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This draped nursing top looks fashionable and comfortable but also functional. Hooray! Macy’s has it in a couple of colors for $29.98, including a happy teal. You can get free shipping (with a $25 minimum, so this qualifies) though 12/17 — and if you happen to need more than one nursing top, check out their current “buy 1, get the 2nd 50% off” deal. Motherhood Maternity Draped Nursing Top (L-4)Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
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Kid/Family Sales
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
AIMS says
Any recommendation for a good nursing bra that would work for larger cup sizes? 32F pre-pregnancy, not sure exact size now but need a large cup and a smaller band. Ancillary Q: when/where did you go to get measured for this? How much does your cup size still change once your milk has come in and you’re feeding more or less regularly?
Anon says
I would get a Bravado nursing tank for early on. They are sized by band width/cup size. I had a 32D – not sure if they have 32F. Once you want to get a proper bra – I would recommend waiting until your milk supply and breast size changes stablize at around 6 weeks. The brand I liked best for smaller band sizes with larger cup sizes is Panache.They actually have cute designs and are not huge beige things. I would recommend getting measured in a proper lingerie shop – they would usually also sell higher end nursing bras. Three good bras was enough to last me a full year of nursing.
mascot says
A good lingerie shop may also be able to tell you if a regular bra can be converted to a nursing bra.
Anon in NYC says
I was a 34DD pre-preg, and when I was measured in the middle of my pregnancy I was a 36G. In the very beginning I made due with inexpensive, wireless Target bras. Nursing tanks didn’t really work for me. When I had to go back to work though, I knew I needed the support of underwire. I found a good underwire nursing bra at a lingerie store, although it was the only nursing bra they had. I felt like my cup size stabilized by about 1.5-2 months in, once my daughter had gotten through some of her early growth spurts. I would try calling Intimacy in NYC. Journelle had nothing.
Katarina says
I had Anita nursing bras, with underwire. I got measured at 6 weeks postpartum and Nordstroms, and they more or less fit throughout nursing. Towards the end I could have used a smaller band size, but they worked okay. My bandsize is bigger than yours, but my cup size is large, especially while nursing. I wore cheap nursing bras before that, and they were more or less worthless.
meme says
I just bought a Natori nursing bra yesterday at Nordstrom. It’s really, really comfortable and supportive, but just plain beige or black, with a bit of pretty lace. Nordstrom will also convert any bra you purchase there into a nursing bra for no charge.
I would wait until post-engorgement to buy a nice, supportive daytime nursing bra, and get by with nursing tanks or flexible sleep bras until then because you will fluctuate so much, and won’t be able to predict the size you’ll need. Anecdata: I am normally a 34A, I was probably a 34C towards the end of my pregnancy, and 8 weeks postpartum, I’m a 34DD. This matches my experience with previous pregnancies, and as I lose the rest of my pregnancy weight, my cup size will go down rather dramatically, and I’ll be down to about a 34B when I wean. So, I buy one nice nursing bra early postpartum, plus several sleeping nursing bras, and replace the nice one as necessary as cup size fluctuates.
HM says
NOrdie’s always charged me to convert a regular bra. Still worth the $15 though.
hoola hoopa says
I’m a 32G while nursing and whole heartedly recommend Bravado (tanks and sleep bras) and Anita (underwire).
I recommend having 1-2 Bravado nursing tanks 1-2 cup sizes larger than your pregnancy size initially. Then buy more after engorgement passes. Definitely don’t buy an underwire until your size has stabilized.
TK says
I wore this one more than any others, it was well constructed, didn’t have underwire, and worked for small frame / large cup size (during that time period I was as large as a 32H, maybe? God knows.) Avoided monoboob and gave the girls a nice lift. I was fitted at 3 weeks PP. My cup size rose and shrank 2-3 sizes throughout the course of the day, and this one could manage that change. I continued to have large (F or G cup) breasts the entire time I was nursing.
http://www.amazon.com/Anita-Womens-Cherry-Nursing-Mellow/dp/B0044BBSJS/ref=sr_1_5?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1450189478&sr=1-5&nodeID=1285234011&refinements=p_89%3AAnita
JEB says
Has anyone had to put their baby under general anesthesia? We have an MRI coming up in a few weeks for my 12-month-old. Because of the anesthesia, she has to be fasting – 8 hours for solids and 6 hours for liquids. Thankfully it’s fairly early in the morning, but she’s used to eating right when she gets up, so I know she’ll be upset. I’m very nervous about putting her under and seeing her in that state. I’m trying to remind myself that these doctors do this all the time, with babies who are far more fragile than mine. Any past experiences to share?
