Hey everyone! Just wanted to update that I had our baby girl on October 27th! Her name is Maya (pronounced like Maya Angelou). She was born at 39 weeks and weighed 6lbs 15oz. Since there are a couple questions about mutations and pregnancy on the forums, mine are DF508/S945L.The delivery went well and we went home the next day. Everything is going well, but I'm a little more sleep deprived than I thought I'd be! LOL. I thought I had prepared myself for the lack of sleep, but there's really no way to prepare. Also it's a battle to find time for treatments but I'm getting them in. On that note, I have a question for you moms out there. I'm exclusively breastfeeding and it's going well, however, the most sleep I get is about a 3 hr stretch. Also, as a mentioned, treatments are hard and it seems the minute i fire up my nebs and vest, she is hungry. I don't know that I've finished a vest treatment in one setting yet! I always have to come back to it. My husband and my mom are worried about my health and want me to try giving her a bottle (of breastmilk) so they can help out and I can do treatments or sleep for a longer stretch. I know that the lactation consultant said to wait til at least 4 weeks to introduce a bottle so I'm very apprehensive to do this. I don't want her to only take the bottle from this point on. So please let me know what your thoughts are on this. She'll be two weeks on Thursday. Did any of you introduce a bottle early? I know what the guidelines are but I'm also trying to balance this with my health because I'll be no good to her if I get sick. Another question for those of you on SSDI. If you had your child after you were on SSDI, how did you go about getting their benefits? The SSA website says I have to go into the office and take her social security card. Throughout the whole application process I never had to go in, and to be honest I'm trying to avoid since I look "healthy". I'm wondering if there isn't a way to do it online like I've done everything else. Please let me know how you went about it.Well i better go! Thanks in advance for any advice!Autumn
Had my baby!
- Thread starter triples15
- Start date
W
welshwitch
Guest
No advice here, but CONGRATS! Been wondering about your new baby 
krisjohn53223
New member
Congrats! I was a mom/baby nurse for 5 years before going on disability and I will tell you first hand, there is no such thing as nipple confusion! We usually advise that you don't introduce a bottle or nuk until the baby is latching to you with no problems because if you introduce while baby is still learning how to latch to you they get lazy (not confused) about going back to breast since they have to actually work for the breast! If she is nursing well, I would say give a bottle every other feed if you can pump that much so you can catch up on sleep/treatments. As far as SSDI, I never had to go into the office. When I applied, they called me and asked me questions over the phone about my son (his age, SS#, birthday) and he was automatically qualified then to receive benefits too. Hope this helps!
azdesertrat
New member
Congratulations!
Hope baby will be 100% healthy & you recover rapidly.
May God bless you & your growing family,
'Pat'...
Hope baby will be 100% healthy & you recover rapidly.
May God bless you & your growing family,
'Pat'...
K
Keepercjr
Guest
Autumn
Congrats!!! we want pictures!!!
First, are you cosleeping? If you aren't, please start doing so. It will greatly increase the amount and quality of sleep you get. Getting sleep in small increments at night is no problem if you are cosleeping because the infant and mother sync their sleep cycles and you will both wake or stir in lighter phases of sleep. If you want to read up on it, go to http://cosleeping.nd.edu/ It is by James McKenna, a mother baby sleep researcher out of Notre Dame. Read his journal articles (there are lots) and you will be convinced. I coslept with both my babies and my 3yo is currently still sleeping with me. I never felt that I didn't get enough sleep (well maybe in the first few days since they were still getting their days and nights right). Maybe TMI but I slept topless and kept baby at breast level. Whenever he/she wanted to nurse it was right there and pretty soon they learn to latch themselves on without help and you get disturbed even less. Diaper changes in the middle of the night SUCKED since I had to actually get up but nursing was no problem.
Also, I know it sounds dumb, but nap when she naps. It helped so much with my son (not so much with my daughter because I had my son to take care of too). When he took his late morning nap so did I.
