009 1:27:04 PM
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manda59
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Here's a new thread for post partum questions and discussions.
(There was an old one quite a way down, that was originally started in 2007, and the last post to it was in July this year, so I thought it would be ok to start a new one).
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"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/26/2009 5:27:59 PM
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sharonjef2007
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We are home! And, it is weird....LOL! Ray is out filling my prescriptions and getting some groceries. Oh, and dinner! And, Derrek and I are adjusting to being at home and not at the hospital.
I'm bummed, all his clothes are WAY too big...even the newborn stuff. I know he will grow into them, but it is just hard to make him seem comfortable. Maybe it is just a mom thing. He is sleeping right now in the portable bassinet and I REALLY need a nap. But, I need to pump some milk first.
Do you think it is worth getting a few premie outfits?
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/26/2009 6:19:11 PM
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northstar
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My ds was 5lbs 11oz when he was born, and everything SWAMPED him, so we ended up buying him some early baby sizes...I think they fitted him for about a month or 6 weeks, if I remember correctly, and then he was into the newborn stuff...
DD on the other hand, was just under 8lbs and was into the newborn clothes immediately, and out of them in a few weeks, and into the 0-3 months size.
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Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalm 122:6
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/26/2009 7:32:51 PM
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Krislynx
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I'd check weight limits and compare the lengths to Derrek if you can before buying. Most of the preemie stuff they sell around here only goes up to 6lbs. And some newborn stuff only goes up to 8lbs. So if you can find big preemie things or little newborn ones you'll probably be set. My nephew was only a bit over 7lbs when he was born and my SIL had the same problem - everything seemed too big for a couple of weeks. Josh was 8 and dropped almost 10 percent of his weight off the bat so even with him stuff was big for a few days. But by 2 weeks I using some 0-3 stuff. Just kind of learned what was cut big vs little and adjusted as we went along.
Kris
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/26/2009 7:37:36 PM
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manda59
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My two were 6lb 7oz and 6lb 13oz respectively. I had the same problem with clothes but made do with the newborn stuff for the first month till they got bigger.
In the UK, premature baby clothes only go up to about 6lb maximum, so I didn't really want to buy those and only have them in them for 5 mins. So I made do, putting them in stuff where I could roll the legs up if I needed to, or roll the cuffs up (though actually, having them with sleeves that were a little too long wasn't a bad thing as it stopped them scratching their face!)
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"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/26/2009 8:39:04 PM
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Krislynx
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I forgot to say before that I would probably only bother with one or two really small outfits. Like Manda said, they won't last long. But personally I would like something that fit well for some nice pics and maybe a special visit with Grandma. Other than that I'd just deal.
Kris
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 12:04:38 AM
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sharonjef2007
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He is a wiggle over 6lbs now. He is starting to gain some weight back, but it is slow going right now. At worst, he was down 11.7%. But, my milk came in earlier than expected. So, we just supplemented with the breast milk and did not have to go with formula.
I need advice on how to deal with the sleep deprivation. I am not doing very well with it and I feel like Ray just expects me to be back to normal now that we are home. I'm soooooooooo tired, but am not going to bother going to sleep right now since I'll be nursing again in just over an hour. Hopefully, Derrek will want to sleep after that feeding for a while. I'm already missing the hospital's nursery....LOL!
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 12:30:27 AM
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EmilyAnn
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James will be 1 month old tomorrow and is over 10 pounds and 22 inches long. Like David, he never fit into newborn anything. He is already getting too big for some of his 0-3 month clothes and is ready to move into size 2 diapers.
I am still not used to getting no sleep. James eats every 2 hours, almost to the minute. He takes about 30 minutes to eat. I am still up b/c I know he will wake up around 1:00 to eat so there is no point in trying to sleep until after that. David wakes up around 8:00, so when James wakes up for his 7 am feeding I will feed him for about 30 minutes, get a shower, and then David will be up. I am EXHAUSED!!
It is frustrating because David was only waking up once a night by 2 weeks old. I know every baby is different, but I was hoping to get another good sleeper.
Can you nap during the day? I try to rest from 1-3 when David takes his nap.
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Happily married to Chris since 8-5-2006 and mommy to David (6-13-2008) and James (9-27-2009.)
