By the way, our little girl started playing with this Fisher Price piano mat somewhere around the 1-1.5 month timeframe. She still loves this thing -- it's been awesome at keeping her busy. Definitely well worth the money!!
https://www.toysrus.com/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-17664781dt.jpg
I order this based on your recommendation then the very next day it went down on sale in Amazon's Black Friday lightning sales
So I have returned the first one (I hadn't actually received it before the price went down!) and I am now waiting on the new one to be delivered
I know at 3 months Izzy won't get as much use out of it as she might have, but she is so active with her legs I think she might like it
We are doing fine - I am getting a bit bored during the daytime since I am still confined to the bedroom but Izzy has a playmat, a tummy time mat and her bouncer all set up next to the bed so hopefully she isn't getting too bored
I should be out of the cast by christmas with any luck
Hope all you other ladies are doing well
Audrey still loves the mat. She started with just kicking the piano non-stop and staring at herself in the little mirror. After a month or two, she started swatting at the hanging toys. It's been a godsend at keeping her occupied if I need my hands free to do something (or I need to lay down and rest for a few minutes
).
That's great that you will be getting the cast off soon. Hopefully having to be off your feet isn't too bad. You're almost there!
My baby is head down, and I hope he'll stay that way.
That's great! Fingers crossed that he stays that way!
Hello ladies!
My baby boy arrived safely yesterday at 13.36
(we live in Asia so a bit in advance in terms of time zone
)
Went in the night before and got prostin pesseries to ripe the cervix. In the morning water broke and got epidural. Just 4 hours later fully dilated and everything happened so fast - pushed 3 times literally and in 5 minutes it was all done! I can't believe how "easy" it was! Great experience! At 38weeks 4 days, baby very healthy, weighed 3.4kg and 52cm.
Now still waiting for breast milk to come!
Congrats!! That sounds like such a wonderful birthing experience. I was in labor with my little missy for 40 hours before going for my C-section. I was originally hoping to avoid any pain medications during the birth (which I learned is next to impossible if you are given pitocin), but I don't remember it being too bad once I got my epidural. Enjoy your little miracle!
I should probably update and say i had my little girl on Friday 21st November. She came at 38w6d via planned C-section weighing 6lbs13oz.
Congrats!! How sweet!
Disney - I love the play mat. I may have to order it too ;-) I still pump and supplement with formula . In the first two weeks I have had several blocked milk ducts and an infection. 39.9 C temp and in pain Ive almost gave up pumping but then after getting antibiotics it got better . My girls just don't latch on properly. I have tried a consultant etc and it is all good they tell me to keep trying but my nipples were in such a state that each time I had to put one on I had an anxiety attack so I have decided I will pump until I cannot do it anymore and then switch to formula . I do love the fact I am giving them my milk because it is " liquid gold " and I think that keeps me going but at the end of the day I need to be happy too. oh and my boobs got so big I have struggled to find a good nursing bra that fits ....
Yes, those blocked milk ducts are the bane of my existence. A few things have helped me to minimize getting them. I use heat compresses for about 10 minutes before I pump -- especially if I feel a blockage forming. I use compressions throughout the pumping process to ensure that I empty both boobs as much as possible. If I have a painful blockage, I take a HOT shower right before I pump, and I massage the hard spot(s) under the hot water. I read a while back that using a wide tooth comb to "comb" your breasts in a downward motion over the blockage toward the nipple is helpful, so I do that in the shower, too. I've found that applying strong pressure directly on the hard spots with my hands/fingers while I'm pumping helps clear the blockages after a shower. It hurts like hell momentarily, but once it's opened up and the milk starts spraying out more, it feels a lot better. I think my milk is on the thicker side because I normally don't get a good "spray".
Try to avoid putting pressure on your boobs for extended periods of time. I tend to get blockages if I accidentally fall asleep on my side or tummy. I think I've gotten them if my bra / nursing tanks are too tight in the band, too.
I've been pumping for almost 5 months now. I'm down to pumping 4x per day, but I'm trying to figure out how to wean from the pump before I have to go back to work in January
cry
. I'm really torn about switching to exclusively formula feeding, but it's currently taking me 1-1.5 hours to pump each time because I have slow or delayed let downs and it's hard for me to get the milk out. By law, my work has to give me time to pump, but I can't be taking multiple 1+ hour pump breaks throughout the day. Plus, it's getting harder to keep her entertained while I'm hooked up to the pump for so long.
I'll admit that I'm looking forward to the freedom of ditching the pump (and the obsessing over how many mls I've pumped each time!), but I still really want her to get the benefits of my milk. Some days are rougher than others, but hang in there. Whatever you decide to do will still be great for your babies.
(Oh, and from what I can tell, the amount of time it takes me to pump is far from the norm, so don't let scare you with this 1-1.5 hour stuff!).
These aren't cheap, but I picked up these compresses from Babies R Us when they had a buy one get one 50% off promo on breastfeeding stuff months ago. They work great for me.
https://www.amazon.com/Boob-ease-Or...ef=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417498465&sr=1-4
If you want more info on using compressions during pumping to maximize milk output, this is a great video that includes deonstrations on how to do it effectively. https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html
I have mixed feelings about Christmas this year. It's typically my favorite time of the year, but I'm so sad that I have to go back to work next month. I'm trying really hard not to dwell on it, but the thought of not spending all day every day with my angel makes me want to cry.
I'm still enjoying my time with my little girl and am making the best of the remaining time off I get to spend with her.
It got easier once she started liking her (expensive!) Mamaroo seat and once she started playing on the activity mats that we got for her. I'm down to pumping 4-5 times a day now, and it's allowed me to regain a bit more sanity and lengthen my leash away from the house. 
I had to clean it all up and find new ones but thankfully it worked. 
