Sleeping Beauty: Day 7
Update: OOPS. I meant to clarify what I meant by “sleep”. I am getting “3 hours between feedings” as opposed to “lying in bed with eyes wide open gazing upon my rock hard breasts” sleep, which for me, isn’t really sleeping at all. So, no - my newborn is NOT sleeping through the night!!! Also, we co-sleep, which goes miles in helping me and HER sleep. If I go to bathroom, she will fuss until I come back to bed where she can see me.
Mr Sandman,
My darling, please don’t tell my husband about our illicit affair we’ve been conducting in the wee hours.
Forever yours,
Kelli
Day 6
I am FINALLY sleeping (somewhat) and my breasts are cooperating. The nipple soreness is not that bad, actually. Once she gets latched on, I am pretty comfortable. Honestly? Getting a good latch and changing positions has been the key. I remember excruciating agony with my son to the extent that I dreaded it and even put off breastfeeding til the last possible moment. When he would initially latch on, I would curl my toes and bit my lower lip to distract myself from the pain. This time around I am not facing that. I’ve heard so many new mothers (um, including yours truly) scoff at the lactation consultant saying “it shouldn’t hurt if the latch is good“. Gulp. Um, they are right.
And wow. 2 nights of sleep IN A ROW. I feel like a new person. Maybe I AM a new person and perhaps, today I can make it through the ENTIRE day without bursting into tears. And no, it’s not all Sad Tears. I am also wont to burst into Boo Hoo Mode over good things happening since as my Sentimental Meter is running full blast these days.
The big problem that I am facing is a diaper rash - fortunately, not on my own butt, but STILL. I did some research on diaper rash and came up with this article from Dr Sears. I am new to this thing called “rash” - my son recently got a rash, but it didn’t BLISTER and was easily cleared up. We are trying a variety of creams and obviously, I am changing her diaper everytime I turn around. I wish I could just let her lie on a towel and airdry, but she needs to be swaddled these days. Sigh. A minor thing, sure and I am calling on my good buddy Perspective.
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July 16th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Can you please clarify what exactly you mean by “two nights of sleep in a row”? Do you mean, like, having your eyes closed for most of the night? And, if so, how have you accomplished this with a week-old baby around?
July 16th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I’m so glad you’re less exhausted and your poor nipples are feeling better! Three cheers for co-sleeping and good latches!
About the rash…
I almost don’t want to say this for fear I am giving you unsolicited crazy advice.
But some babies are allergic to disposable diapers. If you want to give cloth diapers a try without spending a lot of money, you can try a few things.
Option 1: Get a newborn proraps covers (cheap http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=284) and use flannel receiving blankets as flats or get some inexpensive newborn (diaper service quality! Don’t get the gerber prefolds at walmart!) prefolds (http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=277) and see if a week in cloth helps her butt.
Option 2: If you’re not interested in doing prefolds and flats but still want to try cloth, you can do a try-before-you-buy deal. It’s a great deal and if you hate using cloth, you send it back and you’re only out $10. If you like it, you get a lot of good stuff at a good price. http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/cdcm.html
Cross my heart and hope to die, it’s really easy to do diaper laundry. Once you get a wash routine down (some babies with sensitive skin need an extra rinse cycle or vineger, but most don’t), I estimated it takes about 5 minutes of my time every 2 days. It takes 20 minutes if I fold the diapers. But with a newborn… Just leave them in the laundry basket.
Let me know if you have questions. And ignore me if you think I’m crazy.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
The best solution for diaper rash in our house ended up being a layer of Butt Paste topped with creamy Desitin. The Butt Paste was a bit too thin to really hold, but was the better skin healer; the Desitin kept the Butt Paste on.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Interested in knowing more about the co-sleeping. Does Arun still sleep with you all as well? We do it for naps but not at night. Well, not anymore. My husband indulged me for the first few months.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Glad to hear that you’re getting some shut eye.
A equal combo of hydrocortizone and destin worked pretty goof for alex (as per the doc).
July 17th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Our doctor (and by extension, we) swears by Bag Balm for the really out-of-control diaper rash. Alliclaus never had any until after her first birthday and then the first one included swelling and bleeding, so I freaked a bit. The Bag Balm really seemed to clear it up fast. It does burn, however, when you first put it on, so it makes application fun for the whole family.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Lil D has always has a tender bottom and still does at age 3 1/2. Best trick I learned (from my wonderful mom, when dealing with a horrible, open sore, diaper rash at 3 weeks of age) — during an awake time, lay baby across your lap and dry that bottom with a hair dryer, set on low and keeping the air moving back and forth. Then put on the diaper cream. Bag Balm is also good, but getting the area thoroughly dry first makes a huge difference. Lil D loved the rush of air and the hum of the dryer.
Since I can’t comment on Rancid Raves anymore, let me note here that Anjali is so precious and I was thrilled to see her Jayhawk finest today! Can’t wait to have our new little Jay in my arms — only two more weeks!