If you WANT to pump and have her get a bottle once in a while so you can do a treatment it should be fine by now. Make sure it is a *very* slow flow nipple. The problem with bottles is that babies can learn that it is much easier to get milk from a bottle than from the breast and they can start to prefer the bottle. You can also syringe feed her or finger feed her (well your mom or hubby can) and that doesn't involve a bottle. If you do give a bottle do it as little as possible. Remember it will always be more work for you since you have to pump for those bottles. And any feeding she misses at the breast will not cue to make more milk (the more she nurses the more milk you will make - skipping nursing sessions, especially this early is never a good idea). I have to disagree with Kris - a bottle every other feed is WAY too much right now for both you and her. That is setting up a dangerous situation that could lead to bottle preference or decrease in milk supply. A pump is not nearly as efficient at removing milk as a nursing baby.
An idea - has you husband or mom considered a sling or wrap? When you are getting ready to do a treatment they can put the baby in a sling and WALK. She will most likely go right to sleep and she will sleep great allowing you time for your treatment (and more!). You can and should wear her in a sling too at home and when out. (I used to sell baby slings (not to be confused with Bjorns and the like) and know all about the benefits they provide both baby and wearer - I'm a huge huge advocate).
Remember that your ONLY job right now is to take care of your baby and yourself. Rest, do your treatments (when you can!) nurse her as much as possible and let everyone else do whatever is left. You can do it
Congrats!!! we want pictures!!!
First, are you cosleeping? If you aren't, please start doing so. It will greatly increase the amount and quality of sleep you get. Getting sleep in small increments at night is no problem if you are cosleeping because the infant and mother sync their sleep cycles and you will both wake or stir in lighter phases of sleep. If you want to read up on it, go to http://cosleeping.nd.edu/ It is by James McKenna, a mother baby sleep researcher out of Notre Dame. Read his journal articles (there are lots) and you will be convinced. I coslept with both my babies and my 3yo is currently still sleeping with me. I never felt that I didn't get enough sleep (well maybe in the first few days since they were still getting their days and nights right). Maybe TMI but I slept topless and kept baby at breast level. Whenever he/she wanted to nurse it was right there and pretty soon they learn to latch themselves on without help and you get disturbed even less. Diaper changes in the middle of the night SUCKED since I had to actually get up but nursing was no problem.
Also, I know it sounds dumb, but nap when she naps. It helped so much with my son (not so much with my daughter because I had my son to take care of too). When he took his late morning nap so did I.
If you WANT to pump and have her get a bottle once in a while so you can do a treatment it should be fine by now. Make sure it is a *very* slow flow nipple. The problem with bottles is that babies can learn that it is much easier to get milk from a bottle than from the breast and they can start to prefer the bottle. You can also syringe feed her or finger feed her (well your mom or hubby can) and that doesn't involve a bottle. If you do give a bottle do it as little as possible. Remember it will always be more work for you since you have to pump for those bottles. And any feeding she misses at the breast will not cue to make more milk (the more she nurses the more milk you will make - skipping nursing sessions, especially this early is never a good idea). I have to disagree with Kris - a bottle every other feed is WAY too much right now for both you and her. That is setting up a dangerous situation that could lead to bottle preference or decrease in milk supply. A pump is not nearly as efficient at removing milk as a nursing baby.
An idea - has you husband or mom considered a sling or wrap? When you are getting ready to do a treatment they can put the baby in a sling and WALK. She will most likely go right to sleep and she will sleep great allowing you time for your treatment (and more!). You can and should wear her in a sling too at home and when out. (I used to sell baby slings (not to be confused with Bjorns and the like) and know all about the benefits they provide both baby and wearer - I'm a huge huge advocate).
Remember that your ONLY job right now is to take care of your baby and yourself. Rest, do your treatments (when you can!) nurse her as much as possible and let everyone else do whatever is left. You can do it
krisjohn53223
New member
As a nurse, I highly disagree with Caroline! DO NOT CO-SLEEP! I can not tell you how many babies that I have taken care of over the years have died because of co-sleeping. I'm not going to say I never did it, but don't make a habit of it! Also, do not do finger/syringe feeds! That is something we do in the hospital when training a baby to learn how to suck/swallow. Nurses are trained on how to do this and it's not something we recommend parents doing without training because of the risk of choking.
Caroline: a bottle every other feed is not to much if mom is exhausted and not able to take care of herself. But you are right, to keep up her milk supply, she does need to pump in place of the feed at breast she misses which I thought I suggested. You are giving out advice against what the medical field would recommend.
