Infant check in 8/18

[yoshijo]

We have more outside babies!! How is everyone??

[mrshall1027]

I'm just going to copy and paste what I wrote up in my wedding month board. It's long so cookies to anyone that makes it through!

Mommies:

How old are your LOs (Little Ones)? 2 weeks, 2, 8, and 11. Holy sh*t, that's a lot!! Lol

How do you feel? Ok. Every day is getting easier. My csection recovery this time around has been so much better! I still get really tired towards the later half of the day, especially if I do more around the house. But, I can walk around and get out of the bed on my own, which didn't happen for a while after having Aria. I'm trying to nap throughout the day, but it's not always possible. My day revolves around feedings, pumping, making sure I'm eating well and drinking enough water, as well as trying to keep the house and other kids together. My MIL has been here all week and helping a lot with the kids, especially Aria, so I'm nervous to see how this weekend goes when she goes back home.

Any Milestones this week? Grayson is 2 weeks today. We're still having trouble with breastfeeding. I'm putting in more effort into it this time, but I'm having serious doubts I'll be successful with breastfeeding. We've gotten his tongue tie corrected, saw a physical therapist to relax the muscles in his entire upper half (caused by the tongue tie), and I've scheduled an appt with a lactation consultant for next Wednesday. I've broken down crying several times, so ready to give up with it all and just go to formula because I freaking hate pumping. Waking up to pump and feed throughout the night really sucks and is most of the reason why I'm so tired. I'm up for 1.5 hours at least each time. I'm gonna see how it goes after Wednesday and if there isn't significant improvement a week after, I'm seriously going to consider switching to formula. This whole situation has me regretting having another baby, which I then feel guilty about, and then so many more emotions spiral from there. I don't want to feel this way and just want to be able to enjoy our son.

On a lighter note, Aria (2 yr old) has been great with her new brother. She always wants to see him and checks on him. She tells him "It's ok buddy" when he's crying and gives him kisses. It's seriously so adorable and melts my heart every time!

Ava (11 yr old) is all about her new brother too. She always wants to hold him, which is cool, but I have to fight her to put him down. She would hold him all day if she could.

Isla (8 yr old) is cool with having a new brother, but she's not as engaged as the other girls.

[Deleted]

mrshall1027, sorry breastfeeding isn't going smoothly for you, but don't feel bad if you switch to formula! BF is hard and takes a lot of effort, effort that is physically and mentally exhausting. I hope the appointment with the LC goes well, but if you need to switch please be easy on yourself. You're LO will be happy and healthy regardless.

[Deleted]

Things are ok here with A. He's fussy at times, but so far easy (ish) to console. I can't believe he'll already be 2 weeks old tomorrow! MH left yesterday for 2 1/2 weeks and his mom is here to help me, which is great. I miss him though, he's been so on top of taking care of the baby when he can.

[thinkchocolate05]

mrshall1027 I wanted to echo what @easilyunamused said. I know it's almost impossible not to, but don't beat yourself up if you need to switch to formula. Ds1 had a tongue tie, and it just makes everything so much more difficult. I have no idea how you are holding it together with three other kids and pumping. You are doing great whatever ends up happening long term with breastfeeding. I do have to caveat I feel a little dishonest saying this bc I was just beating myself up over my own breastfeeding struggles, but we just need to stop it!!! Baby being fed and mama being sane is the most important 😀

[mrshall1027]

Thanks @easilyunamused and thinkchocolate05. It's a total mind f*uck being a mom sometimes. MH really wants me to breastfeed until he's at least 6 months, both for his health and to save money. I get where he's coming from, but he won't ever understand the struggle. I'm really hoping this appt with the lactation consultant will bring some light to the situation.

[Deleted]

Aug 18, 2017 11:14:49 GMT -6 mrshall1027 said:

Thanks @easilyunamused and thinkchocolate05. It's a total mind f*uck being a mom sometimes. MH really wants me to breastfeed until he's at least 6 months, both for his health and to save money. I get where he's coming from, but he won't ever understand the struggle. I'm really hoping this appt with the lactation consultant will bring some light to the situation.

Your mental health is just as important as anything, so I hope your H doesn't give you pushback if breastfeeding needs to end. You deserve to enjoy this time with your baby as well.

[yoshijo]

mrshall1027 I feel the same way. I am up an hour and a half to 2 hours at night to feed and pump. During the day I will go 5 or 6 hours without a chance to pump if Alexa is fussy and I feel guilty. It's really alot and overwhelming. This is soley your decision, not your H's. You need to be in a good headspace for 4 kids!

