Thank you for the support and comments on my last post. When I was pregnant with Charlotte I felt a bit frantic about the friendship with fellow mamas component. As in, I had none. Now I have more mama friends than I can count on my fingers and toes combined and I just love it. I think the support of women is vitally important for new mamas and as I make my way through this hazy postpartum time I am so grateful to have friends who check in via e-mail, friends whose comments here reassure and make me laugh, friends in the area who drop by, who bring food over, who offer advice and hugs and kindness, and friends who have also lost, who understand how overwhelming it is to have a baby in heaven and a baby in arms. Maybe it's the hormones, but I just love you all so much today.
In other news: the B man had a fabulous night last night! We only needed the magic gripe water once, he fed well and slept well. I took the advice of a nearby mama (as in two doors down) and when he woke up for his 6:45 am feed, I didn't get up. I ignored my book, my phone, the laptop, my slightly hungry tummy, and went back to sleep until 9:15. It was so wonderful to get that little bit extra sleep in. Usually I can't sleep past 7 am, but I moved Bennett from the co-sleeper into bed with me and we both slept like kittens. When I woke up to his face right next to mine, his hand on my cheek the words of my pediatrician came to mind: "He sleeps on his own surface, right? Um, yes, most of the time.
And then we tried the whole side lying nursing thing, but I think that project will have to wait for another time. Bennett and I need to do some YouTube studying before we attempt that one again.
After our wonderful sleep we were feeling good so I decided a trip to Target was in order. Our first trip out all by ourselves to a big, big store - eeek! I dressed him in a really cute outfit, even though it was too big,
and then we were off.
Wait. Before we were off I decided to let him eat a bit. I knew it would be more of a snack than anything since it had only been an hour and a half since his last feed, but I wanted him in tip top shape for our big adventure. I was feeling so confident about my nursing skills I decided to nurse him really quick in the dining room with nary a burp cloth in sight. He nursed for a second, decided he really was too full to continue and unlatched himself. Well, goodness me, milk EVERYWHERE. It shot across the dining room - seriously didn't know I had this skill - drenched B's face, hit the wall, hit two of the dining room chairs. And I just stood there staring, amazed at the carnage, nothing at hand to stop it with. I eventually stopped marveling, grabbed a blanket, wiped his face, wiped the chairs and wall, and put myself back together.
The trip actual went really well. Bennett nestled down in the sling and was asleep within minutes. I was worried he would fuss, and for a moment I thought I was without pacifier, which left me feeling panicky and sweaty, but he only fussed when removed from the sling and we didn't need the pacifier, not even for one second.
Mama! Put me back in the sling, please!
I bought everything on my list and then wandered for a little while. It was nice to be out of the house, see other humans, walk around a bit. I am feeling really good physically right now. I imagine it's the blood builders, plus the iron, plus the placenta capsules I'm taking. My back is bothering me, but even with walking around and carrying Bennett today it's not hurting too bad.
The sling is wonderful. People come close and peer at Bennett, or smile and weave past to get a close look, but no one touches him. I was so worried about going out in public and having everyone place their hands on his sweet face, but it appears having him close to me keeps people at a respectable distance. I'm still a little nervous about the sling and my sling wearing skills, but it's much easier for me than hauling his car seat in and out of places. That thing is heavy! And with all of the news reports about babies falling and dying after being placed in the top portion of carts in their car seats I would rather avoid the car seat and store combo entirely.
I feel like Bennett and I conquered the world in one short morning. This newborn baby gig is tough, but I really, really, really love it. Pin It
18 comments:
I could just picture the milk 'carnage' in the dining room. It is amazing what breasts are capable of when breast feeding. Glad to hear your excursion went well. A girl can only go so long between Target shopping trips you know. :) Best for Bennett to learn that at a young age.
I love this! It reminds me of those early days with my boy, when even the little things felt like such big accomplishments! It's the best. :)
p.s. I love your baby! ;)
co-sleeping is the best! I love the Newborn baby thing too. God bless you!!
