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Family Forum / Pregnancy / Breastfeeding / March 2006is this normal
Hi, My DS (12 days old and 3 weekd before due date) seems to want to sleep more than 4 hours at times. I have to wake him up to nurse and most times I am unsuccesful in waking him up. When he does wake up, he normally only nurses for about 10 minutes on one breast and that's it. He has plenty of dirty and wet diapers a day (normally around 7 or 8). Is it normal that he sleeps so long and that he does not nurse for longer periods of time. Shoudl I be concerned? I normally try to nurse him every 2 to 3 hours but I end up trying to wake him up for an hour or longer... I am worried. Please help...:-O > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > him every 2 to 3 hours but I end up trying to wake him up for an hour > or longer... I am worried. Please help...:-O I NEVER woke mine for nursing. If they were asleep, it was just easier for me. They wouldn't starve to death by sleeping, so I let the babies sleep. My son (now 5 years) slept for 3 hours in the day at a time, and for 4 hours at night. You could nearly set a clock to it. He nursed for about 20ish minutes per feeding, and that was on both sides. He nursed well and we had a VERY successful breastfeeding experience together. Now....... With DD, now 7 months old, I actually had a similar experience with her that you seem to be having. She was a complete opposite from her big brother, and where he would sleep no more than 4 hours at a time at night, she slept right through the night from the day she came home. Mind you, in the hospital, DS slept ALL night. DD, in the hospital, did not sleep AT ALL. I will tell you that from my experience, I would say I had a bad bf experience with DD. I felt that I had failed miserably. She slept for long periods of time and eventually, when she was maybe 3 months old, I did give up. She had one good feeding just before bed, around 9pm, sleep all night long, and one good feeding first thing in the morning, around 9am. The day was hell where she wanted to eat every half an hour, and her feedings were only 10 minutes max at a time. At night/first thing in the morning, they were about 15-20 minutes. I do believe that eventually, I stopped making enough milk during the day since I was getting used to one good feeding before bed, one good feeding when she woke. I was in a very similar situation, I'm sure. I eventually just went to bottles, and she took to them a lot better than she did to a boob. It made me feel horrible, but there really wasn't much else I could do at that point. She was maybe 4 months when I had totally caved and given in. This, also, was when she was sleeping a good 10-12 hours at night. I really don't know what to suggest to you. It's hard - I do know. I went through it. I felt very strongly about nursing, and it was something I wanted to do... Hey, I hated the idea of fixing bottles at night, washing bottles, carting them all around, and well, nursing was just sooo much easier, more convenient and it's just the natural thing that mamals do. OTOH, no babies really suffer from bottles and drinking formula. Formula was made for cases where BF isn't possible or an option, as well as for those who just make the choice to use formula and bottles. Both are acceptable, in my eyes, but I can relate to where you're coming from. I was so very frustrated and always felt like I was at a loss for the situation. If I could go back in time, I don't think I would wake my baby up still when sleeping. I would, however, consider talking to a doctor or nurse of some sort who can give you proper, knowledgeable info and suggestions. I also probably would have woken myself up during the night to pump a bit, just to encourage supply so it didn't come to down having to stop all together. I do wish you the best, and I do hope that if you want to nurse that you do have a successful nursing experience with DS. I felt horrible when I wasn't nursing DD, and I was sometimes even embarrassed to pull out bottles when out and about, thinking that everyone was staring at me and looking down on me because I wasn't nursing, even coming from someone who didn't have a whole lot of support with BF, other than my mother who supported me fully either way, yet I still more family against nursing than I did for, yet I stuck to it with DS, and I think the fact that I was very successful with DS, it was an even bigger blow to me that I felt I had failed with DD. "xkatx" wrote and I snipped: > Now....... With DD, now 7 months old, I actually had a similar experience > with her that you seem to be having. She was a complete opposite from her [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > was so very frustrated and always felt like I was at a loss for the > situation. Either I don't understand the point you're trying to make, or I don't agree with it. Why would you have to give up breastfeeding because your DD didn't nurse during the night? That just isn't making any sense to me. Also, babies *have* suffered from drinking formula. It's an inferior option. If a mom cannot breastfeed for whatever reason, it's a good substitute, but it's not ideal. I'm not trying to offend, but I don't like to see mis-information that isn't challenged. It doesn't do the next new-mom lurker any good. -Patty, mom of 1+2 > "xkatx" wrote and I snipped: >> [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > agree with it. Why would you have to give up breastfeeding because your > DD didn't nurse during the night? She went without nursing all night, pretty