Sorry -- I didn't really mean to write so much about breastfeeding. It's just that I've spent so much time nursing over the last 15 months.... But this is really, really the last one.
A couple of tips (that I'm sure you've already heard, but I think these were the most important ones for me in the beginning)
1) Drink LOTS of water. "Water makes milk," a nurse told me. You make milk when you're well-hydrated, so drink lots (lots and lots and lots) and keep a glass of water nearby for while you're nursing (I have never felt that kind of thirst in my life).
2) Nurse on demand, especially at first. Don't worry about getting your baby on a schedule -- it will happen eventually. Instead, nurse her as often as she wants. Even when it seems like she couldn't possibly be hungry again. Even when people say "does that baby do anything other than eat?". It really is the best way to get a good supply going and to get the hang of it. And, since for a baby, breastfeeding is as much about comfort and security as it is about food, I don't really think there is such a thing as nursing a newborn too much. And next baby, I will remember to tell myself that, too.
3) Know where to turn for help, and ask for help right away. Breastfeeding should be totally natural and easy, but it's not. It's uncomfortable at first. It's kind of awkward. It's all new. Even though having strangers man-handle you doesn't sound great, getting the help you need when things aren't going quite right is so much better than the alternative of struggling alone. Don't wait until you're miserable, either. Ask the nurses at the hospital. Ask the public health nurses. Ask whoever you're comfortable with. And then keep asking until you get the help you need.
4) Call me. I'm a really good cheerleader and commiserator.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Birth Story
"I was in labour for five days! I thought I was going to die. And THEN I had to push for FOUR hours!"
When I was pregnant, everyone wanted to share their birth stories with me. Each one seemed worse than the last. It was as if everyone was trying to scare me about just how bad things could really be.
But then I had Jack. And like with so many other things, I finally understood. I know why everyone wants to share.
In a way, I think birth stories are like war stories. Birth is a powerful experience that requires a huge amount of mental and physical strength. So I think it's natural that when a pregnant woman is around, at some point the conversation turns to birth stories. A birth story feels like a badge of honour. "Look what I survived. Look what I can handle," it says.
After Jack was born, I felt like I had survived my own private battle. I know that sounds totally dramatic, but it's how I really felt. I had been through something huge and life changing, had survived, and had been given a beautiful, perfect baby. Where was my parade? My medal for bravery? And that's when I got it. Telling your story is sort of your medal. I wanted people to hear what I had been through -- to hear them say "Wow. Are you ever tough" or "I remember that feeling." And in return, other people wanted me to hear their stories, too.
So if you feel like I did, and you want to tell someone all the details of your baby's birth, I'll be there to listen, no matter how many times you want to tell it. I've been through that kind of battle too, so I'll know how brave you were.
When I was pregnant, everyone wanted to share their birth stories with me. Each one seemed worse than the last. It was as if everyone was trying to scare me about just how bad things could really be.
But then I had Jack. And like with so many other things, I finally understood. I know why everyone wants to share.
In a way, I think birth stories are like war stories. Birth is a powerful experience that requires a huge amount of mental and physical strength. So I think it's natural that when a pregnant woman is around, at some point the conversation turns to birth stories. A birth story feels like a badge of honour. "Look what I survived. Look what I can handle," it says.
After Jack was born, I felt like I had survived my own private battle. I know that sounds totally dramatic, but it's how I really felt. I had been through something huge and life changing, had survived, and had been given a beautiful, perfect baby. Where was my parade? My medal for bravery? And that's when I got it. Telling your story is sort of your medal. I wanted people to hear what I had been through -- to hear them say "Wow. Are you ever tough" or "I remember that feeling." And in return, other people wanted me to hear their stories, too.
So if you feel like I did, and you want to tell someone all the details of your baby's birth, I'll be there to listen, no matter how many times you want to tell it. I've been through that kind of battle too, so I'll know how brave you were.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Got Milk: Breastfeeding, Part 2 (the hospital)
Ok, I promise I'm almost done talking about nursing. This is in case you find it as helpful as I did to hear other people's experiences. I especially liked to hear about what happened with other people in the first few days with their babies because it made me feel like I could have at least some idea of what to expect in the hospital (which felt like a complete unknown).
