It's helping. Having a schedule is a great thing. As I type this I am exhausted, we had our first rough night since we started Babywise. But, other than last night's adventure, it has been going really well! Throughout the day, I am feeding him every 2 - 2.5 hours. For those of you that don't know (because I sure didn't!), when you are breast feeding, you count the time between feedings from the time that you start the feeding, not end it. Jaxson usually takes about 45 minutes to eat. Then we change his diaper, play for a little while, and it's time for him to go down for a nap. I swaddle him up, with the exception of his arms. It makes him very angry when I swaddle his arms. Then we read a story, and I put him in his crib for a nap. Sometimes he falls right asleep, sometimes he soothes himself to sleep, and sometimes he cries and cries. Letting him cry it out is the hardest thing! Then I wake him up about an hour later and we start the cycle over again. We usually have our last feeding sometime between 10:30 and 11PM. He usually wakes up at 2:45 and 5:45 for feedings. Last night, he was up every two hours, wanting to eat. So, by the time I fed him and got him settled, that meant about 30 minutes of sleep between each feeding. LONG NIGHT.
A "social smile" as my baby book calls it. The first time he smiled at me, I thought, Oh My Gosh, was that it? My smile??? But I wasn't sure. The next day, I was so sure. It was such a sweet moment that I cried and cried. And then I thought, hmm...this must be what it feels like to be a mom! It was an amazing moment and I hope that I never forget it.
We went on our first grocery store trip! It went great! He stayed very alert and happy in his carseat in the buggy the entire time! We've also been to Ross, TJ Maxx and Bed Bath and Beyond. He was an angel! I had a little trouble getting the stroller to fold down and go back into the car, but other than that our outings have been very successful!
I don't like it. I do it though, because I know how good it is for him. It still hurts, and I kind of dread it sometimes. But, we are making it through! At my appointment this week, my dr. informed me that I need to be consistently 10lbs heavier than my pre baby weight to effectively breast feed. WHAT? That was not in ANY of the books that I read. And, I don't like it. Not at all. He said I can tone, but not try to lose any more weight, that I have lost too much already. I'm not sure what I think about all that. I have also had to change my diet. Jaxson has acid reflux. So, no caffine, dairy, eggs, green or gassy veggies or fruits. Basically nothing good or even healthy! So, I've been eating tons of carbs, chicken, and BBQ. I don't really knkow what else to eat. Hopefully this phase will pass and I can start reintroducing foods into our diet. I ate a sandwhich with onions yesterday, and it caused a very upset little tummy.
We spent our first evening with our friends! We went to our dear friends couple's shower. It was so much fun! I didn't want to leave him for that long (5 hours!) and was very worried that he would wonder where I went (we've spent all day together since he was born) and that he would be confused. Turns out, he was just fine with his Gamm-E, my mother in law. They had a great time and he was happy as could be when we got home. Hubby didn't really understand, he kept saying, "Babe, it's okay, he won't even remember that we left him." haha - the difference between Moms and Dads I guess :)
I had my 6 week appointment, and am healing perfectly! I was cleared for exercise (even though I'm not supposed to lose weight while I'm breastfeeding, which stinks), and we scheduled an appointment to put in an IUD for Wednesday. I've heard this hurts, and they told me to take 600mg of advil prior to my appointment. That makes me a little nervous, but I think it is the right solution for us. Jaxson was our little surprise while I was on the pill, and we are a little scared that it could happen again, so we are going to go this route. I'm still having steady bleeding, hopefully that will stop soon. I made it through my entire pregnancy without a single stretch mark, and now I am getting them! On the bottom of my breasts (gross!), and on one of my hips. I so hope that they fade. I'm using cream on them, and hoping that helps. Do any of you have any advice on how to get rid of them?
6 comments:
Aw little Jaxson is getting so big! I love the smiles! How precious! I'm sorry the breastfeeding hurts and the Dr. is telling you to gain more weight.. no fun. How nice you've been able to get out of the house with him some! I think that would be a fear of mine, to leave the house and not be able to get the stroller in the car or something! haha I bet it's nice getting him on somewhat of a routine too. I'm sure hard at first but so worth it.
If it makes you feel any better.. my best friend Ashley breastfed and she also lost so much sleep. It's normal, and it will pass. How long do you plan to breastfeed for, a year?
I couldn't imagine leaving the baby after maternity leave either, but it will get easier. Momma has to make that money! :) Keep your head up and make time for you, and for you and the hubby too!
p.s. Please email me your addy!
seasidesmitten@aol.com
I know the weight thing is irritating and really as long as you are producing it probably doesn't matter. A lot of women lose all their baby weight while breastfeeding, but your body uses the fat to help with milk production. I didn't lose ANY weight while I was breastfeeding Jackson and after some research found out that happens to a lot of women (for the reason noted above). As soon as I weaned him, it started falling off! This time, I'm not breastfeeding and the weight seems to think it's permanent, but I'm working on it. sounds like you're doing great. Keep up the good work!
He looks sooo big in the pics.... Personally, it seems like first time moms do baby wise. I think if u try just going with the flow you will do much better and have a more Flexible and happy baby!! Just try feeding when hungry. Also ask any experienced mom and they will say NEVER wake a sleeping baby! Haha! Just personal advice. This time really goes soooo fast . In the big world this hard newborn time is a blink of time! I remember feeling the same way.... That having a newborn was sooooo hard.... Now after having kids of all ages newborn days are the easiest days of your kids life! I know that hard to imagine but try to believe!!! You are doing great and just wanted to give some old mother advice to a new mom. Good. Luck and G od bless
He is getting so big! That's great you are sticking with Baby wise. It really helped me mentally to figure out a schedule and helped me plan better if we were going to go out and about. FYI-I read someone where at Jaxson age they really don't know how to soothe themselves so if he cries it's okay to go pick him up. It's like after 4 months if he cries you let him cry a little because at that point they should be able to soothe themselves with sucking a paci or thumb.
Breastfeeding does suck! It hurt me for a long while I really didn't enjoy until about 10 weeks or so. It hurt so bad for me. I had to use a shield and I still do. Sorry you are having to watch your diet and weight. They say one feeding of nursing you burn 600 calories. And if you are feeding 8 times+ that's alot!
I got one stretch mark on my boob. I can't really see it anymore because it fade away. I don't have advice on any products to use. :-(
You are doing great mommy! Remember try to sleep when he sleeps. :-)
~liz
I too got some stretch marks AFTER! Oh and you're right, Dads do not understand. I am dreading leaving DD next weekend for about 2.5 hours for a casual wedding close by and DH is like yeah whatever...lol
Jaxon is so cute and I know you don't want to hear it but he is growing so much ;)
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