Congratulations and welcome to the world, Charlie!
I hope there are some really caring people around you to led a hand and give some hugs. Hearing from people who are such repsonsible caring parents even when its hard is always so great.
hang in there!
Jen (Socknitster) had her Baby (off topic)
Congratulations Jen!
I had two boys four years apart. It worked very well for us all, the only jealousy was from the baby when he grew old enough to realise he wasn't the only one!
Only advice I can think of that hasn't been said is re the breast pump.
I found that listening to music while pumping really speeds up production. Even music I didn't like! I found that out because I usually listen to talk radio, but the occasional music segment had immediate results. So I changed stations during the pump!
And of course, make it a very pleasant time for yourself, be warm and comfy, all that stuff.
Good luck, keep us posted as you find time.
We all think the world of you here, you know that.
love
Di
I had two boys four years apart. It worked very well for us all, the only jealousy was from the baby when he grew old enough to realise he wasn't the only one!
Only advice I can think of that hasn't been said is re the breast pump.
I found that listening to music while pumping really speeds up production. Even music I didn't like! I found that out because I usually listen to talk radio, but the occasional music segment had immediate results. So I changed stations during the pump!
And of course, make it a very pleasant time for yourself, be warm and comfy, all that stuff.
Good luck, keep us posted as you find time.
We all think the world of you here, you know that.
love
Di
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"I'll get by with a little help from my friends" - The Beatles
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"I'll get by with a little help from my friends" - The Beatles
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Oh, your post brings back memories....Poor you! Both mine (now 10 and 13) had reflux and took acid reducers (Zantac for the first, Prilosec for the second)--it's a real pain getting them into a baby so young, but it does help...You might also try raising the head of the bed a bit. Also, ask your pediatrician about whether the baby should be put down on his tummy or his side/back. Since he's inclined to spit up, the recommendation may be different than for a normal baby. I've lost track, but at one point, reflux babies were supposed to sleep on their tummies. Do ask your doctor, though, since I wouldn't want to steer you wrong on something so important! Hang in there! I do hope you can get him back off the bottle! Breastfeeding can simplify things so much. Particularly since, with the reflux, he may do better with many small meals, rather than standard big bottles....You have all my congratulations and my sympathy!
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--Sarah
Many, many congratulations, Jen!!!
I have no business giving advice about babies, never having had any. Certainly breastfeeding is better for baby for a number of reasons and I hope that will work out for you and Charlie. I hope you have a really good lactation consultant. But, just as other have said, if you have to switch to formula, don't feel bad. Millions of us were formula fed with no problems.
You hang in there and keep us updated when you have the chance.
I have no business giving advice about babies, never having had any. Certainly breastfeeding is better for baby for a number of reasons and I hope that will work out for you and Charlie. I hope you have a really good lactation consultant. But, just as other have said, if you have to switch to formula, don't feel bad. Millions of us were formula fed with no problems.
You hang in there and keep us updated when you have the chance.
I wish someone would ship me to Washington for the summer...it's WAY to hot here...LOL.Anonymous wrote:Jen.....
Sounds like an EXCELLENT TIME to ship the 4 year old off to his favorite Grandparents/Aunts/Uncles/Dear Friends for a week or two, or three. :lol:
My mom shipped me to Oklahoma every summer of my childhood to spend it with my Grandparents. Gave her some breathing room, gave them a dose of their only grandchild, and gave me the spoiling of a lifetime. I highly recommend it. :lol:
I think you should try to breast feed as long as you can. The day you contemplate asking for a double mastectomy rather than pump the breasts again, I give you MY PERMISSION to switch to formula. I swear you won't be labeled "A Bad Mommy." :lol:
My love to Charlie, DH, DS, and YOU!!! {{{{{{{JEN}}}}}}}}}}
-Babs
Congrats on the birth, Jen.
JeffH
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| Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i | ||||
Congratulations, Jen.
O.
O.
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And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Welcome, Charlie, and congratulations to your family!!
Sleep doctors aren't the only incompetent doctors out there.
Well, you sure said it!! I remember well the frustration we experienced when my daughter was born 2 months early. I'd had a few months of bed rest to read up on preemie care, and butted heads with the medical staff at our hospital more than once. We also had the jaundice blanket once we brought her home and like you, we had to really work to get her to take the breast. You are so right about babies that age having a mind of their own--and you are so desperate to get them to eat and gain weight that it's tough not to give in! I remember a finger feeder and endless pumping, but eventually, she did get the hang of it, and I hope Charlie does, too--and very soon! By the way, my daughter just turned 10 and is healthy, strong, and beautiful.
Take a deep breath, this time is hard, but it won't last forever. If you can just make it through each day, eventually it will get better and you'll be glad you stuck it out. It's obviously important to you to do all you can to keep Charlie breastfed, and I'm sending you lots of positive energy!
Best of luck to you, you are definately in our prayers here!
Take care,
Cj
Sleep doctors aren't the only incompetent doctors out there.