much from day 1. Eventually, I'm sure, I stopped making enough for night, which caused less during the day, less milk in total. I wasn't able to make enough to supply the demand. She had an awesome latch, and I know this because we had seen 2 different breastfeeding consultants here. I didn't pump at night, nor did I feed DD, and because we (DD and I) didn't have enough time to get it down before it was too late. I had even went out and rented this expensive Medela pump that is supposed to work wonders - and I have a friend who said it worked for her to get her supply back up when her son (5 weeks younger than DD) didn't have a good latch which caused problems for her. This breast pump didn't seem to make any difference. I was not able to get really anything out of pumping, and if I had tried to express myself, I didn't get nothing either. I was able to manually express about 6 oz at a time, per side, with DS. I had milk stored enough for an army, yet with DD there was really nothing. It could have gone away partially due to a LOT of stress at the time just before DD was born, as well as right after, but it also didn't help that there wasn't much for demand with her. > That just isn't making any sense to me. Also, babies *have* suffered from > drinking formula. It's an inferior option. FWIW, I have never seen a baby suffer on formula. I have seen my daughter suffer, lose weight and be downright angry all day, every day, because she was unable to satisfy herself nursing. I also did try formula for DS on a rare occasion, as I had pretty much nursed exclusively until he was about 11 months (he went to a sippy cup of breast milk when he was about 7ish months and was at daycare and I continued to nurse at night and in the morning unitl about 11-12 months) and I had tried regular, iron fortified formula which he had a reaction to of projectile vomiting and he had a very upset stomach. This happened with almost every brand and type of infant formula and then I had tried the Alsoy formula, and that worked out just fine for the odd time that we gave him formula, in the case of every now and then if he was left with family for the evening or something. In the long run, neither DS suffered with formula on occasion, yet DD definitely did suffer while trying to nurse. This was proven by her weight loss, mainly. I also do agree that formula is an inferior option, but it is still an option for those who choose NOT to breastfeed for any reason, reason doesn't matter, or for those who are unable to breastfeed, for whatever reason, and again, the reasons don't really matter. > If a mom cannot breastfeed for whatever reason, it's a good substitute, > but it's not ideal. I'm not trying to offend, but I don't like to see > mis-information that isn't challenged. It doesn't do the next new-mom > lurker any good. No, if a mom cannot, or will not, breastfeed for any reason at all, it is a good substitute, and yes, I do believe it's an ideal substitute for breast milk, as I would much rather give my own child infant formula, which is designed to be a breast milk substitution, than anything else - like regular cow's milk, goat's milk, water, juice, whatever. Formula is the next best thing as that is what it is made to be, although breastfeeding is definitely the ideal choice, and may very well be your choice or anyone elses', but for some, it is not their choice or what they want. > -Patty, mom of 1+2 Formula is the next best > thing as that is what it is made to be, although breastfeeding is > definitely the ideal choice, and may very well be your choice or anyone > elses', but for some, it is not their choice or what they want. Actually formula is the 4th best choice. According to the World Health Organization Breastmilk directly from Mom is best Breastmilk pumped from Mom is second best Doner milk from another Mom is 3rd best and Formula is dead last. On the other hand Formula: Increases a female's chances of cancer Is associated with lower IQ Does not contain immunities to disease and does not aid in the development of baby's immune system Does not provide perfect infant nutrition Does not protect again Chron's Disease Increases the risk of a child developing diabetes Increases a child's risk of allergies Increases the risk of baby developing asthma Increases the risk of ear infections Increases the risk of SIDS Does not protect against diarrheal infections Does not protect against bacterial meningitis Inccreases the risk of childhood cancers Increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis Increases the risk of Hodgkins disease Does not protect against vision defects More at http://www.promom.org/101 Carrie & Jazz > Formula is the next best >> thing as that is what it is made to be, although breastfeeding is [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Doner milk from another Mom is 3rd best > and Formula is dead last. Technically, formula is the next choice after breast milk. Breast milk is still breast milk, unless you get obnoxious and say something like expressing milk from an elephant is not a good form of milk, or something. > On the other hand Formula: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Carrie & Jazz I've never once debated that breastmilk is not better than formula. In cases where that is not an option - I really don't care what those cases may be, as a mother can have whatever reasons for her choice - then formula is the next option under breast milk, right? There are so many more advantages of nursing (or expressing milk - feeding your baby *mother's* breast milk) but there are other