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mama40
	Age: 40 Country: Province/region: City: Partner: ideal husband (I'm serious!) Children: Yes, 3 Pregnant: Not anymore Occupation:
	Online: 3 hours ago. Last updated: 14 days ago. Member since: 234 days
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Baby Michael Steven K. is here! Born on July 2nd 2008.

Michael's Birth Story

Apparently, little Michael was reluctant to enter this world, because it was only at the beginning of 42nd week that I felt contractions frequent enough to suggest an onset of labor. And so to Labor&Delivery I went at aroung 10 pm.

They greeting me warmly and hooked me up to a monitor, but mentioned that they would send me home if I don't make enough progress in 2 hours.

2 hours passed and there was no progress. On top of all this, there was a nasty old lady doctor, who said that even if my doctor might think I was 3 cm dilated, she didn't think so - more likely 2,5 cm, and that she would send me home immediately, but it was time for the shift change.

We exchanged glances with my husband and started to make plans on returning home and spend another night waiting for "the real thing", but there came a nice young lady doctor who said she wanted to call my doctor first and ask his opinion. And hooray, my doctor tell her to start induction.

They started induction at around 12 am, and I requested epidural very soon after. At 3pm my own doctor came and told me to start pushing.

I pushed and pushed, and continued doing so with small break until 6 am. Then my doctor made an attempt to apply vaccuum, but the baby refused to bulge. This how I ended up with an emergency c-section, which was absolutely painless and very quick. While they were stitching me, I saw someone holding something near me. I knew that this strange figure dressed all in white was my husband in the sterile outfit they gave him, and an obscure bundle in his hands was my son (did I mentioned they took off my glasses).

Well, it appears that this extra week that Michael spent inside alllowed him to put on some weight - he was 9 lb 2 oz. Also his shoulders were wide and his head was big, so there was no way he could squeeze out in normal way. But I am glad he is finally here. Although, beats me why they didn't induce me earlier!

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oldie44 - 5.3 hours ago
I see you are getting to be a pro with breastfeeding. My niece whose son is 1.5 y o now and still breastfeeding was simular with her routine. She practiced "aatached parenthood" approach, so the baby just plainly slept with her. She recommneds a co-sleeper, I think Arm Reach company, is where one side is opened and stands next to adult bed.
My husband gave me a little attitude last night when the baby woke up 2 times instead of 1 and we had to, like you said, get up, warm the food and sooth him back to sleep. With breast I was doing it by myself and with bottle I needed second person to hold him while I was getting ready. I had to have a talk with my husband today about it, since he was the one who wanted me to change feeding mode to help me and who had said that we would deal with the rest as it comes... but when it came, he did not like it.
I try to get some sleep during the day and it helps with speep deprivation and bad mood. I love may baby so very much, but when my 6 yo asked me why I wanted to have a baby, I said that I have no idea...

oldie44 - 14.4 hours ago
I will try to think that way, I quess pumping once or twice a day is not a big deal, I think I can deal with that. Thanks for giving me this perspective.

megans mama - 36 hours ago
Ooh - thanks. I will try the Saline drops.

oldie44 - 37.3 hours ago
I think you are right about wipes - I stopped using them 2 days ago and also bought Baby Bee diaper cream with Zink, Calendula, bee wax, and many other organic ingridients. My friend also recommended Weleda baby Calendula Diaper care cream, but I have to order it. Anyway, with use of water and Baby Bee cream his bottom already 100% better. At least one problem is better.
His eye, however, that cleared after a day of using Rx eye drops, is worse again, watery and yellow stuff collecting frequently. I took him to Dr yesterday and he just said to use drops as needed and do often a massage of tear duct. Dr was not concerned, so I will try to take it the same way, just clean, massage and pray the duct will open soon.

Now, about pump - I saw lots of adds on Craigslist about selling Medela Pump in Style. It is such an excellent pump, that it lasts through 2-3 children easily. Many people sell it for below $100 with all the additional attachments.

