Keepin U In Stitches! They make the cutest things for babies! Incidentally, my snuggle bug is a model!!!
Visit their Facebook Page for prices and to place an order!
https://www.facebook.com/Keepinuinstitches
Friday, January 11, 2013
Keepin U In Stitches
Just had to quickly share before bed:
Keepin U In Stitches! They make the cutest things for babies! Incidentally, my snuggle bug is a model!!!
Visit their Facebook Page for prices and to place an order!
https://www.facebook.com/Keepinuinstitches
Keepin U In Stitches! They make the cutest things for babies! Incidentally, my snuggle bug is a model!!!
Visit their Facebook Page for prices and to place an order!
https://www.facebook.com/Keepinuinstitches
Breastfeeding Things I wish I knew before...
Breastfeeding Things I wish I had known before my first was born:
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and so any advice I am offering is based on my own experiences. For severe problems or for things that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor!
Alrighty! My best friend had a baby recently and i sent her this info! I also sent it to a few more friends that found the information very useful!
1. Get some Lanolin! These kids will take you for all you got when they hit 10 days and 3 weeks! Darn those growth spurts! They will nurse all day and all night, leaving you pretty raw feeling. It hurts! The lanolin is AMAZING! My favorite is the little purple bottle of lanolin by Lansinoh.The reason I love Lansinoh is because, as it is written in their website, Lansinoh HPA Lanolin has been refined by a patented process to remove all allergenic components (identified as the free lanolin alcohols in combination with detergent residues left over from the wool scouring process) and to bring to the lowest level possible any environmental impurities (including pesticide residues). Because of the purity of Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, it does not have to be removed prior to breastfeeding. It's a lifesaver! After about 3 weeks of nursing, you'll toughen up! Of course you can ALWAYS use your OWN breast milk as a means of relief. Breast milk is a miracle!UPDATE: I also heard from some Puerto Rican friends that you can use olive oil as a natural means of relief.
2. Sometimes, it's hard to get the baby to latch on at first when they are born. Don't stress about it. It's a learning process for you and for the baby. Just remember to breathe. If you get antsy, the baby will get frustrated. Your milk will come in a few days after the baby is born, but it'll be getting its newborn milk that you are already developing (colostrum!) If you squeeze now, you might see some whitish/yellowish stuff comin' out!
3. It's common in BF babies to get a tad bit jaundiced the first few days. If the mouth or the eyes start to get real bad, go to the doctor for a bilirubin check. That's because they aren't getting the fatty-fat from the milk that comes in (takes a few days remember!) Both my kids had that problem but it went away a day after the milk came in. I had a problem with flat nipples for some reason with Gavin. If that's the case, the nurses might have nipple shields to help with that (looks like a bottle nipple)
3. Make sure you are nursing at least 10 minutes per breast. Try to get as close to the 10 minute mark as possible. Your baby WILL fall asleep on you. It takes so much work to drink up! It's a suck suck suck, stop for the milk to flow, then suck suck suck, stop...it's a tiring process for the baby! Just gently tickle the baby or tap or whatever you can do to wake the baby. When you are done with one side, the general rule is to change its diaper (to wake it up) and then switch over. Same rules apply!
3. It's common in BF babies to get a tad bit jaundiced the first few days. If the mouth or the eyes start to get real bad, go to the doctor for a bilirubin check. That's because they aren't getting the fatty-fat from the milk that comes in (takes a few days remember!) Both my kids had that problem but it went away a day after the milk came in. I had a problem with flat nipples for some reason with Gavin. If that's the case, the nurses might have nipple shields to help with that (looks like a bottle nipple)
3. Make sure you are nursing at least 10 minutes per breast. Try to get as close to the 10 minute mark as possible. Your baby WILL fall asleep on you. It takes so much work to drink up! It's a suck suck suck, stop for the milk to flow, then suck suck suck, stop...it's a tiring process for the baby! Just gently tickle the baby or tap or whatever you can do to wake the baby. When you are done with one side, the general rule is to change its diaper (to wake it up) and then switch over. Same rules apply!
