PS Mommy Thread-Newborn to 12 months!

[MonkeyPie]

I had this huge post and PS ate it I'm not typing it all out again so here's a picture lol.

 

[somethingshiny]

MP~ lol, never seen a baby so happy with a nasal aspirator!!!


Horizontal life~ Great for me. We tried before my 6 weeks was up and that didn't work too well. A couple weeks later it was fine. (I did have a c-section) We've been back to normal since then. I know it's not like that for everyone. I have a high libido and I'm the one who started initiating things early on. DH would be supportive either way, although I'm sure he prefers that we DO DTD. Friends that have had vaginal deliveries with stitches required have said that they feel like the doc sewed them up too tightly. In fact, I've talked to a dr that says he makes women "back to the way they were made," indicating that he does put in an extra stitch or two. Sometimes it's called the "husband's knot." If the discomfort is more on the inside, I'd think it would be due to things not being back in place entirely. For me, it felt like DH didnt' "fit" the first few times. That feeling went away within a couple months of activity.

 

[Puppmom]

Just popping in to respond re: dtd. DH and I just DTD for the 2nd (successful) time since N was born EIGHT months ago last night. We have one unsuccessful attempt…ouch! Then another, more comfortable, failed attempt due to lack of BC. Early on, my discomfort was just like you described. The second time, about 4 months PP, was better but uncomfortable because I was so DRY. For some reason, I have had what appears to be fertile cm for several weeks. Yesterday, for the first time in FOREVER, I was interested. It felt totally normal…and good. I hope it lasts but it’s a start!

 

[MonkeyPie]

MP~ lol, never seen a baby so happy with a nasal aspirator!!!

It's sort of gross, isn't it? Lol thankfully it was clean and he didn't attempt to put it in his mouth. I have this picture as my wallpaper at work and one of the guys asked me if he was suctioning his own nose. Lol so gross!

re: DTD, We waited until just after 6 weeks PP to try it. It was SO uncomfortable. It was like there were things in the way that shouldn't be! It felt awful. Plus I wasn't back to par as far as moisture, apparently. Break out the lube and just keep trying - I know it sucks.

And WTF, what doctor would "put things back the way they were" without asking?! Having to go through losing my virginity a second time would put me off DTD for a VERY long time, lol.

 

[noelwr]

MonkeyPie - awesome teeth!

Lanie - I've also got 2 of those pacifier holder things and am just waiting for S to be coordinated enough to use it. they are so cute.

regarding horizontal life, I've been wanting to get back to it since forever, but I'm not allowed to get knocked up, not allowed any hormonal bc, refuse to get a spiral thing inserted, DH refuses to use a condom... so now we just have to wait for DH to get the V in 2 weeks and then we have to wait another 3 months to make sure it's safe! I've still got PreSeed which I plan on using as lube! anyway, I read that it's normal for it to hurt the first few times and it will become more comfortable the more you try (but probably not good to try like 3 days in a row or something).

chemo went well today (thanks geri), better than the 1st time, as in it didn't hurt when they administered one of the medications. so 2 days of not holding or touching S, but I can still sit in front of her and chat. my mom and DH have just gone to take S to the doctor for her last shots until she turns 11 months. I told DH to put in a pain killer suppository once she gets home because there's no need for her to suffer unnecessary pain. it really helped last time.

 

[somethingshiny]

Noel~ Good luck with S's shots. Glad your treatment went better this time. I hope those 2 days of not holding S go quickly!!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Noel, glad to hear the treatment went better this time.

So this morning I had to let Aidan CIO. He woke up at 3am WIDE awake and ready for the day. I don't know what he thought he was doing. So I let him talk to his projector until he started really fussing/crying. I went in and gave him his paci and then left. That didn't work. So I went back and gave him his bottle and that didn't work. I did a diaper sniff test and finally said. "Kiddo, it's not morning yet and not time to play. You can lay here and talk to your projector until it's time to get up or go back to sleep. Your choice". Told him I loved him and went back to bed-purposely not turning the monitor back on (our room is next to his). Well he got really pissed off at me and wailed angrily for another 30 minutes before finally falling back asleep.

It was hard, but doing it while half awake was helpful. It was easier for me to go through the steps of confirming all of his needs were met and letting him fuss without my mommy brain and emotions getting in the way. This 3 am waking thing isn't normal. Well, he often wakes then, but will go back to sleep easily.