Caroline: a bottle every other feed is not to much if mom is exhausted and not able to take care of herself. But you are right, to keep up her milk supply, she does need to pump in place of the feed at breast she misses which I thought I suggested. You are giving out advice against what the medical field would recommend.
A
alluneedislove
Guest
Autumn
I agree with Kris. Co-sleeping is very dangerous! I get the needing to be close to your baby but its not worth the risk of rolling over on them or suffocating them with ur blankets. Plus you have to get up anyways to change their diaper.
With my daughter I had introduced a bottle right away just so my husband could help fed and also feel a bond with our daughter. I pumped and bought bottles that were as much like the breast as possible. Sometimes she would get fussy over the bottle, but other times she would suck it down like nobodies business. she was 6lbs 5oz so i also supplemented 1 feeding each day so i knew she was getting what she needed. KEEP UP WITH UR TREATMENTS!! you need to be around for her.
If your mom or husband can help fed pump right before your treatment and have them fed while you do ur stuff.
Also about the SSDI i applied after i had her but we are having our 2nd baby in March. So i will have to go in to tell them and give babies SS#. I wouldn't worry about looking healthy, they are not the ones that allow you to have SSDI it's higher up ppl that are not working at the offices. But if you can do it over the phone i would do that. but they may need copies or something.
Good Luck and Welcome to Mommyhood!
I agree with Kris. Co-sleeping is very dangerous! I get the needing to be close to your baby but its not worth the risk of rolling over on them or suffocating them with ur blankets. Plus you have to get up anyways to change their diaper.
With my daughter I had introduced a bottle right away just so my husband could help fed and also feel a bond with our daughter. I pumped and bought bottles that were as much like the breast as possible. Sometimes she would get fussy over the bottle, but other times she would suck it down like nobodies business. she was 6lbs 5oz so i also supplemented 1 feeding each day so i knew she was getting what she needed. KEEP UP WITH UR TREATMENTS!! you need to be around for her.
If your mom or husband can help fed pump right before your treatment and have them fed while you do ur stuff.
Also about the SSDI i applied after i had her but we are having our 2nd baby in March. So i will have to go in to tell them and give babies SS#. I wouldn't worry about looking healthy, they are not the ones that allow you to have SSDI it's higher up ppl that are not working at the offices. But if you can do it over the phone i would do that. but they may need copies or something.
Good Luck and Welcome to Mommyhood!
K
Keepercjr
Guest
OK I don't want to get into a cosleeping debate here but the scientific evidence out there proves that cosleeping IS NOT dangerous as long as nobody in the bed is a smoker, intoxicated (drugs or alcohol) or medicated and the mom is breastfeeding. You will NOT roll over on your baby! We don't just fall out of bed do we? We know where our bodies are. Women all over the world cosleep with their newborns - it is how we are as a species. Putting babies in the own beds or rooms by themselves is a very modern invention and is not inline with what our babies biologically expect. Kris if you actually read any of the *scientific* articles by Dr. McKenna (including two 2010 publications) you will see what I am talking about. Just because the medical profession advises against it doesn't make it true. Dr. McKenna is a legitimate researcher at Notre Dame, not some fringe parenting extremist. If someone is not comfortable with the thought of cosleeping, don't do it. But it is safe and natural and a great way to not miss out on precious sleep.
As for ones profession - I personally know nurses and doctors who cosleep with their babies. I am a biologist and it made complete sense to me to sleep with my newborns.
I will never back down on the issue of cosleeping (or promoting breastfeeding for that matter). I will admit that I should have worded my cosleeping recommendation differently. I should have said to consider it as an option. However I will never be convinced that if done under the appropriate circumstances that it is anything but normal, natural and beneficial to all involved.
As for ones profession - I personally know nurses and doctors who cosleep with their babies. I am a biologist and it made complete sense to me to sleep with my newborns.
I will never back down on the issue of cosleeping (or promoting breastfeeding for that matter). I will admit that I should have worded my cosleeping recommendation differently. I should have said to consider it as an option. However I will never be convinced that if done under the appropriate circumstances that it is anything but normal, natural and beneficial to all involved.
