Pregnant riders support group? :)

[butiwantedapony]

With DS #1, he slept well from the beginning, 4-5 hours straight the a couple wake ups over next couple hours in the night.

My pediatrician told me NOT to let him go more than 3 hours without waking him to eat. At 9 lb 7 oz he really did not need to wake up to eat and I ignored this advice instead of teaching my babe to wake up to eat. I think as long as your baby is healthy and strong, they will wake YOU when they need to eat.

[Small_Change]

pinkpony - For what it’s worth, I only woke my baby up for the first night when we brought her home, trying to keep on the three hour feeding schedule. She was premature, and I was so worried that I would miss her trying to wake me up, then she’s drop her blood sugar or something, and I would be happy because she was “sleeping” when really she was getting into trouble because she was too weak to ask to be fed.

She was pretty much set on the three hour schedule without my help though, so the second night, I just sat and stared until she woke and asked to be fed. She did a very good job of waking up on time, and from that point on, I’ve just fed her when she asked at night. She stayed on the three hour schedule for probably four or five months, then started stretching out the middle section. At seven months now, we’re up to a four hour, then five hour stretch over night.

Honestly, know the warning signs as to how your baby will present if it is getting into trouble with breathing or feeding, then just focus on letting baby train you as to what cues it will give you for different things. I honestly think that if you focus on what YOUR baby is trying to tell you, versus what the books say all babies will do, you’ll be just fine. I truly believe that time around animals makes us better at responding to nonverbal cues, which makes things easier with a tiny person. Just try things, as long as they aren’t unsafe, and let your baby guide you. Some are independent from day one, others prefer to be kept close - being stuck on either way of doing things if it’s not really what your baby wants will be frustrating for both of you!

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=pinkpony321;8413798]
I’m so tired of reading all of the conflicting crap… (SNIP) I am seriously considering putting down all of the books and just trying to do this whole thing intuitively. seems like a much better option…I mean, women have been doing this for eons, so I should be able to, right?![/QUOTE]

Honestly, I didn’t make it through one single baby book. I thumbed through Jenny McCarthy’s Belly Laughs and tried to read Babywise, but it just put me to sleep. DH and I are just winging it and it seems to be working well so far. DS is a smiling happy baby 95% of the time and at 8 weeks he’s up to sleeping about 7 hours overnight. Hallefreakinglujah! He’s a great self soother (unless he’s hangry!)

What works for us:

1. We don’t swaddle. We cut that out at about 4 weeks old because he just kept getting his arms out of it… even the velcro ones. We use sleeveless sleep sacks instead.
2. We don’t co-sleep. DS has been in his crib in his bedroom since we came home from the hospital.
3. No nightlight in his room. Our baby monitor has night vision.
4. We have a flexible routine, not a schedule. I can’t even keep myself on a daily schedule with no kid. So we’re doing the best we can.
5. At our last feeding at night, I let him fall asleep at the breast. Then we put him in his crib. Even if he wakes up and moves around a bit, he’ll eventually fall back asleep quietly on his own.
6. We hold him and cuddle him a lot. He’s going to be our only child so we only get this one chance.

[Heineken]

[QUOTE=JLC;8407208]
Ok ladies from the “other” side… I just started really stressing about bringing a new baby home. Give me a new horse or a foal and I got this, but a brandy new tiny human baby, I am scarred to death.

Any tips for the first time mom expecting? I know all babies are different, but what are the first couple of weeks like?[/QUOTE]

Tips: accept help. Even if you don’t think you’ll want or need it. Eat all the things people bring you, you won’t have time to cook. Go easy on yourself, take a little time each day to watch tv, read, shower or SOMETHING. Get outside to walk a little with or without baby, weather dependent. As far as the tiny human, you’ll be FINE. But feel free to mail me, hhytken@gmail.com with questions if you want. I’m no expert but I can at least be morally supportive!

[rugbygirl]

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8414575]
Honestly, I didn’t make it through one single baby book. I thumbed through Jenny McCarthy’s Belly Laughs and tried to read Babywise, but it just put me to sleep. DH and I are just winging it and it seems to be working well so far. DS is a smiling happy baby 95% of the time and at 8 weeks he’s up to sleeping about 7 hours overnight. Hallefreakinglujah! He’s a great self soother (unless he’s hangry!)

What works for us:

1. We don’t swaddle. We cut that out at about 4 weeks old because he just kept getting his arms out of it… even the velcro ones. We use sleeveless sleep sacks instead.
2. We don’t co-sleep. DS has been in his crib in his bedroom since we came home from the hospital.
3. No nightlight in his room. Our baby monitor has night vision.
4. We have a flexible routine, not a schedule. I can’t even keep myself on a daily schedule with no kid. So we’re doing the best we can.
5. At our last feeding at night, I let him fall asleep at the breast. Then we put him in his crib. Even if he wakes up and moves around a bit, he’ll eventually fall back asleep quietly on his own.
6. We hold him and cuddle him a lot. He’s going to be our only child so we only get this one chance.[/QUOTE]

This is very similar to how we did things with number one. Except I didn’t even try to read two books. I’ll google the odd thing, there are some good resources out there, but lots of times my reaction to an article is SO violently in opposition, I’m sorry I checked. I collected a few good sites as my go-to resources, and found some moms that I clicked with, but mainly rely on my own instinct and judgement.