I guess my question is- is CIO ok for situations like this? I made sure he wasn't hungry, poopy, etc. He has a binky, a lovie and a night light as well as his projector and he can put himself to sleep one his own when falling asleep. Is turning the monitor off OK (I could still hear him)? I admit it made things easier on me.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I guess my question is- is CIO ok for situations like this? I made sure he wasn't hungry, poopy, etc. He has a binky, a lovie and a night light as well as his projector and he can put himself to sleep one his own when falling asleep. Is turning the monitor off OK (I could still hear him)? I admit it made things easier on me.

I think this is exactly the purpose of CIO - baby is happy, warm, comfortable, and full. No reason to be awake! Sometimes you just have to. We've been lucky that Micah has never really done this, but if he did, CIO would understandably be a lot easier in the middle of the night than earlier when you're awake and feeling bad about it. At least he only cried for 30 minutes.

 

[somethingshiny]

Ditto MP.

As for the monitor, I turned JT's off by the time he was 5-6 months old. I sleep lightly so I heard every little peep. If he NEEDED something, he'd cry loud enough for me to hear from the next room. I still use a monitor with Lily just because of her heart history.

You did great, Mama.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Maybe I should try that tonight...you didn't find yourself sleeping lightly because you were trying to hear LO?

So I deserve the worst mother of the year award...I was sitting on the floor with Aidan and he was standing and my arm was across his chest to support him, but he flipped over my arm and whacked his face on the floor. He got a bloody nose First time I've ever seen my baby's blood

 

[Puppmom]

HH, N has bumped his noggin a few times over the past couple of days. We're always concerned about him falling backwards but he's decided he can beat the system and just dive forward! So, he whacked his head on the wall once and the floor a few times.

 

[somethingshiny]

HH~ I actually slept harder the first few nights because I COULD. But, that Mom instinct runs deep. DH never woke up before I did when JT actually hollared. I'd give it a try if I were you, especially if you'll be incorporating some CIO. First time I saw Lily's blood (after we left the hospital) was when I had to first trim her nails. They were so long at birth and one had rounded and dug back in. I had to clip and pull the nail out of her fingertip. It bled, a lot. I cried, a lot. The next time I saw her blood she had been chewing on some toy. She was maybe 4 months old. She got it in too far and I tried to remove it. It had a lip on it that I forgot about so it scraped across her bottom gum and she bled. JT bled from his mouth fairly early too. He had his first black eye before he was a year old. In my mind, babies who never get injured aren't being given enough freedom.

 

[turtledazzle]

T has also had a few bumps lately. Last weekend I was playing with him down on the blanket on the floor and somehow he managed to lunge forward and hit his head on the hardwood floor -- left a little bruise I know it is the first of many since we have hardwood floors throughout.

We turn the audio off on our monitor at night -- we've been doing that since he was about 4 months old. Our room is next door and, like others have said, we hear him when he really needs us. He is a loud sleeper and we weren't getting good sleep hearing his every grunt and snort. We do leave the monitor on so we can check the video when we do hear him, just to see if he's in an OK position in the crib or if he's wide awake, etc. Oh, and DH has the monitor duty at night since he can fall back to sleep at the drop of a hat. I sleep with earplugs (yet still wake up when Tyler is loud enough to wake DH)

This AM T woke early again <sigh>. He was ticked off because he had rolled over onto his belly. He knows how to get back over, of course, but wasn't doing it this morning. He's also been refusing to take a morning nap at daycare lately. He's too young to be dropping that morning nap, but it was never more than 30-45 minutes. So tonight I tried putting him down early for bed. He went to sleep quickly, so fingers are crossed. I think he's just being overwhelmed by developmental stuff like rolling over and learning to crawl and pull up. I also know there have to be teeth in there somewhere -- he's been gnawing and drooling on everything in sight for months now.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Oh HH Poor little guy. I'm sure his feelings were hurt more than anything.

Micah has bumped his head more times than I care to count in his adventures, but usually a few seconds of crying and he's ok. My mom was taking him down this concrete path last Sunday though, and fell. And he landed on the concrete. We were HORRIFIED. I was convinced I'd see blood, but surprisingly, not a scratch. They really are tougher than they look. My mom, on the other hand, has a NASTY bruise on her knee. It's like the size of a watermelon. Ouch.