Autumn --
Since I had to go back to work a couple of days a week and my baby had to learn how to take a bottle, my pediatrician said to make sure I introduced a bottle by 3 weeks or there would be a better chance that he would never take one. He switched back and forth without too much of a problem, although for a while he would only take a bottle from someone who wasn't me.
Congratulations!
Erin
Since I had to go back to work a couple of days a week and my baby had to learn how to take a bottle, my pediatrician said to make sure I introduced a bottle by 3 weeks or there would be a better chance that he would never take one. He switched back and forth without too much of a problem, although for a while he would only take a bottle from someone who wasn't me.
Congratulations!
Erin
Isaac took a bottle (Dr. Brown) at 3 weeks by dad with no problem. We nursed until he was a year old. Many women on this site have found solace in co-sleeping. Lack of sleep is a leading cause of health decline in mother's with cf. I used an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper for the first 6 weeks. Personally I slept better once my son was out of my room but I think it's important to tread lightly on matters that are controversial. Hard and fast opinions are just that still opinions. I'd be curious what the WHO has to say...
marisalynn
New member
Hello! I actually just recently my baby as well. Annalynn was born on October 9th and also weighed 6lbs 15oz. It was an uncomplicated labor and delivery and she is very healthy with no CF! (We just had the sweat test to confirm last week). I am also having issues with getting enough sleep and taking all my treatments. I got a pump when she was about 3 weeks, started pumping and giving her the bottle of breastmilk right away. She took the bottle with no problem and still breastfeeds without any issues at all. I was so thankful to be able to pump and feed with the bottle also because my nipples were so sore and cracked, and it was less painful to pump than nurse. It gave my nipples a chance to heal a little. Now she breastfeeds wonderfully and will take the bottle when it is offered without issue, and I don't have to worry about if she will take the bottle when I have to go back to work and she has to go to daycare. I have discovered to just take my treatments right after she feeds when she is sleeping, when there is the best chance that she will sleep for a good period of time. Also, I lay her next to me on a pillow on the couch so that if she starts fussing, that I can give her a pacifier until I am finished with my treatments and attend to her. Good luck! I know that it is definitely a learning experience for everyone!
Marisa RN, 24 w/CF - Mommy to 5 week old baby girl!
Marisa RN, 24 w/CF - Mommy to 5 week old baby girl!
Thanks SO much for the advice and for the well-wishes!
I am going to stay away from the cosleeping debate. I will say that, like Lauren, we have the Arm's Reach co-sleeper that goes up against our bed.
We tried the bottle once and she took it just fine from my mom. However, she promptly spit up/threw up pretty much everything she drank. It was the slowest flow nipple, so not sure what was up with that. I guess it was still maybe too fast. We haven't tried again but mostly because I've come to the conclusion that she's not breastfeeding out of hunger the vast majority of the time. She just likes the comfort of it, and always wants to be there. So even if my mom or husband give her a bottle and she is full, I think she'll still cry for the breast. We also tried a pacifier, which she hates! You have to force it on her, which seems counterproductive! If you hold it in her mouth she'll take it for a little while, but it seems to just frustrate her more in the long run. So for now it looks like I'm stuck with her attached to my boobs! We'll try the bottle again, just not sure when.
Even without the bottle or a pacifier I have started to get a little bit more sleep and am feeling a little better. I have really been trying to sleep when she sleeps almost every time. It's hard to let everything else go, especially when my mother in law is flying in from Africa tomorrow! It will be my first time ever meeting her so I feel super anxious about it! It doesn't help when the house is a pit and I'm falling apart! She's staying with us for 7 weeks and that's another story for another post!! I'm really hoping she doesn't try to give me too much advice or be pushy about things. It's gonna be hard to share my baby! My mom has been here most of the time, but it's different when it's essentially a stranger. Oh well!
Anyway, sorry for the tangent!
Marisa! I've been wondering about you. Congratulations!! I love the name and I'm so glad to hear everything went well and no CF! I know you were nervous after an ultrasound showed an echogenic bowel. Ugh, my nipples also got sore and cracked. Really only one got bad so I pumped on that side and fed her on the other. I froze all the pumped milk and figure we can use it when she eventually starts taking a bottle. I'm really glad to hear she doesn't have a problem going from the breast to the bottle.