Well, you sure said it!! I remember well the frustration we experienced when my daughter was born 2 months early. I'd had a few months of bed rest to read up on preemie care, and butted heads with the medical staff at our hospital more than once. We also had the jaundice blanket once we brought her home and like you, we had to really work to get her to take the breast. You are so right about babies that age having a mind of their own--and you are so desperate to get them to eat and gain weight that it's tough not to give in! I remember a finger feeder and endless pumping, but eventually, she did get the hang of it, and I hope Charlie does, too--and very soon! By the way, my daughter just turned 10 and is healthy, strong, and beautiful.
Take a deep breath, this time is hard, but it won't last forever. If you can just make it through each day, eventually it will get better and you'll be glad you stuck it out. It's obviously important to you to do all you can to keep Charlie breastfed, and I'm sending you lots of positive energy!
Best of luck to you, you are definately in our prayers here!
Take care,
Cj
Happy Days
Jen,
After thinking "Congratulations!" I had a thought of how much I would dread, after finally getting decent sleep with cpap, to give it up even temporarily. Now that's a mother's love! I know this baby means so much to you considering how you thought this might never happen. I remember you writing, "Prior to diagnosis I figured my son was going to be an only child with a sickly mother--and I felt lucky to have him because the pregnancy was hard. Now he is getting a younger brother and I am healthy and happy and this pregnancy has been relatively easy. If that doesn't say something, I don't know what could!"
Since you've always been so compassionate and encouraging to others here, I thought I'd mirror some of your own words (taken totally out of context I admit) and see if you recognize them...
About breast feeding:
"I hope whatever you settle on is easy and comfortable!"
"Don't feel bad--I did exactly the same thing"
About needing some support:
"You have found the right place to look for ideas and help."
"You will be surprised at how much the support here will mean to you with time!"
About the baby's reflux:
"I, too, sleep on my side with a wedge pillow. My left side, to be exact. This is the best side for problems with acid reflux, as it keeps the contents of the stomach in the stomach where they belong a lot better than the right side (this is a well documented anatomy factoid)."
About living life with its challenges:
"Try to live consciously and with awareness and reduce these things that could now be hampering your success."
About staying in touch:
"Anyway, such good news to hear--report back again soon!"
Kathy (I couldn't have said it better.)
After thinking "Congratulations!" I had a thought of how much I would dread, after finally getting decent sleep with cpap, to give it up even temporarily. Now that's a mother's love! I know this baby means so much to you considering how you thought this might never happen. I remember you writing, "Prior to diagnosis I figured my son was going to be an only child with a sickly mother--and I felt lucky to have him because the pregnancy was hard. Now he is getting a younger brother and I am healthy and happy and this pregnancy has been relatively easy. If that doesn't say something, I don't know what could!"
Since you've always been so compassionate and encouraging to others here, I thought I'd mirror some of your own words (taken totally out of context I admit) and see if you recognize them...
About breast feeding:
"I hope whatever you settle on is easy and comfortable!"
"Don't feel bad--I did exactly the same thing"
About needing some support:
"You have found the right place to look for ideas and help."
"You will be surprised at how much the support here will mean to you with time!"
About the baby's reflux:
"I, too, sleep on my side with a wedge pillow. My left side, to be exact. This is the best side for problems with acid reflux, as it keeps the contents of the stomach in the stomach where they belong a lot better than the right side (this is a well documented anatomy factoid)."
About living life with its challenges:
"Try to live consciously and with awareness and reduce these things that could now be hampering your success."
About staying in touch:
"Anyway, such good news to hear--report back again soon!"
Kathy (I couldn't have said it better.)
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My SleepDancing Video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE7WA_5c73c
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Guest
Jen and New Baby Charles,
"CONGRATULATIONS", I am so happy for you and your new precious bundle of joy! I'm just sorry you and the Baby have had such a rough time...
I was beginning to wonder why you had not posted your great news on the forum!
I am glad that "Little's" is home now and that you are both doing alot better.
You are a "WONDERFUL MOTHER", try to get some much needed rest Jen..
Take extra good care ok?
BTW, your a real "TROOPER" for all that you and "Little's" have gone through, keep up the good work.
SleepyNoMore
"CONGRATULATIONS", I am so happy for you and your new precious bundle of joy! I'm just sorry you and the Baby have had such a rough time...
I was beginning to wonder why you had not posted your great news on the forum!
I am glad that "Little's" is home now and that you are both doing alot better.
You are a "WONDERFUL MOTHER", try to get some much needed rest Jen..
Take extra good care ok?
BTW, your a real "TROOPER" for all that you and "Little's" have gone through, keep up the good work.
SleepyNoMore
Congratulations Jen!!!!!!! I'm happy that your babyis here, and sorry that you are having some rough times. I know you just want to enjoy that little guy.
As a "preemie" nurse, I would suggest that when Charlie starts stirring, before he gets totally awake when he is getting ready to wake up and eat...pump first just long enough for your milk to let down, then when he latches on, the milk is right there waiting for him, and he won't have to work so hard to get the let down. Good luck--I know how much you want breastfeeding to work!!.