JJ says
I’m sorry you’re going through this. Mine were older, but they both went under general anesthesia for tubes in their ears around 8 months old. My oldest also went under to have his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 18 months. And once when he had a dog bite his face and had to get stitches on his face/lips and wouldn’t hold still. (We need a frequent shopper punch card at the ER).
It’s never easy. I just continued to reassure myself that this what the doctors do, and they specifically chose these jobs because they want to help children. I’m usually able to hold it together at the hospital, but once we’re home and everyone is safe, I usually have a good cry because all my emotions have built up all day. Don’t be shocked if that happens to you, too.
anne-on says
Yes, my son had a few surgeries before he was 3, all of them requiring anesthesia. A few tips – if you have any breastmilk, see if you are allowed to nurse or give a bottle 6 hours before, apparently breast milk is considered a ‘clear liquid’ like water. Also try your very best to get the earliest slot for surgery, they’ll generally take the smallest babies first. This actually made the surgeries when he was younger easier since we generally woke him up, whisked him to the surgical center, and were taken in right away. Bring in your own blankies/stuffed animals, comfort items/etc. They can’t go in with your child, but it was comforting for him to be bundled up in his own blankets after surgery. You’ll need 2-piece pjs, not footed ones, if they let her stay in pjs. Its chilly in the surgical rooms, so they generally have heated blankets/etc. to keep kids warm, but make sure you’re warmly dressed as well.
Prepare yourself – they will look scary when they come out – limp, lethargic, and so very small. Its possible she’ll have a bloody nose or some blood from the IV. They likely won’t let you leave until your child eats/drinks, so bring something as tempting as possible – chocolate milk, juice, etc. Maybe a thermos of warm water to warm up a bottle. This is not the time to take a hard line on giving a 1-year old a sippy cup – if your kid wants a bottle after surgery, give it to them. They’ll feel awful at first right after they wake up – ask to hold her right away, and see if you can get set up in a rocking chair/recliner with lots of blankets around you. My son wanted no part of a bottle, he just wanted to be held – the nurse very kindly let him take one very brief sip of water and let us go. He was honestly just fine after a nap, and back to himself by the afternoon.
Give yourself permission to freak out/cry, but honestly, it will be fine.
Meg Murry says
My son had to have surgery when he was around 18 months-2 years old. They had one of us come back and hold his hand when they put the mask on him to put him under to calm him down – my husband did that job because I didn’t think I could handle it without crying. Then when he was coming out of anesthesia the nurse came to get us because he was crying but not fully awake – apparently it’s not uncommon for people to cry or be disoriented when coming out, so we were able to take him out of the bed and hold him on our laps until he work up fully.
It was nerve wracking at the time, but luckily went well and now it’s very much just a hazy memory. In our case we had far more trouble getting him to comply with the post surgery requirements to stay somewhat inactive (had to wait for the incision to heal before he could go back to playing roughly, but that was for a fairly atypical procedure) than anything else.
JEB says
Thanks so much to all of you for sharing, with that level of detail. It’s helpful to know that we may be asked to be with her while they put the mask on, and about the possible blood post IV. I’m kicking myself for weaning 2 weeks ago, since I’ve read the same thing about breast milk. We got the earliest time, which means we’ll have to wake her up earlier than her normal wake up time, so hopefully she’ll just sleep on the way there and not protest the fasting too much.
Nannies says
Considering a nanny when our #2 arrives. So, for those of you with nannies:
1. how many hours/week does your nanny work?
2. how many weeks/year does your nanny get paid (do you pay for 52 weeks? do some unpaid vacation time?)
3. what does your vacation / holiday schedule look like with the nanny?
4. Does s/he do anything other than childcare (cook/clean/grocery shop)?
5. if you are OK sharing, how many kids and what rate do you pay? over/under table? what region?
We are in the greater Boston metro area–firmly in the ‘burbs, though, not in the city.
Nannies says
FWIW we are also considering the au pair route, but I don’t have as many logistical/contractual questions about that setup since it’s pretty standard.
anon says
1. 46.5
2. 52 weeks per year and that is very standard, unless someone is really part-time.
