Just a quick warning, I will be talking about my breasts in this post. If that makes you uncomfortable in any way, please stop reading now.
I have been lucky. Breastfeeding has been natural for Riley and I. That isn't to say we haven't had our challenges.
Several weeks ago now, I was having sharp shooting pains in my right breast. It happened after feeds at first, but eventually it was happening without any association with feedings. Then it got to the point where his latch was so very painful that I dreaded feeding on the right side. I called the lactation hotline the lactation consultant gave me in the hospital. I talked with a lactation consultant on the phone, told her my symptoms, and she came up with a plan. It sounded as though Riley (and I) had thrush, or a yeast infection. But since she didn't know for sure, she told me to buy some over the counter anti-fungal cream, and to use it on my nipples (and also Riley's bottom because he had a little rash) and if it helped at all, that I should call my MD to get a prescription.
It did help, so I called my doctor's office and they gave Riley some oral medication. I started to think about it, and realized that since my breast was sore, that I too, should be treated. I called my doctor, and she said that I shouldn't need it. I saw my midwife shortly after that, and told her about my pain, and she immediately offered me a prescription. I felt bad going behind my doctor's back, but how silly it would be to treat him, when I could give it right back to him after his medication ran out. Plus, I wanted to feel relief!
After a few days of me taking the medication, I felt better.
Something that compounded the problem, I think, was the formation of a bleb, or milk blister on my right nipple. That was part of the pain I was feeling when he nursed. It eventually went away (and has since returned once more, but not nearly as bad as the first time.)
We are now seasoned pros at this whole nursing thing. He is starting to use his hands to pull my nipple toward his mouth. Sometimes if I am taking too long, he will reach and try to pull me closer. I say "try," because he really is not quite strong enough to overpower his mama, but it is neat to see him taking charge. ;)
I have a feeling me returning to work will cause some problems for us, and I've read that sometimes teething causes problems as well. But I'm hopeful that we can keep up with each other and won't have to use formula much. (I am not sure I'll be able to pump enough milk for him when I'm working, especially at first, so I'll have some back up formula available for his baby sitters to use if necessary.) I'm not looking forward to the transition back to work, as I've grown accustomed to spending my time with his cute little self. Though I know it will be nice to have some grown-up mommy time as well. Only 6 more weeks before I have to return, I can't believe it has been 10 weeks already...
Now, I'd like to share a picture of Riley nursing. You can't see much as far as my body goes, but it might make some people uncomfortable to see this photo. If you are in this camp, don't click to see more. Honestly, I think there is nothing more beautiful than a baby nursing. He is starting to make grins up at me while nursing, which just about melts my heart. :D
Showing posts with label nursing (the boob kind). Show all posts
Showing posts with label nursing (the boob kind). Show all posts
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mommy Time
On Sunday, Jamaal's day off, I decided to go get my hair cut and colored. I had prepared ahead of time by pumping 2 ounces. I instructed Jamaal how to bottle feed him according to The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, so as to not undermine our progress with breastfeeding. I hoped that they wouldn't have to use it, because some babies have a hard time using bottles for the first time. I had to sort of kick myself out and not look back, because I was worried about how this short separation would go.
Usually a hair cut and color only takes 1.5 hours at the most, unfortunately this trip ended up being 4 hours long. The hairdresser did a good job, but took her sweet time doing it. I texted Jamaal a couple times to check in on my boys, and he said that things were going fine. He said he took the bottle fine and all was good. I kind of got upset that Riley didn't miss me. How could my little man survive without me this well, when he seems to need me so much when I'm with him?!
The stylist ended up undercharging me for the haircut and color, which kind of made the whole experience worth it. I've lucked out the last two trips to this salon. (last time I went I ended up with a "free" foil and hair cut because the guy had a hard time getting the $30 gift card I had to work. He finally voided the transaction, which voided the part he had charged on my debit card, and sent me on my way. I was never charged the rest of the total which was about $60!)
When I got home, Riley was sleeping. "Has he been sleeping the whole time?" I asked.
No. He had been screaming the whole time. Other than the time when he had the bottle, which he took like a seasoned pro. We have two different definitions of "fine," I guess. Maybe he didn't want me worrying so he stretched the truth a little. I hope that is the case. My poor guy then proceeded to sleep. I tried waking him to nurse, and he did, but not for long. He didn't seem as interested. I think he was mad at me for abandoning him. On the plus side, he slept most of the night, waking to nurse for about 20 minutes at a time (when he does usually like to nurse a little longer at night) and going straight back to sleep. Monday morning I woke up so refreshed and exhilarated. I was able to do some laundry and feel like I accomplished something. It was wonderful.
