Pregnancy Thread.....Thursday, 1/20

[metroames]

Mrs. Sarah.............Tanner Christian..............Born 11/12/04
ChristinaK..............Joshua Vincent................Born 11/18/04
karatejen...............Murphy Archie.................Born 11/27/04
Surfdol...................Catherine Emily Jean.......Born 12/21/04
BrattyChelle...........Elana Marie.....................Born 12/23/04
GetNSlim................Jonathan Charles............Born 12/31/04
Kay&Lydi................"Baby".................... .........Born 01/06/05
Shandril105............Elizabeth Skye................Born 01/10/05
Viki.........................."Baby Girl"......................Born 01/18/05

Nyanchan..................W39................01/31/05......Girl
metroames................W38................02/08/05......Boy
MadameX...................W38................02/09/05......Girl
JennPayton................W32................03/13/05......Girl
blueyedgrl..................W31................03/26/05
kimism........................W31................0 3/26/05......Girl
Heather123................W30................03/30/05......Boy
shelly..........................W30............... .04/02/05......Boy?
Sassy Frass................W29................04/07/05......Girl
Marthad......................W28................04/11/05......Boy

Dar20..........................W27................ 04/16/05.....Girl
Jefinner.......................W27................ 04/16/05
GoJackets....................W25...............05/03/05
mom2twoboys.............W25...............05/07/05
chels_hoff....................W24...............05/15/05......Boy
Ravenly74................... W24...............05/15/05......Boy
Denise85.....................W23...............05/22/05......Boy
tekla............................W23.............. .05/23/05
azktycat.......................W21...............0 5/30/05
michigangrad...............W21................06/01/05
Vixendrop....................W18................06/18/05.....Girl
naerenaenae...............W18................06/18/05
ChristieJ.......................W18............... .06/19/05
Alibarbar......................W18................ 06/20/05
jehcekah......................W18................0 6/22/05
gilbabe75.....................W17................0 6/25/05
Miss Gigl.......................W17................06/26/05
rooney..........................W17............... .06/30/05
Acutepenguin...............W15.................07/10/05
allibaba........................W15............... ..07/12/05....Twins
kclynn...........................W14.............. ...07/18/05
Tbugs...........................W13............... ..07/21/05

Mandyhoward..............W12.................07/30/05
SmileyAmy....................W11.................0 8/08/05
takahirakoshino...........W10.................08/15/05
jojolw...........................W?............... ....??/??/05

Green12........................................... ...Trying!
2BFitHourglass.................................... Trying!
lil miss.............................................. ...Trying!
Nicole133......................................... ....Trying!
jeepifer.......................................... ......Trying!
StrawberryGirl.................................... ..Trying!
AnnieO............................................ .....Trying!
speckle........................................... ......Trying!
Alissaliz......................................... ........Trying!
Aediekins......................................... .....Trying!

[metroames]

Good morning ladies.

Boy, I guess my busy shift and stop at the grocery store afterwards took everything out of me. I snuggled in bed with my sweetie for the rest of the morning and went to sleep at my usual time. Then I woke up at 6pm sweating like a race horse, having to pee and my sinuses were all clogged up. Of course it took me a while to get back to sleep and now I'm really dragging at work. Good thing this shift is slower tonight.

Hey Sandril, I plan to breastfeed too! I am very sure this is something I want to do and am determined to make it work. I feel that I'm not lugging these things around for nothing but sexual pleasure, LOL! God made them for a dual purpose and for good reason. There is no way man-made formula is as good as breast milk. The last two generations of babies in my family have been bottle fed and wouldn't ya know it....we all have allergy problems and struggle with our weight. Lot's of babies in the family have struggled with ear infections, colic and projectile vomiting also. My husbands family on the other hand have all been breast fed and very few have weight issues and there are no allergies to speak of, and they are all as healthy as horses.

I also feel that it will be a great bonding experience too. My husband will be a stay-at-home dad so he will be the main caretaker. I think it will be great to look forward to that bonding time with the baby when I get home from work and on my days off since I won't be doing much of the caretaking otherwise. Also, my co-worker did it for a year with each child and she has given me great inspriration to follow in her footsteps. I have no excuse to let work get in the way, because she was able to do it twice for a year each working the same job as me.

