Wednesday, July 25, 2012

5 weeks old!

I have sat down many times to write this post, only to be interrupted by a burping session, a diaper change, a pacifier fix . .  .  Taking care of a baby is all consuming - don't know how the Yahoo CEO is going to do it without maternity leave - I guess she can afford a full-time nanny, but still.  

Winn is starting to coo and smile and it just melts my heart.  Breastfeeding is going alot better.  It's like learning a new language for both of us.  A book I read described breastfeeding as you and your baby's first conversation.

Randomly through the day and when I am nursing, I have this weird let-down thing where I feel like my body is gross and fat and then a few seconds later, I will have my let-down and the feeling goes away.  My mom told me when she breastfed, she felt really depressed for a minute and then it would go away.  As it turns out, I have a mild case of Dysmorphic Milk Ejection Reflex or D-MER.  It's not bad enough to make me want to quit breastfeeding, but it's just very strange.

We started Zantac last week for the reflux and he has stopped crying so much at night. Also some high powered gas drops called Levsin that I only break out if he is really fussing.  I am doing colief drops (a lactaid for babies) and probiotic powder that I mix into a little expressed breast milk and give him via bottle.  I love my Milkie's Milksaver that Newbie recommended- this little handy contraption allows me to save the milk that leaks from the breast I'm not nursing on.  I use this milk to administer all my little anti-colic cocktails.  Zantac tastes awful, but he doesn't mind it mixed with the milk.

We have started strolling in the Bob and it is so much fun!  It is great to get out of the house, but I wish it wasn't so hot.  Can't wait until the Fall.

Winn has already outgrown his newborn clothes - he is getting heavy!  I get quite a workout toting him around all day long. He sleeps in his swing and also in this cradle by Fisher Price.  The arms reach co-sleeper was a total waste of money.  And sometimes he sleeps in my arms.  I love the miracle blanket for swaddling him.  He will come out of anything else.  He actually sleeps really well at night - I have to wake him up for a feeding, so I don't get super engorged.

Winn's diaper rash went away with a lavendar salve my sister-in-law makes.  Cloth diapering is going much better.  Sometimes, it's exhausting because laundry is not my favorite chore, but we are going through so so many diapers, so the prefolds with covers have been great.  I really like the prefolds with the Flip cover (snaps) and the Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diapers with snaps.

So I feel like we are getting more into a rhythm   I'm slowly catching up on sleep.  Postpartum blues have faded away.  My body is feeling more normal.  Winn is waking up to the world and I love it!





12 comments:

  1. Wow! Time flies! Love hearing about how you're doing. That's AWESOME that W is sleeping so well and that you're starting to get settled and figure things out. Despite some of the ups and downs and D-MER (so crazy!), I'd say you're doing quite well at 5 weeks!! I'm so ready to be done w/ being pregnant... (38w3d). Hope baby comes soon... Anyway, take care!!! You're doing fabulously!

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  2. Holy cow! I have never heard of D-MER. That sounds really unpleasant! It sounds like things are going great, and your little man is so cute!

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  3. What a little cutie! I'm so glad breastfeeding is going better (D-MER and all, who knew that existed?) And I'm so glad the Milkies helped - I am planning on getting some for me as well, will need all of the milk I can get with twins! It's great that you're finding a rhythm with him, enjoy this precious, delicious time!

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  4. Glad to hear things are going well, I can't believe it's been 5 weeks. He is so very cute!

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  5. hehehe...feet! too adorable. Glad things are going well!

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  6. Beautiful! The pictures are the best! :)

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  7. Oh, and sorry you don't like your Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. We used ours all the time. As W grows, it turns into a play yard...so don't give up on it yet. ;o)

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  8. Oh what a wonderful post. Sounds like you are both enjoying your new life! If I can give you a word of advice now, minimize his sleep associations as much as possible. We had no choice because of her stomach pains, so she learned to sleep with motion every time (except night). Now, there is no way she will fall asleep without motion for naps and nursing at night, and we are left with the big task of sleep training. Many families have resorted to the crying out method, which I refuse and don't wish for you and Winn....so just something to think about. He looks beautiful and healthy! Interesting about your milk condition.....just when you think you've heard it all. Glad to see you've made the best of it and are feeling better.

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  9. Wow! 5 weeks already?! He's so beautiful and I'm so glad to hear that things are going well, particularly the breastfeeding.

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  10. I'm so glad things are getting easier! Winn is adorable :) I've had several episodes of feeling gross, but it wasn't just while breast feeding. I think it just takes awhile to adjust to the changes of your body & hormones! I'm glad the breast feeding is getting easier & his tummy issues are resolving. He looks happy & thriving :)

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  11. Awww...sounds like you're both doing great! Win is just a doll...wow! So great hearing an update from you.

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