Of course Monday night, was not the same. The night started out okay, but ended poorly: we were up from 0440 until 0800. My mom and I had planned on going to Tacoma so that I could spend some of the gift cards we received from Babies R Us. I had stipulated that we would only go if Riley slept some through the night, and since that didn't happen, the plans had to change. Instead, we went to Target to return a couple things (a sweater Jamaal didn't want and a bottle warmer I didn't want), and buy a few things (like baby diapers and paper towels.)
My mom took Riley while I was returning my items. I was wandering through the store and heard his cry. I could pick him out of a line up, something I wasn't quite sure I could do before today. ;) He was not a happy man. We had hoped that he would sleep through the trip, but he was in a "I'm starving" mode prior to leaving the house. We just decided that if we let him decide when we would leave, we would never get to go. He's just like his daddy already, and hates shopping. ;) He fell asleep in the car, but it didn't take long for him to wake up in Target.
Usually a hair cut and color only takes 1.5 hours at the most, unfortunately this trip ended up being 4 hours long. The hairdresser did a good job, but took her sweet time doing it. I texted Jamaal a couple times to check in on my boys, and he said that things were going fine. He said he took the bottle fine and all was good. I kind of got upset that Riley didn't miss me. How could my little man survive without me this well, when he seems to need me so much when I'm with him?!
The stylist ended up undercharging me for the haircut and color, which kind of made the whole experience worth it. I've lucked out the last two trips to this salon. (last time I went I ended up with a "free" foil and hair cut because the guy had a hard time getting the $30 gift card I had to work. He finally voided the transaction, which voided the part he had charged on my debit card, and sent me on my way. I was never charged the rest of the total which was about $60!)
When I got home, Riley was sleeping. "Has he been sleeping the whole time?" I asked.
No. He had been screaming the whole time. Other than the time when he had the bottle, which he took like a seasoned pro. We have two different definitions of "fine," I guess. Maybe he didn't want me worrying so he stretched the truth a little. I hope that is the case. My poor guy then proceeded to sleep. I tried waking him to nurse, and he did, but not for long. He didn't seem as interested. I think he was mad at me for abandoning him. On the plus side, he slept most of the night, waking to nurse for about 20 minutes at a time (when he does usually like to nurse a little longer at night) and going straight back to sleep. Monday morning I woke up so refreshed and exhilarated. I was able to do some laundry and feel like I accomplished something. It was wonderful.
Of course Monday night, was not the same. The night started out okay, but ended poorly: we were up from 0440 until 0800. My mom and I had planned on going to Tacoma so that I could spend some of the gift cards we received from Babies R Us. I had stipulated that we would only go if Riley slept some through the night, and since that didn't happen, the plans had to change. Instead, we went to Target to return a couple things (a sweater Jamaal didn't want and a bottle warmer I didn't want), and buy a few things (like baby diapers and paper towels.)
My mom took Riley while I was returning my items. I was wandering through the store and heard his cry. I could pick him out of a line up, something I wasn't quite sure I could do before today. ;) He was not a happy man. We had hoped that he would sleep through the trip, but he was in a "I'm starving" mode prior to leaving the house. We just decided that if we let him decide when we would leave, we would never get to go. He's just like his daddy already, and hates shopping. ;) He fell asleep in the car, but it didn't take long for him to wake up in Target.
I carried him around and eventually with the help of a pacifier, he fell asleep in my arms. He wasn't too rambunctious, and was just fussing instead of screaming/crying. And I got a lot of stares/comments about how cute and small he is. I guess I never realized how much attention babies (and therefore moms) get when in public. Speaking of pacifiers, Riley doesn't really care for the one I've been using. The shape is not the same as my nipples (really the shape is not like any nipple, not exactly sure who decided to make pacifiers at an angle...but anyway...) I was in search of one that is closer to the shape of a real woman's nipples. My mom and I found one, and somehow when we checked out, the pacifiers didn't make it into either of our bags (we also did not pay for them). Not exactly sure how it happened, but I was disappointed to say the least.
By the way, my haircut was quite drastic! I was tired of having hair in the way of nursing. This will be much easier to manage! I'm already wishing it was a bit shorter, but as it is I can barely fit it in a pony tail, which is a necessary thing for me. We'll see if I get it shorter next time.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Again with the sleep
I broke my streak of posting every day. Darn. I pulled up my blog, but set my computer aside to go to sleep. I had intended on blogging once I woke up, but forgot all about it. Oh well, it had to end sometime.
The night before last was one of the hardest I've had since Riley was born. He would not sleep at all. I was exhausted and frustrated and bawling by 0700.