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 2:54:03 AM
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peculiar_lady2
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quote:
I need advice on how to deal with the sleep deprivation. I am not doing very well with it and I feel like Ray just expects me to be back to normal now that we are home. I'm soooooooooo tired, but am not going to bother going to sleep right now since I'll be nursing again in just over an hour. Hopefully, Derrek will want to sleep after that feeding for a while. I'm already missing the hospital's nursery....LOL!
1st, just because you are the mom doesn't mean you have to do everything. Even if you are nursing dad can take on some things when he is around.
2nd, even 30 minutes of sleep can help
3rd, letting baby nurse to sleep and sleep in my arms saves my sanity in the early days...I can doze while they do.
4th, you may have to tell Ray how it is...he doesn't have a clue and if you need help you need to let him know.
You need sleep...putting it off is only going to make it worse. Believe me...I got a total of 4 hours in the two days before I had Justice and the three days after I had him. You just have to focus on the basic necessities of life...food, water (esp important when nursing!!), baby, and sleep. In Justice's first 4 months, I never slept more then an hour at a time, and most 24 hour periods I would get maybe 2-3 hours total. I totally had a freak out break down in order for Paul to understand how exhausted I really was. (He has missed that stage with 3 out of 5 kids, so he really is clueless sometimes even though we are "experienced").
Just remember...basic necessities...food and water (cause you can't even deal with baby if you don't have your body taken care of), baby, and sleep (however you can get it and in whatever time allotments you can get it...every minute counts). Esp with you Sharon, he needs to step up...you have not only had a baby, you have also had major abdominal surgery...your body needs sleep to properly heal.
< Message edited by peculiar_lady2 -- 10/27/2009 3:00:39 AM >
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 9:46:28 AM
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Krislynx
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I definitely second holding baby while sleeping at least some of the time. As badly as I do not want another co-dependent napper (Josh still only naps with me), I'm not going to worry about that for the first few months. Sharon, are you still pumping? If so, is Derrek nursing well enough that you can stop for a while? That is a huge time eater right there. At least it can be. And don't be dumb like I was. When Josh was maybe 10 days old I was just totally wiped and sitting on the couch crying while holding him. Mark came over and tried to take him from me so I could go pee and lay down for half an hour and I started spouting some kind of nonsense about how I was the mommy and I should be able to do it etc. He finally just took him from me an insisted that I take care of myself for a few minutes. Try to save yourself time and steps whenever you can - set up diaper changing stations near where you spend your time, grab a couple of snacks for later when you pass through the kitchen, use disposable dishes etc. I know it is overwhelming, but you'll make it. Most important, take the sleep when and where you can get it, if you pass up too many 30-60 minute potential naps you'll lose a lot time in a day. Thinking of and praying for you both!
Kris
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 9:46:32 AM
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SweetLittleErin
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I wouldnt pay much attention to weights on sizes, like I said, Isaac was in preemies until he was almost 9lbs and they "said" like 6lbs or so. If you bought some stuff I wouldnt buy much, and stay away from things like sleepers, its usually the length that gets ya first.
Sleep deprivation, I'm not much help there. Just try to nap when baby naps, maybe co sleep some (at least during the day). And you dont have to do everything. Use those freezer meals, splurge and eat out, buy "cheater" dinner kits, its all about surviving, and this time will pass.
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A Glimpse Of Pink (My Blog)
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 11:44:10 AM
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sharonjef2007
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ok so last night turned out to be ok. Not sure why I thought Ray did not want to help out. Maybe it was the hormones.
I am still pumping until tomorrow when we see the doctor and get him weighed. But I do have lots of milk. So much in fact that Ray will have enough for at least one feeding so I can sleep through part of this afternoon.
Derrek is sleeping well right now though. I simply wonder since he was so awake last night if he has his days and nights mixed up?? If so, how do I deal with that?
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 12:27:19 PM
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Brandy
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Ditto to Erin.
I didn't pump at first so I just learned to deal with the sleep issue by sleeping EVERYTIME she did. You think you can push through and you really can only do that for so long.
Irritable and cranky mom is NOT helpful for anyone in the house.
And yes, your hormones will be out of whack for a while to come Sharon. If you feel weepy, withdrawn, overwhelmed you need to share it with Ray so he can help out more. Jeremy thought I had it all under control until I totally went off the deep end on him. He needed to be clued in on how I needed help.
