Stupid question Sunday (stolen from April 15)

[stinybean]

I know as a ftm I have a lot of questions that I won't necessarily ask because well they are probably stupid, but I'm hoping stm+ will overlook this and answer whatever comes up here. TIA!

[stinybean]

Here's my question... I'm hoping to bf, but I know colostrum (sp?) comes in first. Is this all the baby eats until milk comes in or is the hospital going to try to supplement with formula?

[wegrowsheep]

This is my third pregnancy, and I'd LOVE to know if anyone knows what can be used on a yeast infection...since I can't call my OB til tomorrow.

[mnp48]

Feb 22, 2015 10:24:22 GMT -5 wegrowsheep said:

This is my third pregnancy, and I'd LOVE to know if anyone knows what can be used on a yeast infection...since I can't call my OB til tomorrow.

Otc yeast infection treatments should work. I've been adding probiotic supplements to my diet when I can't always eat yogurt to help stave off yeast infections.

[herbavein]

Feb 22, 2015 10:16:48 GMT -5 stinybean said:

Here's my question... I'm hoping to bf, but I know colostrum (sp?) comes in first. Is this all the baby eats until milk comes in or is the hospital going to try to supplement with formula?

This is a GREAT site to look at for any stupid breastfeeding questions kellymom.com/

[billyhorrible]

Feb 22, 2015 10:16:48 GMT -5 stinybean said:

Here's my question... I'm hoping to bf, but I know colostrum (sp?) comes in first. Is this all the baby eats until milk comes in or is the hospital going to try to supplement with formula?

It can take up to a week for milk to come in - that's 7 days.  So for those 7 days all the baby needs is colostrum.  A couple notes on that.

1) You are going to produce very very little colostrum.  Think about squeezing honey from a jar, just a drop or two will come out.  But those drops or two of honey are very thick, and very full of sugar.  The same is true of colostrum.  I know waaaaay to many mothers who rushed to supplement because they weren't producing enough those first few days because they didn't realize how little babies actually need.

2) Despite the fact that this is all the baby eats till milk comes in, many hospitals (and doctors) will still try to supplement with formula due to "weight loss."  It is normal for a newborn to lose 10% of their body weight after birth (sometimes more if you're on an IV which increases the fluid they're taking in).  In many cases, especially when hospitals don't employ IBLCs, they will want you to supplement even if your baby loses less.  Or right around that mark.  Which is usually unnecessary (of course there are exceptions to every rule).

3) One of the big things I didn't know before I had my son was that colostrum is fantastic for nourishing, but provides very little in terms of hydration.  So when I opened my son's diaper to find pink/red crystals I was concerned.  According this our pediatrician, those are uric acid crystals that happen because of the lack of hydration, are totally normal, not dangerous, and will clear up once the milk comes in.  You are more likely to have them if your milk takes longer to come in, but again, they are not a reason to supplement. 

[hb4]

I'm sure this is a stupid one but... When you run or jump up and down what happens to baby?

[bendherova]

Feb 22, 2015 10:24:04 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

Colostrum is all the baby will need. Its very nutritious and their stomachs are so small at first they really don't need very much.

They say yes, but I didn't produce much (like 3-4 drops everytime we tried-- expressing by hand and via pump. 4 days was a long time to wait for my milk to come in. (it's typically 2-4d) and plus his latch sucked. Screaming baby for several days was not fun. We were advised to supplement with formula. It worked for us.

[leenziepops]

Feb 22, 2015 11:09:07 GMT -5 hb4 said:

I'm sure this is a stupid one but... When you run or jump up and down what happens to baby?

I imagine they get a soft bouncy ride that rocks them to sleep

[Bluedaisy]

Recommendations on breast pumps? Is it a you get what you pay for thing and really worth the $300+ or is that all marketing....

[sugarbean17]

Feb 22, 2015 10:58:33 GMT -5 @littlechivette said:

Here's my stupid question... Stm's with tattoos on their side/stomach...did your tattoo go back to normal after delivery? If mine doesn't, it's no big deal

Mine will never look the same but I ended up with a bunch of stretch marks a few of which went right through the tattoo. But I have seen where they do go back to normal. It just depends on your skin.