4. The biggest thing to me: NO bottles and NO pacifiers until about a month-6 weeks old. The baby will learn right away that it can get a faster satisfaction from drinking from the bottle...there's no work involved so they won't take your breast. After about a month, you can start giving the bottle to the baby because they know the difference by then. Make sure you tell the nurses at the hospital that you are strictly breastfeeding. The nurse gave Gavin some formula when he was born without consulting me and getting him to latch on was a hassle! It took me a week because of that. Amelia latched on first thing, thank God!
UPDATE: A thing I have recommended to many is to avoid pumping for the first 6 weeks. Because of the growth spurts at 10 days, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks, the baby will suckle more during its growths spurts, allowing your body to adjust and SUPPLY more. If you get in the way of that with pumping, you may lose your supply because you are not pumping for demand.
5. Don't buy the "not producing enough milk" thing. Sure, some women don't, but our bodies are made for supply and demand. The more they suck, the more your body will make. It might take a while, but you will get there. If you are worried, talk to the pediatrician but don't stress. Just keep trying, don't give up unless you absolutely have to! Breast milk is the best milk for humans. The World Health Organization actually recommends nursing (pumped or not) until the child is 2 years old. Makes them smarter and healthier!
UPDATE: A thing I have recommended to many is to avoid pumping for the first 6 weeks. Because of the growth spurts at 10 days, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks, the baby will suckle more during its growths spurts, allowing your body to adjust and SUPPLY more. If you get in the way of that with pumping, you may lose your supply because you are not pumping for demand.
5. Don't buy the "not producing enough milk" thing. Sure, some women don't, but our bodies are made for supply and demand. The more they suck, the more your body will make. It might take a while, but you will get there. If you are worried, talk to the pediatrician but don't stress. Just keep trying, don't give up unless you absolutely have to! Breast milk is the best milk for humans. The World Health Organization actually recommends nursing (pumped or not) until the child is 2 years old. Makes them smarter and healthier!
6. DRINK A LOT OF WATER! Your body is spending all of its energy making milk, you will not have enough water for you to go to the bathroom. Its gonna be TMI, but your poop will be as hard as a damn rock and it does NOT help with that first time after you give birth. Get stool softeners if you have a problem (doctor can point you to the right kind). Make sure you have hemorrhoid cream WITH an applicator in stock. Its a very common problem after giving birth and you want to go to the bathroom. You need to drink double the amount of water than a normal person. If you are sitting and nursing, bring a giant water bottle with you and drink too. You will be starving, make sure you are eating an extra 500 calories a day while you are nursing. I mean, you will be STARVING! Make sure that you are eating and drinking because you will forget! All that fawning over your creation takes a lot of time!
7. Breastfeed your child before you leave the house. Seems like common sense but as you start adjusting to getting someone else ready while YOU are getting ready, things get forgotten. Then you are sitting in a parking lot trying to nurse your child before you enter the store. I remember being horrified as I sat in the middle of a restaurant with my son as he screamed because he wanted to nurse because I didn't before I left the house. I learned my lesson very quickly. I made sure to sit and nurse before I left. If the baby fell asleep, I'd stick them in the car seat and go! Made things so much smoother!
8. If you are worried about nursing in public, invest in a nursing cover. Make sure it is something light and breathable because you and your baby will get a little hot. Blankets work just as well, so if you don't want to buy a nursing cover, find a blanket that is long enough and breathable enough to take with you. I say long enough because these munchkins love to grab everything, and a small blanket will slide right off!
9. If your baby is a month old and they don't have a bowel movement everyday, do not be alarmed. It is normal for a BF baby to not have a BM for up to 5 days. If there is any fussing, crying, and the stomach is hard (like constipation), or you really are concerned, then consult your doctor. They are there to help. Keep an eye on poop and read up on the norms--yellow and seedy are the normal healthy indicators!