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Our world of us.
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 12:27:39 PM
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sharonjef2007
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Thanks Erin. He should only need to do one feeding today. That will give me 4ish hours.
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 1:02:21 PM
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Sideways
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Sharon, my cousin pumped from the very beginning, and is still breastfeeding now at 9 months. What she did to get more sleep was pump at a consistent time and her hubby fed the baby the bottle at a consistent time. Her body adjusted to the consistent demands placed upon it, and her supply was just fine. I really think that's the key.
Emily, if you are going to switch to formula, then you probably won't have to feed the baby as often, and your hubby can help. I was never much good at sleeping during the day, especially with a toddler in the house. I appreciate breastfeeding greatly, but it may not be the best choice for you.
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 1:43:24 PM
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Homegrownkids
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Sharon, how is going today? I'm 2 weeks post-partum today. I felt very overwhelmed the first week home...it actually wasn't until just the last few days where I felt better and more "normal"
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 2:11:18 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sharonjef2007
Derrek is sleeping well right now though. I simply wonder since he was so awake last night if he has his days and nights mixed up?? If so, how do I deal with that?
It may take a while for his body time clock to sort itself out. Different mums have different ways of dealing with this - some just go with the flow until it rights itself, others try to introduce some kind of schedule.
What I did was try to make the days and nights different, even in just small ways. Like keeping night feeds dark and "boring" (ie non-stimulating); I'd keep the lights really low, do as much as possible just to a nightlight, only change the nappy (diaper) if it was smelly or soaked through (ie not just change it automatically), talk as little as possible and as quietly as possible. And keeping the curtains open/lights on for daytime naps, so that they might possibly not sleep so deep, and making daytime feeds and awake times more active and "fun" (this gets easier as they get older and stay awake more). Neither of my two were ever long sleepers in the day, but some are, and if Derrek is, you could try waking him for a feed in the day if he sleeps more than, say, 3 hours, but not waking him at night for a feed if he remains asleep.
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"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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RE: Post Partum support thread! - 10/27/2009 6:02:26 PM
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northstar
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For the first few nights dd also had days and nights mixed up, though she'd sleep well if I was holding her, but the second I put her down she woke up again. Fortunately, my dh had taken over the night time care of our son (nearly 2yrs old at the time), and so I just propped myself up with 4 or 5 pillows and let her sleep on my chest for the first few nights. She still woke up every two hours for milk, but I managed to get an hour or so to sleep in between each feed. After a few nights she graduated to being tucked under my arm in bed next to me, and at about two months old she went in the cot, still next to the bed.
The one thing I've found that helps me to get a reasonable amount of sleep is co-sleeping with the little ones. I can't bear the thought of having to wake up fully, walk across to another room, get baby out of the cot, sit in a chair feeding them, then putting them down and walking back to bad and trying to get some sort of sleep before repeating the whole thing again. I like to just stay in bed and reach over to pick them up and feed, wind and put them down again...somehow staying in bed keeps some continuity for me and I think I feel better as a result. When they get a bit older and don't need to burp after feeding, I just pull them in close and feed while lying down, and fall asleep while they are feeding, then switch sides the next time they wake up. That did wonders for the amount of sleep I was getting too.
The funny thing is that with ds I REALLY noticed how tired I was, because it was such a change from sleeping 8 hours straight through, to being woken every two hours. And I was not very good at dealing with it, but at least I could nap with him during the day. Then when I had dd I thought it would be terrible, because I wouldn't be able to nap during the day as I'd need to be up with ds. But you know what, it was actually ok. Maybe I've just got used to less sleep, but I really never felt as tired as I did the first time around, and as close to losing the plot as I did then, and I was up just as often, and getting less sleep during the day. I'm so grateful to God that I felt ok the second time around. Now with two weeks to go til baby no.3 arrives, and still getting woken up quite regularly for dd, I'm hoping I'll survive as well this time as I did last time!
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Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalm 122:6
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So....I just wanted to throw that out there. 
) and never even turned on more than a lamp if needed. Once we were nursing we finally got to where we didnt turn on light, just nursed in bed and put him back in his bed. Even when he was/is up alot at night, its very obvious its night time so we all feel a little more rested, as opposed to everyone getting woke up and stimulated by lights, coolness, sounds, etc.