I took a couple pictures of Micah today for fun, and ended up using one for his birthday announcement. He got a new hat and he actually leaves it on! He looked SO cute!

 

[noelwr]

HH - I think it's just part of it that sometimes kids are going to squirm away and fall down. luckily you were close to the floor. it doesn't make you a bad mother AT ALL! it's not like you did it on purpose or wished it upon your kid. regarding CIO, if possible and if you're still awake, or when you wake up again, I would check on him once he has fallen asleep. I'm not sure why, but they say if your baby has had a really heavy crying session and then goes quiet, to check up on him/her.

MP - that's a really great birthday announcement!

- - -

as for Skye, the doctor apparently said not to move her onto solids until she is 6 months because I have hay fever and leaving her on formula will help build up her "immunity" against it. not really sure if I agree with this (not about waiting for 6 months, but that formula helps build up immunity against hay fever). anyone else heard anything like this? and then she asked why we're already trying to feed Skye with a spoon (rice cereal) because she is way too young for that. uh... your doctor colleague told us to last time! anyway, she hates the spoon so we usually just skip it.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Thanks ladies! We had a pretty good night. I left the ACM on so we'd hear the alarm go off, but we shut the receiver off in our room. Aidan got me up around 3 for a bottle, but that's it. YAY

Noel, Pedis in the US say that at 6 months babies should still be getting the majority of their nutrients and calories from BM or formula and that "eating" is more for practice. Aidan does about 12 oz of baby food a day (3 meals) and another 24-28 oz of formula. The formula does have immunity boosters in it as well as iron and other vitamins and minerals they might not get enough of if they're eating table foods.

So bottom line, do what feels right to you as a mom (hahaha I should practice what I preach, eh?). Continue to give Skye formula like you're doing, but if you want to experiment with baby led weaning or purees then don't let the doctor turn you away from it. Just make sure she's still getting the bulk of her calories from the formula.

 

[AllieLuv83]

So we are very slowly starting to introduce solids to Charlie and at first he was ALL about it. Now any time I go to try to give it to him he just turns away. I tried all of the old favorites, nothing works, he used to take a spoon and put it in his mouth and now he just stares at it and holds it in his hand like hes going to flick the food at me and nothing!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Yea that's how it goes Allie. One week A will eat solids like a champ and the next he totally rejects them. This week we discovered part of the problem was texture. He was ready to move up to chunkier stuff. Once we made that adjustment he was good to go again. Remember, it's just for practice right now...And some babies never do well with purees and are better suited for more of a baby led weaning approach. Have you guys looked into that??

 

[AllieLuv83]

We have thought about BLW but the choking risks are just too scary for me. I guess we will keep trying daily. What threw me for a loop is that he was GOBBLING it down at first, I actually had to cut him off, but now he won't even take it or if he does he gives me a little shiver shake and then a gag. Should I try the same thing for a few days before trying something else? Like 2 days of avocado?

 

[noelwr]

thanks HH. I also don't see anything wrong with giving S a little taste of some mushed up fruit or veggies every now and then. it's not like the first time I put the spoon in her mouth she'll eat the whole jar (I'm sure that would result in horrible constipation) and that I'll never give her formula ever again. sometimes I don't understand doctors.

- - -

and now we've been called up to have Skye vaccinated for tuberculosis just because her daddy is from South Africa! we'll definitely give that one a skip.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

We have thought about BLW but the choking risks are just too scary for me. I guess we will keep trying daily. What threw me for a loop is that he was GOBBLING it down at first, I actually had to cut him off, but now he won't even take it or if he does he gives me a little shiver shake and then a gag. Should I try the same thing for a few days before trying something else? Like 2 days of avocado?

Yes you should Allie. They say it takes 5 introductions of a new food for a child to develop a taste for or against it. But avocado-while a great first food-is pretty tasteless. I wonder if it's the texture that's putting him off? Maybe try mixing a little applesauce or pears with it?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

thanks HH. I also don't see anything wrong with giving S a little taste of some mushed up fruit or veggies every now and then. it's not like the first time I put the spoon in her mouth she'll eat the whole jar (I'm sure that would result in horrible constipation) and that I'll never give her formula ever again. sometimes I don't understand doctors.