[Heineken]

I’m pretty much a trust my gut kind of mom too. Maybe it’s years caring for the fur kids that have taught me this? My DS started to drop weight FAST and clearly was struggling to breast feed. I bought formula, called the lactation consultant and had him in for tongue tie procedures within 2 weeks. It might not have been what all moms would do but it was what I felt needed to be done.

Another word of advice, make mommy friends. These may not be people you would hang with in normal life but they are going through the same things as you and will be vital.

[pinkpony321]

Thanks everyone, for your thoughts on intuitive mommy-hood:)
I think I will put the books down and trust my gut. I’m really good with the animals, so I just need to parlay those skills into tiny humans:)

[Hunterkid]

I haven’t been reading stuff either. We were planning on just going with the flow. We are both very laid back so hoping babe is too !

[keepthelegend]

Wish I had seen this thread for my first! I totally agree with the Depends - just put on that diaper and relax! Not only will it not leak, but it’s so absorbent you won’t feel like you are hanging out in your own afterbirth all day.

Baby Bargains book - not just bargains, reviews everything you need and is pretty spot on

Rock N Play - lifesaver especially if your baby spits up. Get the deluxe version with the padding to alleviate any flat head concerns.

If you breastfeed, get ready for a 24 hr job. It’s all I could talk about for the first few months with my first. Like at seriously inappropriate times to people who were not interested. The whole 3 hr between feedings (which is start to start anyway) never happened, my babies lived on my boob the first couple of months. The first week or two I would think “but she just ate!” and dance around my living room or whack her back to burp or think she was colicky, but stick her on the boob once again and she usually had another good session and went to sleep. It’s your best friend in the early days!

If the baby won’t latch - like really won’t latch - try the nipple shield.

Especially if you have a winter baby, get the whooping cough vaccine in your third trimester. If you are anti vaccine, disregard, but if not, ask your Ob/GYn if it’s not brought up…mine never said anything until I asked and then was like "oh yes, definitely’. I think it gets overlooked and can give your baby protection to a virus that is making a comeback.

Hope I didn’t lecture! This is making me kind of broody again!

[rugbygirl]

I didn’t find breastfeeding was all I did, but my kid settled into a routine pretty quickly…he actually pushed ME into a routine. He was also a champion eater, not all babies are…my friend’s daughter was a “nibble grazer” Lol. All freakin’ day. On the boobs. She just got into baby wearing in a big way.

Also agree, reach out to make friends with other moms. I found they tend to run in like-minded packs. I had to abandon a few groups with whom I did not agree. They were pretty militant and lecture-y. The group I settled on was actually a mostly members of a church that I don’t belong to, so I got to learn about their church a little AND enjoy the company of some pretty awesome ladies. Hoping to hook back up with them more regularly after number two arrives.

[rugbygirl]

[QUOTE=Heineken;8414627]
I’m pretty much a trust my gut kind of mom too. Maybe it’s years caring for the fur kids that have taught me this? My DS started to drop weight FAST and clearly was struggling to breast feed. I bought formula, called the lactation consultant and had him in for tongue tie procedures within 2 weeks. It might not have been what all moms would do but it was what I felt needed to be done.

Another word of advice, make mommy friends. These may not be people you would hang with in normal life but they are going through the same things as you and will be vital.[/QUOTE]

Honestly, I think the horse connection is a thing. To have success with a horse (in any definition) you need to be sensitive to cues and responses. I think babies are a lot the same, they can tell you what they want if you listen…even the colicky ones that are incredibly difficult…you can’t always solve the colic, but you figure out how to live your life jiggling the baby exactly right!

[Nickelodian]

FWIW, I am a schedule girl, love my schedule.

Due to his small size (brought him home at 4 lbs 13 oz) waking up at night to feed was not optional. He was a slow gainer to start with and he would have slept right through. Trust what your ped says, and your instinct. I didn’t read a single book before I had him, but since I really like Wonder Weeks. It helps in understanding his cognitive development.

I breastfeed, but am also on a bottle due to his slow gaining. RX high calorie formula. I still have to pump, but have gotten my supply really stabilized.

Heineken - I’m going to email you, I could use another mommy friend.

[Heineken]

Nick, anytime!

[JLC]

[QUOTE=Heineken;8414604]
Tips: accept help. Even if you don’t think you’ll want or need it. Eat all the things people bring you, you won’t have time to cook. Go easy on yourself, take a little time each day to watch tv, read, shower or SOMETHING. Get outside to walk a little with or without baby, weather dependent. As far as the tiny human, you’ll be FINE. But feel free to mail me, hhytken@gmail.com with questions if you want. I’m no expert but I can at least be morally supportive![/QUOTE]

Thank you Heineken!