I also find it very natural. My husband teases that the baby is gonna be spoiled with my large chest and he seems comfortable with sharing. I'm not gonna let a short fendulum get in the way either....I will have it clipped if it is a problem....and this is not just for breastfeeding either. I myself have a short fendulum and it can literally make you "tongue tied" and interfere with public speaking and such (which is why I would have never been able to do TV meteorology). If I don't talk slowly I can really stumble over my words and it gets really frustrating. That, and I can't stick my tongue out either....it literally won't go past my lips. French kissing can even be painful. Anyway, if my child has a short fendulum it will get fixed early.

I respect you all who choose not to breastfeed, but at the same time feel that we should all give it a chance so the baby can get those initial antibodies. I think I read that 60% of women actually try to breastfeed initially and then only 30% of those do it at least 6 months. I found those statistics shocking since breastfeeding has been the way to go since the beginning of mankind. At the same time I feel that staying away from processed food as an adult is the way to go too, but as we can see our society is overtaken by it. I guess bottle feeding has taken hold in our culture over the last century.

Sorry if that all sounded preachy, because that wasn't intended...and I certainly can't say anything certain until I do it myself. But I'm pretty stubborn and if I have my mind set on something I can usually succeed. And I truely believe that you really want to do it to succeed too. So take what I said with a grain of salt, but at the same time really do some research and think about it before you decided against it. I think everybody agrees that breast milk is best though.

Ames

[chels_hoff]

Ames ~ Hope things calm down for you at work!! Wouldn’t mind at all starting the thread, guess we could just have who ever gets here first can do it. Even though I have to be up at 7am now I still am up until midnight cause David is on swings (2pm-midnight) You have to promise us that you will be like Michelle and NOT desert us after your little guy is here!!

Mandy ~ Glad to hear the Dr. seems to have found the cause of the bleeding, hopefully it is smooth sailing from here!!

Martha ~ Congrats on the little boy, figures with a room as pink at that one!! Did you order the baby bag?? The store is SO neat, I am hoping that as it gets closer to Summer that they start carrying some surfer beach stuff for Payton's room.

Kelley ~ A day of pampering sounds nice, to bad it isn't on the same day. All you are missing is a full body massage & waxing other regions.... Oh and a FYI on electrolysis/laser, I had a round of laser hair remover and it takes several sessions before it never grows back. Our hair grows in cycles where only certain follicles are active at any given time. A person can need anywhere from 3 sessions up to 8 or more. Just depends on your body, the cool thing is that both "kill" the root to where it will never grow back. I was going to go in for another session because my hair seems to have gone through a major growth spurt. But they said I shouldn’t while PG, there have been no studies on the effect & I would hate for Payton to be permanently bald...LOL

Becca ~ Glad that things finally got moving for you. I LOVE the new Rolaids soft chews they are pretty good.

Vixen ~ Congrats on the little girl.....LOVE, Love, love the name!! Be prepared, as I have found out for most to give you there 2 cents.... some people!! Did you get the 3D also or just the 2D.

Amy (smiley) ~ Your feelings my change about BF, especially if you haven't really been around babies or BF mom much. I remember you saying months ago before you where PG that you where NOT going to like feeling the baby move inside you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you have been getting the urges to want to feel him/or her. As far as the "bedroom eyes" thing goes you should see me when I am at a restaurant and they bring out my faboo desert.....

Dal ~ Hope that the morning~noon~night sickness good are kinder to you than they where to me!! How are you feeling today??

Dar ~ Sorry about the shower situation, that must be hard. I *thought* my mom would throw on but I doubt she will. Hope your friend steps up cause you deserve a shower!!

Michelle ~ Hey you, any new pics of our little piggy ?? Loved the one of her and big brother!!

Kim ~ love Netflicks!! Wish I would have tried them sooner!!

Shandril ~ You are not alone!! I will be BF, I guess it has never been a big deal to me. Not worried, but after reading some posts I hope that all goes well!!

Ali ~ Thanks for sharing the u/s pics of the twins. How neat!!

Dena ~ Hey you what's new!!?? Loved the new belly pic!! Your back feeling better?? If not make hubby give you a rub down....

Meg ~ Your house is SO neat, makes dealing with the pipes and other stuff worth it.

Shelly ~ Woo Hoo look at that belly I am so loving it .... and yes jelous !!

