Baby Corner

[Fandango 1,439]

Breastfeeding can be a hot topic!

It's really hard, in my opinion, when you had problems and were not able to b-feed exclusively. I know for me, I don't even like talking about it to some fellow mothers who had a very easy time with it. Easy not in the sense of feeling so happy and energetic, but with their baby actually latching on and getting enough milk. I felt very weird having to get a bottle out for formula around people who were breastfeeding still. No one actually acted mean towards me but knowing how passionate they were about it, and knowing that's how I had planned to be but it didn't happen, made me feel very weird around them. Kavi is hardly ever sick and the first year of his life I don't know if he even got sick. I do believe that breast milk is best. I don't know what I would have done back in the day when there wasn't formula, or when there weren't safe c-sections for that matter! It's just that the view I have now about it compared to what I thought before I had the baby are different and I am apprehensive in discussing this with most mothers I know unless I am very close friends with them.

I felt the same thing once I started supplementing

I happen to think that mothers are very judgmental/competitive/etc with each other. Well, at least some of the ones I run into. You had a C-section? Well, so-and-so can show you her virtual gold star for enduring a vaginal delivery. You formula feed? Earth Mother will turn up her nose at you as well. There's always some strange one upmanship that I come across irl - not here btw - but irl? it's odd. You had 30 some odd hour labor? Well, so and so had 40! Suck it! You lose!

I just changed real estate firms 2 weeks ago. I worked for my last broker for 6 years. I also wound up taking off a lot of time last year towards the last trimester, but truthfully, the whole year was pretty much shot. First tri, I was deathly sick everyday, almost all the time. Second one wasn't too bad, but I was tired. Third tri, I was dealing with GD, and being 7-9 mos pregnant in the heat of FL summer. Yeah, try to go and show property in that And then, I took pretty much the rest of the year off, with the occasional work from home. But guess what? I'm self employed. No one pays me a wage, and hubby and I have a plan as to how we're going to raise Nick. We don't want him in daycare, nor is it my mother's responsibility to raise him. Occassionally watch him? Sure. A few hours every other day, fine. But I'm the main go-to girl.

Anyways, she sat me in her office late December and proceeded to tell me how she worked on her feet, in heels, in a bank almost up until she delivered. Then she went back to work in 6 weeks. Well, la-de-da, lady!

In the same breath, she told me that she was wondering when I was coming back to work I thanked her for her story, and told her that while she obviously had her plan, we have ours.

[Fandango 1,439]

Lisa, way to go. I made babyfood for both kids, moreso for Adam than for Allie. I pureed and mashed like crazy and stocked up the freezer. I liked to add pureed barley to most of the stuff to get Adam's digestive system going. Also I happily mixed fruits and veggies, like green beans and applesauce...you could only taste the applesauce and Adam just munched down everything. With Allie I didn't bother to make as much. She was on regular tablefood way earlier, mainly because it was easier but also because she's a little hardheaded and would not eat the 'special food' so there for a while I made a bunch of sweet potato fries every week to give to the kids.

Acutally...I think I should make some sweet potato fries again...I haven't had those in a while and they are so good.

Have you checked out www.wholesomebabyfood.com? Very interesting and lots of information.

I haven't - I will though, now that I know about it. This is all so new, so I'm just getting into it. Doc kinda threw it on us that we could start trying baby food, so instead of fighting with the machine that day, I went out and bought some organic food. lol

He's not to get fruits until he's 6 mos old, so in about two weeks.

Why did you mix the green beans with applesauce? Consistency? or taste?

[chri'stina 190]

I felt the same thing once I started supplementing

I happen to think that mothers are very judgmental/competitive/etc with each other. Well, at least some of the ones I run into. You had a C-section? Well, so-and-so can show you her virtual gold star for enduring a vaginal delivery. You formula feed? Earth Mother will turn up her nose at you as well. There's always some strange one upmanship that I come across irl - not here btw - but irl? it's odd. You had 30 some odd hour labor? Well, so and so had 40! Suck it! You lose!