Hugs to all of you!!
Cindy
As a "preemie" nurse, I would suggest that when Charlie starts stirring, before he gets totally awake when he is getting ready to wake up and eat...pump first just long enough for your milk to let down, then when he latches on, the milk is right there waiting for him, and he won't have to work so hard to get the let down. Good luck--I know how much you want breastfeeding to work!!.
Hugs to all of you!!
Cindy
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CONGRATULATIONS!
I can tell breastfeeding is important to you, but try not to stress too much over it. As others have said, there are plenty of us who were not breastfed. My mom didn't breastfeed me, and I never even thought about breastfeeding my son, who is now 19 and just finished his first year of college on the Dean's list.
Take it as easy as you can, get as much help as you can, and relax with your new bundle of joy! Everything will fall into place soon, I'm sure.
Pam
I can tell breastfeeding is important to you, but try not to stress too much over it. As others have said, there are plenty of us who were not breastfed. My mom didn't breastfeed me, and I never even thought about breastfeeding my son, who is now 19 and just finished his first year of college on the Dean's list.
Take it as easy as you can, get as much help as you can, and relax with your new bundle of joy! Everything will fall into place soon, I'm sure.
Pam
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Innomed Hybrid Mask
Congratulations, Jen and family! Happy to hear from you. Glad you took the time to check in! Sounds like you DO have your hands full!
I wish you ALL THE BEST and a speedy recovery for both of you.
Ahhh, yes, I sure remember those days, when the second one comes along, and has even more issues than the first! Two is definitely a whole new ball game!!
I actually read your post late night and my now 12 yr. old daughter and I were just talking about this period in our lives only minutes before I read your post. She had ran across some old chest x-rays and Dr. reports from when she was a baby and had recurring pneumonia. Seven times by the time she was 3! She had tests trying to determine if this (and her projectile vomiting) was from reflux or a small hole letting the food get to where it wasn't suppose to be.
They did test after test for allergies,, cystic fibrosis, etc. and couldn't find
any reason. While you are so relieved that nothing MAJOR is causing your baby's problems, hearing that "some babies are just like that" is frustrating too. This kid vomited breastmilk across the room EVERY time she ate, for 2 years of her life....and "some babies are just like that". Yeah, that helps!
Asthma was pretty much her only diagnosis, and she seems to have outgrown that for the time being. (However, her Dr. says you can't outgrow it.) I'm hoping to prove her wrong!
Moral of my story.....it is HELL going through it, especially when you're not sleeping either. But one day, it will become a blur....and things WILL get better. No one can truly understand until they've been through it.
Just try and take one day, or better yet, a half day at a time, and give yourself permission to take breaks, and sleep naps with your CPAP if you can. I'm hoping you have someone to take your other son, even if for a few hours at a time, so maybe you and the baby can sleep at the same time. And don't beat yourself up over the breastfeeding thing either.
I can tell you're a great and caring mom from all your posts, and you can only do what you can do! Your love and nurturing will more than make up for that, if it turns out you can't continue to breastfeed!
I REALLY feel for you, and I'm sending positive energy and prayers your way! Your are not alone. Let us know how things are going! (IN your SPARE TIME!)
I wish you ALL THE BEST and a speedy recovery for both of you.
Ahhh, yes, I sure remember those days, when the second one comes along, and has even more issues than the first! Two is definitely a whole new ball game!!
I actually read your post late night and my now 12 yr. old daughter and I were just talking about this period in our lives only minutes before I read your post. She had ran across some old chest x-rays and Dr. reports from when she was a baby and had recurring pneumonia. Seven times by the time she was 3! She had tests trying to determine if this (and her projectile vomiting) was from reflux or a small hole letting the food get to where it wasn't suppose to be.
They did test after test for allergies,, cystic fibrosis, etc. and couldn't find
any reason. While you are so relieved that nothing MAJOR is causing your baby's problems, hearing that "some babies are just like that" is frustrating too. This kid vomited breastmilk across the room EVERY time she ate, for 2 years of her life....and "some babies are just like that". Yeah, that helps!
Asthma was pretty much her only diagnosis, and she seems to have outgrown that for the time being. (However, her Dr. says you can't outgrow it.) I'm hoping to prove her wrong!
Moral of my story.....it is HELL going through it, especially when you're not sleeping either. But one day, it will become a blur....and things WILL get better. No one can truly understand until they've been through it.
Just try and take one day, or better yet, a half day at a time, and give yourself permission to take breaks, and sleep naps with your CPAP if you can. I'm hoping you have someone to take your other son, even if for a few hours at a time, so maybe you and the baby can sleep at the same time. And don't beat yourself up over the breastfeeding thing either.
I can tell you're a great and caring mom from all your posts, and you can only do what you can do! Your love and nurturing will more than make up for that, if it turns out you can't continue to breastfeed!
I REALLY feel for you, and I'm sending positive energy and prayers your way! Your are not alone. Let us know how things are going! (IN your SPARE TIME!)