Let's talk about weird/surprising things that we may encounter in coming weeks. This thread is semi-inspired by katelm's tongue tie story.
DS was also born with a tongue tie and had a little trouble latching. I had no idea that could happen and was shocked when the pediatrician suggested clipping it. He was a champion eater as soon as it was fixed.
Post by gratefulgirl on Jul 25, 2016 14:16:51 GMT -5
Re: tongue tie - don't forget to flip up the upper lip to check for lip tie! If your baby refuses to flare his or her upper lip Out while latching, he or she is likely tied.
For baby girls: the bloody discharge (lochia) they can have shortly after birth is normal, but also may not happen. So far I have had 1 have it and 1 not.
Post by dorkusmalorkus on Jul 25, 2016 14:39:24 GMT -5
The postpartum uterine "massage." Not a massage.
Also, the breastfeeding/postpartum contractions were so much worse with my 2nd! I was a little concerned that my body was trying to expel a hidden twin.
Oh! And I got the shakes *really* badly after delivering each of my kids. It freaked DH out, and was so bad after my 2nd that I refused to hold him skin-to-skin while they stitched me up, because I was convinced I'd drop him.
I weighed more when I left the hospital than went I went in. When my milk came in I needed 4 hands to help DD latch. BF babies can overeat. DD would eat way too much and then puke for like the first 8 weeks. It was so ridiculous. She also had a hairy back.
I weighed more when I left the hospital than went I went in. When my milk came in I needed 4 hands to help DD latch. BF babies can overeat. DD would eat way too much and then puke for like the first 8 weeks. It was so ridiculous. She also had a hairy back.
Yes! on the overeating, especially if you have an overactive letdown. If you do, look into laid back nursing.
Post by misshart00 on Jul 25, 2016 15:17:08 GMT -5
Yes to the overactive letdown. I had it with both kids. They would start eating then I would letdown and choke them. They would unlatch and I would spray milk everywhere. We had extremely messy weeks for awhile.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Jul 25, 2016 17:37:57 GMT -5
They told me in the hospital that nursing babies like their feet supported and played with. I am finding it true! When he's almost done eating and starting to fall asleep, I play with his feet and it gives him that reflex to get sucking and finish off.
I was surprised that my feet and hand swelling didn't go down. I thought those were just pregnancy symptoms but it's been 5 days and they are just starting to go down.
They told me in the hospital that nursing babies like their feet supported and played with. I am finding it true! When he's almost done eating and starting to fall asleep, I play with his feet and it gives him that reflex to get sucking and finish off.
I was surprised that my feet and hand swelling didn't go down. I thought those were just pregnancy symptoms but it's been 5 days and they are just starting to go down.
I forgot the playing with feet trick! Thanks.
Pumping their little arms gently can help with big sucks and swallows if your newborn is just doing fluttery pacifying sucks. This is when you really need 4 hands .
They told me in the hospital that nursing babies like their feet supported and played with. I am finding it true! When he's almost done eating and starting to fall asleep, I play with his feet and it gives him that reflex to get sucking and finish off.
I was surprised that my feet and hand swelling didn't go down. I thought those were just pregnancy symptoms but it's been 5 days and they are just starting to go down.
This. My swelling with DD1 didn't go down until well into the second week. I was so pissed because I thought that it was going to be immediate relief after delivery. How did everyone "forget" to mention that? It will likely be worse if you have an IV.
Do expect a huge flood of emotion between day three and four after delivery. I sobbed uncontrollably watching DD1 have her check up through the glass wall in the hospital nursery because they did a jaundice level check (my brain can't remember what this is really called) and I saw a number over 100 and freaked out thinking she had a fever and was deathly sick. Rationality, logic, emotional control was just. gone. My husband came back to find me falling apart and helped me pull it back together and found out what was going on in the nursery. So, maybe knowing to possibly expect this surge of emotions will help as you navigate through it.