Imagine, in additional to all my stress, I developed mastitis all of a sudden, within few hours. Yesterday I felt horroble, my husband took a day off to support me. I had a fever, was dizzy.. Finally I got antibiotics from my OB and pumped a lot and today is a little better.

I love this picture of your baby, he looks like a real man here! We are over 10 lb now, and went to size 1 diapers and 3-6 months on Gerber onesies. With all the bunch of clothes we have, I found those thin ones are the most comfortable for everyday use.
I am a failure and a coward at breastfeeding, but after a long and miserable conversation with my husband we decided to gradually switch to formula, bcs he was very concerned for my mental health. I actually started having actual panic attacks just thinking about breastfeeding and my anxiety level went through the roof so quickly, I was unable to function at all. Having had this sad experience 6 years ago, we decided not to drag it until I will need serious help. So, for the last 2 days, I pump only and alternate breastmilk and formula from the bottle and maybe in a week or so will switch him completely. He seems tolerating Similac Advance well, about 2-3 feedings a day.
It was a very difficult decision for me, but yesterday, I felt a lot better when I realized I am not so attached to baby anymore. I pumped and told my husband to choose between formula and breastmilk for next feeding and went to make some rounds and pick-up my 6 year old from school. That was actually first "coming out" for me after his birth. Then I came home and went to sleep on the second floor, way away from the baby. It was nice! And the best part was at night - I fed him from the bottle, but then he woke up and I send my husband with the baby for a walk outside. It took about an hour to put him to sleep again but my husband did it himself! Today I feel 100% better physically and psychologically. Well, whatever it takes to stay afloat...

oldie44 - 38.5 hours ago
I think you are right about wipes - I stopped using them 2 days ago and also bought Baby Bee diaper cream with Zink, Calendula, bee wax, and many other organic ingridients. My friend also recommended Weleda baby Calendula Diaper care cream, but I have to order it. Anyway, with use of water and Baby Bee cream his bottom already 100% better. At least one problem is better.
His eye, however, that cleared after a day of using Rx eye drops, is worse again, watery and yellow stuff collecting frequently. I took him to Dr yesterday and he just said to use drops as needed and do often a massage of tear duct. Dr was not concerned, so I will try to take it the same way, just clean, massage and pray the duct will open soon.

Now, about pump - I saw lots of adds on Craigslist about selling Medela Pump in Style. It is such an excellent pump, that it lasts through 2-3 children easily. Many people sell it for below $100 with all the additional attachments.

Imagine, in additional to all my stress, I developed mastitis all of a sudden, within few hours. Yesterday I felt horroble, my husband took a day off to support me. I had a fever, was dizzy.. Finally I got antibiotics from my OB and pumped a lot and today is a little better.

I love this picture of your baby, he looks like a real man here! We are over 10 lb now, and went to size 1 diapers and 3-6 months on Gerber onesies. With all the bunch of clothes we have, I found those thin ones are the most comfortable for everyday use.
I am a failure and a coward at breastfeeding, but after a long and miserable conversation with my husband we decided to gradually switch to formula, bcs he was very concerned for my mental health. I actually started having actual panic attacks just thinking about breastfeeding and my anxiety level went through the roof so quickly, I was unable to function at all. Having had this sad experience 6 years ago, we decided not to drag it until I will need serious help. So, for the last 2 days, I pump only and alternate breastmilk and formula from the bottle and maybe in a week or so will switch him completely. He seems tolerating Similac Advance well, about 2-3 feedings a day.
It was a very difficult decision for me, but yesterday, I felt a lot better when I realized I am not so attached to baby anymore. I pumped and told my husband to choose between formula and breastmilk for next feeding and went to make some rounds and pick-up my 6 year old from school. That was actually first "coming out" for me after his birth. Then I came home and went to sleep on the second floor, way away from the baby. It was nice! And the best part was at night - I fed him from the bottle, but then he woke up and I send my husband with the baby for a walk outside. It took about an hour to put him to sleep again but my husband did it himself! Today I feel 100% better physically and psychologically. Well, whatever it takes to stay afloat...