I just changed real estate firms 2 weeks ago. I worked for my last broker for 6 years. I also wound up taking off a lot of time last year towards the last trimester, but truthfully, the whole year was pretty much shot. First tri, I was deathly sick everyday, almost all the time. Second one wasn't too bad, but I was tired. Third tri, I was dealing with GD, and being 7-9 mos pregnant in the heat of FL summer. Yeah, try to go and show property in that And then, I took pretty much the rest of the year off, with the occasional work from home. But guess what? I'm self employed. No one pays me a wage, and hubby and I have a plan as to how we're going to raise Nick. We don't want him in daycare, nor is it my mother's responsibility to raise him. Occassionally watch him? Sure. A few hours every other day, fine. But I'm the main go-to girl.

Anyways, she sat me in her office late December and proceeded to tell me how she worked on her feet, in heels, in a bank almost up until she delivered. Then she went back to work in 6 weeks. Well, la-de-da, lady!

In the same breath, she told me that she was wondering when I was coming back to work I thanked her for her story, and told her that while she obviously had her plan, we have ours.

"Well, la-de-da" is exactly how I feel towards people who tells those kinds of one upper stories too. Like I said, the people I felt awkward around never *tried* to make me feel weird, I couldn't help it though. But yes there have been instances like a stranger in a store commenting on something and you just want to say "mind your own beeswax!". I try my best not to annoy fellow mothers with my opinions because I know I didn't like it! If advice is asked for, I will share some.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

BFing...hhhmmm...

Sebas was BF for 11 months...Mainly because he was so stubborn with rejecting the bottle

I don't know about immunity benefits long term, but short term, he is sick aaaaall the time. I blame it more on the day care than on BF/FF. After all, milk can only do so much if surrounded by toddlers with runny noses. He did have very few ear infections (knock on wood, those are terrible!)

I think BFing helped avoid issues like gas, colic and spit up - we hardly had any. No milk/ food allergies either (but Justin and I have no allergies either)

It was free.

It was always ready - no washing bottles and warming up formula. When Sebas was a newborn, he expected to be fed right away when he was hungry. I can't imagine waiting to warm up a bottle when he was that little and that needy.

It was difficult the first 4 days...He took a good 3 days to really learn how to feed. It took a lot of patience and practice until he got the hang of it. Then, I was sore for a couple of days...then, there's the engorgement (ugh!). Lansinoh's soothies, lanolin cream and ice helped with all that. Also, my milk took 5 days to come in.

Grow spurts were another challenge...those are so draining! It felt like the baby was latched on to me all the time!

And yes, some times he would get hungry in the most inconvenient situations. I wasn't comfortable BFing in public, mostly I would go to our car or some other place out of sight.

He got really chubby on BM which for me is the cutest thing...I don't think he had wrists or ankles until his first birthday

It helped me lose the baby weight...I was back at my pre-pregnancy weight a couple of months after giving birth.

Another challenge was being away from the baby...all the time I would worry that he would get hungry, and because he was rejecting the bottle, I would imagine him just crying his little heart out and not being able to feed. Since then, I've learned that you should introduce the bottle between 2 to 4 weeks old to avoid rejection, so that's what I will do when we have another baby.

I also think it helped with the bonding - to this day I feel very connected to Sebas, just in tune with his needs and emotions...and he's definitely a mama's boy. On the flip side, I think if Sebas would have been able to feed from a bottle in addition to BF, it would have helped Justin bond with him earlier, and helped with his early frustration of not being able to take care of the baby by himself.

And that's my experience

Saludos,

Caro

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Hey All. Hope everyone is well. Were doing good here. Salma is 6 days old now and is as cute as can be. Sofyan went back to work today so its me and the kids all by myself, im hoping it goes well.