2.
3. she gets all of our vacation days plus various personal days (kids graduation). So this year she’s getting off the weeks of christmas and new years, thanksgiving and the day after, president’s day… a week in July… and all of that is paid.
4. cleans up after kid and does kids laundry, cooks for kid
5. one kid – metropolitan area similar to Boston – $17.23 hour-ish is the cost to us with taxes – her take-home is just under $15 if you back out the taxes (so yeah, on the books)
If you multiply it out, it costs us $41,654 per year.
Anonymous says
For the vacations- does she get vacation days on top of your vacations? IE 2 weeks of dictated paid vacation 1 week of her-choice paid vacation?
anon says
Since she is already getting 3 weeks plus off when we are taking vacation, we don’t give her additional vacation days, at least a number. What we do is just tell her to ask us and if it’s reasonable, we give it to her. So it’s an ongoing dialogue that has so far worked very well. But yeah, she’s getting ~20 paid vacation days based on when my husband or I is off, and I don’t want to have to arrange backup childcare any more than absolutely necessary!.
anon says
49/week
Essentially paid for 52 weeks/year. This year our vacation coincided with the week she wanted off.
We agreed on one week of her choosing plus whatever vacation we take, in addition to most public holidays. She also gets sick days per local/state law.
She cooks and cleans up after our kid, kid laundry, and if she has time she will straighten up the public areas, sweep, wipe down counters.
1 child, over the table, $20/hr plus overtime (before taxes).
anonymama says
We had a newborn and a 2-year old with a full-time nanny in the metro DC area. Very experienced nanny (in her 50s). After all taxes were accounted for (there were so many more that I didn’t realize), we broke even on my high-for-a-postdoc salary but it was worth it because 1) she was amazing and 2) I would go on to make more after the postdoc. Actually she was so amazing we wish we could have afforded to pay her more and we miss her like crazy but we moved out of state.
1. 40 hours
2. 52 weeks of paid (not including the 1 week bonus we gave at Christmas)
3. 2 weeks of paid vacation of her choice plus the standard holidays. We tried to coordinate our vacation with hers but if it didn’t align we just dealt with it. She called in sick 1 day in 18 months, a particularly awful thing my kids gave her.
4. Yes. She took care of ALL the kids’ laundry, including bed linens and cloth diapers, and also kept the playroom and kitchen tidy (the kitchen was spotless at the end of the day). She prepared all of the kids’ food, including homemade baby food when we got to that stage. She sometimes started dinner for us if we asked.
5. We paid $17/hour (3 years ago), on the books, which was much less for her after taxes and much more for us. Interestingly, this is the same as we paid an under-the-table 20-year-old in Boston when we lived there with just 1 kid the year before. The 20-year-old didn’t do anything besides watch the kid and feed him what we asked her to. This was Boston proper.
Betty says
We have had a nanny twice, once in Boston proper and now in a different NE state.
For Boston:
40 hours/week over 4 days.
52 weeks (two weeks vacation: one at our choice and one at her’s)
She did all the baby laundry (including crib sheets and cloth diapers), cleaned up, organized, made dinner on occasion. She was absolutely amazing and kept me sane!
17/hour over the table for 1 child.
Other NE State (current)
43 hours (which means 3 hours at 1.5 rate)
52 weeks (but my husband works in the public schools so we give her about half of what he has off)
We have two kids now and she “helps” with kid laundry (just clothes) but doesn’t actually finish the laundry and leaves it in the dryer on Fridays. She does cleans up after the kids but is not as much of a help as our prior nanny.
We pay 15/hour above the table
Gift Ideas says
Anyone have any joint gift ideas for a 4-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy around $50 (interests include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and dinosaurs, but open to other ideas)? Bonus points if it’s on Amazon.
TK says
Remote control cars they can drive/crash into one another. I have nephews that age and they love these:
http://www.amazon.com/LIB101%C2%AE-Invincible-Tornado-Control-Twister/dp/B011D6ZH1G/ref=sr_1_51?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1450193005&sr=1-51&keywords=remote+control+cars
OP says
Thanks! Sent these to my husband (they are his nephews) and I think these will be the winner!
mascot says
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NT73FG2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
These come in two different remote frequencies so if you can get one of each, they can race. It’s usually marked on the box which frequency it is. Target sells them too.