Dierdre ~ Good luck at your Dr. appt today!! Hopefully he will have some good cervix progress news for you!!

heather123 ~ The bedroom set that you picked out is cute, there is a really cute sign that is on the website that would go great (and I love...lol) http://www.littlestarkids.net/decor_frame.html

Hello to anyone that I missed.... wonder how Viki is doing??!!

As far as Megan goes I defiantly don’t need the practice, just doing it as a favor and not sure how long she will need me. Just a bit of my kid background, my little sister was born when I was almost 19. I still lived at home and my mom was in the hospital for a week when she was a couple moths old with blood clots in her legs, so I was it. I had my niece from the age of 6 months until she was 4, she is 7 now. Not to mention my nephew and looser sister staying with us for 6 months when he was 3. Then the 2 year old twins that I took care of last year. At one point 3 years ago I had my sisters 3 year old & David's sisters kids who where 3 1/2, 5 & 7. So I have had plenty of practice, just need to have my own. I guess taking care of all of them may be part of the reason why David and I have been together 10 1/2 years and are just now having our first. On another note have been having some weird breathing stuff going on. It seems like I am not getting enough oxygen just breathing through my nose. I find myself almost gasping in a sense through my mouth is order to breath, even when I am just sitting doing nothing. Hope that everyone has a great day!!

xoxo Chelsea
*Pregnant with Our First*
It's a Boy!! Cant wait to meet you Payton Wayne !!


Baby's Web Page
Mom & Dad's Website

Payton's Pool

[MadameX]

Originally posted by metroames
I think everybody agrees that breast milk is best though.
Ames

Hear, hear.

I'm not up early, I'm up late! Sewing stuff for the nursery. I just hung the curtains. When DH sets up the crib (probably this weekend) I will post pictures. I still have to sew a crib skirt and quilt. I guess the quilt is optional since it shouldn't ever be in the crib when the baby is? So confusing.

Martha~Several months ago, you posted a site that sells children's art. Do you remember what it was called?

See you ladies in the morning!

Kelley

[MadameX]

Originally posted by chels_hoff

All you are missing is a full body massage & waxing other regions....

LOL Chels...I got a massage last weekend and the therapist told me that PG women who get regular massage tend to deliver a week or two early. I told him to take it really easy because I'm not ready for her to come early!!!
I can't even see the "other regions" that should be waxed, maybe that's a good thing.

About the breathing...I'll bet baby is just moving up and your uterus is staring to squish everything else upward. It kinda gets worse from here (sorry!). You have LOTS of childcare experience! You obviously know what you're getting into, unlike me, who will have a huge shock...



Kelley

[Marthad]

Hi everyone!

I plan to breastfeed, at least for a while. It is really encouraged here, and I think most women do it. I am definitely not into the public or in front of family thing though--especially not my dad! I'll probably be a hermit! We are planning to start on number two as soon as possible because of our age (I'm turning 37 in April and DH 38 in May). So, I'd really like to try for six months, but I'm not sure how it interferes with my period returning, ovulation, etc. I still need to research this, DH always bawlks (is that how you spell it?) when I bring it up because it's "so far off in the future...get through this one first" I guess I'm just a planner.

Mandy, I hope the polyp was the cause of your bleeding and that it stops now so you can relax and enjoy!

Kelley, Mmmmm spa day, I think I need to schedule one. I've been wanting to get highlights, but am worrying about the upkeep. My hair gets pretty blond in the summer sun, but by about November, it's looking pretty dingy. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and do it, though!

Becca, I hope you're feeling better. Lately, water on an empty tummy has been making me queasy.

Vixen, cute name!

Dal, enjoy your days off!

Dar, good luck with the glucose test. I doubt I'll get a shower either--I'm not counting on one, that's for sure. I don't feel like I have any friends close enough here, and, if someone does do something I'm sure it will be really small scale. However, I'm pretty similar to Dena when it comes to this--all the attention makes me really uncomfortable and I think I'd be embarassed. I didn't even have a wedding shower (very small wedding). I hope you get one if you want one, though!

Hi Kim, Chels, Shandril, Heather & Ali!

Oh, someone asked if DH and I were agreeing on names....not really. He says it "must be cross cultural--Swedish & American". So this basically limits our choices to Eric, Peter & David. My fav is David (my dad's name) but Alex isn't sold, because it's pronounced Daveed in swedish...I'm making a list--I lean towards all the preppy names...I feel like I need to pick my battles, though. I think I'm winning the circumsision one...& I can live with David. I think we've agreed on a middle name, though.

Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

[Marthad]

Chels, I haven't ordered it yet...I have to wait for DH to schedule his trip to NYC so it doesn't clog up their office too long.

Kelley, was it The Well Appointed House ?

[BrattyChelle]

Originally posted by chels_hoff
[B]
Michelle ~ Hey you, any new pics of our little piggy ?? Loved the one of her and big brother!!

Hey Chells!!! Nope, no new pics as of yet. However....next week the portrait studio online pics should be available for me to post! We got some cute ones of both her and my son so I'll be sure to share for those who want to see 'em.

On the "home front"....Elana is officially 4 weeks old today It just seems like yesterday we were celebrating her eating for the first time in the NICU. Now I'd pray for a more than 3 hour shift between eatings LOL. We've considered giving her some rice cereal in her night bottle to extend her sleeping but we're also concerned of "stopping her up" as she strains to potty at times. We go to the doc on Tues. so we'll see what they recommend. I even went so far as to give her an ounce of diluted apple juice last night she was screaming so bad.

Hubby and I are doing great. Let's just say the *ahem* intimacy interest has returned in full force. I never thought I'd be so thankful for a box of condoms in my life! LOL

On a sidenote....if ya'll haven't tried Olay Quench lotion, I'd highly recommend it!! Between the cooler temps, late stage pregnancy/hormone shifts and childbirth/hospital dryness....my skin was a mess. This stuff is awesome and literally is a one time apply per 24 hours and instantly dry skin becomes wonderfully smooth and soft again. Just an FYI

Ya'll have a great day....I'm off to go catch another 2 hours sleep now that she's settled back into her crib.

[metroames]

Originally posted by chels_hoff
You have to promise us that you will be like Michelle and NOT desert us after your little guy is here!!

LOL, I won't desert you, but I probably won't be on as much until I go back to work. Going home to dial-up is frustrating when you have high speed internet at work! Some days it's just not worth the hassle.

[BrattyChelle]

Originally posted by metroames
LOL, I won't desert you, but I probably won't be on as much until I go back to work. Going home to dial-up is frustrating when you have high speed internet at work! Some days it's just not worth the hassle.

ewwww dial up *shudders*

You might find yourself here more than you think....I know I always have habit of checking in post feedings.

[metroames]

Originally posted by MadameX
I'm not up early, I'm up late! Sewing stuff for the nursery. I just hung the curtains. When DH sets up the crib (probably this weekend) I will post pictures. I still have to sew a crib skirt and quilt. I guess the quilt is optional since it shouldn't ever be in the crib when the baby is? So confusing.

LOL, it sounds like you are in the "nesting" stage now. I have yet to hang the pictures in the nursery. The only other things we are waiting on is the rocking chair (which my in-laws will be bringing when the baby is born) and a crib tent I ordered on-line. We decided we'd better get something to keep the cats out of the crib, because every time we open the door to the nursery that's the first place one of them goes to. This same cat really likes to snuggle up and nap on us, so I could just see him wanting to do that with a warm little baby....not gonna happen, LOL

Ames

[metroames]

LOL, just had to share this with you all. This is the letter our union rep put out yesterday regarding my maternity leave and a fellow worker who is going to take a few weeks of leave when his wife delivers in late February. (BTW I'm AVG, my co worker is SR and OT = overtime)

Fellow met-types

Those of you who like OT must be watching Amy's progress with nearly as much anticipation as she.__ Those of us who are OT averse have been trying not to notice that she is pregnant.__

_ We will all be called upon to share this burden.____ Some plate-up-to stepping has already been done by our 2 Vac/Reliefs in order to minimize the impact of_ covering 56 midnight shifts.___ We will all need to work at least 1 midnight shift and most of us will get 2.

There is a preliminary schedule floating around that reflects AVG's and SR' absence (yes, he's pregnant too)._

1. Please inspect it closely.___
2. Identify as many days that you can bid as possible (do not write on the schedule).
3. State your preference for OT
____ a. Love OT want as much as I can get.
____ b. Would like X of the Y days I have identified.
____ c. I want as few of the days I've identified as possible.
____ d. I've listed a bunch of days because I really don't want to be forced on XX/YY____ '05 (because I'm getting married that day).__ Note, there is no guarantee here, but we'll do our best if these requests are very limited.