options for those who cannot or will not give their child breast milk, and that is the lovely power of freedom of choice. I, however, am totally for nursing. I loved it, and not only does it have its advantages as far as development and all that goes, I liked the idea of having it readily available any time of the day or night. No running around looking for a microwave or hot water to warm up a bottle, no lugging bottles around when out and about, no worries of getting up in the middle of the night (or even during the day) to prepare bottles, and no need to wash/sterilize bottles. I had offered DS formula on occasion when it came to something like an outing where I had made the choice to have a drink. I never nursed when I would drink, and I made a choice to wait at least 6 hours between my drink (that's assuming I only had one drink) and I had expressed milk and dumped it. I always carried some powedered formula just in case. In the rare cases if we went out somewhere and I was offered a drink and I wanted one. I am an adult and I can have a drink if I want, and in that case, it was better, IMO, for my child to offer formula than breast milk with alcohol in it. Often this would be the case if I didn't bring stored breast milk along with me. Formula is under breast milk still, especially when you back it up with first best thing is breast milk, second is breast milk and third is breast milk (all from different sources) "xkatx" wrote and I snipped: > I had offered DS formula on occasion when it came to something like an > outing where I had made the choice to have a drink. I never nursed when I [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > in it. Often this would be the case if I didn't bring stored breast milk > along with me. I would choose to nurse my baby after having one drink. The amount of alcohol that gets into the milk is extremely small. And, by the way, it would take much less time than 6 hours for the alcohol from one drink to be gone from your breastmilk. The percentage of alcohol in your milk is the same as what's in your blood and clears from your milk in a similar way as well. -Patty, mom of 1+2 > "xkatx" wrote and I snipped: >> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > -Patty, mom of 1+2 Choices are always different from person to person. I was told that the amount of alcohol passed through breast milk is not high at all - lower than the amount in your own blood, but not by much. I was told that it only takes a couple hours or so at the most to clear through your system. If I wasn't feeling drunk, then chances are there would be no harm for the baby to be nursed. I waited a good 6 hours after drinking to get DS back on the breast for feeding, yes, but then again, I won't even drive a car if I've had a drink within 4 hours of driving, and I know I am not at all drunk with one drink, and I know I *could* legally - and safely - drive without any problems at all, but I never did. Never have, never will. I made these decisions for personal reasons only, and I have always stuck by them. I will wait to drive even after one drink. Might sound stupid, but to me, it could make the world of a difference. Plus, I'm a pathetic drinker. It really doesn't take much more than 2 beer in the span of about an hour and a half to get me on the verge of stupidity. ;) I will continue on waking him up during the day every 3-4 hours unless he wakes up himself and I will just let him sleep during the night. I just hope that as young of a baby as he is, he knows when he is hungry to wake up... That is my main concern cause some people told me that when they are small like this they dont even know when they are hungry... I appreciate all the experiences you guys shared with me, it made me feel so much better to realize that all this is normal and it greatly varies from baby to baby... >I will continue on waking him up during the day every 3-4 hours unless > he wakes up himself and I will just let him sleep during the night. I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > made me feel so much better to realize that all this is normal and it > greatly varies from baby to baby... Babies seem to know when something isn't comfortable - like dirty or wet diaper, too warm or too cold, hungry, gassy, whatever. I would doubt that a baby would sleep so long and not wake up for any one of those reasons, but yes, every baby is different, every parent is different, every experience is different, although all can be somewhat similar, they are all still very different in their own way. I wouldn't think there was anything wrong with a baby that gets up every couple hours hungry, nor would I think there was something wrong with one that doesn't want to eat for more than a couple hours. Your son is at the age where everything is still so new to him, and this is also a new experience for you. Doesn't matter if you've had one baby or 100 babies, I've found that it does take some time to get used to each different baby's cues for what they want. Go with the flow. That's really all anyone can do! Soon you'll get to know exactly what your baby is trying to say or what he wants, and really, that's something that usually doesn't take very long! He seems to have a lot of gas discomforts. He gets red in his face and he looks like he is struggling to get rid of gas. I called his ped. and they suggested getting Mylicon drops but they dont seem to help. We try tp help him out by massaging his stomach and also by doing bicycle movements with his legs. Would gripewater help or is that only for colic? What is gripewater? > He seems