I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Isn't it weird how scary the transition is between boards? It was the same for me on LIW!

Liam was born on Thursday at 1:26 am. We are doing okay.

So here's my first two questions:

1.) The dog is adjusting to him. However she kept us all night last night. Everytime Liam even breathed heavy she jumped all over crying and whining. It went on all night. We eventually put a leash on her to keep her from running all over the room. Keeping her outside the room didn't work.. she just scratched at the door. Tonight, we are going to give her some Bendedryl to tire her out and maybe take the edge. I'm sure it will get better with time... But, it was pretty bad. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with this. She generally is great with Liam. She just wants to lick him a lot. But, she's pretty good.

2.) Liam had some issues with BFing in the start. But, it got better. Well today.. My milk came in. HOLY COW. I wasn't prepared for that. But, he used to nurse 20 minutes on each side. Now he can barely do 20 minutes on one side and is done. Is that because the volume was just really increased? My Mom keeps telling me that new stuff is saying to just nurse one side each feeding. That way they get the fore and hind milk (the hind milk has the most fat). Has anyone else done it this way? If so, how long for baby to finish that one side? Is 20 minutes too short?
And did anyone have a harder time with latching once the milk came in? Can you share any tips that made that easier? He just seems to have a harder time staying latched unless I really squeeze my breast while it's in his mouth.. does that make sense?

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congrats and welcome
1. Gizmo was almost 17 years old when Landon was born so he was completely oblivious... I have no advice!
2. What your mom told you is what I did... BF one side until the was done. Usually only 15 minutes. Then I would offer him the other side. If he didn't want it I would pump that side. I built up a nice amount of storage in the freezer this way. HTH! ETA: I would alternate what side he started on for each feeding.

Message edited 5/17/2009 3:29:00 PM.

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

i only nurse on one side.. and then i don't pump the other. sometimes if the other is feeling too full i might pump a LITTLE out.. but by 3 weeks i don't feel full anymore on the other side. Just make sure you alternate sides or you will be lopsided. he will usually go anywhere from 10 minutes to 40 minutes on the one side

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

as far as the trouble he is having latching.. it is probably because in the beginning you have too much milk.. it takes a couple weeks for the milk supply to even out to what the baby needs. try manually expressing some before the baby latches.. it might make it easier for him to grab onto more of your areola. it also might make it more comfortable for you once the force of the let down is done

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congratulations & Welcome!

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congratulations and welcome!!


I read your birth story and can I just say: YOU ROCK!!!

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

congrats and welcome

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congrats!

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Welcome and congrats!!! He is beautiful!!

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congrats and welcome!

I had no idea you can give animals Benadryl. I hope for your sake it doesn't have the opposite effect and make the dog more hyper like it can with children

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congratulations and Welcome Baby Liam.

I BF one breast at a time, as soon as DS latched off I knew he was full. I didn't pump at all, so I would start with the other breast for feeding when DS got hungry again.

The amount of time your DS spends BFing will change. He will go threw growth spurts where he will be on you for more than 20 minutes. I remember times when DS would be on me for about an hour

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

thanks for the advice on Bfing. I'm glad that I seem to be doing it right for now!

As for the dog. We gave her the bendryl. but, we gave her the 50 mg that the vet recommended for my mom's NUTSO dog and it knocked my dog out. It was a little scary. But, she did leave us alone. If we need it tonight we are going to just try the 25 mg. She is getting groomed today so she may be totally tired and stressed out anyway when she gets home.

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congrats! We would bring DD over to our dog so she can sniff her every time she cried or we fed her and so far yhe dog has been wonderful... She is now starting to protect her too.. follows me when i am holding her, watches her when she cries.. hopefully yours will calm down too!!! She does go crazy whenever someone visits....

good luck and show us more pics of your adorable liam!!!

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Congrats & welcome. Love your DS's name

Re: I guess it's time for me to join this board.

Welcome!! Congrats on your DS. I love the name.

No advice on the doggie problem. We don't have one.

I always BF'd DD only one side each time. I'd alternate sides at each feeding. My problem was always trying to keep her awake long enough. I think she always averaged 15-20 minutes a feeding. I never had any problems with the latch though.