Burning the Midnight Oil

I seriously can't sleep and I am e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d!!

Little Miss is not a very good napper or night time sleeper so she is basically attached to my hip all day long. {I do put her down to play with her toys and she does well as long as I don't leave her line of vision!}

Also, since this week is Spring Break the boys are home with me all - day- long!

They are loud and rambunctious! Typical boys but that does not go along with Little Miss's idea of a good nap. She hears them giggle and she instantly wakes up!

So now the only time I get to be alone without anyone needing anything is night time.

Or until Little Miss feels the need to come into our bed which is typically around 5 am.

I love her to pieces but this Momma is tired!

What baby sleep advice can you share??

Breastfeeding {7 month update}

I still can't believe it but I have been breastfeeding for 7 months now! Wow time does go by very quickly!

This little one has done such a wonderful job nursing and I couldn't be happier that we have stuck with it!

To be honest, in the beginning of this journey {yes it is a journey} I didn't know if I was fully up for the challenge. I stocked up on formula just in case breastfeeding wasn't for me. {obviously I didn't give myself enough credit}

Right after Little Miss was born we did have some struggles with latching on and I was in a lot of pain. I do remember at one point calling my mom and telling her that it felt like Little Miss was hiding razor blades in her mouth. It was a continuous fight to not just throw in the towel. I spoke to 2 close friends who helped me teach Little Miss to correct her latch. {Only a wide open mouth gets rewarded!! Best advice ever!!} Also, I was told that by by 2 months it wouldn't hurt any more.

So getting to 2 months was my goal. If it still hurt then I was d-o-n-e!

I continued to cry at each feeding but then miraculously it stopped hurting ... exactly at 2 months.

Whew!! I don't know how we would have been able to afford to buy formula on our tight income!

While my milk supply was stabilizing I would pump once a day in the morning just to make sure I was fully empty. But I stopped pumping almost altogether in the beginning of February.

I am still a fan of the on demand feeding schedule and that seems to work for us!

Now breastfeeding in public is a totally different story. I have only attempted to breastfeed in public 1 time {unless you count nursing in the car} because Little Miss was completely inconsolable. It was at Little Man's indoor soccer game. I went to the front desk at asked the woman if there was a private place I could feed my baby. {I would have gone to the car if it wasn't so cold outside} She said that there was a lounge area on the second floor.

I rushed up the stairs to the second floor with my screaming baby. I walked the halls back and forth and never saw a private lounge area. But then I noticed a bunch of comfy type chairs in the hallway. {It felt like a light bulb when off} Duh ... this is the lounge. Right out in the open for the whole club to see! Hmm what to do.

I still had a screaming baby so I did what any logical mother would do.

I sat down in one of the comfy chairs and feed my baby. She quieted down and fell asleep.

Needless to say that in a sports complex only dudes are walking around. I did get a lot of stares but no one said anything. {I am seriously terrified of making a scene or getting yelled at when it comes to breastfeeding in public ... oh the anxiety}

All in all, breastfeeding is wonderful!! I love my bonding time with Little Miss!

Maysie's Birth Story {Part 2}

You can read part 1 of Maysie's birth here.

So I have now had 2 contractions in my grandma's driveway while sobbing like a baby. My Mom knew she was welcome in the delivery room so she called into work. I told her that we would call her once we got checked into the room.

Dan and I headed toward the hospital. Driving in the car the contractions were getting worse and sitting down was not helping. I couldn't wait to get out of the car.

On the way to the hospital I was so thirsty so I made Dan stop at McDonald's to get me a sweet tea. Due to the fact it was early morning rush hour the drive thru line was insanely busy!! I had four contractions while waiting to order.

When we got to the hospital Dan almost passed the entrance to the mother & baby building. At this point I was in so much pain I almost got out of the car and walked.

When we got into the hospital the valet parking attendant asked me if I wanted a wheelchair. I told him that I didn't and that I would be fine walking. {I knew that once I got checked in they would make lay down and my labor would stop progressing!!}

We waited for the elevator door to open and stepped inside. Before the door closed a man with an infant car seat came into the elevator with us. The labor & delivery unit was on floor 3 and the mother & baby unit was on floor 4. As soon as the elevator reached floor 3 {my floor} another contraction was coming full force. I felt bad for the man in the elevator waiting to get to his new baby so I tried to get off the elevator. {I am not sure why I was so concerned with the man in the elevator}

While Dan was checking me into the labor & delivery unit another contraction was hitting. The floor manager noticed that I was crying and the pain was really strong so she lead me to the room while Dan finished the paperwork. I got into the bed at 10 am.