ANP says
Magnatiles! Available on Amazon and great for ages 3-100 (seriously).
hoola hoopa says
+1000
Or legos.
anonymama says
LEGO, LEGO, LEGO
Spy gear
Magformers (like magna tiles but different)
Fort kit (so they stop using the couch cushions!)
Science kit
Craft/art kit
Look at fat brain toys for recommendations – they are generally spot on
Nursing Bras/Tanks says
As an add-on to the first question, should I be buying nursing bras/tanks before I give birth? The woman who taught our breastfeeding class said to wait until after our milk comes in to be fitted and buy anything, but I feel like my regular bras/clothes aren’t going to be conducive to trying to breastfeed in the hospital initially. Do I buy some cheap ones to get me through the first few days, and then invest in some nicer ones after my milk comes in?
JJ says
I would recommend a sleep bra/maternity bra to wear in the hospital. It gives minimal support, but it’s easy to wear and access for nursing. Those are also good to sleep in once you’re back home.
hoola hoopa says
+1 The fit is flexible enough to handle engorgement – and you’re going to want something.
I personally prefer tanks, though.
LSC says
Yes, I’d get some with before the baby is born. You may not know the exact size so get one that stretches and has no underwire (the sort of look like sleep bras). Or a couple nursing tanks from target. You can always run out and get more later, but it’s tough to find the time when the baby is first born! Also get some nursing pads.
Anon in NYC says
I bought 1 nursing bra and 1 nursing tank before giving birth. I was glad that I had. I wore them in the hospital. I have a large chest and ordinarily like some sort of support sitting around the house. I also found that my n!pples were very sensitive and having a bra was like a protective barrier. Personally, nursing tanks didn’t work for me (I wish they had). But inexpensive, stretchy Target nursing bras work for me for sitting around my house.
Anonymous says
In the hospital, I wore my gown that had rip-off snaps for access. My milk didn’t come in until later (it’s just colostrum then). You will know when it does.
For going home, maybe a nursing tank and a fleece jacket that zips all the way down to help further with access? I wanted my tummy area covered as I navigated pants again. Eventually you’ll need to get fitted, but you’ll need something for the first bit (and just to try).
I lived in nursing tanks for about a year, especially for sleeping in. I’m tiny and my band size didn’t change, but my cup size was all over the place several times a day every day.
AEK says
Depending on how long you’ll be in the hospital, I’d have one or more nursing tanks, or a nursing gown, in the hospital with you. Old Navy has some inexpensive ones. A thin-strap cami with enough room or stretch to pull down is also fine as long as you (like me) don’t need much actual support. And have a hoodie or open cardigan to wear over it for warmth / coverage.
ChiLaw says
I wore a stretchy nursing bra under a robe most of the time in the hospital. The robe was everything. Sometimes the robe went over my hospital gown, sometimes over pajama pants, sometimes just the robe, sometimes over a loose maternity tank top (pulled down for nursing). I had an unexpected C section so the pants I had initially planned to wear postpartum were impossible because they rubbed the stitches, and then baby had to stay in the hospital (so i stayed too) for 5 days, and i got pooed on, so by the end I was really running out of clothes — so make sure you have a few options. But the robe was important!
OP says
The robe is already in the mail! But glad to hear it will probably be a useful purchase.
Butter says
I’m on the hunt for such a robe now. Does it have to be a maternity robe specifically, or would anything stretchy/generous around the waist do? Any particular recommendations for material and/or color? (Not to be gross, but I’ve heard some are better than others for this particular situation.)
Meg Murry says
anything comfy will do. I’d go for not too heavy and not too long, in case the hospital is warm, and dark colored or patterned. I had a modal robe from Target that I used to recommend (Gilligan and and O’Malley brand) because it was a good balance between cheap enough that I didn’t care if it was ruined but still comfy and functional – however, now it doesn’t have pockets anymore so I am less likely to recommend it (pockets are great for a BF robe because you can put nursing pads, lanolin, pacifiers, your phone, etc in them).
Pigpen's Mama says
+1
and if you can find one with the belt attached — it was just one less thing I had to keep tract of in the post-partum haze.
ChiLaw says
I had the same robe as Meg. Still use it a lot around the house, though it’s getting ratty. I tied the belt to the belt loop, and it stays on there through the washer and dryer — otherwise it would be long gone.