2 days ago I started feeling very guilty about not breastfeeding. I was really engorged at the time so I went and bought a manual medela pump and pumped about 2ozs of BM and fed it to her. It felt very very right so yesterday we went out and bought a medela instyle advance and ive been pumping every 2 hours to try and up my supply. Ive only been pumping about 1/4-1/2oz from each breast every 2 hours and just been giving it to her from a bottle. Ive given her formula in between as well but im hoping in the next day or two im able to pump enough to where I wont have to do that. I will say i feel completely DUMB about all of this. I have been trying to look at websites about EBF and getting some info from there. Just wondering if any of you have any advice. I really plan to only pump and bottle feed so any advice would be great.

[Fandango 1,439]

Hey All. Hope everyone is well. Were doing good here. Salma is 6 days old now and is as cute as can be. Sofyan went back to work today so its me and the kids all by myself, im hoping it goes well.

2 days ago I started feeling very guilty about not breastfeeding. I was really engorged at the time so I went and bought a manual medela pump and pumped about 2ozs of BM and fed it to her. It felt very very right so yesterday we went out and bought a medela instyle advance and ive been pumping every 2 hours to try and up my supply. Ive only been pumping about 1/4-1/2oz from each breast every 2 hours and just been giving it to her from a bottle. Ive given her formula in between as well but im hoping in the next day or two im able to pump enough to where I wont have to do that. I will say i feel completely DUMB about all of this. I have been trying to look at websites about EBF and getting some info from there. Just wondering if any of you have any advice. I really plan to only pump and bottle feed so any advice would be great.

Don't lol ok? At the advice of my lac specialist, I cut small holes in a jog bra. I put the flanges through them. I dunno why it worked, but I'm assuming that because the bra was tighter than just au naturale, it increased output.

Salma is gorgeous btw!

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Thanks Lisa, I do think shes pretty cute

[Jenn! 918]

Hey All. Hope everyone is well. Were doing good here. Salma is 6 days old now and is as cute as can be. Sofyan went back to work today so its me and the kids all by myself, im hoping it goes well.

2 days ago I started feeling very guilty about not breastfeeding. I was really engorged at the time so I went and bought a manual medela pump and pumped about 2ozs of BM and fed it to her. It felt very very right so yesterday we went out and bought a medela instyle advance and ive been pumping every 2 hours to try and up my supply. Ive only been pumping about 1/4-1/2oz from each breast every 2 hours and just been giving it to her from a bottle. Ive given her formula in between as well but im hoping in the next day or two im able to pump enough to where I wont have to do that. I will say i feel completely DUMB about all of this. I have been trying to look at websites about EBF and getting some info from there. Just wondering if any of you have any advice. I really plan to only pump and bottle feed so any advice would be great.

Good for you, Kelly!!! There are LOTS of women who for whatever reason don't nurse, and exclusively pump. It's such a great thing to do for your baby!

Here is a message board for EP that you might find helpful: http://forums.ivillage.com/t5/Exclusively-Pumping/ct-p/iv-ppexcluspump

And a few links on Kelly Mom for EP: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-excpumping.html

[TracyTN 237]

Everything I've read has always said that breast milk is best. I wouldn't disagree with that.

I just don't think women who can't breast feed (like me), choose not to or have difficulty in doing so shouldn't be made to feel guilty or told that their children will be less healthy or more obese because of being FF. I have never understood why the two seem to go hand in hand around certain circles. Its just sort of a 'look down your nose' type attitude that I don't really get.

Edited February 14, 2011 by TracyTN

[chnst 6]

wow Kel, kudos. first of all - do not feel dumb and do not feel guilty. I'm guessing you're getting very little because you had somewhat of a late start, but you may be able to get more in a few days.

Pump after a feeding, about every 3 hours or you will get burned out. Pump near your baby, where you can see her. For some reason that helps with milk production if you can see your baby. You have to be very relaxed though. If that's not possible, find a quiet spot and take a picture of Salma with you, that will help with the pumping too. Also, make it a habit to bring a drink of water with you every time you pump, you need to be very hydrated.

