#1 - Screaming the whole first night.
Because I hemorrhaged my milk didn't come in as fast as it should have. So no matter how much we tried to feed Andrew, he wasn't getting enough. We tried everything to calm him, and didn't understand why he wouldn't go to sleep. At 6am, after we had tried all we could think of, and he was still frantically crying beyond reason... we gave him some formula. For the first time all night, he slept for more than 10 minutes. That's when we knew there was something up, along with the other signs including: his mouth being really dry, & red crystals in his diaper (a good indicator that he was dehydrated).
We called the Docs office the next day and took him in for a weight check. He left the hospital at 8lbs 2oz, and since then he had lost 5 more oz. We felt like terrible parents. The doc said it's common for your milk to be slow coming in for patients who hemorrhage... I wish I would have know that when we left the hospital!
#2 - Not having a bowel movement for 3 1/2 days!
We left the hospital on Friday evening. Andrew had had his last BM on Thursday evening. So when we took him to the docs on Saturday, they were concerned that he hadn't had one in a while. We kept watching and hoping. On Monday morning, with still no sign of poop... the doc scheduled a x-ray for us. As soon as we had the little guy naked on the table in the perfect position for the x-ray... he peed all over us and himself, then..... HE POOPED!! It went everywhere!!! It made for a good laugh after the fact.
#3 - Umbilical Cord
Andrew's UC has a little sharp point on it. I should have noticed in the hospital and asked them to trim it, but we were sort of in a hurry to leave. Well, this little point catches on everything. We've been really careful, but it has snagged on his shirt and then a few days ago, it snagged on his diaper while we were changing him. It tore a little but didn't come off completely . Then last night, I opened his diaper to change it and the stupid diaper had come apart and those little jelly crystal looking things had gone everywhere! Including underneath his UC. As I was cleaning him and around the cord the best I could, trying to get all those crystal things off (impossible!), Andrew was having a fit (what baby loves having his diaper changed?) and he whacked off his already loose UC. The doc had looked at it earlier and said it would be fine. I called the on call doc and he said to just rinse it in warm water. I hate those diapers!! This has happened to me 3 times now. I'm not sure I will ever use Pampers again!!
and last but not least...
#4 - Nursing
I have had a rough time with this. I am really sore and after seeking help from the lactation consultant found out we weren't latching on properly because Andrew's mouth is a little small still. I've had to pump alot (so glad I bought that thing!), and feed Andrew formula (which I was so passionate about not doing before he was born). Some days I feel it is getting better and can feed him, others I'm still in pain and I feel like a bad mom. I'm sure once I heal, everything will be fine and nursing will be a good experience. Until then, I'm going to keep trying, because I feel it is important.
Here are a few pictures & a video of the handsome little man:
He hasn't sat in this bouncy chair since...
Watch close, he flashes his gang sign.
Proud Daddy
Funny face.
Look at that face! It's hard to resist giving him a big kiss when this happens.
Even though it is hard sometimes, we love Andrew so much. He is such a sweet little guy. He smiles in his sleep, which does wonders for my soul. I love this little guy so much, and want him to be happy and healthy.
8 comments:
Sometimes I think it's good for us parents when things don't go the way we think. I, too, was so adamant with nursing...until that wasn't really an option for us. I was fine with formula but felt really judged by many people who didn't know that I hadn't given birth and had no milk to give. Same with cloth vs. disposable diapers, or home processed food vs. Gerber, sleep training vs. co-sleeping or whatever. People can get really judgy about baby stuff. Drives me nuts!!!!
What's the most important is that baby and parents are happy, healthy and comfy!
I loved his gang sign and I think he is so cute. I think he looks a lot like Briant.
The most important thing you can give him is your love. Yes, the rest of parenthood is a lot of ups and downs, but it is worth it.
Your friend is right, people have a lot of opinions about babies.
I second your friend, it's most important that parents are happy, rested, and feeling sane, and that baby is happy.
I am "pro" whatever works best for parents and baby, and allows everyone some sanity and rest.
It does get easier, all of it does.
i hate pampers! I only buy Huggies...I've had too many bad expereinces with them...hes a cutie
Oh life with a newborn! It will get better with time.
I need to come visit you, it has been over a week since he was born and I haven't seen him again! I am sure you could use a nap and I could use a baby fix!!!
Agree with Emily. We're a Huggies family. Warning about cheap Walmart brand style diapers, you get what you pay for.
That said, let me tell you what my OBGYN told us about nursing.
"It's not easy, it's not natural, it's not beautiful and if you can't do it, you're not alone."
Nursing was the ONLY thing I didn't struggle with. But even then it was still REALLY hard.
Things nobody told you about nursing:
Your boobs get ROCK hard. They hurt, they hurt to look at, to touch or think about.
You will have NO middle ground for the first 12 weeks. You will either feel like you're expressing dust or are making enough to feed a third world country.
You will ALWAYS worry that your baby isn't getting enough. It takes FOREVER for them to latch and nurse that first three months and then when they get their stride you're like "Why is this taking five minutes? Is he eating enough?"
Do not bother with nursing underroos. You know the ones.
Get a couple of sleeping nursing bras. They're like sports bras and are wonderful.
Buy the stupid disposable pads with the ointment already on them. You will only use them for a few months but the ointment is invaluable.
The most important thing is that nursing isn't for everyone. How much breastmilk your kid gets is no indication of the kind of mom you are.
You have to do what's best for everyone. And if you nurse alone, formula alone or do both, you're doing what's best for your baby.
With Julia she was all formula. Gabe was all nurse. If I ever have another one, I'll do both.
And both my kids' cords got ripped off. It's the grossest thing ever but it worked out okay.
I have a FUNNY story about the whole pooping thing. I'll write it out later.
By the way, you look awesome for just having had a baby!! He's so cute!! He's so perfect, you guys make adorable babies!
You're not a bad mom by giving your baby formula. I gave my first baby formula and he is just fine! Still if you keep working at it it does get easier with practice. I did better with my second child. Just don't let people make you feel like your doing anything wrong! You're a new mom learning something new just as your new little guy! Good Luck!! You'll do great and the time flies way too fast!!
--Sharifa
Your kid is cute; you got a good one!
Post a Comment