I'm the Human Pacifier!
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive July-December 2005:
I'm the Human Pacifier!
Ok, I'm all for breastfeeding, but man, oh man, my little guy wants to nurse non stop during the day. The only break I get is when he takes a "long" nap during the afternoon! He literally wants to nurse non stop all day long. The only break I get is at night when my DH comes home and puts him in the sling with a pacifier--I get a couple hours. Then, he gets one bottle at night and he's a great sleeper! He is really good natured, but I feel like I never get a break! Man, oh man! I can't wait for him to really take a pacifier! I am trying so hard this time to get him to take one. (DD never did!)
Just had to vent! I forgot how time consuming a new baby can be. Yesterday DD was sick and I was running back and forth between the 2 of them! Aggh! I know it's all worth it, but I'm pooped! Now, I'm getting a cold and DD is still not 100%! Whaa!
Did anyone else have a baby that loved the be attached non stop throughout the day?
Yep! Jeff used me as his pacifier, and since I was nursing on demand, I was nursing nearly 24/7. The ped. actually advised giving him a pacifier, and once I did, it helped quite a bit - he then mostly nursed only when he was hungry.
Hang in there, Eve. It will get easier!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}
Have you ever seen the movie "Meet the Fockers"? You need the breast harness that the grandfather used! It was a harness with a realistic breast on one side and a pouch you put the bottle of breast milk in with a tube in it so the breast milk came out of the nipple when the baby sucked. That way your hubby could "breastfeed" for a little while!
That part of the movie just cracks me up!
Adena, that's funny! LOL I remember that part too!
Eve, when i saw the title of this post i said to myself "OH I know THAT feeling!" Joey thought i was a pacifier. And he wouldn't take a real pacifier either. I'm glad he didn't take it though, then i would have had to worry about weaning him from that too.
Just enjoy it while it lasts, it's a nice time to bond and cuddle with him....at least that's what i told MYself!
How's Sydney doing with the baby and the fact that you have to hold hiim and feed him 24/7?
I was the pacifier with both of mine. I still kinda am. My seven month old has to nurse in order to get to sleep. I just kept moving him whenever he started to fall asleep. Pacifiers only worked for a few weeks until he figured out they don't produce milk. Then he'd have nothing to do with them.
What I do now, is I don't nurse him in bed at night, and I make sure I wake him just a little before I put him in his playpen. I've also been working on lengthening the times between feeds. I know these thinks don't really work right now because your little cutie is so new, but they may work a little later if he keeps doing this.
Oh {{{Eve}}}, I have so BTDT, and it's tough! Neither of my kids ever wanted anything to do with a pacifier. Ty nursed A LOT as a newborn but tapered off and only nursed when hungry as he got a little older. B, well, she didn't earn the nickname "Velcro Baby" for nothing. She was constantly attached. LOL! She never ever took a bottle either, no matter what we tried. Hang in there! Hopefully Mason will be like Tyler that way!
Thanks, ladies. I needed a little enouragement today. Now, my cold came on full force and I'm feeling awful! So, I'm blowing my nose while nursing and then trying to keep my hands clean! So, now my little peanut caught the cold too. I feel terrible! Add in DD being sick, and it's a bit more than I can handle right now. DH has taken over for a bit for me,thankfully. Santa needs to bring us some healthy vibes!
John was like that too. It was so good for him in so many many ways. So hard on us too though. I read it decreases your rate of cervical cancer and other has other benefits too for the mother. I think it decrease your rate of breast cancer too... I really should research it.
Oh my goodness it is so good for you...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/PR00003
What every mom needs to know about breast-feeding
Although learning to breast-feed takes time and patience, it is well worth the effort. Here's an introduction to how it's done and why it's so rewarding.
Breast-feeding is natural for mothers and babies, but not everyone gets the knack right away. Don't get discouraged though. Read more about the breast-feeding process and the benefits of the breast.
How nursing works
Initially, it's important to have a basic understanding of how the human breast produces milk, how a baby latches on to the breast and how women can choose among a variety of comfortable breast-feeding techniques.
Why breast is best
Nursing provides many health benefits for children and moms alike. Among the proven benefits for babies:
Breast milk contains just the right balance of nutrients for the baby. It provides exactly as much energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fat as your newborn needs to grow.
Breast milk contains antibodies to help your baby resist certain infections. Antibodies in breast milk boost your baby's immunity against ear infections, respiratory infections such as pneumonia, and digestive infections such as diarrhea and constipation. Breast milk also reduces a baby's risk of developing allergies, tooth decay, high blood pressure and obesity later in life, although how this protection works is unknown.
Breast milk is easier to digest than commercial formula. The nutrients in breast milk are more absorbable than those in formula. Also, an enzyme present only in breast milk helps babies process nutrients more efficiently. Because breast-fed babies have a digestive advantage over formula-fed babies, they usually have smaller, softer and less smelly diapers too.
The proven benefits for mothers are:
Breast-feeding helps you lose weight. It will assist you in burning the fat that you stored during your pregnancy and ease your return to your pre-pregnancy weight. Breast-feeding, though, should not be viewed as a dieting strategy. In fact, nursing mothers need to consume an extra 300 to 500 calories per day for the extra energy that breast-feeding expends.
Breast-feeding lowers your risk of certain cancers. Rates of ovarian cancer, and in pre-menopausal women, breast cancer, are lower in women who have breast-fed.