to have a lot of gas discomforts. He gets red in his face and > he looks like he is struggling to get rid of gas. I called his ped. and > they suggested getting Mylicon drops but they dont seem to help. We try > tp help him out by massaging his stomach and also by doing bicycle > movements with his legs. Would gripewater help or is that only for > colic? What is gripewater? Some people swear by gripe water, I didn't find it particularly useful. One thing you can do is drink fennel tea- Larry has posted a how-to for it (you can probably find it via groups.google.com), I used to buy a version in bags at Whole Foods (they have teas for everything). Actually, I think fennel is one of the ingredients in gripe water. Burping him well should help too. Mostly, they just outgrow this. Mary W. Dies it actualy hurt them? gas, I mean... > Dies it actualy hurt them? gas, I mean... I think it can make them uncomfortable. But if your baby isn't fussy because of it, its probably not a problem. Mary W. Mary, thanks. :-) Yeah, he rarely cries when he is struggling to get rid of the gas. Sometimes he cries for few seconds and that's it. But what I noticed is also that after he struggles with gas, he also gets hiccups. It seems really annoying for him. I will definitelly ask a ped. about the fennel tea tomorrow, it sounds like it might actually help. I am not happy about giving him any medication for gas. I would rather eliminate something from my diet that might be giving him gas or I would rather eat or drink something to help him.. Another option for the gas is for YOU to eat caraway seeds. It comes through the milk and helps with gas! I use it as a topping for food, or just eat a tablespoon of it. > I am not happy about giving him any medication for gas. I would > rather eliminate something from my diet that might be giving him gas or > I would rather eat or drink something to help him.. Um, that *is* giving him medication -- it will go through to your milk. Fennel, dill and caraway are all supposed to help with wind.  SignatureChookie -- Sydney, Australia (Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply) "... if *I* was buying a baby I'd jolly well make sure it was at least a two-tooth!" Mary Grant Bruce, The Houses of the Eagle. I meant I do not want to give him anti-gas drops if instead I can just eliminate something from my diet or drink tea that would help him out. In article <1143078920.133087.285...@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, Um, that *is* giving him medication -- it will go through to your milk. Fennel, dill and caraway are all supposed to help with wind. -- Chookie -- Sydney, Australia (Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply) "... if *I* was buying a baby I'd jolly well make sure it was at least a two-tooth!" Mary Grant Bruce, The Houses of the Eagle. : I meant I do not want to give him anti-gas drops if instead I can just : eliminate something from my diet or drink tea that would help him out. Actually, you can drink fennel seed tea, and that will reduce gassiness in babies a lot. Use 1 heaping tablespoon fennel seeds to a quart of boiling water. Strep 10-15 minutes. Start drinking about 4 PM, and finish be pot before you go to bed. Have a pot every day. Larry Thanks Larry, I will try that today. Hopefully, it helps him out. > I meant I do not want to give him anti-gas drops if instead I can just > eliminate something from my diet or drink tea that would help him out. Oh, hell, the first two or three pounds my daughter gained were made of nothing but Mylicon (God knows I didn't have any milk for the first couple weeks!) and she's FINE. I'd rather give the baby a bit of medicine than have a screaming baby. Mylicon is about as benign as you can get. My doctor said that it just breaks up the bubbles and makes them easier to pass. It's not like you're giving the kid morphine... I avoid broccoli, cauliflower, and beans. The beans are finding their way back in, now that DD is older. I really miss broccoli and cauliflower, but the few times I ate them she had terrible, horrible gas. They'll work their way back into my diet eventually, even if it's after she's weaned. But she still gets gas, so I still give her Mylicon. Would you refuse a Tums if you had heartburn? Why should you withhold something similar from your kid? Amy As I mentioned in my original post, Mylicone drops are not helping my child. That is why I am asking for suggestions. Thanks. > As I mentioned in my original post, Mylicone drops are not helping my > child. That is why I am asking for suggestions. Thanks. If the stump has fallen off, have you tried a warm bath? Jess Thanks Jess. We do give him a bath every other day but we have not tried bathing him to help him with gas yet but we might do that too. He seems to like baths so may be it would help... > > As I mentioned in my original post, Mylicone drops are not helping my > > child. That is why I am asking for suggestions. Thanks. > > If the stump has fallen off, have you tried a warm bath? > > Jess > Thanks Jess. We do give him a bath every other day but we have not > tried bathing him to help him with gas yet but we might do that too. He > seems to like baths so may be it would help... No problem. :) Just fill up the tub a little bit and crawl in with him. :) Support his head with your hands and let him kick and float-you might have trouble getting him out when he's done, but if he's anything like mine was, it'll fix the problem. ;) Jess YES! What a wonderful thing to do with your baby! :)) We did that last night (we normally just use baby tub) and the