There are some teas you can buy at the pharmacy or even babies r us, that help with your milk coming in. I think they're called "lactation teas" not sure.

And remember, evry little bit counts! Also call your hospital and ask for the lactation consultant if they have one- it's free and they have tons of good advice, ours even has a group for moms who struggle with that kind of stuff and you can make individual appointments too.

exclusively pumping is a lot harder than breastfeeding but I've talked to a lot of moms lately who had to do it for work and they made it work. I hope it will work for me too!! Ben never took a bottle so I really want to start this one early on the bottle feeds.

ok getting ready for my appointment, I really hope baby is still head down and ready to be born!

[anya-D 8]

OMG all these cute babies make me want another one!! and Congratulation mama!

Sam has been very fuzzy lately. He had a high fever last week for a few days (102.5). I gave him tylanol a few times. I also gave him benedryl twice (dr said to help with his breathing) but it seems to make him on-edge. He slept fine after he got it (normal time, not longer than normal) but the next day he wouldnt sleep and so hyper. So I think the benedryl makes him hyper. He's also fussy, refuse to eat, poor nursing (acted hungry but truned away once I try to nurse him) and woke up at night crying several times (five to be exact) I'm exhasted. Could this be teething? he already has 4... He's also super clingy lately too. He would scream if I left him to play by himself on the ground, but if i'm next to him, he's ok. I dont know what to do I nomally still nurse him twice during the night and that's fine with me but I couldnt make it if it's five!!! (tried rock him but he wouldnt go down until I nurse him then he just went back to sleep) what to do what to do...

Anyway, a night like this makes me glad I'm breastfeeding, just becasue if I had to get up with Sam and had to make a bottle for him and clean up after, I wouldnt be able to go back to bed after!

I'm pretty much need idea of what vegetable I should try next - we tried: sweet potato, cualiflower, zucchini, butternut squash. I tried re-fried bean and Sam didnt like it.

Lisa,

I found that using fork or blender is the best way to make baby food. Our pedi suggested to make a babyfood that's not runny so he just said not to add / or dont add too much liquid in it. I just mesh up banana for Sam with my fork since he was 4.5 month old. I used all those baby gatget and it took me longer time to clean it so I gave up. Now I boiled hard fruits (like apple and pears) then just put in the blender and do like a couple pulse. It is pretty runny so I made oatmeal (normal organic oatmeal, boiled to death with the water left from boiling fruits lol) and add with all the fruits. I made once a week. I just made a big jar of apple with blueberries (forzen organic, microwave and throw in the blender with apple) and that'll last me more than a week but I normally keep 10 days the most in the refregerator. It's actually fun. But Sam wants adult food now and I can actually give him table food (soft) and he will chew it. Have fun!!!

[Vi Mazzella 4]

Hot topic mommies!

I bf Sofia until she was 21 months, and I stopped 'cause she got sick, and it was about time too. I was lucky it was very easy for me since I'm a stay at home mommy. She is a very healthy little girl, got sick maybe twice, no allergies (so far)everything went very well with her, I hope that if we decide to have another one I can bf too.

Mommies I'm a little concerned... Sofia is being eating NON STOP, since we were in Peru she wants to eat all the time, should I be worried about it? can that be a tyroid problem? or is just because she is growing up?

[Nessa 23]

probably a growth spurt, vi. Ben was breastfed until he was 6 months, I stopped because due to my full time job I couldn't pump or breastfeed so often my milk ran out. He gets sick very often but I'm sure it's because he goes to daycare and there's always someone sick over there. As for allergies so far all the tests were negative. I do firmly believe in breastfeeding and its benefits.

[Anna C. 4]

@ anya: Sounds like teething. And yes, some kids react totally hyper to Benadryl, so I would avoid it from now on... For breathing help we run a cold mist humidifier in Jona's room when he's stuffy. It helps him... And since you're nursing, squeeze a couple drops of breastmilk into the nostrils, it helps fighting infections off... I have no feeding tips for the solids since Jona didn't eat til 11 months and then just picked what he liked - we kept offering different foods and eventually he'd decide he wants to eat...