Breast-feeding strengthens your bones. Breast-feeding builds bone strength and protects against osteoporosis.
Breast-feeding promotes bonding between you and your baby. It creates intimacy and closeness with your baby, which can be extremely rewarding for both of you.
Breast-feeding has some other practical advantages too, including:
It is less expensive and more convenient than bottle-feeding. If you breast-feed, you don't have to buy formula or prepare bottles and nipples.
You can do it anywhere and at any time. Breast milk is available wherever you go, so you can feed your baby at the first signs of hunger.
Pediatricians and other infant-development experts believe that breast milk is the optimal form of infant nutrition and recommend exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months. Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solids in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet. Ideally, you should continue breast-feeding for at least 12 months. Currently, almost 70 percent of women in the United States breast-feed their newborns. By the time babies reach 6 months, though, less than a third of mothers are still breast-feeding.
Because no infant formula can match all of the nutritional benefits of a mother's milk, it's worthwhile to consider breast-feeding even if you work or use child care. The key is learning to use a breast pump before you go back to work.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Using a breast pump: A skill that makes breast-feeding easier
Returning from maternity leave: Tips for working mothers
Nursing tips
It takes time to become familiar with the technique of breast-feeding, and the best way to learn is by having an experienced teacher guide you. In the meantime, here are some tips to get off to a good start:
Feed promptly. While you're getting started, feed your baby as soon as he or she cries. Delaying feeding may lead to further interruption as you try to calm a crying baby.
Get comfortable. To avoid lower back pain, don't bend over or down to bring your breast to your baby. Instead, cradle your baby close to your breast. Sit in a chair that offers good back support. Another option is to lie down on your side with your baby on his or her side, facing you.
Wear loose clothes. Many moms prefer loose, button-front tops that can be partially unbuttoned for feeding. Unbuttoning from the bottom allows for greater modesty. The most discreet way to nurse is under the complete coverage of a very loose, oversized pullover top, such as a T-shirt. When you're ready to breast-feed, you simply slip your baby up under the garment. You can also use a receiving blanket to cover yourself and baby.
Let your baby set the pace. Remember that for infants, breast-feeding is both nutritious and comforting. Your baby may pause during feeding to rest, gaze at you or look around the room. This often amounts to a short break, not a problem with feeding.
Avoid rushing through a feeding. Instead, view breast-feeding as a time to slow down and enjoy intimate moments with your child.
Offer both breasts. Alternate the side with which you start feeding. Don't concentrate on the time spent on feeding from each breast. Rather, feed with the first breast thoroughly, until the breast feels soft. Then try burping the baby. After that, offer the second breast. Your baby may or may not still be hungry.
Follow your baby's cues about when to end feeding. Most babies will simply stop sucking, fall asleep and let go when they're done.
Air-dry your nipples. Your nipples may feel a little irritated for the first few weeks. Severe discomfort, however, is not normal and needs to be assessed.
Drink caffeinated beverages in moderation. Too much caffeine makes some babies irritable. You may want to consider drinking decaffeinated beverages instead.
Don't smoke or drink alcohol. For your health and your baby's, it's extremely important to avoid smoking cigarettes and being around secondhand smoke. Also, avoid consuming alcohol, as it can be passed on to your baby through your breast milk.
Avoid taking medication as much as possible. Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication, clear it with your doctor.
Watch what you eat. If you suspect that your baby is intolerant of something in your diet — because he or she develops a rash or diarrhea every time you eat a particular food, for example — eliminate the suspected food for a while and take note of your baby's response. If you are a vegetarian, a careful balance of nutritional intake is important for you and your baby. Talk with your doctor about the need to take a vitamin supplement while breast-feeding.
You should not expect to establish a breast-feeding routine during the first few weeks. It's not uncommon for newborns to want to breast-feed up to 12 times a day — this is because their stomachs are very small. As you and your baby get to know each other and as his or her stomach matures, you will discover a nursing routine that suits you both.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Infant feeding and nutrition: Your newborn's needs
Introducing solid foods: What you need to know
Finding help
If you are new to breast-feeding, or if you've tried breast-feeding in the past and it didn't go smoothly, don't let past experience — or inexperience — limit you in the present. Breast-feeding calls for patience, experimenting and perhaps asking for help. Before you decide that breast-feeding is not for you, talk to someone first, such as:
A lactation consultant
Your obstetrician or nurse-midwife
Your baby's doctor or nurse
A childbirth educator
The La Leche League organization for breast-feeding mothers
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Breast-feeding: Is my baby getting enough milk?
Returning from maternity leave: Tips for working mothers
Ask a Specialist
Sudden infant death syndrome: New guidelines for prevention
Breast implants: Do they interfere with breast-feeding?
Centers
Healthy Baby Center
MayoClinic.com Bookstore
'Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy' (Softcover)
Web Resources
La Leche League International: Breastfeeding Information
American Academy of Pediatrics: A Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding
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{{{Eve}}} My ds was that way, too but I don't know how I would handle everyone being sick on top of it. I hope you find your stocking full of Sudafed and chicken soup.
Eve,
It must be a boy thing!!! LOL
Give that little guy a big squeeze, I'm sure hes just so precious.
I say buy your hubby the strap on boobie for Christmas, and go out with Syd for the day...lol
LOL..
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