expression on his face was so cute, it looked like he was thinking for a moment "what is this now?" and then you could just tell he he loved it. My DH and I really enjoyed bathing him like this except that we are still soooo clumsy in holding him. We are so scared of dropping him but we hope that we will get the hang of it soon and be more relaxed. Thanks! :-)))) > > Thanks Jess. We do give him a bath every other day but we have not > > tried bathing him to help him with gas yet but we might do that too. He [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Jess > YES! What a wonderful thing to do with your baby! :)) We did that last > night (we normally just use baby tub) and the expression on his face [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > holding him. We are so scared of dropping him but we hope that we will > get the hang of it soon and be more relaxed. Thanks! :-)))) Yup. It's lots of fun. :D We're still taking baths with Sproglette, and she's almost two. :D Jess Can I drink fennel tea and also eat carraway seeds or would that be too much? I am drinking fennel seed tea now. Hopefully it makes him feel better. We also bought carraway seeds. We are ready to kill gas :-) Thanks! Both together are fine. Sometimes we give her a 1/4 dropper of weak fennel tea... but, I'm like you & don't like to give her anything but bm! :) have you drank any chamomile tea? When she was unhappy, screaming, gassy, etc, it really helped me - and might relax baby, too. I read somewhere that babies sense stress, so realaxing is important. Relaxing also helps letdown I figured while we were talking herbal medicines, I'd throw in chamomile! :) And, I just thought of something DH found to relax our baby - he puts patchouli oil on my shirt - I'm not a fan oand was surprised that it relaxes baby every single time! Thank you Brookben. How weak is the fennel tea you give her, how much water and how much tea? do you eat carraway seeds? Ped. told me to give him some chamomile tea. I did and it did not seem to help. She told me to give it to him in the bottle. Are you drinking it? That sounds really cool about patchouli. :-) > Both together are fine. Sometimes we give her a 1/4 dropper of weak > fennel tea... but, I'm like you & don't like to give her anything but [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > DH found to relax our baby - he puts patchouli oil on my shirt - I'm > not a fan oand was surprised that it relaxes baby every single time! Probably 2 tbsp crushed fennel and steep in about 3 ounces of boiling water for about 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool, strain, and administer in a dropper. ;) yes, I drink the tea. I assume it gets into her through my milk, but I suppose it is entirely possible that it simply relaxes me and, in effect, relaxes her! As far as patchouli, if you like aromas, try some with her! So far, DD likes lavendar, peppermint, and (most of all) patchouli. She deeply does not like wintergreen, rosemary, citronella... so, experiment! I know when I was in labor with her, I opted for aromatherapy over drugs and rosemary proved to relax me the most. : Can I drink fennel tea and also eat carraway seeds or would that be too : much? I am drinking fennel seed tea now. Hopefully it makes him feel : better. We also bought carraway seeds. We are ready to kill gas :-) : Thanks! Both are good for gas, and both are slight galactogogues. The only problem you might have is engorgement from a too abundant supply. :-) Larry > I've never once debated that breastmilk is not better than formula. Wasn't really trying to start a debate either. Frankly, formula just isn't the next best thing. In cases where that is not an option - I really don't care what those cases may > be, as a mother can have whatever reasons for her choice - then formula is > the next option under breast milk, right? Theoretically, yes. But again, I still see it as the 4th best option. Formula in my opinion is to be used as a last result and when all other avenues have been explored. There are so many more advantages > of nursing (or expressing milk - feeding your baby *mother's* breast milk) > but there are other options for those who cannot or will not give their [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > middle of the night (or even during the day) to prepare bottles, and no > need to wash/sterilize bottles. I absolutely agree with you! These are definitely some of the best benefits. When coupled with the health benefits you just can't beat it! :) > I had offered DS formula on occasion when it came to something like an > outing where I had made the choice to have a drink. I never nursed when I [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > better, IMO, for my child to offer formula than breast milk with alcohol > in it. This is a matter of personal opinion and personal choice. Having one or two drinks is not going to harm your child. The greatest harm comes in the actual parenting of a child if you are intoxicated. Such a little amount of alcohol passes into the breastmilk. Again, I understand that this is a personal choice. Personally I have a glass of wine or a beer almost every night, and have no problems nursing my daughter afterwards. Carrie & Jazz >> I've never once debated that breastmilk is not better than formula. > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Formula in my opinion is to be used as a last result and when all other > avenues have been explored. If you're going down that way, I think formula would be my 3d option. I, personally, wouldn't want to give my child milk