@ Kelly: I second kellymom.com... I also wouldn't shy away from contacting a good lactation consultant to help you out, but make sure it's an IBCLC and nothing else. They have a great education and really know all the tricks... If it wasn't for them, Jona probably would have gotten no milk, as we had quite some trouble starting the whole thing (he was so weak!). When we pumped in the beginning they had me pump every 3 hours for 10 minutes on both sides, and then latch Jona on for about 5-10 minutes. I had a hospital grade pump which allows you to adjust the suction, and the IBCLC said to always used the strongest you can bear. Then Lansinoh cream on the nipples for soothing and spreading some of the excess milk on them too, let it dry, it heals them perfectly. If it's ok with you, I'd continue the every 2 hours throughout the day and do 3 hours at night for now, since you got a later start so your milk ducts get a good load of stimulation... As for storage, I totally recommend the Lansinoh bags, they're cheaper than Medela and fit more milk (and are safe plastic too). Best of luck!

Well, mommy wars... Whatever you decide, someone will always be opposed. I got weird comments for breastfeeding, there are cranky mamas on each side, believe me, whatever it is. I got even yelled at for not making Jona drink juice (why start the sugar early if he doesn't even want it) or for not giving him soda (yes some people think I'm a bad mama for not offering a toddler soda). Whenever you decide to parent in a way that differs from someone else, people will be offended. I get it less in real life than online of course. But by now I don't really care anymore. I just do my thing... And in real life I never said a word to another parent about their choices, I'm not confrontational at all, I just always smile and nod. Not worth it. I need my energy for my kids (and my own sanity!).

@ Tracy: I'm sorry mamas treated you that way... That's really not helpful. I can't imagine how terrible it must have felt for you, it's really insensitive.

We had Eloise's 2 week check up today, she grew an inch (!!!), her head grew an inch as well (!!!) and she weighs 6lb 15oz, so well on her way... I'm glad she's gaining well, which is quite a concern with small babies like mine... I can tell she's taller, but not "fatter" yet (the preemie pants are too short, but all the onesies still aren't tight around her neck). She lost her cord at 10 days but still has a scab, I can't wait for it to heal completely! it also will be easier to buckle her into the car seat once she's bigger, cause right now she is on the tightest setting there ever could be, which is so hard to buckle (one needs baby fingers!!!), what a pain.

[chnst 6]

boohoo, my midwife doesn't think anything will happen the next week. my cervix is way up high, and 1cm. she tried to swipe my membranes, OMG that was traumatizing and painful. But so far nothing. I guess I'll have to be patient, but I am just so burned out from work. Back to nights on thursday...

She recommended evening primrose oil, 5 capsules (!!!) vaginally. OMG not sure if I am desperate enough for that yet.

But we had a good talk about the birth, I want to delay cord clamping for at least 5 minutes and she is on board with that. I don't remember the midwifes in Germany cutting the cord as soon as they do over here. Sometimes its less than 30 seconds and the cord is cut.

Other than that everything is great, baby is head down! But I am already 6lbs heavier than I was with Ben. I just hope that doesn't mean an even heavier baby.

Did I tell you guys I had a 11lb 8oz baby boy at work the other day? Thank God for mom it was a scheduled repeat c/s. Ultrasound estimated him at 10+ lbs.

Anya: Ben's pedi put him on benadryl for breathing issues and it did the same for him. I don't believe its made for babies or toddlers. The best thing that works for that was nebulizing him with albuterol and some steroids.

as for the baby food- I saw they have this really cool little machine at Babies R Us that mashes up the food and then steams it at the same time, so there is less mess! Not sure if this works but it looks pretty cool. I usually just boil fruits and veggies too and then throw them in the blender. Ben still loves it when I make him apple sauce or pear sauce.