- - -

and now we've been called up to have Skye vaccinated for tuberculosis just because her daddy is from South Africa! we'll definitely give that one a skip.

Noel, we had to meet with a pediatric gastroenterologist at 12 weeks because of Aidan's reflux and other concerns about our family's history with digestive issues (celiac disease). He said we could safely start with fruits and veg at 4 months if we wanted to vs waiting for 6 months. He also said we could skip cereal all together because other than iron and calories it holds little nutrition for our kiddos and if they're on formula, they're getting enough iron from that. Rice and oatmeal also constipate Aidan to an extreme! So we started with avocado at 16 weeks, one week shy of A's "official" 4 mo b-day on 1/9. I will admit though, we gave him a taste or two of sweet potato at Christmas. Now, almost 3 months later (he'll be 7 months on Saturday!), he's on stage 3 meals and some finger foods three times a day and still taking in 24-28 ounces of formula.

Allie-BLW definitely has some risks. We're not following it really, but are taking a few cues from it to round our A's experience with food. So I've offered him broccoli, cucumber, melon, mandarine orange, apple, kiwi, peas, carrots, and pasta shells so far. He's done pretty well. A lot of it is just working on the hand to mouth coordination as well as moving the food from the front to the side to chew to the back to swallow. I've found gagging happens when he forgets to swallow more than when there's too big a piece in his mouth. They can pulverize pretty well with their gums. And I watch him like a hawk and eat along with him. If he's having a piece of broccoli I will ahve one and I'll show him how to raise it to my mouth, bite, chew and swallow it with somewhat exaggerated motions. So far so good!

 

[dcgator]

Noel - I saw this article today and thought you might like to read it. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42441066 I thought it was pretty interesting. Btw, Skye is getting so big and those cheeks, I just want to pinch em'

 

[Puppmom]

Noel, I’m glad to hear your treatment is going well so far. Back to snuggling S yet? RE: solids. I’m learning to do whatever feels right to us. It’s amazing what variation there is among babies. N, for example, is a BIG boy but only eats 4-6oz of solids per day and nurses (or has a bottle) 5 times per day – sometimes 4. I’ve heard other babies eating much more than that.

MP, what a great birthday announcement. I just love M’s face – he’s totally a lean kid but still has those cute cheeks!

Allie, I have a friend whose daughter refused purees altogether. She moved right from nursing to chunkier foods. I don’t think Charlie is likely to *choke* on anything so long as it isn’t hard and the pieces are really small. He may gag here and there but I think that’s all a part of learning. FWIW, I didn’t even try solids until N was 6 months. C can certainly sustain himself on your BM. Also, If C is a DIY type kid, you may want to try those food pouches and show him how to squeeze the food himself. N loves to do that!

Turtle, I hope T is getting back to his normal schedule. We’ve suffered some crappy sleep regressions lately since N was sick but we’ve had two GLORIOUS nights of sleep. It is so hard when the wake early because it really throws off the whole morning routine.

HH, how’s A sleeping? Have you had to CIO again? I love your pics from last week. N is smitten with my brother too. I think men have a way with babies. They approach them in such quiet and gentle ways. Women tend to squeal at them. I don’t know about A but squealing ladies always make N cry!

SS, N isn’t even close to crawling either. I don’t know if he’ll skip it or just crawl late. I guess we’ll see!

Hou, how did your first long shift go?

Lanie, thanks for the compliments on N…and the bedding. I wish I had spent that $200 on jeans! In all seriousness, we only really use the bed skirt. Maybe we’ll use the bumper and comforter and some point but they’re being stored in the basement for now. I pump and nurse. I use the handsfree bra to attach the pump to one side then DH hands N to me and he nurses on the other side. Pumping takes longer than nursing though so I have to entertain N for a few minutes on my lap sometimes. He’s taken to pulling the tubing out of the connector…bad boy! How’s A’s mood these days?

Mer, I just love C! He just looks like the happiest, proudest little guy I’ve ever seen!

AFM, things are good here. N is just a pleasure. He really is tons of fun. He’s feeling much better AND sleeping much better – thank goodness! We celebrated DD’s 16th birthday this past weekend. That was definitely stressful for him. He’s with Grandma all day and doesn’t get around many others so having all of the guests in our house pawing at him and talking in his face really got to him. He was so overwhelmed but eventually warmed up.