megans mama - 39.5 hours ago
Megan's breathing is the same way - fine during the day and very congested at night. We have been using a humidifier since day one. Please let me know if you figure something out!

my2beautifulgirls - Thursday, 24 July
You son is soooo cute!! Nothing wrong with bigger bubs! My first was 9lb10 and 54 and a half cm long. My second was 8lb13 and 52cm long. I think they are more cuddly and i found they didn't need to feed so much. Every 3-4 hours which was great. What was it like to have a boy after having two girls?
41 weeks, and they were gonna send you home? Thats crazy! My hours of labour were on petocin( all false contractions) and it was painful. I'm glad i had a c-section. I look forward to my next one. Imagine how much we would have torn giving birth(if we could have). The recovery is not that bad is it. I am also thankful that there is other options to just giving birth natural. It pays to be open minded hey! Did you have your daughters natural or c-section?

oldie44 - Wednesday, 23 July
Anthony's cord finally fell off on day 15tha dn we gave him his first bath yesterday, that is when I noticed the extend of his diaper rash, it was not noticable as much when I just lifted his legs. Today I kept him without diapers half a day and went through my supplies of plankets very quickly. I will try A+D ointment now and my niece advised me Weleda Kalendula diaper care cream for Whole Food store. I will buy it too. I will also stop using wipes, I think they are part of the problem. We'll se how that will work. He also poops a lot, and, when he does not, he still has a little poopy spot on each of his diaper. Maybe bcs stools are so watery, he gets a little drop of it hanging there all the time. It also irritates his bottom. Maybe he will have a better control of his bowel later or stools will get less loose.
His eye got better after 3 times wi put Rx eye drops. I was actually lucky that I called on Sunday when clinic was closed and got Rx called to my pharmacy and avoided trip to Dr. However, I think we might have clogged tear duct, bcs I noticed that left eye gets a little more watery from time to time. I am trying to massage inner corner several times a day.
I am wondering about this shallow rapid breathing, I think it is normal for all babies, unless it is like apnia episodes, but it does not sound like it. I think we had stuffy nose with my last girl and Dr said she had small nasal passages. It got better with time.
I have not started putting Anthony on his tummy yet, I tried a little bit on my bed, but he did not like it at all. I am so engrossed in feeding-slleping pattern that I can hardly find good time for tummy time, before meals he is irritable, after - can spit up, when then?
I started adding a little of formula a couple of times a day, when I am tired of him eating every hour off the breast and falling asleep there and waking up again in a few min and feeding again... My breast feels like squieezed lemon. But when I give barely 2 oz of formula, he looks so much more satisfied and falls asleep longer. So, I do it somewhere in the middle of the day and before night time. I am tired of internal battle that is going on within me, it is causing too much anxiety and unhappiness for me. I nee dto make a pieace with myself and find a suitable compromise so I do not go to PPD. Baby need s a happy mother even if it cost him some supplement with formula. OK got to go, baby is crying.

oldie44 - Wednesday, 23 July
Anna, quick question - my baby has been having diaper rash - seems even when he does not have official BM, his diaper always has a trace of yellow, and I think it is irritating his bottom. I have been applying diaper rash ointment with zink oxide and it seemed helped in the beginning, but now it is not doing anything. I am going to try to leave him without diaper today, but do you know of any other treatment, cream, etc?

oldie44 - Sunday, 20 July
Hi, Anna,
I hope you might have adivse for me - my baby's left eye became watery and yellow discharge started collecting in the corner. I have been putting my breastmilk in the eye, but when I called my after hours service in my clinic, nurse sounded surprised and said to stop doing it. She said he might have blocked tear duct and I need to see a Dr tomorrow. I will, but I want to do something helpful now, do you know if breastmilk is OK to put in the eye? I also tried Chamomile and strong tea, like we use dto do in our country, nothing helps so far.

niseybear - Sunday, 20 July
Hello everyone!