from someone else. Again, personal choice. I would first nurse, and then express, but for me, IME, I've found that it is easier to nurse than pump. I could always get a lot more while nursing than I could expressing - either manually or using a pump. I could tell this based on how much I could get into a bottle and feed the baby, and how baby was often still hungry when I had thought I got it all out and into the bottle. Bottle was empty, yet baby was still hungry, and was able to get more out immediately after. > There are so many more advantages >> of nursing (or expressing milk - feeding your baby *mother's* breast [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > benefits. When coupled with the health benefits you just can't beat it! > :) Convenience, health. Both positives. Nursing, for me, was always way better in so many ways, and those are only to name a few. The health benefits are clearly endless, as are the benefits of convenience and ease. >> I had offered DS formula on occasion when it came to something like an >> outing where I had made the choice to have a drink. I never nursed when [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Carrie & Jazz One or two drinks probably doesn't put many people over the edge... DS, at his second Christmas (I believe it was, now that I think about it) was drinking some cola... At just under 2, he didn't get much stuff like that, since it's all full of garbage, but for Christmas, whatever. It wasn't going to kill him. He came up to me, after I had been watching him drink about half a glass of it, I asked who gave him that. I have a HORRIBLE fear of glasses with adults, nevermind with children - and this stems from when I had been washing a glass and the glass broke at the top about half way down in a V shape, and before I realized what happened, I had twisted my hand in the glass to finish washing the inside and I sliced my pinky knuckle right off to where I could see the tendans and the bone, and I still have scars and some small problems with that one finger, so that's my reasons for frear - and no one would admit to giving the kid the glass. He brought it over to me and said that it tasted funny, so I smelled it, and it was a Rum and Coke. He had about half a glass of rum and coke, and it didn't kill him. He did sleep very well that night ;) and no, he wasn't allowed to drive lol I just don't have anything to drink at all before driving, mainly because I've lost a grandpa to a drunk driver, a good friend in 6th grade and a good friend a couple years ago all to drunk drivers getting behind the wheel and driving and killing innocent people. It's something that just scares the crap out of me, and if an accident happened where I had just one drink, I wouldn't be drunk, really, but I would feel guilty, so I just don't do it. I have sat at home, had a few drinks when the kids are asleep, but never enough that I wasn't able to think and function should someone wander out of bed, cry or god forbid there was a fire or other emergency and something horrible happened. I have also sat around in the summer having a few beer. It's nice, but it's a shame this will be the second summer in a row that I get to sip on my alcohol-free coolers while everyone else enjoys an ice cold beer >:( > If you're going down that way, I think formula would be my 3d option. I, > personally, wouldn't want to give my child milk from someone else. Again, > personal choice. I would first nurse, and then express, but for me, IME, > I've found that it is easier to nurse than pump. I can see that. I would actually put another option in there, and that is breastmilk directly from a good friend. Sort of a wet nurse situation. But I'm way on the fringes with that one. Breast milk banks are wonderful resources though, if Mom's can afford them or get insurance to pay for them. And it's definitely easier for most women to nurse than it is to pump. I could always get a lot > more while nursing than I could expressing - either manually or using a > pump. I could tell this based on how much I could get into a bottle and > feed the baby, and how baby was often still hungry when I had thought I > got it all out and into the bottle. Bottle was empty, yet baby was still > hungry, and was able to get more out immediately after. This is true for most mothers as well. The pump removes milk much differently (and usually much less efficiently) that direct nursing. > One or two drinks probably doesn't put many people over the edge... DS, at > his second Christmas (I believe it was, now that I think about it) was [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > still have scars and some small problems with that one finger, so that's > my reasons for frear - and no one would admit to giving the kid the glass. OMG that's horrible!! I can certainly see where that fear comes from!! He brought it > over to me and said that it tasted funny, so I smelled it, and it was a > Rum and Coke. He had about half a glass of rum and coke, and it didn't > kill him. He did sleep very well that night ;) and no, he wasn't allowed > to drive lol LOL! I would have freaked out! Although I remember being younger myself and taking sips of my step-fathers scotch and water, or the occasional sip of a grown-up's beer at a party. The last two years we have let my daughter have a tiny little sip of champagne on New Year's Eve because she wanted to see what the bubbles were like. But a half a glass of rum and coke, yup I would have been mad too!!! > I just don't have anything to drink at all before driving, mainly because > I've lost a grandpa