These preferences will be used as much as possible, the more identified days and willingnesses that are indicated the less probable that you will get forced on your wife's birthday (wedding anniversary, etc.)_ or some other ugly solution.__

Please respond ASAP.____ Amy says time is running out.

Rory

[BrattyChelle]

Originally posted by metroames
We decided we'd better get something to keep the cats out of the crib, because every time we open the door to the nursery that's the first place one of them goes to. This same cat really likes to snuggle up and nap on us, so I could just see him wanting to do that with a warm little baby....not gonna happen, LOL

Ames

Ames.....while the tent is a great idea, also let the cats in the nursery to inspect and get used to the changes before the baby arrives. By then it will only be the baby they are curious about, instead of everything you've kept them from.

[metroames]

Originally posted by BrattyChelle
Ames.....while the tent is a great idea, also let the cats in the nursery to inspect and get used to the changes before the baby arrives. By then it will only be the baby they are curious about, instead of everything you've kept them from.

Yeah, as soon as we get the tent set up we will allow them access. I don't want the one cat sleeping in the crib until then though...he'll think it's his new bed.

Ames

[kimism]

Just checking in. Last night was a bad night. I was having extreme pelvic pain, but no contractions. Went to sleep and feel better this morning. So, hopefully it was just a passing thing.

I'm trying to be a little realistic as we know this is our last little one...there will be no more. When I had my dd at age 17 I never gave breast feeding a second thought or having a natural delivery a second thought. I've bounced back and forth on the natural delivery this time. I just don't think I can handle the pain...I'm such a wimp when it comes to pain. But, I'm trying to keep an open mind and will go as long as I can without any pain meds or epi. As for the bf....I know I posted yesterday that I had no intentions of bf. Well, after everyone's replies yesterday I did look up LLL on the net. However, I have had a breast reduction and have almost no sensitivity in my nipples at all. It was a really intesive surgery for me and not really sure it would be possible at all. But, I'm not going to rule it out completely. Plus the fact that I will be going back to work 6 weeks after I deliver. So there would definetly have to be some pumping going on. I am just trying to think right now that if I don't try it this time around I'll never get the chance to try it again. I don't know, I may try it just to see what happens.

I too need to get the tent thing because we have a cat also and I'm a little worried about that. Where are you guys getting your tents from? I've only seen them in one magazine while I was at the dr's office.

Sorry no personals today...glad everyone is doing ok.

Kim

[BrattyChelle]

Kim.... You're an inspiration as to how you're handling your situation. Bad days will come and go, but soon you'll be filled with nothing but good days with your little one. Know that you're in my prayers/thoughts often.

As for breastfeeding, in the end the decision is your own. No one should make you feel badly or wrong for the decision you make based on their own beliefs. Just remember, you can always try and if it doesn't work out, don't feel badly or guilty. Simply do what is best for you and your child....in the end, every child becomes a healthy individual because of more factors than breastfeeding vs. bottle.

[karatejen]

Sorry guys that I don't post often, but I do lurk. Having to take care of a baby and go back to work (returned on Tues) takes a lot out of you.

Ames~I like what you had to say about breastfeeding. I feel exactly the same way. I am stubborn, but bound and determined that I will see this thing through. The first few days were he!!, but it has gotten easier everyday since. I even called the LC provided by the hospital at 9pm my first night home. I stared at a sample can of formula, just wanting to give in because he wouldn't stop crying and because he wouldn't latch on. She walked me through what to do and even called the next day to check on me.

I invested in a new Medela breastpump (ebay is the cheapest ) and it works great. Murphy eats about 3.5oz a feeding (every 2 hours, usually 5 feedings while I am at work). So far I am pumping at least 20oz at work, split over 3 sessions. I bought a hands free pumping band from babycenter.com. Because I have an office with a door, I am able to use the band and continue work. It was very awkward on Tues, but I have gotten more comfortable with it as each day goes by. So far, I am pumping in excess of what my little man needs each day.

I am unable to freeze my milk. The fat in my milk breaks down during the freezing process and causes the milk to have a rancid sour smell and soapy taste. I did a little research and the only way to prevent the breakdown is by scalding the milk before cooling, which obviously I can't do at work. Fortunately, not every women encounters this problem. It sucked that I didn't find it out until I had frozen 19 bags during my maternity leave. Thankfully, I had a thought to thaw a bag 2 days before I returned to work to make sure he would take it. I realized it was bad and had enough time to pump some fresh milk before returning to work. Fresh milk can be refrigerated up to 8 days, so I will just keep my excess for 8 days. It is going to be hard to throw it out, as it is considered liquid gold. But I will keep pumping that amount everyday so my supply stays high.