I just wanted to let you all know that I won't be on as much. Nothing is wrong, I just do better when I visit here every 4 days or so instead of everyday. We are well with the exception of my husband working 6 days a week and not having any family time. Today (sunday) is supposed to be our day together, but he's at work. I'm hoping he's feeling okay when he gets off and maybe if it's not too late, he, Mo, and I can go for a drive and then later him and I to a movie. Work is cool and I'm only one month away from starting school. I know what I want to be when I grow up....A TEACHER!

I don't want to be a server when I'm 50.

I only need 4 courses for my AA and then I can start my work for my BA in elementary education. I'M SCARED TO DEATH, but I know if it's meant to be, G-d will see to it.

Mo is 7 months old now and is an official crawler!

He only scoots every now and again. He was standing up in his crib this morning and I just about died!

He was more on his toes, but it was so cute! Looks like he may be walking soon. I haven't breastfed in nearly a month and a half and it's odd, I do miss it. What a closeness Mo and I had while I was doing it. We still have that bond, but breastfeeding made it even more special. I haven't had a period in about 3 months now, but I did bleed for about a day and a half last month. I'm going to talk to my OB if I don't see a cycle once I hit the green pills on my BC. Of course I'm not pregnant, no signs whatsoever. And I know what they mean when they say, once you've been pregnant, you know instantly the next time you are. I took 2 tests over 2 months and of course BFN and I'm okay with that. I want to enjoy Mo for a little while longer. And this house just isn't big enough for another little one.

Our stimulus check arrived on July 7th and it was SO NICE to finally receive it. Money was low and now we're on the high end once again and I'm hoping it stays that way for a bit. Well, let me go, my little man has been in his activity center long enough watching Baby Einstein. He's such a good boy...even if he does wake up at 2:45 in the AM and doesn't go down again til nearly 4AM!

Oh I was MAD this AM because I was SO tired. I put him back in his crib because I was upset and a few minutes later hubby stepped in and took over. I didn't hear him again til 6am and I was okay with that. Got him a bottle and he fell asleep about 30 minutes later and we BOTH slept til nearly 8:30!

Hope all you guys are well. Be blessed and take care!

oldie44 - Friday, 18 July
Mine sleeps a lot, I often have to wake him up for feedings and then it is hard to keep him awake at the breast. Whenever he tries to oversleep his feedings, I begin to worry that my milk will decline, I know I am crazy about it, but I just can't relax about this issue, I have to accept myself the way I am.
When my baby is not asleep, which is mostly in the morning, he stays in bouncer and looks pretty happy for about 30 min. My husband is not as involved with this one as with Elizabeth. I think bcs he works more and when he gets home it is already after 6-7 and he needs to eat, do some yard work, pay attention to Elizabeth... At night he is available, but if I do not ask for help, he will sleep through. I try not to wake him up without big need. He has not changed a baby's diaper even once yet.
I do not sleep with baby in my bed, I do not think I can get rest with him being so near. He is in his playyard bed and inside small co-sleeper for coziness.
Interesting why some women leak breast milk and some do not.
I have a live-in help right now, after my husband went to work. This lady is Russian, came to visit her daughter and will only work for me for 1 month as she is going back to Moscow in August. I am glad she is around but at the same time her presence irritates me sometimes. I do not know if I will want someone after her. I will try to manage by myself and see how successful I will be. My psychological state is a little wobly, better in the morning and as day progresses, closer to night, I get more nervous. For some reasons, I fear how nights will go, whether he will sleep, whether I will sleep, etc. I thought about getting out to the mall or some support group, but after i went to Dr, I realized that these outings are too much disruption for baby's routine, hot in the car, cold in buidings, hard to manage carseat, etc, not worth the effort. I tell myself that every next day will bring us closer to when he starts interacting, smiling, holding head. Then we will have more fun together. Right now I just admire his existance and can't get enough just looking and touching him. I also feel how amazing that I produced this new person and wonder about his future personality. I know that all difficulties of beginning will pass and I will laugh at myself looking back. It is just right now every day stretches forever, being stuck at home...
Has your baby's cord fall off? We still holding on to it, have not had a good bath yet, can't wait for this experience.. This morning I stuck him under the running water and felt better when washed his bottom with the soap.
His skin is almost cleared from little pimples and he never developed any jundice. OK, enough wining on my part. Keep writing to me.