I got into the gown and the nursed checked me. I was at 4 1/2 centimeters. I was so disappointed and felt that I should have been farther along. I denied an epidural for the moment but said that I may want one later on.

The contractions were getting worse and worse so I asked if I could have something to take the edge off the pain. I was going to be given something that would make me a little dizzy so I was instructed to use the bathroom because I wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least an hour.

The nurse said she had to check me again to make sure I wasn't at a 7 because if I was the medicine wouldn't work. Of course when she checked me I was a 7 1/2. {Needless to say I was shocked. I didn't think I would dilate that quickly and now I couldn't get the medicine ... aagh!}

Another nurse walked in and asked me if I was feeling any pressure. I said I felt something but I am not sure pressure was the right word. She checked me and told me to push a little bit to see what happened. When I did that my water broke.

After my water broke everything went really fast. There was a guy at the end of my bed setting up for delivery.

Delivery?? Already??

I asked for an epidural and a nurse went running to find the anesthesiologist. She came back in and told me that there was 2 other women ahead of me.

I was checked again and I was fully dilated. The baby was low and I was told that a few pushes would get her out.

Pushing felt good but I was terrified. It took 3 1/2 hours to deliver Little Man so I figured that it would take that long at least to deliver Little Miss.
 
I pushed once and her head was crowning.

{At this time my Mom told me that the baby had a full head of hair. I shouted that I knew she was going to be hairy! I guess the nurses and doctors thought that it was really funny!}

I pushed twice and her head was out.

{Now I am telling the doctor to just get her out!}

I pushed the third time and she was born.

Maysie Grace was born at 11:43 am just an hour and 43 minutes after I checked into the hospital.

She was born weighing 5 lbs 13.5 oz and 19 inches long.

She was placed directly on my chest {skin to skin} and it was wonderful!!

She was perfect as can be!

I still cannot believe that I gave birth to her naturally with no drugs. {To be honest, if we have another baby I would not have an epidural. I felt so amazing after she was born and healed much more quickly than I did after I had Little Man}

Maysie's Birth Story {Part 1}

I woke up on August 30th at about 3 a.m. just not feeling "right". I figured I just suffering from pregnancy induced insomnia which I seemed to have the last month of my pregnancy. So instead of waking up my loving yet sleepy husband I came downstairs and decided to watch tv.

About 30 minutes later my stomach got really tight. I thought it was a Braxton Hicks contraction so I grabbed a cup of juice thinking that would make the contractions go away.

 But ...3 minutes later I had another contraction.

I decided I should probably keep track of the contractions just in case. {I didn't truly believe I was in labor yet.}

I downloaded a pregnancy app on my IPhone {Sprout} and knew there was a contraction timer on there so I began timing my "Braxton Hicks" contractions.

4 minutes after my second contraction ... I had another contraction.

When I was in labor with Little Man I had back labor which is just like having a constant backache so these stomach tightening contractions were something totally different.

I continued having contractions every 4-5 minutes. They were getting stronger and starting to make me lose my breathe.

At about 6:30 am I figured it was time to take a shower. I had heard that hot water can take away some of the pain.

So I jumped in the shower and it felt wonderful.

I finally admitted it to myself that these were real contractions.

I got dressed and was putting my make up on when my husband came downstairs. He was all dressed for work and asked me where I was going. I told him that I was having contractions and that he wouldn't be going into work. He proceeded to call his boss and told him I was in labor.

I continued getting ready and decided it was time to wake up Little Man so he could get ready for school. It was 7 am. I was still having contractions every 4-5 minutes but they were getting painful.

While Little Man was in the shower I decided I should take one last pregnancy photo. I got my phone ready and then a contraction hit so I waited. I would lean over whatever was close and rock back and forth.

I tried once again and ANOTHER contraction hit. So I rocked back and forth some more. I finally was able to take a picture.

We got into the car and took Little Man to school. My grandma likes to walk Little Man to school so we pulled into her driveway. My grandma, Mom, and aunt were at my grandma's house having tea. When they saw Dan driving the car they knew I was in labor. They came down to the car and I got out to hug Little Man.

As soon as I saw my Mom I started crying. I knew that on this day I would have 2 children and my life would be forever changed.

Another contraction hit and I had to lean against the car. My Mom rubbed my back and I swayed back and forth while crying. {Sorry to all the parents and children who witnessed me having contractions ... I was a hot mess}

To be continued ...

Come back tomorrow for part 2

Breastfeeding {The Don'ts}

Read my breastfeeding story here.
Read a list of the basic items you may need while breastfeeding here.

The Don'ts

* Don't let people get you down:

Several times unintentionally people would upset me by the words they would say. I have heard that my baby is starving, it would be easier to formula feed, and if breastfeeding is so painful just quit doing it.