@easilyunamused that's rough your H will be away but I'm glad you have help

AFM, Alexa is 5 weeks old. She has reflux and is spitting up A LOT. She's on zantac and Milacon for gas. She's gained 3 lbs since birth! She still somehow sleeps well at night- the other night she slept for 6 hours straight! During the day though we have hours of her being fussy

[happyfeet9]

Things are the upswing here. Evangeline and Donovan are 10 days old and eating like crazy. Thankfully my supply has been able to keep up and they are gaining weight appropriately.

My MIL has been here since Monday and I'm anxious for her to leave. DH is depending on her way too much and I don't like it. It's not going to help me when he goes back to work in 2 weeks.

The worst of it has been the complications to my incision site. I had a hematoma that wasn't draining properly under the stitches, so I had to have them removed. I won't go into details for those in waiting but I have a visiting nurse who comes daily to change my dressings. Thankfully, I've been feeling better but I know it's going to be a long process.

[yellowcat]

mrshall1027 do what is best for you, all of this is hard enough. I actually decided not to breastfeed with both kids because my husband asked me not to. He wanted to help with feedings and bond with the babies and was afraid he wouldn't if I was doing all the feeding. In the end it was good for us and my mental health because I knew they were eating enough and I wasn't the only one responsible. I know this is a very personal choice.

[bsouls]

mrshall1027 I tried breastfeeding T - I thought it would help with my mental health and be cheaper. I had to supplement from the beginning and the stress was outrageous, I was finally told by a lactation consultant at her pediatric office my nipples didn't really extend, everyone's boobs are different and T was a lazy eater. I tried for three weeks before weaning. My breaking point was when I started having thoughts of throwing her down the stairs to be done with her. Once I made the decision to stop breast feeding I became happier and my mental health improved. I feel like I wasted the first month of her life not enjoying her. So, good luck with whatever happens and hopefully the lactation consultant can help, but do what's best for you. My brother's and I were healthy formula fed kids. T has only been to her regularly scheduled doctor appointments and has only had a few colds in her three years.

On flip side, I feel slightly bad I didn't try breastfeeding with R because she is the exact opposite of her sister with eating (which the lactation consultant told me could happen). But, H is supportive and feels we did the right thing since the major concern is my mental health.

[mrshall1027]

Thanks ladies. As frustrating as it is, I'm not ready to give up just yet. Throughout the pregnancy, I was determined to breastfeed this one since I didn't get to with my first. Looking back to then, I know I gave up quickly and I regretted it. I'm going to meet with the LC and go from there.

On the plus side, my supply seems to be getting better and I'm starting to build up a little freezer stash! 😁

[yoshijo]

happyfeet9 ouch, I'm sorry for the complications! I hope it heals quickly

[happyfeet9]

Aug 19, 2017 5:17:06 GMT -6 mrshall1027 said:

Thanks ladies. As frustrating as it is, I'm not ready to give up just yet. Throughout the pregnancy, I was determined to breastfeed this one since I didn't get to with my first. Looking back to then, I know I gave up quickly and I regretted it. I'm going to meet with the LC and go from there.

On the plus side, my supply seems to be getting better and I'm starting to build up a little freezer stash! 😁

Good luck with the breastfeeding! I EPed with my first and looks like I'll be heading down that road with the twins as well. It's frustrating but you just have to do what feels right for you both and know, no matter what, your baby will be fine and healthy.

Good job building up the freezer stash - sounds like some lactation cookies are in order

[jexxa]

DD is 1 week old today! She's a champ eater and pooper, that's for sure 😆 She sleeps most of the time but is starting to become more alert. At night she's been giving us 3-4 hour stretches, but then doesn't always fall back asleep after nursing (like last night when I was up with her from 3-5 😣).

To those of you struggling with BFing, just know that fed is best. Breast milk or formula, in the end it doesn't matter. What DOES matter is your mental health and well being. Please don't feel like a failure if BFing doesn't work out for you - you all are amazing mommas and are doing an awesome job ❤️

[unicornsparkles]

I go here now! We got home from the hospital today. DS1 & DS2 are obsessed with their sister. So far things are going well, she's doing great at nursing and my body is actually making milk! I had poor supply with both boys so I am relieved. I am still supplementing with formula because 1- this 11lb baby requires a lotta milk and 2- she is slightly jaundice so we have to flush the bilirubin out of her system.

I'm wearing a binder to help with recovery and it's making all the difference in the world, I wish I was offered a binder with my last two CS's. We have a temporary nanny helping us for the first two full weeks home starting on Monday so I'm relieved to have the baby and recovery be my sole focus.