Thanks so much again to everybody. You made me feel a lot better about trying a bottle. It was good to hear that you had done it successfully. Like I said, we'll try again one of these days. In the mean time, feel free to offer any further advice you have.
Autumn
I am going to stay away from the cosleeping debate
. I will say that, like Lauren, we have the Arm's Reach co-sleeper that goes up against our bed. We tried the bottle once and she took it just fine from my mom. However, she promptly spit up/threw up pretty much everything she drank. It was the slowest flow nipple, so not sure what was up with that. I guess it was still maybe too fast. We haven't tried again but mostly because I've come to the conclusion that she's not breastfeeding out of hunger the vast majority of the time. She just likes the comfort of it, and always wants to be there. So even if my mom or husband give her a bottle and she is full, I think she'll still cry for the breast. We also tried a pacifier, which she hates! You have to force it on her, which seems counterproductive! If you hold it in her mouth she'll take it for a little while, but it seems to just frustrate her more in the long run. So for now it looks like I'm stuck with her attached to my boobs!
We'll try the bottle again, just not sure when. Even without the bottle or a pacifier I have started to get a little bit more sleep and am feeling a little better. I have really been trying to sleep when she sleeps almost every time. It's hard to let everything else go, especially when my mother in law is flying in from Africa tomorrow! It will be my first time ever meeting her so I feel super anxious about it! It doesn't help when the house is a pit and I'm falling apart!
She's staying with us for 7 weeks and that's another story for another post!! I'm really hoping she doesn't try to give me too much advice or be pushy about things. It's gonna be hard to share my baby! My mom has been here most of the time, but it's different when it's essentially a stranger. Oh well!Anyway, sorry for the tangent!
Marisa! I've been wondering about you. Congratulations!! I love the name and I'm so glad to hear everything went well and no CF! I know you were nervous after an ultrasound showed an echogenic bowel. Ugh, my nipples also got sore and cracked. Really only one got bad so I pumped on that side and fed her on the other. I froze all the pumped milk and figure we can use it when she eventually starts taking a bottle. I'm really glad to hear she doesn't have a problem going from the breast to the bottle.
Thanks so much again to everybody. You made me feel a lot better about trying a bottle. It was good to hear that you had done it successfully. Like I said, we'll try again one of these days. In the mean time, feel free to offer any further advice you have.
Autumn
Congrats!!! About nursing, I breastfed my twins from the start but needed to supplement with formula at the start. We were so worried about introducing a bottle too but I was told by the lactation consultant that if the baby is latching & sucking well, u shouldn't worry.
Have u actually tried to pump? I had no real luck untila year later when I wanted to stop. Some people just cant pump & I was one of them. I would only get about 3oz in total after pumping for 30 min. It ended up that I lost time pumping.
My husband slept in the nursery the first couple of mths so that he would change them then I could feed them for 20-30 mins then go back to sleep. If your family is concerned, maybe someone can be the "nite" person & let u go right back to sleep after u nurse. Good Luck!!!
Have u actually tried to pump? I had no real luck untila year later when I wanted to stop. Some people just cant pump & I was one of them. I would only get about 3oz in total after pumping for 30 min. It ended up that I lost time pumping.
My husband slept in the nursery the first couple of mths so that he would change them then I could feed them for 20-30 mins then go back to sleep. If your family is concerned, maybe someone can be the "nite" person & let u go right back to sleep after u nurse. Good Luck!!!
J
jessykt
Guest
My son went on an ng tube at birth (he does not have cf but was 7 weeks premature) and then to the bottle. He never learned breast feeding, but I lost so much weight after one month of pumping that I had to quit. If you need to use a bottle and maybe formula to keep YOU healthy, your baby will be just fine and will be grateful one day that you did what you needed to do to keep your baby's mother around! You may need to use a bottle to let others feed so you may sleep and do your treatments. It won't do your baby or your family any good if you end up in the hospital for two weeks.
Besides co-sleeping being dangerous, I would also avoid it because I wouldn't want my 6 year old still sleeping with my husband and me!! You two need alone time as a couple, and to love each other and keep your marriage healthy is also a gift to your child...just my two cents!
