4/10 Newborn Check In

[lilyelayne]

Welcome to a new week! Please join us!


How old is LO?

How's everything going?

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share?

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader?

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember?

[lilyelayne]

So there used to be a 1-3mo check in but we've struggled finding leaders for the last 6 months or so. I posted it a few weeks ago and got no hits. So, would y'all like me to add a couple "older" questions to this check in specifically for those past the first 4 weeks or so? I try to keep the Newborn Check in simple because those early days have so many variables for BF and can be so hectic/frazzled/scattered, but I'm happy to tweak to prompt those 1-3mo discussions too. Thoughts?

[jellykat2]

Apr 10, 2017 8:00:32 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

So there used to be a 1-3mo check in but we've struggled finding leaders for the last 6 months or so. I posted it a few weeks ago and got no hits. So, would y'all like me to add a couple "older" questions to this check in specifically for those past the first 4 weeks or so? I try to keep the Newborn Check in simple because those early days have so many variables for BF and can be so hectic/frazzled/scattered, but I'm happy to tweak to prompt those 1-3mo discussions too. Thoughts?

Absolutley! This is such a great resource and support thread, I would hate anyone to not have a "place" they felt appropriate to ask their questions.

[jellykat2]

How old is LO? 13 days

How's everything going?

Pretty good, I think. She's having good diaper output.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share?

She's so much sleepier than dd1 was. I thought it was partially due to jaundice, but she's not necessarily any more awake now that that seems to be clearing. I wonder if it's just because she was born at 37 weeks?

At her appointment last Friday she was almost back to birth weight. The pediatrician thought that she'd probably be at birth weight early this week, and then I could let her go longer stretches at night. But it feels weird to let her go as long as she wants. Last night I woke her after 5 hours.

Also, should I still be waking every 2-3 hours during the day? That's my thought, but just want to be sure. She rarely wakes herself to eat - although she does start to stir around 2-3 hours.

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader?
My H. He's fully supportive of my nursing, especially in public. I didn't nurse in public with dd1 much, or in front of my friends much for that matter. This time will likely be different, and he's very supportive of that. He says people can get over it if it makes them uncomfortable.

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember?

It's been an odd transition of going to 2 kids. I'm not sure what I expected, but I was worried I'd get frustrated by my toddler, or overwhelmed trying to balance my time between 2 kids. One thing I didn't expect was how I see dd1 in a different light - and told my H yesterday that somehow I feel like I love her even more now that we have 2. If that makes any sense!

[sterl724]

How old is LO?
5 weeks tomorrow

How's everything going?
Ok. Still combo feeding, but right now it's working.


Questions/concerns/cute stories to share?
Nothing at the moment. I'll edit later if I think of something.

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader?
My husband, mostly because he supports whatever decision I make regarding breastfeeding v formula.

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember?
It may have been gas, but DS smiled one night. :-)

[sterl724]

lilyelayne I'd love a 1-3 month check-in!

[lilyelayne]

jellykat2 typically once baby is back to birth weight you no longer have to wake them to eat (also sleepy babies tend to perk up around this weight too, but not always, especially not early babies.) but many women still choose to wake at the 3hr mark during the day in the hope that any longer stretch of sleep will happen at night.

seeingstars has LO been evaluated for lip/tongue tie and if so by whom? Occasionally a problem that presents just as supply regulates (and you're right at that time frame) is a mild tie. LO has been coasting along with the higher supply & flow of the newborn hormones, but now having to work harder reveals a difficult latching due to anatomy.

[lilyelayne]

Thanks for the input, y'all. I think moving forward I'll have an under 4 weeks & 4+ weeks section (the way the extended check in has tandem & pregnant sections), and make this the Newborn-3mo check in. And try that for a while. Maybe one day we'll move back to two separate check ins but like I said it's been a struggle for many months now, and I really don't want anyone to feel lost or like there's not a place for them.

[amandamh2]

How old is LO? 2 weeks tomorrow

How's everything going? Things are going really well. We have a weight check tomorrow so hopefully she'll be back up to birth weight after losing more than 10%. She's feeding so well and starting to outgrow some clothes so I'm pretty optimistic.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? We had newborn photos last week and when I had to feed my hungry baby, the photographer asked if she could take a picture, saying "I just think it's so beautiful." We got our pictures back a couple days ago and the one of me feeding baby girl is one of my favourites. It's a special way to honour such a big part of these early years.

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader? Both DH and my mom. My mom BF all of her babies and gets it, DH is hugely supportive of caring for our babies this way.

GTKY: Snuggling both my baby and toddler together. DS (toddler) loves to give DD (baby) hugs and kisses while we cuddle. It's adorable, I hope they keep this bond.

[tex]

How old is LO? 12 weeks tomorrow. This is my last NB check in!

How's everything going? Pretty well! We made it through our vacation and road trip with no formula needed!

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? LO has been more and more active lately and is trying to scoot already.

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader? DH

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember? We had W's baptism last week and got to see family on Sunday.

[iqeb]

How old is LO? 10 hours!

How's everything going? Great! 1 big pee, so much poop, 5 good nursing sessions

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? He's so good at this.