oldie44 - Friday, 18 July
Hi, Anna,
I was writing reply to you a couple of days ago and did not finsih, my daughter closed site. Anyway, I am doing OK, yesterday went to first Dr app-t, she called my boy a "muss", the delivery nurse called him "turkey". At 10 days he is plus 6oz from his 9, 5.5. Dr said he is perfect, I tend to agree with her.
My only issue is he is still has not mastered good lutch and at night it is almost impossible to get him to eat. So, I ended up calling lactation consultant and renting a Symphony Medela breast pump. I wake up at night and pump and then give the milk through the bottle saving myself hour of unproductive feeding. However, coupled with his nipple pulling and pump nipple pulling, my nipples are very sore still. I use cream but it is not helping much. I started taking fenugreek and mother's milk tea ro increase milk supply, I never leak dueing or between feedings. I do not know if it is any indication of not enough milk, but the issue of not being able to supply my baby's needs had been my obsession with previous baby and I am still anxious about it, just not as crazy since he takes bottle with formula easy and I know I will always have a back up.
I also had terrible hemorrhoids but with all family efforts they got me multiple ointments and it gets better.
Overall, he is a wonderful baby, sleeping well at night and when is not hungry and not sleeping lays in bouncer for good 30-40 min just looking around.
How things going with you?

oldie44 - Thursday, 17 July
Hi, Anna,
I was writing reply to you a couple of days ago and did not finsih, my daughter closed site. Anyway, I am doing OK, yesterday went to first Dr app-t, she called my boy a "muss", the delivery nurse called him "turkey". At 10 days he is plus 6oz from his 9, 5.5. Dr said he is perfect, I tend to agree with her.
My only issue is he is still has not mastered good lutch and at night it is almost impossible to get him to eat. So, I ended up calling lactation consultant and renting a Symphony Medela breast pump. I wake up at night and pump and then give the milk through the bottle saving myself hour of unproductive feeding. However, coupled with his nipple pulling and pump nipple pulling, my nipples are very sore still. I use cream but it is not helping much. I started taking fenugreek and mother's milk tea ro increase milk supply, I never leak dueing or between feedings. I do not know if it is any indication of not enough milk, but the issue of not being able to supply my baby's needs had been my obsession with previous baby and I am still anxious about it, just not as crazy since he takes bottle with formula easy and I know I will always have a back up.
I also had terrible hemorrhoids but with all family efforts they got me multiple ointments and it gets better.
Overall, he is a wonderful baby, sleeping well at night and when is not hungry and not sleeping lays in bouncer for good 30-40 min just looking around.
How things going with you?

yari - Sunday, 13 July
I have always found it completely amazing how I hear every single breath, and mine sleeps completely thru it. He is back at work and has to wake up early, but sometimes I try to make noise or not be quiet and he just doesn't bite.

babesinaugust - Sunday, 13 July
I always sleep with my babies at least for the first two months. They like the heat and the smell and the comfort we offer them. I do not have a co-sleep thing in the middle. It is funny hospitals tell you not to sleep with them, MW tell you you should!!!
Enjoy your bundle...I just find the crib is too "open" for them right at this age. Just my opinion.

sparklyval - Sunday, 13 July
Hi there! How are things with you and little Michael? I am glad that he is feeding soe well. It is lovely that you are able to breastfeed him. I am hoping to also when I have my baby. Despite what the professionals often say, I dont think it hurts to mix formula and brestfeeding. I mostly breastfed my second daughter, but she had a bottle too sometimes. It makes life much less stressful.