I like that fact that he is getting all the benefits from breastfeeding, but I have to admit lactating is not fun for me. I really don't enjoy having my boobs so big. I don't enjoy having them tender and heavy when they get full. I don't like the fact that I leak and have to wear pads in my bras. I don't like that fact that I have to take into consideration what I wear because I will be pullin my shirt up all day. So don't feel bad if it isn't a totally enjoyable experience. At first I felt guilty about not liking all those things, but I reminded myself I am only human.

I plan on providing him with milk for at least a year. Some days it sounds like a very long time, while other days it doesn't. The thought of pumping everyday at work seems grueling, but I know that if I were to quit now, knowing that I know I can do it.....it would just kill me. So I am committed to seeing it through and I know I will be glad I did in the long run.

I am like Ames....not meaning to sound preachy. I just wanted to share my experiences with it so far.

Michelle~did you get Elana's pics taken at JCP? I got Murphy's taken there on 1/5 and just got the pics off the web the other night.

I will post them if anyone is interested. I don't want to force my pics on you guys.

[BrattyChelle]

Jen.....yep at JCP! WOW it took that long?? The girl was telling us that it's been a 7 day turn around lately now that the new year has come. (hahaha doesn't help that I check it daily just in case they're up there earlier)

Post 'em!! I wanna see the lil angel...and well, I've never seen anyone on this thread turn away baby pics!

Also Jen...the diaper bandit struck again and you should be getting mail
Also, who's watching the baby now that you're back to work?

[metroames]

Originally posted by kimism
I too need to get the tent thing because we have a cat also and I'm a little worried about that. Where are you guys getting your tents from? I've only seen them in one magazine while I was at the dr's office.

I ordered the "Original Crib Tent". Here is the link...it is the fourth product down on the page:

https://www.innovativedist.com/tots/

[karatejen]

Originally posted by BrattyChelle
Post 'em!! I wanna see the lil angel...and well, I've never seen anyone on this thread turn away baby pics!

Also Jen...the diaper bandit struck again and you should be getting mail
Also, who's watching the baby now that you're back to work?

Thanks for the coupons!

We have the baby at a Church daycare down the street. He is only part time. My DH works shift work, 7 days out of every 14, so he is home with Murphy 2 - 3 days a week. I can deal with that. I would be more of a basket case if he had to go everyday. So far he has only been Tues. He has been with DH yesterday and today. He will go back tomorrow and then not again until Wed.

Here's the pics:

[BrattyChelle]

Jen....He's so cute!!!!!!!!!! What a little man!!!

We had the ones like yours, me holding Elana and me kissing her. Needless to say I won't be posting the one of me kissing her as I had no makeup on and my hair in a ponytail as I didn't expect it!! LOL

CUTE CUTE CUTE!!

[Dar20]

Hi, girls,

Sorry for the drive by, but I'm very busy at work trying to make all my changes before our deadline and I had my 1 hr glucose test this am. Piece of cake.. hope I pass.

Anyways, quick question I hope someone can answer before I cut my head off.. can I use Halls menthol cough drops?

BBL!!

[gilbabe75]

Hey ladies.

Regarding the BF thing. This is my third child and with 2 failed attempts it is really hard for me to say I'm going to try again.

Are there any of you out there that know what it is like to completely fail at it?? Just not be able to get it right no matter how hard you try? If you do, please tell me. I had a lataction consultant, pumps, nipple shields, soothies, lanolin, ice, tylenol! Everything. And I couldn't make it work. My kids were hungry, crying nonstop and I had PPD and didn't have anyone at home to help. Once when I tried to pump I broke a capillary and pumped blood. I WISH I was one of those mothers that could do it, I TRIED EXTREMELY HARD.

In regards to the frendulum thang. My DD didn't have enough of one to affect her speech but enough that she couldn't feed properly. I didn't want to subject her to that when she was already hungry, I felt selfish. She is fine on formula. Her tongue does come out past her lips some and the Dr. really didn't recommend cutting it.

