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Hello, Leslie Jade, Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of--God damn it, you've got to be kind.
Not my words, of course, but good words nonetheless.
Congratulations dawnmaria! She's a cutie! No good suggestions for the gas though, I'm afraid.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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Lay the infant belly down over your forearm, supporting her face with your hand (ensure the nose is free for breathing) and gently rub.
Over the knee can work, too. Supporting th head, gently jiggle your knee up and down.
Some babies need to be up along your shoulder and then some gentle bouncing.
Are you breast feeding or bottle feeding. Bottles can release airbubbles which hurt, so you need to watch for that and burp more frequently.
I'm sure other experts will chime in, soon.
Now, about that mommy care . . . there is nothing (I repeat NOTHING) so important as you and the baby right now. Sleep, eat, cuddle, bond, babycare, self care, repeat. For the next month.
posted
Congratulations! She looks remarkably like my Sophie! What a sweetie!
Also take care with what you are eating if you are breastfeeding. I've found that I can not eat certain foods like black beans or jalepenos (shame on me yesterday, Sophie was very unhappy) and some foods are okay in small doses like broccoli. If you are formula feeding, you may also want to try switching formulas to see if there is one that is a little easier on her tummy.
Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
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My milk hasn't been enough even though i give her the breast every 2 hours and i pump if she sleeps through it, so i have been supplementing w/ soy formula. Weird food isn't really an issue. i have to force myself to eat. i've lost 37 pounds since she was born. since i gained zero during the pregnancy i can wear pre prego clothes already. the doc's office doesn't think mixing the formula and milk is a prob but i am going to see what they say at her check up tuesday. she's already gained 2 lbs so she is getting enough food. i just hate to see her in pain with the gas. and it's always right before bed time. Posts: 601 | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
It takes time for breastmilk to come in, and supplementing with formula just inhibits the production of milk - the more baby suckles, the more demand, the more supply.
There are a couple of really good threads on breastfeeding support around here. I'll take a look -
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Shan is right. The more you supplement, the less the baby will nurse, thus the more you supplement . . . it becomes a vicious cycle, and can result in weaning long before either of you wants.
Try nursing more often, if you can. And a consultation with a (local) lactation consultant may be useful as well.
As far as gas, Shan and Christy had some good ideas there as well. But one thing I didn't see suggested is simethicone. For some babies, it helps tremendously, especially in combination with the methods mentioned above.
Good luck! And enjoy that little darling. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I would wake her up if she is sleeping through feedings, and not pump until your milk supply is established (about a month). I would also do some reading about breastfeeding -- the La Leche book and "A Nursing Mother's Companion" have been recommended here and offer some good information and there are many websites out there.
Its up to you if you want to supplement with formula, but realize that this will eventually lead to all formula feedings unless you really are vigilant. The only way I've seen this work is a formula feeding at night.
However, if you are not eating, it may be a healthier thing for YOU to formula feed. You will need to eat about 300 extra calories above your prepregnancy diet to account for the nursing and be sure to keep hydrated. Have your husband keep you in snacks and juices or liquids.
Are you formula feeding the feeding before you put her to bed? Again, you may want to try to switch formulas to see if she is having trouble digesting the one you are using.
Good luck!
Edit: Also, if she has gained 2 lbs, you probably don't need to worry about supplementing. Most babies lose weight their first weeks until your milk supply and their schedule is established and this is okay. They worry if she has lost more than 10% of her birth weight, but again, something to talk to your doctor about.
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