I'm home!!!

Limedrop wrote:RACHEL SHE IS PERFECT!! OMG I CANT BELIEVE HOW CUTE SHE IS!! hahaha lets be honest most newborns look like lil aliens with their cone heads and smooshed face but she is just PERFECT!!!! im so happy for you.. congrads!

I totally agree Limedrop!!!

Naminai is beautiful!!

Seeing pics of Daddy made my eyes tear up. I think Daddy is in love for sure!

Rachel great job, and you have inspired me to try and go natural. But it is easier said than done....

Please update us on how you and Naminai are doing, and how labor and delivery was when you get the time.

What a beautiful baby!

Limedrop wrote:RACHEL SHE IS PERFECT!! OMG I CANT BELIEVE HOW CUTE SHE IS!! hahaha lets be honest most newborns look like lil aliens with their cone heads and smooshed face but she is just PERFECT!!!! im so happy for you.. congrads!

I completely agree. Newborns just shouldn't be that pretty! She's beautiful!

Thank you so much, ladies!! All of your comments made me teary... you all have been so supportive, I love you all!! It makes me feel so good that I am an inspiration to a lot of you. Labor was extremely difficult, I am not going to lie.. sometimes I just wanted to give in. But I didn't... I don't even think I thought about taking medicine. I think my doula said that I said "I should have asked for medicine" but didn't even actually ASK for it. I don't even remember saying that, haha.

But I did type of my birth story TWICE, and each time the computer froze. I'll get around to it again!

Being home has been interesting. It's definitely different than being in the hospital and having that on-demand nurse assistance. But I am getting used to it. And still getting used to breastfeeding, as well. My milk really came in yesterday, and my breasts are so sore and engorged
My nipples are cracked and scabbing. I've tried pumping, but it hurts too much. She's eating like a champ, though. She's perfect. And no matter how much it hurts, I am going to continue. I just have to find some relief.. I've been 'expressing' my milk by hand... and it does help a little.. but the pump hurts a lot.

Anyway, I am so in love with my daughter... words couldn't even begin to describe. I can't wait until the rest of you ladies pop your little ones out!! It'll be here before you know it !!!

Wow shes so precious Rachel! Congratulations! You did a great job:) Thanks for sharing the pictures! Just beautiful!

Rachel! Im so proud of you! hehe You did do a really good job!

As for nursing.. only hand express.. in the shower works best if you can because of the warm water. Dont use the pump! YOur not ready... or your nipples. Get out as much as you can without squeezing your nipples. After you nurse, squirt your own milk on your nipple and let it air dry. I promise it will work! Put a pad on and your bra flap on. Keep your breasts supported well. Let her nurse as often as she wants and dont time her, it doesnt matter. Breast fed babies should never be on a schedule. Your nipples will get better in about 2 weeks. Try to stick to it if you can. You can also place a warm cloth on each breast to help with the engorgement. Hang in there.. after you get the hang of it and she gets the hang of it, you both will be going strong!

You can do it!

Oh my!! You've given me so much hope!! Seriously. The doctor's kept telling me to make sure she eats every 2-3 hours... but sometimes she sleeps for 5 hours at a time, and I don't know what to do!! But I am going to try everything you've said, and I am going to stay away from the pump!!!

And how do I express my milk without squeezing my nipple?? They taught me to push down on the outside of the aerola(?) and to squeeze upwards, which works... kinda hurts, though.

I am going to shower and 'express' while in there, hopefully it will relieve me.

When you shower, the warm water will release a let down effect, meaning your milk will come down to the nipple. If it doesnt squirt out on its own, gently press down on the bigger parts of your breast, even on the sides, the milk will come out on its own. What its doing is trying to set an amount to make. you want to make more then you need. When your milk is established you can use your pump after nursing to stimulate milk production. But thats after your milk is good and your nipples are healed. NEVER skip a nursing until she is at least 6-8 weeks. Store the milk in the freezer in proper storage bags. Dont suppliment with formula. Ifyou skip a feeding, your body will skip making that one feeding and you will notice your milk supply drop down. If you really want to talk more, your welcome to call me at 978-*249-6839 Im sure this info will help everyone else though as well approaching breast feeding. Have a "fun" shower.

As for her being a sleepy baby.. she just might need the sleep. You can try to encourage her to wake up by undressing her down to the onsie, playing with her toes, rubbing her cheeks to stimulate her rooting reflex, also skin to skin touch.. take your shirt off and hers.. lay her on your chest.. she will smell you and your milk and might wake up.. or be so comfy she might sleep!

And the reason i say dont squeeze your nipples to express is because they are very sore. You dont want to add to it, eventually when they feel better, you can express they way they taught you because it is the right way. But if you take your hand and rub it from your armpit out towards your breast that should work for ya.

April you should post a sticky on this I know i'm going to need this info when my time comes

Marie.. No worries.. Just ask me! I will repeat anything. I cant do stickys anyway. Only kboogie

I was thinking the same thing Marie. I have no idea what I am doing so I really hope I gets lots of help while I am in the hospital. April I am sure I will be asking you lots of questions!

Dee

That was really good advice, April! I remember with my first, my nipples were sooooooo sore, they were cracked and bleeding as well! Poor baby, I remember pulling him off of my, crying, and there was blood in his mouth! Ugh. It will get better, but like April said, don't express with a pump yet, just your hand! I also used Lansinoh--it's a cream/ointment that won't harm baby and it does moisturize your nipples...though your own breast milk also helps. I've also heard tea bags help, but can't remember if I've ever tried that or not.

Hang in there, she is so precious and worth it!!

SequoiaAutumn wrote:Marie.. No worries.. Just ask me! I will repeat anything. I cant do stickys anyway. Only kboogie

there is a sticky on formula & breastfeeding... maybe we can cut & paste into that so we have all your good advice in an easily accessible spot?

April is so right with all her advice.
I remember nice warm showers did help so much when I was engorged. And as April said, putting a little milk on your nipple and letting your nipples air dry with help with the cracking and soreness.

I would def recommend the warm showers.

Breastmilk is also good for blocked tear ducts.