Thank you ladies for all your wonderful wishes...
it's been great to read during my middle of the morning feeds and toilet changes...
Today is officially 2 weeks since my little Pancakes was born and it's been bliss!!
We are getting into a routine and coming to the realization
that all our little man is going to do for the next while is,
sleep,
eat,
poop
and cry for one of the three.
It's been a learning experience and there are moments
we feel like completely NEW parents and moments
of hi-fives because we did something beautifully.
Like when Mr. Pancakes figured out before he sleeps
he will whine and whine and then let out a loud cry before knocking out entirely.
Baby Pancakes has been so patient with us and we are grateful.
I continue to marvel at his tiny little body and all the growing it's doing everyday.
I am one of those parents that stare at my baby as they slumber...
just in awe of God's awesome.
I am also one of those paranoid parents
who checks on their baby too many times to count.
We cuddle and wuddle with him as often as we can...
.despite my mother's insistence we are going to spoil him.
We just cannot get enough of him but we are also trying to get him to soothe himself to sleep.
One of the most challenging aspect of the last two weeks has been breastfeeding.
Hence the title.
Little man continues to suckle but i am also bumping
so currently my life is all about whether i have milk?
We are getting there...today i was able to get five ounces in one sitting...
woohoo!!!
Also i thought i would allow you all to ask questions
if you would like about anything and everything baby...
and i will do my best to answer them.
Kudos to all of you that are able to blog and mother...we are finding our rhythm.
Got questions or have milk advice?
Ask or tell away!!!
I will be waiting to hear from you...
26 comments:
congratulations on baby pancakes!!! i can't wait to hear more stories about your adventures!
I breastfed both of my girls exclusively with NO bottles. Breast feeding was a breeze to me and came natural to me and the girls. It's hard for me to give advice because it was so easy and I know some women have challenges I didn't experience, but if you have any questions for me I'm willing to help if I can. Good luck with it and continue to enjoy him. And oh yeah it's hard not spoiling them. That's the best part!
Found you via the BlogHer network. Used to be a part of it and am coming back soon! Anyway, I had trouble breast feeding Linden. It was a nightmare, really. I just couldn't seem to produce enough to sustain him and we eventually went to formula route. Hang in there, Mama! I have heard the payoff is well worth the work ... I just didn't have it in me! Literally. Haha! Best of luck to you!
Just a bit if breastfeeding advice :) don't rely on how much you've pumped as an indicator of how much milk you're actually producing. Kellymom.com is a great resource for any questions you may have,if you haven't already been there, but I believe its recommended to not pump until your supply is well established by baby. The pump removes milk differently than your baby does,so your body doesn't respond in the same way,and it can actually hinder the building of your supply. Please check kellymom if you haven't. And if you have someone around you giving you breastfeeding advice that didn't breastfeed......don't follow the advice until you can check it against a reliable resource! Good luck momma!
Congrats. I didn't breastfeed my first born I did not have the patience then and I didn't want to sit still long enough but I tried it with my second my milk dried up quick so was only able to do it for a couple of months. Good luck
I completely second Christina's recommendation of Kellymom - it was my go-to guide for BF! Also, you cannot spoil a newborn ;-)
Congrats! I breatsfed my daughter until she was 54 weeks old. I was NEVER able to pump tons of milk, but whenever I would nurse my little one would get more than enough. Try not to let the pumped amount get you down. Just keep BFing. You will produce as much as your baby needs based on his eating habits. The best advice I got when I was concerned about my own milk production was to keep nursing and don't give up. You can do it!
so glad you all are doing well and adjusting! Can't wait for more updates {and pictures} :)
Congrats!! Love to see you doing great! So happy for you & Mr. Pancakes!!!
I am glad to hear that you and your family are finding a routine that works for you! My question is, what has surprised you the most about your first couple weeks as a mom?
Congratulations! new motherhood is daunting and good isn't it?
you said you were bumping and i had no idea what that was until i figured out you meant pumping. Here's what I know - drink lots of water; let the baby nurse as often as he needs; pump and store when you can...breastfeeding is supply and demand thing - the more the baby nurses its a clue to the body that the more milk you should produce. I'm sure you've heard about the different positions for nursing and things to do to prevent saggy breasts afterwards.