[CRTXLaw]

34 weeks here! I think I have read (or at least skimmed) every book on Pregnancy, Labor, Sleep, etc. Feels that way at least. So, if anyone wants cliffs notes (or a recommendation before you buy one) you can ask me. Reading somehow helps me worry less.

I have recently transitioned from mildly uncomfortable to near-miserable. I have swollen feet and hands (I thought I would escape this by being due in winter - no such luck). I have muscle aches that radiate up and down my back. My whole body hurts, I feel like an old lady. Sometimes I go to the toilet to pee 10 times in an hour - I think the baby is pressing on my bladder then. I still haven’t slowed down too much and realize I am way luckier than most with these annoyances, but this is not fun. I can’t imagine those of you who go through this while taking care of other small children at home!

At least I am feeling ready - I’m 98% organized to bring baby home and got Christmas stuff done early so that I can try to take it easy from here on out - and by that I mean working full-time as a lawyer, commuting 40 min each way, and managing a farm with 6 horses Luckily I have a very supportive husband!

Thanks for all the updates from the mamas! I have taken Nick’s advice on her must-have baby gear. I also bought my depends already… didn’t think I would be wearing those for a few decades, but hey, whatever works

[pinkpony321]

CRTXlaw- congrats on getting your Christmas stuff up!! We haven’t even started here, and I am dreading it.

38 weeks here and hanging in there. I find my exercise tolerance has his bottom but other than that, still feeling reasonably good. Starting to get less scared and more excited about baby’s impending arrival:)

[butiwantedapony]

I was just about to post something similar, CRTXlaw.

I am almost 36 weeks and am absolutely miserable. I have less than no energy and simply sweeping the floor will have me crippled for days with hip/back and sciatic nerve pain. I am feeling beyond guilty for not being able to play with my almost 2 year old son more and for being pretty well useless at, well, everything these days. I am absolutely huge (all belly), people keep asking me if its twins/if I am overdue/must be any minute now! Argh!!! Most of my maternity clothes don’t even fit anymore.

And the Braxton Hicks- ugh. They have been constant for months now and I’m getting really weary of it. I get them every single time I stand up or do ANY type of physical activity. I’m operating on a “survive through the day” basis.

Hard to believe that my due date is still an entire month away. And lord help me if he comes later- SIX more weeks of this!?

On the bright side I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and soon will not be pregnant and will be able to ride and cuddle my little one and play with my son again. And This will be the last baby for us, so it really is just a little bit more misery left

From my experience with my older son- I cannot remember feeling miserable at all during pregnancy, although my husband insists I was. So hopefully in a few short weeks I won’t even remember how I feel now!

[pinkpony321]

so, this morning has not been my morning.

I’ve been doing pretty well on the “clumsy” scale this whole pregnancy. but while running late for work (thanks, hubby…we carpool on Tuesdays and he is perpetually late) I slipped and fell down in the garage. I think I mostly landed on my hip, but did have some dirt on my belly- probably from rolling over slightly to try to get up.
Baby is moving, but my hip and ankle are SCREAMING. And I have a little bit of cramping going on. Doctor opens at 8, will call them then.
Who was it here that had the dog vomit fall? Drmng?
I felt like such a clumsy fool! up until then, I hadn’t come to grips with the fact that I am no longer a graceful creature (not that I really was before, anyway…)

[JLC]

[QUOTE=pinkpony321;8421545]
so, this morning has not been my morning.

I’ve been doing pretty well on the “clumsy” scale this whole pregnancy. but while running late for work (thanks, hubby…we carpool on Tuesdays and he is perpetually late) I slipped and fell down in the garage. I think I mostly landed on my hip, but did have some dirt on my belly- probably from rolling over slightly to try to get up.
Baby is moving, but my hip and ankle are SCREAMING. And I have a little bit of cramping going on. Doctor opens at 8, will call them then.
Who was it here that had the dog vomit fall? Drmng?
I felt like such a clumsy fool! up until then, I hadn’t come to grips with the fact that I am no longer a graceful creature (not that I really was before, anyway…)[/QUOTE]

Oh gosh!!! Hope you are ok??? Definitely get things checked out…

[Against_All_Odds1]

[QUOTE=pinkpony321;8421545]
so, this morning has not been my morning.

I’ve been doing pretty well on the “clumsy” scale this whole pregnancy. but while running late for work (thanks, hubby…we carpool on Tuesdays and he is perpetually late) I slipped and fell down in the garage. I think I mostly landed on my hip, but did have some dirt on my belly- probably from rolling over slightly to try to get up.
Baby is moving, but my hip and ankle are SCREAMING. And I have a little bit of cramping going on. Doctor opens at 8, will call them then.
Who was it here that had the dog vomit fall? Drmng?
I felt like such a clumsy fool! up until then, I hadn’t come to grips with the fact that I am no longer a graceful creature (not that I really was before, anyway…)[/QUOTE]

Oh my goodness that is no good! I hope baby is all good as is momma!