Now that he’s getting older, I’m trying to put a little more structure into his day with Grandma. I want to institute some sort of structured play that’s intended to enhance his motor skills. So I’ve purchased a foam play mat and some toys and bubbles and books just for this time. I’ll have to work with MIL to set aside some time each day to do specific things with him. I do feel like that constructive play time is one of the things he’s lacking by being with MIL and not in daycare. She’s open so I don’t think we’ll have any problem but we’ll just have to be specific about we want. We’re also considering part time day care to give MIL a break. We keep asking her if she wants to do that but she loves being with N so much that she won’t say she needs a break. So, we’re probably just going to do it soon since it’s clear she’s not going to say *when*. She is at our house caring for our baby almost 50 hours per week AND commutes 20-30 minutes each way! She HAS to be exhausted.

 

[Miscka]

Thanks guys for the help with the spitting up! I am keeping an eye on it, it was projectile twice yesterday

Kimberly - if you read this, I have a few qs about the shield. 1) how did you protect your supply? Did you pump a ton? 2) Did you work or SAH? 3) Did you replace your shields? I've had 1 LC tell me they are good for a month and another say indefinitely if you keep them clean etc. Thanks!!!

HH I cant believe A is 7 mo!!!! Time flies. He is precious precious precious!

MP I also cant believe M is 1! Love the picture. I am hoping to get a good camera in July, I will probably bug you for recs

Noel you are incredibly strong. Seriously. Hats off to you, Skye is adorable!

HOU - thanks for the reply!! I have to ask, is being a ped and a mom awesome?? Since you know everything? I almost married a guy in med school from a family of doctors so whenever they needed anything they just knew it. I am an anxious hypochondriac (though surprisingly calm when it comes to LO) and I always thought that would be awesome. Ha.

Geri - LOVE the pic!!!

Question - is there a good resource to look up milestones? Like for example, when does LO start to reach for things?

AFM - H is a month today! I could cry. We are settling in to a better routine, I feel like I am able to get more done. For those of you that might recall, I interviewed and changed jobs at like 24 wks preggo, I had a thread asking for advice and some of you loely ladies chimed in. Well, in a twist of events I changed jobs AGAIN the week before I gave birth! My boss got poached by a diff company and he wanted me to come along. Turned out totally awesome because he offered me more $ AND I get to work at home most of the time, and will get to keep H with me tons! He said I can even bring him to office if I want. We still have a fulltime spot for him in daycare for when I need it, but we shouldnt need it that much. My boss said he will let me know if he ever feels like I get out of balance with work/baby while baby is home. So totally awesome. Otherwise I would be going back to work a week from next monday. When I think about being away from H for that long so soon I freak! Glad it worked out differently

Also - has anyone ever moved with a baby? We are moving probably in 6ish weeks. We can take our time but wondering if anyone has advice?

 

[noelwr]

dcgator - thanks for that! the lady in the article is getting all the same treatments I am, except that I am lucky enough not to have had chemo during pregnancy and I don't need radiation. plus we've made the decision not to have any more babies. even though I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy, it's comforting to know I'm not alone!

 

[Lanie]

Miscka--I used a shield for about 6 wks or so bc of poor latch. My shields didn't last long at all. I washed the with hot soapy water but they lost their "stick" after about a week. And I had the expensive medela ones. They didn't affect my supply at all. One day I tried to nurse without and it worked! I was so happy bc they are such a pain!

 

[Miscka]

Lanie thanks!!!! I was worried I wouldnt be able to wean him, which isnt the worst thing ever but they are a PITA to keep up with. I have 3 so that I dont have to was at night, but I just hate them. Glad you had success! Did you literally just try it once and you were done? I hope I am so lucky...my nipples are a little flat-ish, esp compared to the shield but I am hoping he will adjust.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Miscka I also had to use sheields with A, but I was primarily a pump and bottle feeder. At 5 weeks Aidan naturally just *got* it and was able to latch without a problem. The LC said that most babies take about 3-4 weeks to really learn how to BF'd and if yours came a little early like Aidan did it could be longer. But it was literally an overnight thing. One day he couldn't do it and the next he could.

 

[Miscka]

Thanks HH You guys are making me feel much better! LCs can be a little extreme.