I'm not sure about being clumsy, but I am certainly a bit of a liability at the moment! I survived an (almost) major disaster a couple of days ago when I nearly set fire to our kitchen!! I left a pan of pasta cooking for a few minutes and when I returned I was shocked to see fairly big flames!! I panicked and threw a jug of water over them, which calmed it down, but didn't quite put out the small fire, so then I covered it in a wet towel. The fire had been caused by the plastic handle of a utensil melting as it was too close to the heat. It must have got so hot it caught alight. Thankfully there is no real damage done, other than having a lot of clearing up to do from the melted plastic, water etc - but it was a big shock and quite scary at the time! It just goes to show how easy it is for these things to happen as I was only away from the cooker for a few minutes!! OMG - pregnancy and multi-tasking don't really go together! I must just focus on one thing at a time, especially when it involves cooking!

Hope you are well, Valerie x

Life is blessed - Sunday, 13 July
Congratulations mama....O my god...he is sooooo cute. Chubby baby, I want to hold him right now. He is really a bundle of joy. I can't wait to see my baby boy in another 6 weeks also. Hopefully, he won't decide to stay inside me past 40 weeks, because I have no patience left. I am glad your doctor took a right decission to induce you. May you recover fast from the C-section and stay healthy. Hugs and lots of kisses to the Micheal Steven K. God bless you all.

christelle - Sunday, 13 July
We do the same thing. I live in Japan, cosleeping is normal here. As long as you aren't drunk or drugged when sleeping, it should be fine. I know there is a lot of paranoia about cosleeping back home, but in many parts ofthe world it is normal. (I kind of like napping with my son).

eulaha - Sunday, 13 July
I often put my 3-week old in bed with me to nap. I just make sure to put lay on my side, facing her so that there's no way I could roll over on her. I try not to, but sometimes that's the only way I can get any rest! If I put her in her bassinett, and she cries, I have to get out of bed and tend to her. But, if she's sleeping next to me, it's easier to tend to her...you know?

yari - Sunday, 13 July
I know I do the same thing all night, constantly feeding, burping and diaper changing at some point or another. I am up every single hour at some point. The one that I can't take it anymore and I am delirious is the 4-5 am feed after being up all night. This is the feed that he comes in the bed with me. He doesn't cry, but fusses and squirms to the point that if he is not sleeping, neither am I. Maybe compromising and "sticking to ur guns" and having your little one in bassinet no matter what and then picking a time he comes in the bed with you. Easier said than done tho as mine has the stuffiest nose and even tho I put a pillow in his pack n play bassinet area, he still fussed, soooo guess where I put him for my own sanity, the bed. I slept 2 hours in a row and saw relief!! Good luck, I am still trying to find some sort of routine or consistency myself =)

greenrose - Saturday, 12 July
Thanks!! That makes me feel better. Good to know it's not just my little one!

oldie44 - Friday, 11 July
O, i like Mikhael Steven! My kids did not let me give Anthony middle name since none of them have it (Elizabeth, the 6 yo does not have it for the same reasons). My older said that Anthony Shane Sharf will give initials ASS, and I do not want the child suffer teasing later. I agreeed since I never realized that before.
My milk came in, but it is not enough, we feed all the time, an hour at a time, then seems another time piles up. I use a bottle after breast when I see he is still hungry and rooting. Usually he gulps additional 2 oz easily and feel a lttle happier. I am still concerned with his latch, so I called lactation consultant who is supposed to come in today, I will tell you if I learn something interesting.
Otherwise is a regular stuff, not sleeping at night is the most tiring. I will work on pictures soon.

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