Aa
My baby girl is here!
Wow, lots of new arrivals! Congratulations to all the mamas and good luck to the moms to be!
Baby Iris was born 10 days ahead of schedule on Dec 8th, just shy of 7 lbs. The contractions started at around 9pm with light cramping and I was thinking I probably have a couple of days left but I guess she had other ideas - we got to the hospital at 2 am when my contractions were 1-1.5 min apart and she was born at 2:51 :) It was an amazing experience and holding my little daughter for the first time was truly incredible. It took a couple of days to work out our breastfeeding routine - I seem to have too much milk! - but I think we're both on board now.
Can't wait to hear about all the rest of the birth stories
Baby Iris was born 10 days ahead of schedule on Dec 8th, just shy of 7 lbs. The contractions started at around 9pm with light cramping and I was thinking I probably have a couple of days left but I guess she had other ideas - we got to the hospital at 2 am when my contractions were 1-1.5 min apart and she was born at 2:51 :) It was an amazing experience and holding my little daughter for the first time was truly incredible. It took a couple of days to work out our breastfeeding routine - I seem to have too much milk! - but I think we're both on board now.
Can't wait to hear about all the rest of the birth stories
When my baby was born, they put her on my stomach right away and encouraged me to breastfeed her in the first 30 min (only after that did they take her for a check up) A nurse helped me with the hold and how to kind of stuff the nipple in her mouth, which I knew nothing about. It took a few tries, thankfully the nurse was very patient.
When I got home she seemed to want to eat all the time - I didn't know how often is expected for newborns to eat and at each feeding she was on the breast for a long time. I started to wonder if she could overeat and get a stomach ache or something like that. I also didn't know how to handle my engorged breasts and abundant milk supply - I found out I should expel some first because, initially, the milk wasn't flowing well. After I did that, the feedings became much more efficient. I also didn't know about foremilk and hindmilk and had to figure out how to alternate breasts so that my baby gets more hindmilk. I also had to read up on the signals my baby has been giving me during nursing - why she is gassy, monitor for swallowing, what are the signs of having had a good meal, etc
Hope this helps but I'm sure you're already familiar with most of these after taking a class and reading on it a bit. Good luck!
When I got home she seemed to want to eat all the time - I didn't know how often is expected for newborns to eat and at each feeding she was on the breast for a long time. I started to wonder if she could overeat and get a stomach ache or something like that. I also didn't know how to handle my engorged breasts and abundant milk supply - I found out I should expel some first because, initially, the milk wasn't flowing well. After I did that, the feedings became much more efficient. I also didn't know about foremilk and hindmilk and had to figure out how to alternate breasts so that my baby gets more hindmilk. I also had to read up on the signals my baby has been giving me during nursing - why she is gassy, monitor for swallowing, what are the signs of having had a good meal, etc
Hope this helps but I'm sure you're already familiar with most of these after taking a class and reading on it a bit. Good luck!
I hear ya on the research. I was asked at the hospital "how much did you read on breastfeeding?" And I was like.. errr.. nada. I was so busy readding the week by week stuff like in what to expect when you're expecting, that I never thought to read up on breastfeeding. I assumed that it was simple, baby is hungry, baby drinks from breast.
Apparently there is more to just that. Those who get it on first try I envy. My baby being a few weeks early (and sometimes even those full term) is so sleepy she won't latch. She suckles for maybe 10 seconds and lets go. It's sooo frustrating.
When i was in the hospital we were trying with lactation experts and they would encourage me and help with a nipple shield but I was so frustrated I broke down crying.
I would pump but being it was only colostrum they would give the rest in formula and I would get even more upset because I wanted to breastfeed so bad.
Now that my milk came in and I can pump breastmilk I feel better cuz at least my baby isn't taking formula. I keep trying to breastfeed but still no go. If it means pumping for months I will. It's also ok to combine formula as well if I cant pump enough one day or need a bit more.
I'll keep trying breast she may just take to it eventually.
Apparently there is more to just that. Those who get it on first try I envy. My baby being a few weeks early (and sometimes even those full term) is so sleepy she won't latch. She suckles for maybe 10 seconds and lets go. It's sooo frustrating.
When i was in the hospital we were trying with lactation experts and they would encourage me and help with a nipple shield but I was so frustrated I broke down crying.
I would pump but being it was only colostrum they would give the rest in formula and I would get even more upset because I wanted to breastfeed so bad.
Now that my milk came in and I can pump breastmilk I feel better cuz at least my baby isn't taking formula. I keep trying to breastfeed but still no go. If it means pumping for months I will. It's also ok to combine formula as well if I cant pump enough one day or need a bit more.
I'll keep trying breast she may just take to it eventually.
Question: would you mind sharing what you learned or wished you had known earlier? I took a 3 hour breastfeeding class and read a chapter from a book. But otherwise, I feel woefully unprepared. I really want to breastfeed and would love new mom advice!
Thanks all for the well wishes! Glad to hear all the other mommas are doing well too.
Breastfeeding is one thing I hadn't done research on beforehand and am finding out I should have! It is not at all as straight forward as I thought... or hoped :) It's a learning curve but totally worth it.
Breastfeeding is one thing I hadn't done research on beforehand and am finding out I should have! It is not at all as straight forward as I thought... or hoped :) It's a learning curve but totally worth it.
Congrats!!
elixs, Ava is a pumping baby too! I got scared after the jaundice incident and I've been pumping ever since. I breast feed inbetween feedings if she is acting hungry but it's mostly bottles!
elixs, Ava is a pumping baby too! I got scared after the jaundice incident and I've been pumping ever since. I breast feed inbetween feedings if she is acting hungry but it's mostly bottles!
grats! i thought i had too much milk but it went down a bit after the initial crazy supply and rock hard breasts. im still working on the breastfeeding, she still won't latch on for me. She lets go. Pumping for now.
CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW BUNDLE OF JOY MY BABY GIRL WAS BORN ON THE 7TH OF DEC 7LBS 5 OZ 20 INCH LONG
Congrats on your baby girl.. glad to hear all went well and you didnt have much time stuck in L&D. I havent even had my baby yet, but I too am jealous of the milk... hope mine comes in and stays in this time!
Congrats on Baby Iris! I too am jealous of your milk supply! We're having trouble in the breast feedind dept. I'm glad everything went smoothly for you two!
Wow congrats momma. Glad to hear everything worked out well for you- so fast. I'm jealous about your milk supply. Twns have been here a week today and my milk is still very low. Congrats!!
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