I've been thinking about solutions to this problem, and have decided I might try pumping sometimes and supplementing with that. If he takes bottles okay, this would help me to pass off a feeding or two. I also want to get my hair cut and colored which would be easier to do if I have some pumped milk on hand for someone else to feed him. I read part of the chapter on pumping from The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding last night, and will read the rest today. I want to know what I'm doing before I plan on actually doing it. I don't want my milk to go to waste.
From what I've read so far, if I pump correctly my supply should stay the same or possibly increase, depending on how well he is emptying me on his own already.
Even if he doesn't do well with the bottle now, it will be good for him to be introduced to it since he will eventually have to learn to like it.
Last night I got a little bit more sleep, only because I passed out with him nursing or burping a lot. I kept waking up in really uncomfortable positions, so it wasn't very relaxing sleep. Then I woke up to Jamaal putting Riley back into the swing at just after 0700. It was a very weird feeling, because I hadn't even heard Riley fuss, let alone cry. Apparently he was crying a lot, and loudly because we were in the living room, and Jamaal was in the bedroom, with the door closed. Riley was right next to me and I didn't flinch. Proof that I am extremely sleep deprived. Kind of scary, as well.
Maybe I should start sleeping in the bedroom again, so if he cries and I don't hear him, Jamaal can wake me up. Or better yet, Jamaal can change him and hand him to me. It was a nice break to be able to just feed Riley and not have to get up to clean his butt. Gotta look at the bright side.
I must admit that the night before last, when I was crying right along with Riley, I was resenting my husband sleeping comfortably in the other room. He was probably awake, though, I realize now. Even still, I find myself a bit resentful, but little things like having Jamaal change Riley this morning, make my day just that much easier.
The night before last was one of the hardest I've had since Riley was born. He would not sleep at all. I was exhausted and frustrated and bawling by 0700.
I've been thinking about solutions to this problem, and have decided I might try pumping sometimes and supplementing with that. If he takes bottles okay, this would help me to pass off a feeding or two. I also want to get my hair cut and colored which would be easier to do if I have some pumped milk on hand for someone else to feed him. I read part of the chapter on pumping from The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding last night, and will read the rest today. I want to know what I'm doing before I plan on actually doing it. I don't want my milk to go to waste.
From what I've read so far, if I pump correctly my supply should stay the same or possibly increase, depending on how well he is emptying me on his own already.
Even if he doesn't do well with the bottle now, it will be good for him to be introduced to it since he will eventually have to learn to like it.
Last night I got a little bit more sleep, only because I passed out with him nursing or burping a lot. I kept waking up in really uncomfortable positions, so it wasn't very relaxing sleep. Then I woke up to Jamaal putting Riley back into the swing at just after 0700. It was a very weird feeling, because I hadn't even heard Riley fuss, let alone cry. Apparently he was crying a lot, and loudly because we were in the living room, and Jamaal was in the bedroom, with the door closed. Riley was right next to me and I didn't flinch. Proof that I am extremely sleep deprived. Kind of scary, as well.
Maybe I should start sleeping in the bedroom again, so if he cries and I don't hear him, Jamaal can wake me up. Or better yet, Jamaal can change him and hand him to me. It was a nice break to be able to just feed Riley and not have to get up to clean his butt. Gotta look at the bright side.
I must admit that the night before last, when I was crying right along with Riley, I was resenting my husband sleeping comfortably in the other room. He was probably awake, though, I realize now. Even still, I find myself a bit resentful, but little things like having Jamaal change Riley this morning, make my day just that much easier.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Much ado about Nothing
I have about 50 topics that I want to write about and I think about them when I'm not in front of my computer, but once I turn it on and sit down, they all leave my brain. I'm going to need to get a notebook to write my ideas down when I'm thinking about them.
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So many things have happened since Riley was born. And yet, nothing much has happened. We do a lot of nothing these days. I'm working on figuring out how to have time to do other things except feed and change my little man.
Sleep. Last night was the first night where Riley went 3 hours in between most of his feeds. That translates to mama getting 8.5 hours of broken up sleep. It was amazing. Every time he woke me up I smiled when I saw how long it had been since we had last fed. I have very little faith that it will happen again tonight, but it was nice to have a break from 1.5 hours in between feeds. (Remember that that means from start of one feeding to the start of the next. Most of the time he takes 30 minutes to eat and burp, but sometimes takes a bit longer or shorter depending on how he is feeling at that moment [or whether his mama fell asleep while nursing or burping him ;)] That leaves only an hour in between where mom is allowed to sleep, and while most of the time she can fall asleep right away, sometimes it could take her as long as 15 minutes to lose consciousness. Therefore, that leaves her with 45 minutes of sleep at a time. Sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more. But ultimately not enough to feel rested.) If there is one thing I know about myself, it is that I do not do well with very little sleep. I'm not the nicest person when sleep deprived, let's just leave it at that.