Kallen has taken many, many morning 'naps' with momma in my bed...I love it. Now that he is older, 14 months (today...sigh) he sleeps in our bed between my husband and I most every night. I suppose at some point this will have to change, but we all enjoy it and sleep well together right now. Waking up to a little face and a little hand on my face is still just as wonderful 14 months in :)
Hooray for you and your outing - you rock!! :)
Once you try co-sleeping, you are unlikely to go back! We used an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper attached to our bed. Baby started out the night in there, then came into bed with us sometime during the night to sleep/stay attached to the boob if needed. Now he has outgrown the co-sleeper and starts the night in his crib, eventually coming into our bed sometime around 3 am to finish out the night. We love cuddling with him in bed and have never felt like we endanger him by having him in the family bed. I wish pediatricians would chill out a little regarding the co-sleeping thing. I don't like lying to doctors nor do I like being lectured about where my baby sleeps.
P.S. As a low milk producer I am sooo jealous of your powerful milk-shooting abilities!
I'm glad you're heeding the warning of the car-seat-on-cart news. It's something we car seat fanatics have been saying for a long time. It's much healthier for Bennet to be in a sling with Mama than stuck in a car seat any more than necessary for transporting him in a car, anyway. :) If absolutely necessary, you may be able to settle the car seat down into the basket of the cart (so it doesn't move the center of gravity up high and cause tipping) but that only works with relatively wide carts.
And there is something wonderful about curling up for sleep time in bed with your precious baby, isn't there? Aeryn's been in our bed with us at least part time since birth, and none of us would have it any other way.
You are doing a great job, Mama. :)
awww! i have the same outfit in purple and white for Kaylee! Old Navy? So glad you ventured out! And btw, Kaylee sleeps with us, by choice, pretty frequently. After a loss, the closeness can NEVER be too much!!!
This post makes me so happy! I'm glad you had a great day and a great outing. Cosleeping is fabulous. All I can say about your milk production capabilities is wow! Have you seen that shirt "I make milk - what's your superpower?" I think somehow that may have been presciently made for you . . .
Great job getting out! You're basically a pro! :) I HAVE to recommend what I wore my daughter in for pretty much 6 months straight. (Plus I have tried every carrier/wrap/sling on the market) The Sleepy Wrap. It's the absolute best for newborns, holds that baby so securely. It's just like the Moby Wrap if you have heard of that, but the fabric is stretchier so you can get a tighter hold. It is slightly complicated to get the wrapping technique down because there is lots of fabric, but once you do it a couple times it becomes super simple! (thank you, you tube!) I can't recommend it enough!!! Hope tonight goes as well as last night for you! :)
Aw, look at his little peepers peeping up at you! How sweet. I am seriously consider a sling for the new lo due in March but I'm sling stupid, ha ha. I remember the squirty boob. One time in particular when Eli was still just an itty bitty he was nursing, then right as let down happened he unlatched. Needless to say he got quite the shower and was less than pleased.
happy babymoon! great job! now, I was wondering where did you get that outfit? it is adorable.
I'm sling stupid too, but once you watch enough videos on YouTube you'll figure it out! I highly recommend a sling of some sort, they're very handy.
Thanks! I found it at Old Navy, on the clearance rack!
I have a Sleepy Wrap sitting on the book case in the nursery. I'm a little scared of it, but really would like to tackle it soon. Perhaps that will be our end of the week project.
I am glad that you had such a good day! Bennett is such a cutie! You have inspired me to try an outing of our own today :)
What kind of sling do you use? And, what about the gripe water is magical? I am thinking about getting some as Norah has some killer hiccups at times and I have read that they work well for that. I would love your input as anything "magical" would be great :)
I discovered your blog when a friend of mine in Damascus Oregon, Elizabeth, told me about it several months ago. I came by today and read with joy about Bennett---I am so happy for you! I remember learning how to get out and about with my new little one (now a strapping 16 year old I am teaching how to drive---don't try to imagine it, I couldn't even believe it when he turned 10, much less a teenager!) I called this time you are going thru "Learning to live my life all over----this time with a baby in it!" Trying to keep my house clean, shop, cook===trying to do just about anything was a whole new adventure with a little sweet pea as part of it! Enjoy. And if Bennett has his little fussy times, or you have some fussy times (I blame the "not-enough-sleep" thing) all my mommy friends kept reminding me.......It gets better!
Oh.........and if this helps-----everything is easier and goes by faster when you add another little one (or two) to the family! You'll know if/when you are ready for it
I'm with you on the sling. So much easier than lugging the car seat. And I'm jealous of your sleep ins. We did that with Angus, but don't have that option now, as he's up at 7am (or earlier!) every day so absolutely enjoy it while you can. This post made me really happy, spilt milk and all :)
Post a Comment