Katala says
I ordered a cotton robe by jockey from Amazon. Inexpensive, pockets, attached belt. I did dark purple but considered black. I use it all the time now but honestly was too tired/out of it in the hospital to do more than the gown (with boobs out, half the time). Never touched the nightgown I brought, would have used the robe more if it were chilly.
Katala says
Here’s the purple. 25% off right now!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E1ZOULU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1450211573&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=jockey+robe+for+women&dpPl=1&dpID=31QROjxFyVL&ref=plSrch
OP says
This is the one I ordered. I got it in black because I figured it would hide stains well. I just ordered the size up from my pre-pregnancy size (it’s the size top I wear now at 30 weeks). The reviews suggest that it provides good coverage (a few people mentioned they used it on vacations where they needed to lounge with people they weren’t particularly close with) without being too heavy.
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/alfani-essentials-wrap?ID=705115&CategoryID=225&LinkType=&swatchColor=Classic Black#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D1%26slotId%3D1%26kws%3Dalfani%2C%20essentials%20wrap
hoola hoopa says
Love this top! No longer nursing, but I’m still considering getting it, lol.
HSAL says
Nursing help – I have a two month old with really inconsistent weight gain. She was a pound over her discharge weight (7 ounces over birthweight) at two weeks. Three weeks later she’d only gained 11 ounces, so doctor had me do a weight check the following week, and she’d gained 7 ounces. But then after three weeks, she’s only gained 8 ounces. Wet diapers are great (never fewer than 8 wets, poop is the right color) and her doctor says she’s perfectly healthy, happy enough, no developmental issues, but she’d like her to gain more. It’s not a supply issue. I use a nipple shield (flat nipples initially, casually trying to quit, but she does fine with it). She’s starting daycare next week (I’ll be pumping) and we’re doing another weight check in three weeks. Thoughts? I may see a lactation consultant.
Anon in NYC says
Our pediatrician said that babies “should” gain about 1-2 pounds a month for the first six months, but I’ve also heard that the real issue is whether they’re staying relatively consistent in their growth curve percentiles. So, I think if your baby seems happy, healthy and like she’s getting enough to eat, and her percentiles are relatively consistent, she’s doing fine. I am not a doctor, so take that for what you will.
Meg Murry says
I agree with this. Can you plot her weights on a growth chart, or does your pediatrician have all the weights in an online electronic medical record that shows her percentile? If she was born at 25th percentile or 75th percentile and staying around there, you are fine. If she was born at 50th and is dropping into the 25th, that’s more concerning.
Are you weighing on the same scale with the same conditions every time (either always naked or always in a fresh diaper)? You can get varying weights on different scales, or if she’d had a giant poop immediately before one of the weighings.
It can’t hurt to see an LC, especially if they have a scale so you can do a transfer weight (weigh baby, nurse, weigh again to see how much she gained = how much she got at that feeding) so you have a good idea how much to put in her bottles for daycare.
Anonymous says
She’s dropped a bit on the chart. Same scale, same weighing conditions. It’s just so confusing that she looks great and has great diapers, but the weight isn’t there.
Anon says
I would be a bit concerned if she has dropped on the percentiles. WHO charts are online if you want to keep an eye on it. Also surprised at the 3 week gap between visits. I’m in canada and it’s fairly standard for all babies to be weighed weekly by a nurse. Can you schedule a visit with an LC? Do you feel empty after she nurses? Some babies are just slow eaters. My first only ate 8 times a day at that stage but my second would stop as soon as the flow slowed down and often had to be fed 12 times a day. I wouldn’t freak out but I do think trust your momma insticts if you are concerned and get a second opinion.
HSAL says
Her visits have been pretty standard for the US, with one appointment getting pushed back a little. The three weeks before the next check are to see if she gains better with expressed bottles at daycare for a couple weeks. If the doctor was concerned she’d be going in earlier.
Looking at her and being with her I’m not worried, it’s mainly that objectively she should be gaining more.
MDMom says
My son was born at around the 50 th percentile and dropped to 10th-20th within first few weeks, but he has stayed in that range ever since (7 months and counting). He jumped up a few curves in length (around 70-85th ) and has stayed there also. He’s fine. But I also freaked out for awhile when he was gaining slowly. It’s hard when you’re bfing and can’t gauge intake.
