First post here as a Mommy with questions

Hi Everyone,

Now that I'm getting over the shock of being responsible for someone 24/7 I'm trying to slowly get back to normal things ans wanted to introduce myself ...

Chelsea is 2 weeks old and we are in love her but I'm not so sure we know what we are doing...

What do you do with a newborn duing the few waking hours? I'm worried about not stimulating her

If you give water- when? how much? and for what?

How long do you BF or EBF for? Does it get easier?

I cant stand to hear her cry- will I get over it?

When do you wake them to eat vs feeding on demand?

Please bear with me as I'll have tons of questions for you all as I get the hang of things

Thank you so much,
Kerri

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

First off, Congratulations !!!
It's completely understandable to feel the way you do right now. I think it's something every new parent experiences.....
About stimulating her....
Our Ped told us that it was better during the first few weeks to provide silence and not a lot of stimulation as they get used to their surroundings..we were told at the hospital to wake him up every 3 hours to eat..but we never really have to...my son is like a clock...he lets you know it's time to eat.....
As far as water, I will ask your ped that question. I don't think they really need water until further on.
Best of luck and hang in there. It definitely gets better...

Message edited 5/22/2007 4:45:01 PM.

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

The whole world is stimulation for her. Just seeing your face and hearing you talk is enough!

No water until after you've started solids.

I BFed for 26 months. She started solids at 6 months, never took a bottle. Yes, it does get much much easier.

Nope, you never get used to hearing your child cry, but as she gets older you learn that there are times its ok for her to be crying.

I always fed on demand because her weight gain was great.

Good luck, and we don't mind the questions!!

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

What do you do with a newborn duing the few waking hours? Hold her, comfort her, love her, enjoy her

If you give water- when? how much? and for what? Isn't really necessary for awhile...

How long do you BF or EBF for? Does it get easier? We are still Breast Feeding, 14 months and YES if you hang in there it WILL get easier

I cant stand to hear her cry- will I get over it? 14 months later neither can we

When do you wake them to eat vs feeding on demand? I personally would not wake a sleeping baby... We always Breast Feed on demand. Babies will let you know when they want to eat.

Hang in there, I am sure you are doing great!!!

Message edited 5/22/2007 4:57:55 PM.

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

Congrats on the baby girl! I'm sure you are doing a great job.

What do you do with a newborn duing the few waking hours? I'm worried about not stimulating her

In the beginning, I would talk and sing to my son all day. I would show him different things and he loved his play mat.

If you give water- when? how much? and for what?

I don't give him water.

How long do you BF or EBF for? Does it get easier?

I'm BF at almost 12 moths and it gets much easier.

I cant stand to hear her cry- will I get over it?

I still can't stand hearing him cry, it breaks my heart.

When do you wake them to eat vs feeding on demand?

feeding on demand

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

Don't worry about not stimulating her. The world is stimulating enough right now. Give her things to look at, make faces at her, talk to her, and touch her.

At 2 weeks, she should be getting all she needs from breastmilk or formula. Water might make her full and won't give her the nutrients she needs right now. My ped does not recommend water until at least 4 months and then only in small quantities if we feel she is getting dehydrated (like on a hot day).

I'm still BFing and DD just turned 5 months. Try to stick it out. I almost quit twice but I read other moms' posts about how hard it is at first and that it does get easier. It did get easier!!

I don't like to hear my baby cry and I want to fix whatever is wrong as soon as possible. But sometimes, they will cry and it's for no reason at all. You learn to do what you can and they eventually get over it.

As far as waking her to eat, I'd ask your ped. For us, we'd start undressing her at 2.5 hours and wouldn't let her go more than 3 hours without a feeding at that age.

CONGRATS! And remember, it does get easier!!

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

What do you do with a newborn duing the few waking hours? I'm worried about not stimulating her -

Just hold and love her- there isn't much to do with them in the beginning- the world is stimulating enough

If you give water- when? how much? and for what?- no water- it just fills them up for the good stuff-breastmilk

How long do you BF or EBF for? Does it get easier?- Breastfeeding gets WAY easier. I have to supplement though since my supply was low so don't beat yourself up if that were to happen- we tried everything, including pumping, feengreek, etc. Just hang in there- it will get better.

I cant stand to hear her cry- will I get over it?- you never get over it, but you do gain some tolerance- especially if you know you have done everything to make her happy and she is still crying. But I still don't like it at ALL.

When do you wake them to eat vs feeding on demand?

I had to wake my DD occasionally since she LOVED to sleep in the beginning and would sleep through most feedings if I let her. Now I am lucky if I get an hour nap



Good luck and ask tons of questions- just don't take all the advice you hear- especially from well meaning family. YOU know what is best for her in the long run

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

What do you do with a newborn duing the few waking hours? I'm worried about not stimulating her

At this stage all you need to do is hold her, stare at her, enjoy every second of her newness, sing to her even if you have a bad singing voice, talk softly to her...dont try to over stimulate her as the entire world is stimulating her.

If you give water- when? how much? and for what? None until at least 6mths.

How long do you BF or EBF for? Does it get easier? I am still BF at 15mths....EBF for 12 months..it absolutely gets better.

I cant stand to hear her cry- will I get over it? Not really although after a few weeks you wont jump out of your skin each time she cries....I remember when my DD was about 4 months I thought "Oh I dont break into a run the minute she cries, I am happy to just walk there now!!!"

When do you wake them to eat vs feeding on demand? I fed on demand and it worked great for me.

Congratulations...enjoy every second it will go so quickly. Welcome to this site, its a great resource.

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

I wanted to share some words of wisdom but it seems that you have already received plenty of great advice from the other moms here. Soooo I just wanted to say "Congrats" and welcome to motherhood!! Keep asking questions. This is a wonderful support network!!!

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

Welcome and congrats! You definitely received wonderful advice already. Just know that you WILL get the hang of it. It's kind of like walking into a dark tunnel at first, but you will find your way. I promise!
And when babies are that young, they are really attracted to the human face, so hold her close and let her look at her wonderful mommy's face!

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

Congratulations! The other moms gave you great advice. I would just add that BFing gets so much easier. At the beginning (first 3/4 weeks) was so difficult for me but it got so much easier. I BFed 13 months and I'm so glad that I didn't give up the first days whenn it was hard.

Welcome and we are here to answer any question

Message edited 5/22/2007 8:44:13 PM.

Re: First post here as a Mommy with questions

Hi Kerri!

Nice to see you on this side...

The first 2 months were tough in hindsight. All work, no smiles. After he started smiling it got really fun.

Babies cry. Just make sure her needs are met and then just try to comfort her. During the waking hours in the beginning, I'd talk, dance and sing with him even read books. I also did infant massage for his tummy. Now at almost 5 months I've somehow become a masseuse!

BFing in the beginning is hard, but it's all about supply and demand. The more she demands, the more you'll make. The first 6 weeks or so are mostly about building supply. Now BFing is easy for me but I work insane hours so I feel like my life revolves around by BBs. But when I'm home or out with Ryan it's so much easier then thinking about formula and bottles.

I'd feed on demand (which for my DS was sometimes for hours consecutively in the beginning). Wake her if she hasn't eaten in 5 hours. More often if she isn't gaining well or having enough wet/poopy diapers.

No water yet.

I hope this helps!