I feel pretty good. I’m a pro at C-sections at this point, so I know what to do. I was walking within four hours, off the catheter and i.v. just as soon as they would do it for me.
The staples are out, I walk well, I stay ahead of pain with solid doses of the drugs on a careful schedule.
Milk supply has always been hard for me, and I know I have to dedicate myself to it in the first week to make nursing happen. So Edeny and I are in the big bed together, with soft cottony sheets Sunbeam washed the night before we came home. Schmoopy’s in a bili-blanket, tucked in beside me, skin-to-skin. I drink mother’s milk tea and cranberry juice and water, Cute Husband brings me snacks, and I nurse and pump and rest.
We’ve been to the pediatrician twice, and had a home health visit from a nurse. Edeny’s weight is down, but other than that she’s just great.
The windows are open. When we left for the hospital, it felt as though the world were ready to burst into green, and now it has. The hyacinth bloomed while we were away, and the single stem the girls brought me fills the room with scent. The breeze that moves the curtains is fresh and cool and sweet. I read, watch crappy TV, but mostly play hour-long games of Stare at the Baby.
It’s just as amazing the third time out. I am in awe that she is mine, and at least ten times a day, breathless with gratitude.
And man, is she freaking cute.
Welcome home, everyone. =) Glad that all is well.
I can almost smell that new baby smell. Stroke the bottom of her silky-smooth feet for me. So happy for you all.
I so happy for you. Those early days are such a delight and so short lived. I’m glad you’re enjoying every moment.
warning–unrequested advice–i struggled with milk supply too–tried reglan prescription, fenugreek, other herb combos–made it through with my first, but never relaxed about it. last time *after 2 weeks of consistent weight loss* i used more milk plus–in the capsules–FANTASTIC STUFF! i was worried, but baby and i had no side effects. i have bad allergies and asthma, and had no problems. it was not cheap, but i never pumped to keep up supply–which was fantastic for me–i hate pumping. an my baby was super chunk and never had solids until about 6.5 months, not even cereal. let me know if you try it and it works–it really was amazing and i never stressed any about her weight. she weighed at 6 months what my first did at 1 year, and was more than 1 less at birth, so her gain was even more significant.
Good for you with the dedication for the milk supply. I had to do the same thing with both, and it is hard, but so worth it. Have you tried fenugreek tea, too? And have someone make you lactation cookies (http://www.iwantmymum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=26169) and lots of oatmeal–great for the milk supply. So happy for all of you!
Congrats on the new little one. My 3rd – and only girl – is almost 5 months now and I am still in awe of her.
I hope things go as smoothly for you as they can right now.
Oops.. hit ‘Submit’ before adding.. I saw on Twitter that Eden doesn’t like formula. I’m not sure why docs seem to think breast milk is inadequate for jaundiced babies, but my baby girl never took to formula either. We tried four times. The look on her face was awesome. lol Do whatever works best for you guys, docs be damned!
Congratulations to your whole family! Glad that all is well and you are getting the rest and support that you need. Hooray for hour long sessions of “stare at the baby”! A truly joyful game!
I think the docs probably assume your milk hasn’t come in enough so that’s why they want you to use formula to rid the jaundice. The more hydrated the baby is, the more they void and the jaundice leaves the body.
The doc’s just want you to get food in the baby. They did this about my nephew because he had a hefty case of jaundice. So did my newest bundle, and we nursed right through.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about oatmeal for milk supply, and I actually craved it the last few weeks of pregnancy and the first few weeks post partum. If you like it, it’s something pretty easy and nutritious to try.
Enjoy it!! Congrats again.
Welcome home girls
I can’t wait to have a third. No expectations, no delusions of sleeping through the night, no shock when changing 12 messy breast milk diaper a day. Just a baby, and knowing that it all works out and that they do grow up and get even more beautiful and fun.
Oh my goodness, congratulations!!!!!!! I love reading your blog and I’m so happy that everyone is healthy and happy!
This entry just exudes happiness and contentment – I’m so happy for you and your family.
This is a beautiful post. I’m glad you are home and all is well. I had trouble with my milk too, but alas, no advice
we formula’ed the kids and they seem to have survived pretty well.
I love Amanda’s comment, because it is so true and the perfect way to describe having a third.
The one thing that drove me crazy when number three came home a month and a half ago was that everyone was shocked and horrified that I was up and doing things. Really with two under the age of four underfoot, six weeks of bed rest is virtually impossible.
Take all the rest you can get when you can get it and enjoy your wonderful family.
Am I jumping the gun a bit to already be imagining Eden’s wedding bouquet with a few hyacinth tucked in just because it brings back sweet memories for her mom?
Stare at the Baby: my favorite game!
sigh. a new baby,in bed, with the scent of hyacinth…what could be better?
So happy for you Liz. You know so much more now with the third. I’m sure the most important thing you know is to truly soak up every single moment. Blessings to you all.
Welcome home! What a lovely baby. I tried all the usuals when I had supply issues, and the fenugreek gave me horrible headaches. You need domperidone. If you were in the UK you probably would be on it already. I doubled my pumping output within a day of starting.
Regardless of that — enjoy! A baby!