[sugarbean17]

Feb 22, 2015 13:19:43 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Recommendations on breast pumps? Is it a you get what you pay for thing and really worth the $300+ or is that all marketing....

See what your insurance will cover or offer and look at product reviews on those ones.

[redlipz]

Feb 22, 2015 13:19:43 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Recommendations on breast pumps? Is it a you get what you pay for thing and really worth the $300+ or is that all marketing....

I had a mipump with my first two and it's not expensive at all and it did the work just right, I've never tried another pump so idk if there's a big difference in the way it "feels" or something but I thought the mipump was great. I'm looking into buying another one this time around.

[Bluedaisy]

Feb 22, 2015 13:25:46 GMT -5 sugarbean17 said:

Feb 22, 2015 13:19:43 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Recommendations on breast pumps? Is it a you get what you pay for thing and really worth the $300+ or is that all marketing....

See what your insurance will cover or offer and look at product reviews on those ones.







As far as I can tell from what I've been reading my insurance it's not covered, we are still going to check into DHs but I'm not holding my breath.

[redlipz]

Feb 22, 2015 10:58:33 GMT -5 @littlechivette said:

Here's my stupid question... Stm's with tattoos on their side/stomach...did your tattoo go back to normal after delivery? If mine doesn't, it's no big deal

After my first I had zero stretch marks on my tummy/side. With my second I had 2, it didn't affect my tattoo much though I do think it's time for a retouch.

[sugarbean17]

Feb 22, 2015 10:16:48 GMT -5 stinybean said:

Here's my question... I'm hoping to bf, but I know colostrum (sp?) comes in first. Is this all the baby eats until milk comes in or is the hospital going to try to supplement with formula?

I really like this visual....

[hb4]

Feb 22, 2015 13:15:37 GMT -5 @littlechivette said:

Feb 22, 2015 13:12:55 GMT -5 leenziepops said:

I imagine they get a soft bouncy ride that rocks them to sleep

I always wonder if it feels like an earthquake we when laugh. And that makes me laugh even harder.

One of my friends is certain that going to see michael McIntyre three days before her due date and laughing her head off triggered going in to labour that evening... Worth a try!

[stinybean]

@jemomma, herbavein, sugarbean17, bendherova, billyhorrible, Thank you for your answers!

[stinybean]

Feb 22, 2015 13:28:16 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Feb 22, 2015 13:25:46 GMT -5 sugarbean17 said:

See what your insurance will cover or offer and look at product reviews on those ones.







As far as I can tell from what I've been reading my insurance it's not covered, we are still going to check into DHs but I'm not holding my breath.

I fall into the category, where insurance doesn't cover a breast pump :-( I hope you have a chance with YH's.

[shahoi]

My question - As a FTM, is it best to take your DH with you to register for your baby shower, or a friend who has children who could be more help?

[amber311]

For the breast pump question, there is a medela pump in style on amazon for $150. Brand new from retailer just is the "insurance" model so no added extras.

[brennaz]

Feb 22, 2015 16:01:43 GMT -5 shahoi said:

My question - As a FTM, is it best to take your DH with you to register for your baby shower, or a friend who has children who could be more help?

Take a friend, your mom, someone who knows what babies need (preferably someone with experience with multiple kids, since kids are definitely not one-size-fits-all. My husband has no clue what's on our registry this time, and I'm pretty sure that's how it went last time, too. I still ask my mom and others "did you use this? How many of these do I need?" I feel lost on a lot of it, so I know DH would be, too.

ETA: but still let him have input on fun stuff...I let mine choose books, etc. so he was still included

[billyhorrible]

Feb 22, 2015 16:16:19 GMT -5 brennaz said:

Feb 22, 2015 16:01:43 GMT -5 shahoi said:

My question - As a FTM, is it best to take your DH with you to register for your baby shower, or a friend who has children who could be more help?

