Hi Everyone-
Fizzio, I am so glad you are starting to feel a bit better. I hope you have some good support and keep working at it! Remember that this doesn't last forever, but I know it's hard to put effort into feeling better when you are not feeling yourself. Take it step by step
Baby I hope Callum feels better soon and very interested in hearing what gp has to say.
Glad you had a good night Claire! I tried the next size nipples but Giada tends to choke with even the slow nipples. She eats too fast and eats when she's asleep and with the standard flow ones she always chokes. Maybe I should try again though!
LadyL I am so sorry Jack is keeping you up. You have to do what is right for your family!! I felt horrible for not being able to breast feed, and my friend whose son was born the same day as Giada felt horrible for quitting at 2 months because she was getting very depressed and had so much pain and lack of sleep, but you know what, you have to do what is best for both of you. My pediatrician told me that in a perfect world everyone would breast feed and things would be great, but in reality he would much rather see and happy formula feeding mom than an unhappy breastfeeding mom because it is more important for the baby that the mom has some sanity. I told him I wasn't depressed, just very sleep deprived, and he said "well I don't see how being so sleep deprived can be healthy and how it couldn't affect you" He was right. I tortured myself for weeks more and thankfully Giada finally made the decision for me when she refused to bf. I'm not saying you should give it up, but if you want to cut down, or give it up, please don't feel bad. You are a wonderful mother for even worrying about this. I know we all put our babies first, but sometimes we have to take care of ourselves in order to be able to take care of our babies. My dr was thrilled when I stopped breast feeding because he said he sees so much depression in bf moms, and I totally see why. Many of us either make not enough milk, too much milk, are in pain, or are up all night feeding and pumping. As for the sleep. Is he hungry? If he is, there is not much you can do. I tried today to feed Giada extra throughout the day to see if that helps at night, but it's tough if hunger is what is waking them. If it is just him waking, then swaddling *should* help. Babies have a startle reflex in their sleep that makes their arms flail and wakes them up. Hang in there. Keep reminding yourself that this is temporary and you will get through it, no matter what you decide to do!!
As for me, Giada had her 3rd terrible night in a row. I fed her extra today and I am praying it goes a bit longer as the broken sleep is getting to me (i know you can sympathize ladyl!) I also zipped her arms in her sleepsack because she keeps breaking out of her swaddle, or she gets upset trying to get out of it. Last night she woke up at 1am and I put her back to sleep at 1:50 and 5 minutes later she woke up breaking out of her swaddle. I swaddled her again and rocked her asleep for 10 minutes. THen she woke up at 5 and ate again and went down at 6 am. I didn't swaddle her becuase I thought she didn't want it, and she woke up half an hour later and was up for the day grrrrrr. It was awful. Every time I try not to swaddle her it is a disaster. We'll see how tonight goes.
Being a therapist I have dealt with much depression and wanted to share some tips that we should all think about to keep our sanity during this time. Baby blues are pretty common and sometimes they get worse. Here are some natural ways of helping depression in general:
-take vitamins, especially the B vitimans are very important for the our mood and the nervous system. There are also natural supplements like SAM-E that have good results (don't know if you can take them breast feeding though)
-Eat a healthy diet. Be sure to eat enough and get enough nutrients. A poor diet can contribute to feeling badly
-Make sure to get dressed every day. Sometimes with the baby we have no where to go, but it is important to get ready and dressed as we were going out (I am very guilty of breaking this rule)
-Be sure to open the blinds/curtains and let the light in every morning
-Get outside. Even if you just grab a chair and sit outside-fresh air is very important.
-If you can walk as much as possible. Walking is very therapeutic.
-Make time for yourself. Hard with a baby, but if you can get someone to watch the baby to take some personal time for yourself.
-Be social. As much as we may not want to sometimes, it is important to socialize with friends and family-even if it is just talking on the phone
-Appreciate yourself for all the wonderful things you are doing. We are all good moms and having a baby is very hard. We all need to recognize how much we have been through and all the sacrifices we have made to help this baby grow. We are not perfect, but in reality, the baby doesn't need a perfect mom, just a loving one.
-If things ever get really bad talk to your doctor. No one needs to go through being down on their own, and if things are getting better than use the help that is out there.
I really think all you ladies are amazing and I really believe we have to take care of ourselves during this tiring time! I have my moments where I break down and feel like I can't take it, but then I remind myself that I am allowed to feel like this sometimes! Having a baby is hard!! But it is temporary. Soon we'll have teenagers and be saying "having baby was easy compared to this" lol.
I hope everyone is doing well. Sleepy dust to everyone!!
Why is she going backwards, thought they were supposed to get easier around 8 weeks ha ha.