One thing I have learned though is my kids cannot do cows milk formula. I do believe that cows milk is for calves and just not right for babies. I will be using soy with DHA and RHA trying to do my best to give my baby what I can.

[BrattyChelle]

Dar....looked it up real quick in my pregnancy book I still have right here. It says nothing about cough drops, sry

It does say for coughs to try a vaporizer while sleeping or the "Tenting" method with one. Also to use Vicks VapoRub on your chest and to drink more fluids and limit milk intake.

Hope this helps.

[BrattyChelle]

gilbabe.....don't see it as failing. It just doesn't work for everyone. I know many people and research says there is no reason why any woman can't breastfeed...but I think until you go through it and it does not work for one reason or another, no one can understand. Sometimes I hate the stigma attached to formula moms/babies for that exact reason.

I tried very hard for 2 weeks to breastfeed my son. I know that doesn't sound like very long....but when your child has lost so much weight and cries nonstop from starvation while losing all fat tissues....you then do what is best for that child instead of what society makes you feel is right. I for one was not willing to take that chance again with Elana.

As I said earlier....what/how a baby nurses is only one factor in their health and happiness into childhood and eventually as a thriving adult. No one, not even ourselves, should feel badly about the method we use as long as they are growing and thriving.

[vixendrop]

Originally posted by BrattyChelle
gilbabe.....don't see it as failing. It just doesn't work for everyone. I know many people and research says there is no reason why any woman can't breastfeed...but I think until you go through it and it does not work for one reason or another, no one can understand. Sometimes I hate the stigma attached to formula moms/babies for that exact reason.

I tried very hard for 2 weeks to breastfeed my son. I know that doesn't sound like very long....but when your child has lost so much weight and cries nonstop from starvation while losing all fat tissues....you then do what is best for that child instead of what society makes you feel is right. I for one was not willing to take that chance again with Elana.

As I said earlier....what/how a baby nurses is only one factor in their health and happiness into childhood and eventually as a thriving adult. No one, not even ourselves, should feel badly about the method we use as long as they are growing and thriving.

I agree with this completely! I had to stop BF my daughter because she would not gain weight... I was producing enough, but nobody told me it was possible not to produce enough calories! She kept losing weight, crying, getting more and more skeletal... but her pediatrician said as long as she was eating there was nothing wrong and obviously I just had a fussy baby... REFUSED to make an appointment until she was 3 weeks old! She was the only pediatrician that was accepting patients on my insurance too, so I didn't have much choice... finally at 2 1/2 weeks my mom paid cash to get her into a different doctor who immediately sent her to the hospital... she was 5lbs 10oz when she was born, at the doctors she was 4lbs 9oz!!! She was in the hospital for 2 weeks and during that time they discovered I didn't produce enough calories and BF my daughter was killing her, literally! While at the hospital, before they discovered WHY she was losing weight, I was visited by child services who threatened to take her away because I'd starved her!

It was the worst experience of my life... something I don't ever want to risk repeating! And it didn't help that I was chastised by quite a number of people when they found out I wasn't BF.

And as far as ear problems and health issues go, I'm not convinced that BF helps avoid those... I was breastfed for nearly a year and I had SEVERE ear problems all my life (had three major operations on my ears because of them) and I've always gotten sick easier and stayed sick longer than anyone I know. Whereas my DH was bottlefed and he's never had ear problems and rarely ever gets sick at all. So I refuse to believe that BF is the end all be all of making a healthy child.

[vixendrop]

Sorry, double post

[BrattyChelle]

Vixendrop......I can relate all too well. I can't even look back at baby pics of the first 3 weeks of my sons life due to the guilt of what I put him through starving him.

[karatejen]

I hope I didn't offend anyone with my post on BF.

My goal after DS was born was to try it. I did and it is working for me. For that reason, I would find it hard to quit knowing that I could do it. Cuz believe me, there I are days I wish I could quit. I gave up my body for 9 months to make him and I still don't have my body back. Yes, I guess I am a little selfish, but I wish my body was all mine again. But I know this is a short lived thing in respects to his whole life. So I figured since I can BF him, I should.

I don't look down on anyone who chooses not to. As my OB put it, "I was bottle fed, and you were bottle fed. We both turned out pretty smart." That really put it into perspective for me.

[BrattyChelle]

No offense here Jen....after trying myself, I applaud those that can and do. I just don't like societies stigma that is attached to formula at times.