to a drunk driver, a good friend in 6th grade and a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > one drink, I wouldn't be drunk, really, but I would feel guilty, so I just > don't do it. I think this is a very responsible attitude, and I wish that more people thought this way. I don't drink and drive either, although I was dumb enough to do so in the past. And also a point you made in your other post that I forgot to address, 2 drinks will very likely do something much different to you than it will to me, and each person's alcohol tolerence is much different. > I have sat at home, had a few drinks when the kids are asleep, but never > enough that I wasn't able to think and function should someone wander out > of bed, cry or god forbid there was a fire or other emergency and > something horrible happened. This is exactly what I was talking about regarding the dangers of alcohol and still having to parent. Even at home, I refuse to get drunk because I have a responsibility to my child. If, like you said god forbid someone broke in or the house caught on fire or whatever I want to know that I'm in the best possible state I can be in to protect her. No matter what it is. Carrie & Jazz >> If you're going down that way, I think formula would be my 3d option. I, >> personally, wouldn't want to give my child milk from someone else. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > And it's definitely easier for most women to nurse than it is to pump. Here, breast milk is considered a bodily fluid. It is illegal to buy or sell a bodily fluid. I have actually never heard of banks for anything but money, food and blood... And even those, when it comes to blood banks, it's voluntary, you do not get paid to do it. You do, however, get a tacky shirt at times! I just wouldn't feel comfortable giving my own breast milk to someone else, and I would probably have a big, fat hairy one if I found out someone else nursed my own child. Just, again, a personal opinion. I don't think I probably would, I know I actually would! > I could always get a lot >> more while nursing than I could expressing - either manually or using a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > This is true for most mothers as well. The pump removes milk much > differently (and usually much less efficiently) that direct nursing. I know. I just wasn't able to pump anything with DD, but DS, I was able to pump enough for an army and then some, and he still nursed great. DD, of course, seemed to be a totally different story... It did break my heart to not be able to do it with her, but life goes on, and it did. I will still nurse this next one. I DID with DSs, I tried my best with DD - and believe me, I was seeing bf counsellors up the ying yang, trying everything that was recommended and suggested, and no dice. Didn't stop me from wanting to keep trying, nor has it soured my experiences to not want to even try with the next. >> One or two drinks probably doesn't put many people over the edge... DS, >> at his second Christmas (I believe it was, now that I think about it) was [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > OMG that's horrible!! I can certainly see where that fear comes from!! Glass = scary. I did feel a lot better after I had tossed every glass in the house in the garbage... Went out and bought new glasses, as it would probably come across as weird to others if they were offered something to drink in a small Tupperware child's cup or a sippy cup! Picked up some that were a lot wider and not so tall. Still scared to wash them, but I now use one of those cup scrubbers! I don't dare stick my hand in any glass for anyone! My hand is still so ugly lol > He brought it >> over to me and said that it tasted funny, so I smelled it, and it was a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > wanted to see what the bubbles were like. But a half a glass of rum and > coke, yup I would have been mad too!!! Haha I was far from impressed at the time, but now it's a grand old story. I just keep reminding my aunt to NOT leave her drink unattended. ;) I remember when my brother, at about 4 years old, had asked my dad for a sip of his beer. Of course, being my dad, he gave him one. My mom flipped her lid right then and there, but turned out my brother hated the taste and didn't want anymore after that! >> I just don't have anything to drink at all before driving, mainly because >> I've lost a grandpa to a drunk driver, a good friend in 6th grade and a [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > different to you than it will to me, and each person's alcohol tolerence > is much different. I don't think I was 18 long enough ago to really have had the opportunity to drink and drive... I was 18 5ish years ago, and by this time, it had already been knocked hard into me. I used to drink. I'd drink my vodka like it was going out of style. I held my booze well, but now, especially after not being able to drink for over a year (was pg the Christmas before last, and then bf DD at the end of summer, then this last Christmas I was driving and also still trying to bf, now we're pg again, so it's going to be yet another year, or more, of no booze) so when I did have a drink a few months ago, I was tipsy-moron after very little to drink. Just can't seem to hold it anymore... Must be something that's coming with my elderly state :( lol >> I have sat at home, had a few drinks when the kids are asleep, but never >> enough that I wasn't able to think and function should someone wander out [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Carrie & Jazz In extreme cases like that, you think, well, what are the chances? Not very good at all that your house is going to catch fire or something extreme will happen, but the chance is still there. Quite frankly something can happen when you're so very sick, when you're fast asleep, whenever... But again, it's god forbid crap happens when you aren't able to function for whatever reason... That's what scares me. A drink at home is fine when the kids are asleep, or even when they're not. Getting pissed drunk, IMO, and trying to function with kids awake OR asleep, is child abuse in its own way. I just couldn't do it. Sure, we've gotten piss drunk, retard-stupid at home, but we've ALWAYS ditched the offspring at Grandma and Grandpa's first. Then all we'd have to worry about is ourselves and the animals ;) And, it seems, that a person often REALLY sobers up when it's worst case scenario, but really, the last thing I want on my mind is my kids when something bad happens... We had neighbours like that... Sat at home with booze and drugs and made the little kids get themselves to bed, or let them just fall asleep on the sofa upstairs in the living room while they were in the basement getting drunk. And yes, children's services did take their kids away. I can't imagine doing that and having it be my fault directly. Tips on waking a sleepy baby: Undress Baby down to diaper. Skin-to-skin contact may encourage Baby to nurse. (This works well in cool temperatures.) Change Baby's diaper. Talk to Baby. Rub Baby's back, base of spine, arms, legs, bottom of feet or head. Lightly tickle Baby under chin. Pat Baby's forehead, hands or feet with a cool (not cold) cloth. (One mom found placing a cool cloth on Baby's head worked well.) Play with Baby's ear. Move Baby's arms and legs around. Wiggle Baby's toes. Blow gently on Baby's face. >From lying position, raise Baby into a seated position, repeat. Breast Compression helps keep milk flowing and baby "interested" in nursing. http://www.bflrc.com/newman/breastfeeding/compres2.htm Hi -- Newborns like to sleep. Yes, some of them sleep long stretches. Since he's having plenty of wet (8-10 soaking wet) and poopy diapers every day, I wouldn't fret. Congatulations on his arrival! --Beth Kevles bethkevles@aol.com http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner. NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would like me to reply. > Hi -- > > Newborns like to sleep. Yes, some of them sleep long stretches. Since > he's having plenty of wet (8-10 soaking wet) and poopy diapers every > day, I wouldn't fret. and if he is gaining weight, which he proabbly is, given the wet diapers etc. I agree, dont wake a sleeping baby! chris > Congatulations on his arrival! > --Beth Kevles [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would > like me to reply. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > him every 2 to 3 hours but I end up trying to wake him up for an hour > or longer... I am worried. Please help...:-O In the hospital when my DD was 2 days old she was sleeping for about 6 hours. I was concerned, and asked the pediatrician who told me I should be waking her and feeding her every 4 hours. The midwife however told me to let her sleep, that she would wake up when she needed to. She also told me that in general the pediatricians deal more with preemies, or babies who have fevers or something else that requires attention, which is where their recommendations come from - whereas the midwives see all the healthy ones. I don't know what category your baby falls into being 3 weeks early - might be considered special needs, or might just have not taken as long to cook!! At any rate when I got my DD home I tried waking her to feed her a couple of times, but even gently spraying her face with water didn't help! She'd screw up her face, and continue sleeping, so I finally decided to just leave her to it. She's now 10 weeks, sleeps for a couple of hours in the day and 6-8 hours at night. Normally feeds for 5 minutes from one side every couple of hours during the day and every 20 mins in the evening (stocking up I gather!) I don't have the long term perspective others on this group will have, but to date my DD is growing well, getting chubby and I appear to have a good milk supply (I wake up after 6 hours even if she is still asleep and have to express to take the pressure off my breasts) Hope this is helpful > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > him every 2 to 3 hours but I end up trying to wake him up for an hour > or longer... I am worried. Please help...:-O My DD2 was like this. I was told that during the day, wake her up every 3-4 hours to feed, but at night, let her sleep for as long as she wants to. As long as she has plenty of wet/dirty nappies, and her weight gain is OK, then let her sleep. Suzanne : Hi, : My DS (12 days old and 3 weekd before due date) seems to want to sleep : more than 4 hours at times. I have to wake him up to nurse and most [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] : him every 2 to 3 hours but I end up trying to wake him up for an hour : or longer... I am worried. Please help...:-O Hi Maya. Newborns like to sleep a lot, especially early babies. This does not sound abnormal. Also, nursing only 10 minutes on a breast is OK, too. Also, at 12 days, they don't completely have day and night figured out, and are more likely to sleep longer during the day. I might wake him up after a 3 or 4 hour nap during the day. I would tend not to wake him up at night. Larry |
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