Besides co-sleeping being dangerous, I would also avoid it because I wouldn't want my 6 year old still sleeping with my husband and me!! You two need alone time as a couple, and to love each other and keep your marriage healthy is also a gift to your child...just my two cents!
PedsNP2007
New member
First of all, congrats on your new baby!!! It's a wonderful thing to be a mommy!
Second of all, I didn't want to get into the cosleeping debate... but I am. Co-sleep means in the same room, can be in a next-to-bed sleeper or in a crib in the room. Bed-share is when they are in the bed with you. There is actually a lot of research that supports that safe bed-sharing is not detrimental. You have to meet criteria to be safe in order to benefit from bed-sharing. I bed-share with my 11 month old, have since we got home from the hospital. Do not do drugs, do not use alcohol, no heavy blankets or pillows around, do not sleep on the couch or recliner together. My daughter is in her own little area that she has. Bed-sharing is NOT for everyone... but for those who want to do it, as long as you do it safely, you are not going to hurt your baby. I work in the ICU and have seen deaths from bed-sharing and it's because there were drugs, alcohol, couch, non-mother figure involved. I have never had a safe bed-sharing death.
Third, I disagree with do your treatments "when you are able." You need to be very regimented on your therapies. The most decline in a mother's health is the post-birth. You are torn in many directions... but as you said, if you are not well, you are no good to your daughter. So I would strongly advise to not miss any treatments. And make sure you are eating way more than you ever think you need.
I had to give up BFing after 6-8 weeks because no matter how much I ate, pumped, etc.... I got sicker and sicker from trying to make milk. I lost more weight in the first two weeks that I was about 15 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight and I wasn't buffed up enough before I got pregnant... so I was already at a nutrition loss. I ended up in the hospital around month 2 or 3 for 5 full days from her... and had I known bfing would be part of the cause of my health decline, I would have not tried to BF as long. I was so healthy before the pregnancy and did not anticipate such a decline in health so rapidly from the pregnancy and post-delivery care of the newborn.
I am a strong proponent of BFing, bed-sharing, baby-wearing (I love it!!!)... but if you are risking your health and causing further decline in your health, something has to give... and BFing was that part. I still use donor BM (from two nurses at my work) and organic formula.
PS BFing at night never worked for me to sleep... so I was even more sleep deprived.
Good luck tho!!! I must have a very strict CF dr who was looking towards the future of "what ifs" -- in hindsight, she saw a health decline coming when I didn't because I insisted that I needed to BF as long as I did... She maintains that she wants the best for mom and baby and if that means that you have to rely on artificial nutrition in order to make the mom healthier, then so be it.
Second of all, I didn't want to get into the cosleeping debate... but I am. Co-sleep means in the same room, can be in a next-to-bed sleeper or in a crib in the room. Bed-share is when they are in the bed with you. There is actually a lot of research that supports that safe bed-sharing is not detrimental. You have to meet criteria to be safe in order to benefit from bed-sharing. I bed-share with my 11 month old, have since we got home from the hospital. Do not do drugs, do not use alcohol, no heavy blankets or pillows around, do not sleep on the couch or recliner together. My daughter is in her own little area that she has. Bed-sharing is NOT for everyone... but for those who want to do it, as long as you do it safely, you are not going to hurt your baby. I work in the ICU and have seen deaths from bed-sharing and it's because there were drugs, alcohol, couch, non-mother figure involved. I have never had a safe bed-sharing death.
Third, I disagree with do your treatments "when you are able." You need to be very regimented on your therapies. The most decline in a mother's health is the post-birth. You are torn in many directions... but as you said, if you are not well, you are no good to your daughter. So I would strongly advise to not miss any treatments. And make sure you are eating way more than you ever think you need.
I had to give up BFing after 6-8 weeks because no matter how much I ate, pumped, etc.... I got sicker and sicker from trying to make milk. I lost more weight in the first two weeks that I was about 15 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight and I wasn't buffed up enough before I got pregnant... so I was already at a nutrition loss. I ended up in the hospital around month 2 or 3 for 5 full days from her... and had I known bfing would be part of the cause of my health decline, I would have not tried to BF as long. I was so healthy before the pregnancy and did not anticipate such a decline in health so rapidly from the pregnancy and post-delivery care of the newborn.