Post by misshart00 on Jul 25, 2016 19:44:36 GMT -5
This is going to sound super insensitive but I distinctly remember it with DS. The smell of new baby (not washed, etc. immediately thrown on you). It is... not pleasant. I'm pretty sure it's all the other crap that came out of you that smells, but just no.
But you have a new, cuddly baby, so it's not a big deal.
Post by redhead610 on Jul 25, 2016 20:01:20 GMT -5
I always heard to dress the baby in 1 layer more than you have on, keep a hat on, etc (ds1 was a July baby). OMG he was so sweaty. He was always hot. I kept a muslin swaddle with us when out, but rarely was he wearing more than just a onesie, and even then his back would get all gross.
And ditto on being a noisy sleeper. He hated the bassinet so we moved him to his crib in his room right away. I had to turn down the monitor because I couldn't sleep with how noisy he was!
The hair loss hit me about 4 months pp with DD1. My sister had warned me, thank god. It was... horrifying, and I would have freaked if not for the heads up.
Post by redhead610 on Jul 25, 2016 20:04:15 GMT -5
Also, for every annoying pregnant lady question/comment you get, be prepared for everyone to ask a thousand intrusive or annoying questions post baby. Did you have pain meds? So-and-so was fine without them. Csection or..."ya know.."? Is your 1 week old sleeping through the night yet?
Also, for every annoying pregnant lady question/comment you get, be prepared for everyone to ask a thousand intrusive or annoying questions post baby. Did you have pain meds? So-and-so was fine without them. Csection or..."ya know.."? Is your 1 week old sleeping through the night yet?
And plus the fun, "when are you due?" Dude, I have a one month old; I'm fully aware I still look pregnant, but geez.
Post by countrycotton on Jul 25, 2016 20:56:54 GMT -5
Okay, just so your not surprised at the other side of the coin.
I did not have the PP hair loss. My hair is still twice as thick as it was pre-pregnancy with DD1 and now curly. Based on my past I expect to have more dang hair than 4 normal people.
The hair loss hit me about 4 months pp with DD1. My sister had warned me, thank god. It was... horrifying, and I would have freaked if not for the heads up.
Omg yes the hair loss. You'll think you're going to go bald. You won't. It will stop eventually.
I don't think mine started until 6 months pp, but it is unsettling. I haven't really been losing much since November, so I guess it "saves up" during pregnancy.
Post by countrycotton on Jul 25, 2016 20:57:06 GMT -5
Okay, just so your not surprised at the other side of the coin.
I did not have the PP hair loss. My hair is still twice as thick as it was pre-pregnancy with DD1 and now curly. Based on my past I expect to have more dang hair than 4 normal people.
I never cried PP I just got really angry all the time.
I also never felt that magically all encompassing love when I saw DD. I was too damn tired and in too much pain. We're good now- so don't freak out. My mom basically told me I was a freak for not falling head over heals in love.
Also if you want to leave your new baby for a bit as long as you have childcare go for it! It doesn't make you any less devoted than someone who spends 24/7 with their baby. No one would say boo to a new dad going and grabbing a beer.
I never cried PP I just got really angry all the time.
I also never felt that magically all encompassing love when I saw DD. I was too damn tired and in too much pain. We're good now- so don't freak out. My mom basically told me I was a freak for not falling head over heals in love.
Also if you want to leave your new baby for a bit as long as you have childcare go for it! It doesn't make you any less devoted than someone who spends 24/7 with their baby. No one would say boo to a new dad going and grabbing a beer.
Yes to the never felt the gush of love. DH still kind of thinks I am a heartless freak because he did.
That said, I easily settled into a familiar love with DD2 rapidly that took me about 5 months with DD1 because I was so much more sure of myself and of her eventually being a special little person (I felt like DD1 was a stranger for at least 11 weeks). Many STM+ friends agreed: it can be a lot faster to the love with the subsequent kids. Not necessarily first sight, but faster and easier.
Then Comes Family, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.