#letschat mom edition
#letschat from mom to mom, let’s chat about struggles, hacks, and share tips and advice. This is a #Judgmentfreezone
Ive recently had my third baby and she’s been a whirlwind different from my other two. My first born (son), was a learning experience for myself as I was a very young mom (16) . He was actually quite easy other than dealing with colic. My second born (daughter) was super easy, like, made being a mom look extremely easy. However , each child has their own personality and experiences and with my third little one I am having some harder times. Her sleep schedule is whack, her feeding is much more than my others, and her grumpiness is absolutely unmatched . I’ve made this post for us mom’s to come together to share tips, hacks, and advice to getting through #parenthoodproblems together and share things that work for us along with experiences.
This is a judgment free zone! 🫶🏼
First thing first, my most recent sweet girl has been difficult since being in the womb- not even her, but the pregnancy was high risk and crazy to deal with. I have endometriosis and during first (and leading into second) trimester I had a subchorionic hematoma. Throughout the pregnancy, I had several issues such as several episodes of syncope - one even being questioned as more so of a seizure than syncope- horrible Charley horses, easy bruising caused from anemia, and lots and lots of swelling. Birthing baby, I had a placental abruption because of contractions being so strong and my first-second trimester history of the subchorionic hematoma. labor was actually effortlessly smooth. But now that baby’s here, I’m experiencing so many different and new things that I didn’t experience with my other two. 1) my sweet girl has a umbilical hernia - the pediatrician has stated that it’s quite normal and that the hernia should go away on its own and that it doesn’t pose a threat unless it’s “hard”. However, this alone just scares me because my sweet girl has irregular bowel movements and only poops 1 time a day. Aware that breastfeeding can cause less bowel movements because of the nutrients, I’m still Leary about the lack of such and am concerned that maybe the umbilical hernia could be causing issues with her bowel movements even though our pediatrician says the hernia is fine. The hernia seems to slowly get larger but not rapidly. From my mother having a hernia in her belly button, I know what a “hard hernia” feels like and sweet girl does not seem to have a hard hernia but this still makes me fearful.
2. Breastfeeding - with both child 1 and 2, I only fed for 6 weeks because of how strenuous it is on the body. My supply with both baby 1 and 2 were immaculate. I pumped over 40-60 ounces per day while also feeding every 3-4 hours at most. With baby 3, I’ve made it 7 almost 8 weeks and am experiencing a low supply at 7-8 weeks and am feeding every 1.5-3 hours with maybe 10 ounces pumped each day , depending on baby and supply .
3. Sleep schedules. I’ve never* had an issue with such an irregular sleep schedule with of my other two. Baby 3 seems to have a sleep schedule of her own and it changes almost daily. One day she sleeps from 3-7 am and then again 2 hours late for 2 hours. And others her long sleep stretch is 7-11 pm. This constantly changes and I’ve tried to keep her up during the day and the rooms dark at night but she seems to enjoy being awake quite literally whenever she wants. My partner and I both work night shift and I only work 1 day a week so we try to keep her sleeping at night while we are up and up during the day since we have alternate days in our schedules that are worked. However, with her sleep schedule constantly changing it’s becoming one of those tired all time situations and it’s affecting my food intake and so much more.
Sweet girl seems to be grumpy and always wants held 25/8 and will not fall asleep on her own which makes things harder TEN FOLD- harder to pump, eat, sleep . The hernia concerns me because I feel like it’s causing issues with her bowel movements and could be a potential reason she is on her whack sleep schedule. I know vitamin d drops and other things such as karo syrup help, but I would like to find an underlying issue that’s long term rather than short term. Please #help 🥲
Navigating motherhood can be an overwhelming journey, and every baby is different. Sharing experiences helps new moms feel supported and less isolated. For instance, if you're dealing with a challenging breastfeeding journey, remember that seeking help from lactation consultants can provide tailored strategies for boosting milk supply. Moreover, understanding sleep patterns in infants is crucial. While some babies adapt quickly, others may have fluctuating sleep schedules that can test parents' patience. Documenting these patterns in a sleep log could help you identify any triggers or patterns that might assist in establishing a better routine. Also, if concerns about your child's health arise, such as with a potential umbilical hernia, consulting pediatric professionals can ease anxiety by providing guidance based on the latest medical insights. Knowledge about common infant issues, including digestion or sleeping habits, can empower parents in decision-making and create a supportive environment for their delicate little ones. Connecting with other moms through forums can also be a treasure trove of advice and shared wisdom, especially when it comes to personal experiences. From discussing parenting woes to sharing joyful moments, the online community can be an invaluable resource for encouragement and comfort during those tough days. Let's build a supportive network together!
My sister had one of those hernias when she was a baby! It went away on its own with no intervention, and now she's perfectly fine! Also, you may not have a "low supply," it sounds like you're actually making more than enough still. From what I've read, it's normal for your supply to regulate around 8 weeks...