I am a strong proponent of BFing, bed-sharing, baby-wearing (I love it!!!)... but if you are risking your health and causing further decline in your health, something has to give... and BFing was that part. I still use donor BM (from two nurses at my work) and organic formula.
PS BFing at night never worked for me to sleep... so I was even more sleep deprived.
Good luck tho!!! I must have a very strict CF dr who was looking towards the future of "what ifs" -- in hindsight, she saw a health decline coming when I didn't because I insisted that I needed to BF as long as I did... She maintains that she wants the best for mom and baby and if that means that you have to rely on artificial nutrition in order to make the mom healthier, then so be it.
marisalynn
New member
I noticed the previous post mentioned about "baby-wearing", and I just wanted to mention that I got the Moby wrap for a baby shower gift, and I really recommend it. I can keep the baby close to me so that she feels comfortable and still get things done around the house. Even if she is fussy when I put her in it, usually within 10 minutes or so she will be asleep. It takes a couple of times to get it wrapped just right so that the baby is sitting in a comfortable spot, but it is pretty easy to learn how to wrap. I just thought I would mention it!
Marisa RN, 24 w/CF and mommy to a beautiful baby girl!
Marisa RN, 24 w/CF and mommy to a beautiful baby girl!
K
Keepercjr
Guest
Yes babywearing is awesome! There is lots of data out there now on the benefits of it. My "baby" is now 3 and almost too old to be worn and it makes me very sad to see my beloved stash of very used slings and wraps just sitting in a box. I can and do wear her in my Ergo when necessary (like when we went hiking in Yosemite last week or through airports) but those times are fast coming to an end. When she fell asleep in the Ergo last week it just brought me back to those early days....
Also PedsNP - I don't think I knew you had a baby!!
Autumn - I think you are doing a great job. Newborns don't come with instructions and we have to figure it out as we go along. As for her just wanting to nurse - non nutritive sucking is normal and good. It will help keep up your supply and will keep her calm (not to mention the more often she is nursing the higher fat content of your milk - a good thing). The research that I have read that has been done on native societies shows that they put their babies to the breast WAY more often than western moms - for every little fuss and as much as 4 times an hour for a few minutes at a time. So that is what I did. As long as it isn't causing anyone any problems, I would just let her nurse as much and as long as she likes My son literally nursed every hour when he was a baby. My daughter nursed every 3 to 4 hours even though I tried much more often. Babies are all so different. And the co-sleeper is great too
Also PedsNP - I don't think I knew you had a baby!!
Autumn - I think you are doing a great job. Newborns don't come with instructions and we have to figure it out as we go along. As for her just wanting to nurse - non nutritive sucking is normal and good. It will help keep up your supply and will keep her calm (not to mention the more often she is nursing the higher fat content of your milk - a good thing). The research that I have read that has been done on native societies shows that they put their babies to the breast WAY more often than western moms - for every little fuss and as much as 4 times an hour for a few minutes at a time. So that is what I did. As long as it isn't causing anyone any problems, I would just let her nurse as much and as long as she likes
My son literally nursed every hour when he was a baby. My daughter nursed every 3 to 4 hours even though I tried much more often. Babies are all so different. And the co-sleeper is great too
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Plonit
Guest
Congratulations on your baby! You must be a very strong woman. I gave birth to twins 5 years ago. One of them has CF. As you can imagine life was very hectic and I wanted to do the right thing too. However I was a better mom if my kids were bottle fed and that's how it was from the beginning (6 weeks of pumped breast milk and that was it.) I have no regrets because we have to do what is best for ourselves and our family and not just conform to society. There is a lot of pressure to breast feed but it may not be right for you. Keep in mind that nursing is very calorie depleting. Not sure how your body maintains it's weight but that may also be a consideration. Good luck.
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Plonit
Guest
Oh, I just realized the date. My twins were born on Oct 27 also.
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Plonit
Guest
I have no drug or alcohol experience but people are only human and when I was so sleep deprived with my twins I'd really worry that when I was carrying them in the night I'd bump into a wall cuz I was so out of it. I avoided sleeping with my babies in my bed at all costs. It's also a pretty bad habit for the future.