10. Take care of your breasts. Wash them well, don't tightly restrain them, or wear material that doesn't let them breathe. There are some problems you may encounter. Such as, engorgement/swollen breasts, overractive milk supply, clogged milk ducts...all can be pretty painful. Express some milk, massage them, take a warm shower or use a heating pad on them (not while baby is nursing). It will help. IF you start feeling SICK, or get a fever:
Mastitis
Mastitis is a bacterial infection in your breasts marked by flu-like symptoms such as fever and pain in your breasts. It’s common within the first few weeks after birth (though it can also happen during weaning) and is caused by cracked skin, clogged milk ducts, or engorgement.
Solution: The only sufficient way to treat the infection is with antibiotics, hot compresses, and most importantly, frequent emptying. Use hands-on pumping, making sure the red firm areas of the breast and the periphery are softened. It’s safe and actually recommended that you continue breastfeeding when you have mastitis.
(source: The Bump from The Knot)
(source: The Bump from The Knot)
Here is a full list of common breastfeeding problems: The Bump
11. Enjoy your time off, enjoy your baby, and if you are breastfeeding, enjoy it. It takes a lot of time, a lot of your energy, and you will sometimes feel like you are chained to the chair with your baby...but its something that no one else has in the world with your child...that's a bond that is like no other. Its all worth it, its cheaper, and healthier.
Look for help in your town!
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and so any advice I am offering is based on my own experiences. For severe problems or for things that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor!
The first
I am a mom with two children under the age of two.
A lot of people say, "Oh wow, you must be busy." Its the most common thing I've heard. Really, its not that big of a deal. Because baby is still stationary, with the exception of her rolling and scooting on her belly, I don't have much to worry about. My son is really good about not getting into things he's not supposed to. Most of the time. Baby is easy going and likes to just be up in the mix. She wants to see what's going on. She's happy just sitting there watching her brother kick a soft soccer ball around.
As I sit here, I really wish I had advice to go on. I was the one of the first out of my circle of friends to have a child, and now I have two. My best friend just gave birth to a baby girl as well, six weeks after Amelia was born. But I still feel like there was no one to really talk to who had recently gone through raising babies or toddlers. I say recently, because there is the excellent advice from my mother (who had three girls) and my mother-in-law (1 girl, 3 boys) and of course, other older family members or friends of the family with whom I could relate. But things get tossed up in the mix after 20 years. *I so appreciate all your help moms and other friends that did help me.*
So, I'm writing this blog to kind of put it out there, things that I have experienced that I wish I had known before having kids, while I was pregnant, and especially afterwards. I wish I knew a lot of stuff about breastfeeding like I do know. Or not to buy things that I don't need. I wish I knew how quickly these kids grow and really, having a newborn sized outfit would only last two weeks.
Thanks for reading this blog, and expect more to come. This is just my welcoming message, I am definitely planning on writing more about each of my pregnancies and breastfeeding tips that I've had. Keep your eyes peeled!
A lot of people say, "Oh wow, you must be busy." Its the most common thing I've heard. Really, its not that big of a deal. Because baby is still stationary, with the exception of her rolling and scooting on her belly, I don't have much to worry about. My son is really good about not getting into things he's not supposed to. Most of the time. Baby is easy going and likes to just be up in the mix. She wants to see what's going on. She's happy just sitting there watching her brother kick a soft soccer ball around.
As I sit here, I really wish I had advice to go on. I was the one of the first out of my circle of friends to have a child, and now I have two. My best friend just gave birth to a baby girl as well, six weeks after Amelia was born. But I still feel like there was no one to really talk to who had recently gone through raising babies or toddlers. I say recently, because there is the excellent advice from my mother (who had three girls) and my mother-in-law (1 girl, 3 boys) and of course, other older family members or friends of the family with whom I could relate. But things get tossed up in the mix after 20 years. *I so appreciate all your help moms and other friends that did help me.*
So, I'm writing this blog to kind of put it out there, things that I have experienced that I wish I had known before having kids, while I was pregnant, and especially afterwards. I wish I knew a lot of stuff about breastfeeding like I do know. Or not to buy things that I don't need. I wish I knew how quickly these kids grow and really, having a newborn sized outfit would only last two weeks.
Thanks for reading this blog, and expect more to come. This is just my welcoming message, I am definitely planning on writing more about each of my pregnancies and breastfeeding tips that I've had. Keep your eyes peeled!
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