Firstly let me say - I LOVE BEING A MOM! I love my little girl SOOO much and it is a JOY to me to spend my days and nights taking care of her. But it has come with some tears!
The first week was a blur. The first couple of nights I had trouble sleeping - I was so worried about Marilyn choking or SIDS, etc.. the only thing that let me sleep was using a Snuza monitor that would alarm if it sensed no movement/she stopped breathing. The first 7-10 days I peed just as much as I did during the last weeks of pregnancy, sweat a TON, and bled quite a bit - but not as much as my periods. (I have horrible and heavy periods, though! I still bled a lot!) I stayed on a rotation of motrin & tylenol so I didn't have very bad cramps like I've heard some people complain of. I was prepared for period level cramps, too! By about 10 days (I think) a majority of any swelling I had was gone. I can't remember the last time I could see the veins on top of my feet! How nice :)
Breastfeeding: It is amazing that we are born with instincts to suck on nipples for food. It really blows my mind! We are truly wonderfully made!! My milk came in the Monday afternoon after she was born, just two days! My breasts hurt SO bad I pumped the first time to get some relief - I got four ounces from each side. She wasn't latching really well, she'd scream at the breast and pull herself off. I hired a lactation consultant to come by the next day after two long nights and LOTS of tears from Marilyn and I, plus my feeling like a horrible mom. Worth every penny. It immediately helped and I've been using the tools she taught me ever since. :) Marilyn has been fighting feeding a little this week, along with increase feedings and frequency, but I believe that is due to her three week growth spurt. I have a pretty heavy let down so I try to pump for a few minutes before feeding her. It helps the initial latch, but during the feedings I often have other heavy letdowns. (I don't know how many letdowns is normal.) The left side is much heavier than the right (normal) so that side is definitely more of a struggle. Evenings I have a little less milk, but then she will often be extra fussy anyway during the evenings. LOL - life with a newborn!
I've been pumping in between feedings almost daily ever since my milk came in. I already have 150+ ounces frozen. WOW. I'll be donating as soon as the holidays are over and regular office hours resume at OU.
My last weigh in was at a 1 1/2 week follow up with my midwife (she was booked closer to the two week mark) and I was down THIRTY pounds. I still can't believe it. Crazy body! I mean, it's incredible, don't get me wrong, but it is still surprising! I think it's because of a decent metabolism I kept up by keeping up with exercise up to the day I delivered, and drinking a ton of water along with breastfeeding. Definitely isn't diet or exercise. I've been eating a TON of candy and wanting sugar all the time. I think lots of this is due to my being tired and looking for a little lift. I haven't been walking daily since delivering like I should. I walked today nearly two miles with Marilyn and it felt pretty good! Next week I'll be eating more healthy and starting an exercise routine with Tone It Up. I know I need to take care of myself, it's been so easy to put myself on the back burner and just focus on my little girl. But I know I NEED to take care of myself to better take care of and serve my family!
Time to feed - my life is a 2.5 hour routine on repeat infinitely. ha! ;) BYE
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