So here you have it -- the story of the first few days of nursing. If this is TMI, just skip it...
I first tried nursing Jack about an hour after he was born (or it might have been a bit sooner or a bit later -- the time line is a blur). It was definitely a strange feeling, but all the nurses told me he clearly knew what he was doing. I was relieved.
That would have been about 2 am. Around six or seven, once we had moved to our new room, a nurse came to get Jack to do some regular blood work. When she brought him back, she told me his blood sugar was low (probably from his traumatic birth) and that he needed to eat. She had a bottle of formula already in the bassinet with him. Even though I was exhausted (and so was he!), I pleaded with her to let me try nursing him instead. I think she was a bit frustrated -- it would have been faster and easier to just give him the bottle -- but I'm glad I stuck to my guns. He managed to nurse a little, which was enough for then. I was definitely disappointed that the nurse didn't seem to be very supportive, but luckily I didn't see her again. Another nurse came in a bit later and helped me pump a bit of colostrum and gave it to Jack with a syringe (so he wouldn't have to work hard, but would still get milk).
A day or so later (when we were still in the hospital), Jack had an evening where he was very fussy and wouldn't latch on well when I tried nursing (he'd latched pretty well until then). Jahn found me a sweet older nurse to see if she could help. She told me one of the reasons he was fussing was probably that he was mad he couldn't get milk faster. She explained that colostrum, the first, very rich milk you produce, is also very thick. She compared it to drinking a Peters milkshake out of a thin straw. That helped me understand a bit better what was going on. I was also concerned that his stomach hurt - he seemed to be curling up his legs and wailing in pain. She told me that my body heat was the best thing for him -- putting his little tummy on mine and letting him feel my warmth was the best way to help him. I liked that idea. And, wouldn't you know it, once I felt better and calmer, he did too. Amazing.
Jack was a pretty good at figuring out nursing from the start. I won't lie -- it still hurt in the beginning, but it got better once I found the position that worked for us. And when I left the hospital, I was confident we would be able to figure this out.
And clearly we did, since Jack is still going strong (with no signs of weaning...) fifteen months later.
So here you have it -- the story of the first few days of nursing. If this is TMI, just skip it...
I first tried nursing Jack about an hour after he was born (or it might have been a bit sooner or a bit later -- the time line is a blur). It was definitely a strange feeling, but all the nurses told me he clearly knew what he was doing. I was relieved.
That would have been about 2 am. Around six or seven, once we had moved to our new room, a nurse came to get Jack to do some regular blood work. When she brought him back, she told me his blood sugar was low (probably from his traumatic birth) and that he needed to eat. She had a bottle of formula already in the bassinet with him. Even though I was exhausted (and so was he!), I pleaded with her to let me try nursing him instead. I think she was a bit frustrated -- it would have been faster and easier to just give him the bottle -- but I'm glad I stuck to my guns. He managed to nurse a little, which was enough for then. I was definitely disappointed that the nurse didn't seem to be very supportive, but luckily I didn't see her again. Another nurse came in a bit later and helped me pump a bit of colostrum and gave it to Jack with a syringe (so he wouldn't have to work hard, but would still get milk).
A day or so later (when we were still in the hospital), Jack had an evening where he was very fussy and wouldn't latch on well when I tried nursing (he'd latched pretty well until then). Jahn found me a sweet older nurse to see if she could help. She told me one of the reasons he was fussing was probably that he was mad he couldn't get milk faster. She explained that colostrum, the first, very rich milk you produce, is also very thick. She compared it to drinking a Peters milkshake out of a thin straw. That helped me understand a bit better what was going on. I was also concerned that his stomach hurt - he seemed to be curling up his legs and wailing in pain. She told me that my body heat was the best thing for him -- putting his little tummy on mine and letting him feel my warmth was the best way to help him. I liked that idea. And, wouldn't you know it, once I felt better and calmer, he did too. Amazing.