Take a friend, your mom, someone who knows what babies need (preferably someone with experience with multiple kids, since kids are definitely not one-size-fits-all. My husband has no clue what's on our registry this time, and I'm pretty sure that's how it went last time, too. I still ask my mom and others "did you use this? How many of these do I need?" I feel lost on a lot of it, so I know DH would be, too.

ETA: but still let him have input on fun stuff...I let mine choose books, etc. so he was still included

Ehhh I vote the opposite.  But I didn't take a friend, mom, or someone who knows babies.  I did all my own research before hand.  I think registering is a great way to help DH feel involved, plus a lot of things are going to be used by the two of you - not your friend.  So having a carseat he likes, a stroller he can steer, etc. is important.

[Widget123]

RE pumps. If your insurance covers a breast pump, it will most likely include the Medela Pump in Style Advanced, although the insurance model may have a different name, and that is all a mother who is planning on pumping at work really needs. Medela is really the brand leader with pumps. Your insurance may allow you to pay an upcharge for an upgrade which is what I did for DD, but most probably wont need it. If you are planning on being a breastfeeding SAHM, odds are you wont need a double electric like the PISA. There are a lot of rules related to insurance coverage of breastpumps so you should call your insurance company and make sure you understand them. Still call your insurance even if you think they dont cover one.

[Bluedaisy]

I'm in Canada so Obamacare doesn't apply. Sadly my insurance doesn't cover it. I can't complain too much though.....I never realized that people have to pay for labor and delivery because in Canada we don't. Also other than the breastpumps my insurance seems to cover pretty much everything under the sun.

[herbavein]

Feb 22, 2015 18:19:38 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

RE pumps. If your insurance covers a breast pump, it will most likely include the Medela Pump in Style Advanced, although the insurance model may have a different name, and that is all a mother who is planning on pumping at work really needs. Medela is really the brand leader with pumps. Your insurance may allow you to pay an upcharge for an upgrade which is what I did for DD, but most probably wont need it. If you are planning on being a breastfeeding SAHM, odds are you wont need a double electric like the PISA. There are a lot of rules related to insurance coverage of breastpumps so you should call your insurance company and make sure you understand them. Still call your insurance even if you think they dont cover one.

The double electric Medela that my insurance covers doesn't have the two-phase expression that the PISA does, unfortunately (I would have had to pay more to upgrade).  Since I pumped so much with DD, I feel like I'll do okay with manually switching between faster and slower to mimic letdown, but I was kind of annoyed by that (my PISA from her is 4 years old now, so I definitely wanted a new one).   And if I have another preemie, I'll rent a hospital-grade (the Symphony) to begin with anyway.

[stinybean]

I fall into the category, where insurance doesn't cover a breast pump :-( I hope you have a chance with YH's.

I was under the impression that one of the mandates of Obamacare was covering the purchase or rental of a breast pump?

www.healthcare.gov/coverage/breast-feeding-benefits/<br/>

@demanda88 I was under that impression too, however when I spoke to my insurance company a few days ago because I work in New York City I do not qualify- I don't know what that has to do with it.

[kemdupuis]

I have no idea how to do kegels. I have read and read and read, am capable of stopping my pee midstream, but cannot figure out how to do a kegel to save my life. I feel like I just end up squeezing my butt- which I know is not correct. Any advice, ladies? Will be talking to my OB about it on Tuesday, but I'm worried she'll give me the same instructions as everything I've read.

[taisree]

Feb 22, 2015 19:03:56 GMT -5 kemdupuis said:

I have no idea how to do kegels. I have read and read and read, am capable of stopping my pee midstream, but cannot figure out how to do a kegel to save my life. I feel like I just end up squeezing my butt- which I know is not correct. Any advice, ladies? Will be talking to my OB about it on Tuesday, but I'm worried she'll give me the same instructions as everything I've read.

Most likely you are doing it right. Just imagine squeezing to stop peeing.

I have downloaded an app that tells you when to squeeze and when to relax in intervals. Perhaps that's worth a try? I like my app as I always get distracted in my count.

[leenziepops]

taisree thanks for the app idea. I'm super behind with the kegels