MDMom says
If doctor isn’t worried, try not to worry. Does she fall asleep a lot while nursing? My son was a slow gainer for a while and it got better when I started being more forceful about waking him up to finish when he didn’t nurse long enough (cold washcloth etc). An lc can’t hurt. But again, if your doctor says it’s fine, try not to worry too much.
anne-on says
Any issues with tongue tie? My son had a mild tongue tie, which meant he was an ok but not great nurser and then had real problems when we introduced solids.
Otherwise, she may gain better on bottles since she won’t have to work as hard as when you’re nursing.
POSITA says
A nipple shield can sometimes decrease milk transfer. Does she still need it? It can be hard to drop for some babies, but getting rid of it might help.
HSAL says
She doesn’t need it, but she’s used to it, and I haven’t wanted to push too much since she ate well with it, so maybe it’s time up be a little more aggressive with it – she’s comfortably latched on both for a few minutes, so I know she can. Hopefully an LC will help.
anonymama says
Yeah, I’d say keep trying without the shield, at least a few times a day. I wouldn’t stress over it, but spend a minute trying to get her to latch on without it first, before you put it on. I was hesitant to leave it off, but once I forgot it when we were somewhere and was able to get baby latched on fine, and it is so nice to not have to deal with it anymore, in addition to countering any supply issues that it may be causing.
anon says
I definitely had this issue with the shield.
Pigpen's Mama says
My daughter was a ‘good grower’ for the first month, then just slowed way down (she went from 50-60% to 12-15%). She was happy and active and alert during that time, was nursing on demand, had good diapers, just sleeping a lot.
I was really concerned about it, although the doctor wasn’t. She did bring us in for a weight check a few times, and said to top her off with a few oz (2 I think?) of pumped milk twice a day after feedings. My daughter spit up A LOT when she was that little, so I would give it to her about 45 min after a feeding.
Once she went to daycare and was on pumped milk for 75% of her calories she started going back up the chart. I started supplementing with formula at 6 months (complete transition at 9 months) and she’s now back in the 60%-tile (maybe more).
I was so worried about it, and so sensitive about comments about how small she was. But now, it’s not a worry. It is hard when they are so young and you have NO idea what’s ‘normal’ — but she’ll find her place on the curve and in the meantime, you and your doctor are keeping an eye on it.
Anonymous says
FYI, I had serious issues with weaning off the shield. I got it from an LC at the hospital bc baby couldn’t latch, and when I tried to wean her off, her latch was all wrong and hurt like insane.
If you need a rec for an LC, Freda Rosenfeld is the absolute best. She’ll give you a form to get reimbursed by insurance.
Anonon says
My first was like this and I drove myself absolutely crazy about it. In retrospect, I wish I’d just relaxed and trusted that if he was getting was getting as much milk as he wanted and was happy, he could self-regulate. (Our ped GI told us that even the idea that a baby needs to maintain a curve on the percentile chart is now being questioned, which was nice since all of my healthy, happy kids have taken a good 1.5 years to settle into a growth curve.) That said, if you’re breastfeeding you do certainly want to be sure that the baby is actually getting as much milk as s/he wants, meaning that supply is sufficient, transfer is good (a nipple shield can affect that), and baby isn’t too sleepy to nurse. A good lactation consultant can help evaluate these questions. I also bought the Salter baby scale ($60 on Amazon) and found it SO useful, although you have to know whether you’re the sort of person who will make yourself crazy doing a million weigh-ins a day. It’s sensitive enough to do pre- and post-nursing weigh-ins and get a pretty accurate idea how much the baby drank (we tested it using bottles), which is really important information. It also helped us realize that my son had pretty erratic weight gain — nothing for a week, then 12 oz in a few days — so weight checks every few weeks could give a distorted picture. Good luck! Weight gain issues are always stressful, but hopefully it’ll just be a blip.
POSITA says
One more thought — Any chance you started hormonal birth control? My mom had issues with the mini pill decreasing her supply and it causing weight gain issues with my sister. She had nursed three kids previously and was completely stumped why my sister wasn’t gaining. Everything seemed fine when she nursed, but it turned out that the mini pill had reduced her supply enough to hinder weight gain.
HSAL says
Thanks all, this has been really helpful. No tongue tie, no pill (though that’s good to know). I’ll probably still meet with an LC, but it’s nice to know others have had similar experiences. I’m trying to not let it make me crazy and rely on the doctor.