Jack was a pretty good at figuring out nursing from the start. I won't lie -- it still hurt in the beginning, but it got better once I found the position that worked for us. And when I left the hospital, I was confident we would be able to figure this out.
And clearly we did, since Jack is still going strong (with no signs of weaning...) fifteen months later.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Bridesmaid
When Jahn and I were planning our wedding, we did most of it ourselves. It's not that we didn't have people willing to help, it's just that we like to plan and organize, so we were happy to do it. Sometimes you hear about weddings where the bridesmaids shoulder a ton of the work, but that definitely wasn't us.
You know when I could have used a bridesmaid, though? When I was doing some of the more mundane tasks associated with getting ready for my baby. That's not to say I didn't have help -- I seem to remember you putting up wall paper and folding mountains of baby laundry, among other things (thank you again for doing all that, by the way). But some of the tasks aren't really things you can ask someone else to do (buy breast pads? Go to a mat leave seminar?).
There's so much to do to get ready that I remember feeling it was a bit much at times. Sometimes it wasn't even that I knew exactly what I should be doing. I just felt like there was stuff I wasn't getting to that I should...
So here are some things I can do for you, even from far away. I know you don't need me to do any of these things -- you are organized and together -- but now you can skip some of the boring stuff and enjoy some of the more fun stuff.
Wondering about Peter Lougheed Hospital? Here's an online tour, in case you haven't seen it already.
Thinking about a prenatal class? Alberta Health has a ton of different classes and options:
-A two hour class about Baby Care
-A free course about breastfeeding
-A course just for Dads
Don't feel like actually going to a class? Alberta Health also has a ton of classes online:
- Caring for Baby
- Breastfeeding
- Feeding challenges
- Dealing with change
- Getting to know your baby
You can find them all here and they're all free.
Trying to think of a baby name?
This website is super cool. It will give you a list of names (there's a little drop down menu so you can ask for only girls' names). Click on the picture of a star for any of the names you like. Once you've picked up to six names, click "find names". It makes a list of a bunch of other names you might also like. Seriously -- try it out. I'm having a great time playing with it, and I don't even have anyone to name right now.
Got your iPad nearby?
Download an app called Baby Kick Counter. It does all the work, so your pregnancy brain doesn't have to keep track. And it's only $0.99. Awesome.
Now go put you feet up, because look at all the work you've done!
You know when I could have used a bridesmaid, though? When I was doing some of the more mundane tasks associated with getting ready for my baby. That's not to say I didn't have help -- I seem to remember you putting up wall paper and folding mountains of baby laundry, among other things (thank you again for doing all that, by the way). But some of the tasks aren't really things you can ask someone else to do (buy breast pads? Go to a mat leave seminar?).
There's so much to do to get ready that I remember feeling it was a bit much at times. Sometimes it wasn't even that I knew exactly what I should be doing. I just felt like there was stuff I wasn't getting to that I should...
So here are some things I can do for you, even from far away. I know you don't need me to do any of these things -- you are organized and together -- but now you can skip some of the boring stuff and enjoy some of the more fun stuff.
Wondering about Peter Lougheed Hospital? Here's an online tour, in case you haven't seen it already.
Thinking about a prenatal class? Alberta Health has a ton of different classes and options:
-A two hour class about Baby Care
-A free course about breastfeeding
-A course just for Dads
Don't feel like actually going to a class? Alberta Health also has a ton of classes online:
- Caring for Baby
- Breastfeeding
- Feeding challenges
- Dealing with change
- Getting to know your baby
You can find them all here and they're all free.
Trying to think of a baby name?
This website is super cool. It will give you a list of names (there's a little drop down menu so you can ask for only girls' names). Click on the picture of a star for any of the names you like. Once you've picked up to six names, click "find names". It makes a list of a bunch of other names you might also like. Seriously -- try it out. I'm having a great time playing with it, and I don't even have anyone to name right now.
Got your iPad nearby?
Download an app called Baby Kick Counter. It does all the work, so your pregnancy brain doesn't have to keep track. And it's only $0.99. Awesome.
Now go put you feet up, because look at all the work you've done!
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