Nursing. The boy surely loves to eat. And with all that eating comes a lot of pooping and peeing. And sleeping. He is currently trying to wake up from one of his many milk comas. It has been 2 hours, and therefore might be time again to feed. I've been lucky, we haven't had any problem with nursing. He is proof of that fact, at 5 days old (the earliest we could get in to the MD to be seen) he had gained an ounce, and was 6lbs 9 ounces. At 12 days old he weighed 6lbs 14 oz, and today at 22 days old he is 7lbs 12oz. I am so proud of the fact that I am the reason he is growing. Even still, I selfishly want him to stay little-tiny forever. Pretty soon I won't be able to dress him in his newborn clothes, and will have to move into size 1 diapers. Sigh. Back to nursing...While nursing is sometimes stressful, I am thankful that I am capable to provide for my son. It is so much more difficult to go on errands now. Remember he sometimes only goes 1.5 hours in between feedings, which we figured out above leaves mommy 45 minutes of free time, that means pack him up and run for the car. Speed to the desired location and cross your fingers that he might go longer than 1.5 hours. Otherwise, scope out a place to sit down and feed him. I have only nursed him in the doctor's waiting room and the movie theater, thus far. Mostly because I haven't travelled much with him yet. Today we went grocery shopping and he thankfully slept through the entire ordeal. (Which took 2 hours! What was I doing for 2 hours!? I guess Walmart isn't the best place for me to go grocery shopping, because I get lost in the aisles. But I was able to get some more nursing bras and camis at the same time as getting groceries which saved me a stop.)
As I said before, he is now mostly awake at 2.5 hours, so it is time to start the cycle all over again. Maybe I'll come back for more later. ;)
----------------------------
So many things have happened since Riley was born. And yet, nothing much has happened. We do a lot of nothing these days. I'm working on figuring out how to have time to do other things except feed and change my little man.
Sleep. Last night was the first night where Riley went 3 hours in between most of his feeds. That translates to mama getting 8.5 hours of broken up sleep. It was amazing. Every time he woke me up I smiled when I saw how long it had been since we had last fed. I have very little faith that it will happen again tonight, but it was nice to have a break from 1.5 hours in between feeds. (Remember that that means from start of one feeding to the start of the next. Most of the time he takes 30 minutes to eat and burp, but sometimes takes a bit longer or shorter depending on how he is feeling at that moment [or whether his mama fell asleep while nursing or burping him ;)] That leaves only an hour in between where mom is allowed to sleep, and while most of the time she can fall asleep right away, sometimes it could take her as long as 15 minutes to lose consciousness. Therefore, that leaves her with 45 minutes of sleep at a time. Sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more. But ultimately not enough to feel rested.) If there is one thing I know about myself, it is that I do not do well with very little sleep. I'm not the nicest person when sleep deprived, let's just leave it at that.
Nursing. The boy surely loves to eat. And with all that eating comes a lot of pooping and peeing. And sleeping. He is currently trying to wake up from one of his many milk comas. It has been 2 hours, and therefore might be time again to feed. I've been lucky, we haven't had any problem with nursing. He is proof of that fact, at 5 days old (the earliest we could get in to the MD to be seen) he had gained an ounce, and was 6lbs 9 ounces. At 12 days old he weighed 6lbs 14 oz, and today at 22 days old he is 7lbs 12oz. I am so proud of the fact that I am the reason he is growing. Even still, I selfishly want him to stay little-tiny forever. Pretty soon I won't be able to dress him in his newborn clothes, and will have to move into size 1 diapers. Sigh. Back to nursing...While nursing is sometimes stressful, I am thankful that I am capable to provide for my son. It is so much more difficult to go on errands now. Remember he sometimes only goes 1.5 hours in between feedings, which we figured out above leaves mommy 45 minutes of free time, that means pack him up and run for the car. Speed to the desired location and cross your fingers that he might go longer than 1.5 hours. Otherwise, scope out a place to sit down and feed him. I have only nursed him in the doctor's waiting room and the movie theater, thus far. Mostly because I haven't travelled much with him yet. Today we went grocery shopping and he thankfully slept through the entire ordeal. (Which took 2 hours! What was I doing for 2 hours!? I guess Walmart isn't the best place for me to go grocery shopping, because I get lost in the aisles. But I was able to get some more nursing bras and camis at the same time as getting groceries which saved me a stop.)
As I said before, he is now mostly awake at 2.5 hours, so it is time to start the cycle all over again. Maybe I'll come back for more later. ;)
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