Also don't stress - enjoy everything.
I'm sending you lots of lot with the breastfeeding. I struggled but I think part of my struggle was because I really wanted to do it so everytime something didn't go right I was really bummed. Add in the post partum hormones and it just didn't make for a good situation. I tried pumping and after 30 minutes I wouldn't even have an ounce! Frustrating! So you have my postivie vibes coming your way.
kudo for Christina's advice " I believe its recommended to not pump until your supply is well established by baby. The pump removes milk differently than your baby does,so your body doesn't respond in the same way,and it can actually hinder the building of your supply." also drink more water.
Pumping and breastfeeding are 2 different things but yield similar results, milk. Whenever I did both simultaneously I would get about 6 oz total with each pump session. I think my breasts got confused. When I became a exclusive pumper, I would get 10-12oz total per session, but that was after a lot of training. The baby knows best and please do believe that as long as your milk is in he will eat what his body needs.
And don't give up breastfeeding! The first couple of weeks are difficult, but you can do it! I regret giving up with my 1st two so soon.
I think all you can do is take others' advice and then figure out what works best for you through trial and error (pumping or not). Sounds like you're doing a good job, so just trust your own instincts and keep going with that.
Also, there is absolutely, positively NO WAY to spoil a newborn baby. When it comes to helping them get more hours of sleep 6wks+ (amt. suggested by pediatrician), SWADDLING works wonders, but that's another post.
Enjoy your new mommy time and fall in love.
Congratulations! 5 oz in one sitting is quite a feat. You should be proud!
Congrats on baby pancakes! How very precious this time of your life is! :)
Good job new mommy!!! I'm so happy for you. And congrats on the breastfeeding... Zoe was breastfed exclusively until 8 months, then we had to put her on formula because she's anemic. I love it, she still breatfeeds some but I think it's because she misses me while i'm at work.
My advice to you is- use the resources, there are so many. Kellymom.com is good, and our hospitals here have free lactation consultants. If you ever need questions or are feeling discouraged, email me: musingsofalouisvilleslugger@gmail.com!
Breatfeeding moms need all of the support they can get!
P.S> It is rough at first, the first month was hell- all I did was breastfeed, every hour... but we found our rhythm and there is seriously nothing like that bond.
I'm pregnant and I want to be able to breast feed. I've heard that it can be painful and difficult. What has helped you the most to be able to breast feed? What do you wish you had known before trying? What is the best advise that you have received about breast feeding that has helped you through the process?
I'm so excited for you guys! Its amazing to watch the day to day changes of infants! One thing I learned as a nanny years ago, babies don't really learn to self soothe until between 3 and 6 months. For right now you and dad will be the most soothing thing to him! And if you can stay calm when he's fussing for no apparent reason (as some babies do) your calmness will be immensely helpful to soothing him. As for the brest feeding a good lactation consultant can help you figure out what works best. Best advice - Learn your baby, what worked for your parents with you may not work for baby Pancakes! And if/when you and Mr P decide to have another, what works for Baby P now may not work for baby #2...
I thought pumping was the worst/hardest part of breastfeeding. It is much easier to get more milk when you are holding or looking at pictures of baby. I also recorded her crying on my phone, and watching that helped a lot with the milk letdown! Good luck!
I'm going to have to come back to this post when I'm pregnant and have a baby! I think it's great that you're doing what works for you and your family xoxox
It is absolutely incredible the amount of eating, pooping and sleeping they do! I hope all is well with the little one. The first month is kind of crazy I remember. An adjustment...but it's also crazy how fast it goes by!
5 ounces in one sitting? You go mama! One piece of advice I have is to not get dehydrated. It can really affect your milk supply. Anytime I pump I drink some water while I pump. Also when you go back to work keep a pic of baby pancakes in your pump bag so you can look at his sweet face while you pump at work. I think it really helps stimulate your breasts to make more milk!
Last month I was ready to give up breastfeeding. Something that's supposed to be so natural can be so hard. It's very trying but your body and baby will get the hang of it. It just takes time an A LOT of patience. I was pumping after every feeding to bring up my milk supply, I now have too much milk! So I freeze a lot which comes in handy :)
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