Remind people that you are doing what your body was meant to do. Then take a deep breath.

 

*Don't keep formula in the house

Because breastfeeding takes a lot of time and patience the knowledge that you have an easy way out with a bottle can change your way of thinking. When Little Miss was a week old I did give her formula because I was allowing people's comments to get to me. I gave her the bottle and felt horrible. I knew I was  sufficient for her but I caved. I know I wouldn't have caved if I didn't have formula in the house. 

*Don't suffer through breastfeeding

If you are in pain and something doesn't feel right call a lactation consultation. I always felt from the beginning that Little Miss wasn't latching on properly. But I wasn't sure. I called my friend who nursed her 2 babies and she offered to come over to check out  her latch. I found out Little Miss wasn't latched on properly because her lips were tucked under. I wish I asked for help earlier!

*Don't keep your boobs covered all the time

In order to heal your breasts quicker you need to let them breathe. It is a good idea to just go topless for a day or two. If you have older kids around like I do you can just leave the flaps down and cover yourself lightly with a blanket while you are napping.

*Don't try to be super mom

Take naps! While breastfeeding you need to rest. When the baby is sleeping you need to be sleeping. Your body is working really hard at healing from delivery and at make food to sustain your new baby. Let the laundry and the dishes pile up and just get some rest!!

Breastfeeding {The Basics}

Read my breastfeeding story here.

Let's be real ... Breastfeeding is not easy!

The first few days are the hardest but it does get easier every day! Since I am only 7 weeks in to this amazing breastfeeding journey I thought I would share what has helped me get through the rough days.

Cabbage: This was wonderful during my days {and nights} after my milk came in. I kept the head of cabbage in the fridge and when I was started to get engorged I would tear off a leaf, crumple it, and stick it directly in my bra. It gave me such wonderful relief.

Hot Shower: If the cold cabbage leaves were not helping relieve the engorgement quick enough for my liking I would jump in a hot shower. This would relieve the pressure and worked wonders. Once I got out of the shower I would just allow my breasts to leak for awhile which softened my breasts enough for Little Miss to latch on.

Infant Diapers: If you do not have time to jump into a hot shower fill two newborn diapers with hot water and place them directly on your breasts. This will also relieve engorgement and allow your breasts to leak without telling them to make more milk. The diapers are so absorbent that they will catch the milk while still holding the water you poured in them.

Boppy Pillow: What a great invention!! I use my boppy pillow every time I nurse. {Sometimes I feel like a little kid carrying this pillow around with me everywhere I go} The pillow allows your arms to position the baby with out having to hold the baby up. The pillow does all the work for you.

Lanolin: This sticky ointment goes directly on your sore nipples. It helps heal them and eases the cracks nursing a hungry baby gives you. Just coat your nipples after every feeding.

Coconut Oil: When lanolin is just too sticky to put on your nipples try coconut oil. This oil will melt when it hits your skin and does provide soothing relief. Use just like you would the lanolin and place it on your nipples after every feeding.

Nursing pads: Your breasts will leak and you don't want to have to change your shirt and bra every time they do. The nursing pads will catch any leaking breast milk just make sure to change them often.

Nursing Tank Top: While your breasts are still engorged your boobs look like bowling balls. You won't really want to have any constricting on them like a bra. A nursing tank top will also cover your not so pretty and still swollen stomach. The nursing tank top has a flap that will come down when you are ready to feed your baby.

Nursing Bra: Once the engorgement goes away {for the most part} you will want to start wearing a bra again. {I wear mine all the time ... morning, noon, and night}. It  makes breastfeeding easier to have a flap fold down rather than taking your bra off completely every time the baby is hungry.

Water: Drink lots and lot of water. This will help your body make milk and you will constantly be thirsty. I fill a reusable cup with a lid all day long and drink as much water as possible.

Advil: I take 3 advil in the morning and this helps with any pain that breastfeeding has caused. I love my Advil.

Cell Phone: After having a new baby friends and family members will call you {a lot} to check on how you and baby are doing. It can be very frustrating to be nursing your baby and your cell phone is going off across the room. Just bring it with you before you start nursing.


TV Remote: While you are nursing and you are still in pain it does help to be distracted. Just put on some nonsense and get lost in what you are watching. Once it gets easier you will find it easier to look into your babies eyes and enjoy the moment.

A list of people who support you in breastfeeding: Breastfeeding isn't easy but it is so important to find people who encourage you to continue. {Honestly there were several days I wanted to throw in the towel.} A lactation consultant or friend who has breastfeed her babies will be great resources to help you in your journey.

Tomorrow I will give you a list of don'ts when it comes to breastfeeding.