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader? H. Or maybe my 19 month old who kick-started labor by nursing this morning.

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember? I'm still high from labor being over so... Everything?

[onesweetworld]

Since I had a baby this week and I am damn determined to BF, here I am.


How old is LO? Roughly 55 hours old.

How's everything going? My milk isn't in but I'm expressing colostrum. M was born at 9 pounds 5 ounces at 39+1 and lost 4% of her body weight in 24 hours.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? We have our first doctors appointment either today or tomorrow so I'm a little nervous to see what she weighs. Should I be breaking out the pump after feedings to get my milk to come in quicker?

Tonight she seemed very hungry and we went between the breasts twice each. Her latch is strong but I think it's still pretty shallow. It's not painful all the time and when it is, I unlatch and try again.

I will probably go to breastfeeding support classes at the hospital because I really liked the LC at the hospital.


Who is your biggest BF cheerleader? Not sure yet. My mom is really supportive and helped a lot when I was in the hospital. MH only cares about not spending money on formula. Tonight is/was his and the dog's first experience with a crying baby at night so I will be speaking with him about it tomorrow.

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember?

I will always remember M's birth. Hoping not to remember the pain though.

[lilyelayne]

seeingstars yeah that's normal as long as the poop is still loose when it does come.
From kellymom: "DIRTY DIAPERS: Depends on your child.
Number ranges from many per day to one every 7 – 10+ days. After 4 – 6 weeks, some babies switch to an infrequent stooling pattern. This is normal as long as baby is gaining well, and stools are soft and profuse if several days have passed."

Hopefully your pedi is confident in diagnosing ties, but many are not. If not, an IBCLC would be able to diagnose not only the tie but also evaluate if it's affecting breastfeeding. Pediatric ENT is who would revise the tie, so they can also diagnose, but again may or may not can evaluate effect on BF.

[lilyelayne]

Congrats iqeb and onesweetworld!

Onesweetworld- are you separated from baby (in the NICU, or routinely separated for long periods for testing)? If not, just concentrate on baby, not the pump. Latch her as often as she wants for as long as she wants. You are both learning how to nurse, so you're right to readjust the latch when needed.

It is normal for BF babies to lose up to 10% of birth weight. If you got IV fluids in labor, you calculate the 10% from her weight at 24 hours old, not at birth. More info in the link:

www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2011/10/31/newborn-weight-loss-and-iv-fluids-in-labor.html

[onesweetworld]

Apr 12, 2017 7:55:34 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

Congrats iqeb and onesweetworld!

Onesweetworld- are you separated from baby (in the NICU, or routinely separated for long periods for testing)? If not, just concentrate on baby, not the pump. Latch her as often as she wants for as long as she wants. You are both learning how to nurse, so you're right to readjust the latch when needed.

It is normal for BF babies to lose up to 10% of birth weight. If you got IV fluids in labor, you calculate the 10% from her weight at 24 hours old, not at birth. More info in the link:

www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2011/10/31/newborn-weight-loss-and-iv-fluids-in-labor.html

Not separated, we are back home now so I will just continue to shove my breast in her mouth. She seems to suck more when I let her go 3 hours versus every 2. So maybe she just isn't hungry at 2?

[nerdalert]

How old is LO? 8 days

How's everything going? Great other than engorgement. I've been in pain for days now and she barely even eats enough to relieve discomfort. She's gaining weight and filling diapers just fine, I just feel like I have 5x the amount of milk she wants. How long does this last? She's my second but I can't remember how it was with my first.


Who is your biggest BF cheerleader? DH and my mom.

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember? DD1 meeting the new baby

[mikaela20]

How old is LO? 7 weeks

How's everything going? Still working away at the triple feedings. His tongue-tie was clipped and his latching has gotten slightly better. But had a stressful visit to the second LC clinic I've been to. Im looking for a private LC now and will fork up the $$$ for a few visits.

At the last visit in the LC clinic following the tongue tie, they said my only option is tube feeding at the breast and to stop pumping and make him get milk from the breast. Suppliment with formula if needed. I almost cried right there. I can't get the tube to work with him. And I would rather he gets mostly my milk than formula which is why I've been pumping 10x a day this whole time. Just super frustrating visit but we are back to doing what we have been which is the triple feed. He does seem to latch better and longer everyday which makes me happy.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? I started taking domperidone to help with supply since they herbs didn't help much . Anyone else on this? I'm curious how long it will take to see an increase in supply. Week one and I haven't noticed anything yet.

Who is your biggest BF cheerleader? My H has been really supportive through this. He has been helping more when he is home with the feedings and pumping.

GTKY: what is one thing (moment/conversation/realization/etc) from the past week or so that you always want to remember? All the moments DS has actually nursed for a few minutes , I want to cherish forever. If we ever get this right, I'm going to have some photography done to celebrate our struggles and successes with this breastfeeding thing.

Edited typo

[lilyelayne]

nerdalert engorgement is usually gone within a week of your milk coming in. Cool compresses and ibuprofen can help comfort.

mikaela20 I'm glad latching is improving! Sorry your professional support is lacking. I'm mobile and on my way to bed, but if you search the BF board for domperidone there are some threads.