Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

Figured id post all my questions together instead of a million posts

Anyone have experience switching from pumping/bottle feeding to BF? My DS was a NICU baby so had to start on formula/bottles - now i am pumping and supplementing with formula since my supply is low. Tried to BF a few times but he only stays on for a minutes and isnt getting enough fast enough so doesnt stay latched.......just wondering if anyone had any useful tips ....i really dont want to be pumping for every - its so time consuming.

Diaper bags -- do you use it as a purse also or do you carry a seperate purse and diaper bag (bag seems too small for the contents of my purse but seems crazy to be carrying 2 bags around...

DS spits up alot -- Do you change sheets/outifts everytime?

Whats the trick for covering up DS winkie during diaper changes? Dont want to get sprayed

Am i supposed to put diaper cream on with every change or only if he gets a rash?

Thanks

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

Ok, i can't answer all of your questions since I dont have experience in those areas, BUT...

diaper bag...depends on where we are going...if we are going to be out for a long time I"ll bring both a purse and diaper bag, otherwise I just throw what I need into the diaper bag

spit up...I don't change clothes all the time unless it's really messy!

diaper cream....DD is 6 days old and we have been putting vaseline on at just about every change, no diaper cream yet...unless she gets a rash. With DD #1 that's what we did too...only used diaper cream if there was a rash.

Good luck and congrats!

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

My dd was in the nicu as well and wouldn't latch after leaving the hospital. I would pump a little bit to get the milk to flow before trying to get her to bf. I also used a bottle with a tiny amount of bm so she wasn't crazy starving when I tried to get her to latch on. I'm not sure which was more helpful but she wouldn't latch from days 4 to 6 but now she's latching on really well (and we are at 11 days old).

Hth!

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

DD was also in NICU and we were delayed with bfing as well. My LC gave me a shield and that worked wonders.

Also, when we first got home I would let her drink from bottle for a few sips so she wasn't crazy hungry and then try and get her to latch. At first she didn't stay on very long (maybe 5 min) and I was so nervous she wasn't getting enough but by her first ped appt she had gained and that put my mind at ease.

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

Not sure how to transition from bottle to breast. You may want to check out www.kellymom.com or www.llli.org. Your best bet is to hire a lactation consultant.

Diaper bags - I typically carry just the diaper bag. I put my wallet and a cosmetic bag in the diaper bag for my "stuff".

Spit up - DS used to spit up constantly. I would keep a bib on him at all times and change that as it got gross. He wasn't in his crib until 7 months when the spit up subsided so I didn't have a sheet issue. If he spit up on the blanket he was using I would change it.

I didn't cover up DS penis during changes. The coldness of the wipe is what used to trigger him peeing. I always just kept a diaper close by to do a quick shield. Eventually (a few weeks) he got used to the temperature change and he stopped peeing while exposed.

I use vaseline/aquaphor at every change right now on the girls because they are still so little. Helps prevent poop from sticking to their bum and makes cleanup a little easier.

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

I can't help with the feedings, but my advice is put your NB to your breast as often as you can - even if you have to then give pumped BM then try nursing again... He'll get the hang of it. ETA: I agree with the nipple shield - it should help temporarily!

Diaper bag: It was my purse. I'd just drop in my wallet, phone and keys. Anything else I needed, I put in one of the little compartments.

Spit up: I'd lay down a sheet saver or receiving blankets under DS in the crib so if he spit up, I could easily change those instead of sheets. Layer, layer, layer!!!!! NBs don't move around, so it'll be easy to do. Also, DS lived in a bib b/c of the spit up. Bibs are easier to change than clothes.

Diaper changes were easy: Just put a wash cloth over his penis. It'll soak up any pee if he urinates while changing him. I still use one now and DS is 18 months old! DS used to pee at every diaper change!

Diaper cream: Only if a rash, you don't need it otherwise. BUT you should use an ointment for the circ. until it heals - if he had one.

Message edited 4/17/2011 6:03:35 PM.

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

I'm a first time mom also - kinda learning as I go I don't have any advice for the feeding question because I just solely breastfeed DD, but...

When I was picking out my diaper bag, I tried to find one that didn't necessarily LOOK like a diaper bag because i definitely planned to use it as a purse as well. I always keep my wallet, keys, etc in it when I go out. Couldn't imagine having 2 bags with me. Not worth the hassle.

I always change DD completely when she spits up. Usually when she does, she's all wet so I don't want her to feel uncomfortable. Pus I don't like the smell (it's like sour milk) so I definitely do wash her clothes, burping cloths, sheets, blankets, whatever she spit up on (unless of course it was just a little bit. I'm not OCD about it)

I don't have a son, but I used to work at a daycare and changed a lot of baby boy diapers. lol. I always just put one of the diaper wipes over that area to catch any unexpected spraying.

Diaper cream I just put on if I see her bottom is getting red.

HTH! And Congrats

Re: Newborn Mom -- lots of questions

Same thing happen to my. My DS was in the NICU they made me give him bottles and now my milk supply is still low (DS is 2 months old). I have been doing everything you can think of to make my milk supply go up but its not working. If you want some help with supplements fm me and I can give you some tips.

Diaper bags -- I use mine as a purse. You have to carry around some much as it is why have two bags.. (Im not a purse person though)

spits up- nope only if its bad.

Peeing- I put a tissue but if his penis is sticking up that most likely means hes about to go.

Am i supposed to put diaper cream on with every change or only if he gets a rash? I only put it on if hes tush is getting red,

Good luck! FM me if you have ANY questions. :) Congratulations.