10: Nursing Tips

What To Expect The First Year has tons of tips and benefits on breastfeeding.  In addition, Baby Center is an excellent source as well.  These guides will help you get started on breastfeeding and answer all the questions you should have.  Below are tips that have worked for me through trial and error.

Picture source: http://breastfeedingcycle.wordpress.com

1. Using receiving blanket during nursing.  After realizing how messy breastfeeding was becoming with dribble, spit up, and my nipples spraying, I found an easy way to feed and stay mostly clean at the same time.  

• Fold a receiving blanket long ways a couple times or use a burp cloth.  (I like the blanket better because it has a longer reach to clean up messes and are thicker to absorb.)  
• Tuck one end into your nursing bra so that it is positioned between the bottom of your bra and the bottom of your breast.
• Flip the loose end of blanket over your shoulder.
• Place baby in cradle hold.
• Place loose end of blanket over baby's chest and under chin (kind of like a bib).  You can either place under or over baby's arm.  Sometimes I'll place over her arm to keep her from scratching her face or my face, pulling her hair or my necklace.

Now, if baby spits up during feeding, or dribbles milk from mouth, most, if not all of it will be absorbed into the blanket.  You can also use the loose end to wipe her mouth or face (if your breast sprays her if she unlatches).  It also works great for burping either with baby sitting on your lap or over your shoulder.

2. In the first few months before my breasts got used to a feeding schedule, I would wear a nursing pad in each bra for leaks.  And I would use an app to help me keep track of which breast I fed with last.  But now, I don't seem to leak at all unless they're really full (like in the morning) or if I went out for several hours without pumping or feeding.  Not sure if this will work with everyone, but if your breasts seem to be fine throughout the day, this might work for you.  I now use one nursing pad and it's on the side that I'll need for her next feeding.  When I do sit down to feed her, I simply switch the pad to the other side.  Now I'll know which breast to use at the next feeding without having to use an app or bracelet or memory.  And the pad is in place for the only leaky breast once my milk drops during her feeding.  The only time I ever use two anymore is when I go out in public.  Using only one also saves money.  If you are one who needs to wear two all of the time, then what I did with the one I took out for feeding was folded it in half, like it was when it was wrapped, to keep it clean and tucked it into my opposite bra strap. (Unless you stick it to your bra...I never tried this...don't know why).  Prior to figuring this out, I was always losing it and dropping it.  Just keep an eye on roaming baby hands.  McKayla has snatched it right out a couple of times!  My favorite nursing pads are the Lansinoh brand.  They're disposable.  They held up with nipple cream.  They were the smoothest under my bra and shirt.  Although, recently, I was informed about reusable nursing pads called LilyPadz.  My friend Lisa Walck said that she loved the product and that they prevent leaks and form to the breast well.  I will have to try these myself.

3. Use your nipple cream.  My favorite was Lansinoh Lanolin.  My suggestion is to buy a tube for each nursing station you have so you don't have to tote it around and risk forgetting about it.  When she was about a month old, I was starting to slack on using it and I honestly believe that was the reason why I ended up with mastitis.  That really sucked.  So slather it on there!

4. Enjoy this time.  Nursing is a great opportunity to bond with your little baby and the perfect time to relax.  But if you feel that you should be multi-tasking, there's always your phone to check e-mails, Facebook, Pinterest, news or read a book through the Kindle app.  Once you get your positioning down, you can also read a magazine or book.  You can also have a chance to catch up on any shows.  That's the only time I get to is during nursing. 

5. Update: Use a bracelet or hair tie to help you remember which breast to start with.  It SEEMS like this wouldn't be a difficult task to remember, but trust me, it can be, especially at 2:00 AM.  I would wear something I wouldn't really notice during sleep, like a loose hair tie, then I would switch it at the end of the feeding (stay consistent with this or you'll confuse yourself; been there, done that.)  At the next feeding, I would use the breast in relation to which wrist my hair tie was on.  Read number 6 for another tip.

6. Update: In the beginning of nursing, I was wearing nursing pads all the time, but later on, I didn't feel the need to.  This will not apply to everyone, but if you're like me, this tip will be useful.  I would either go with only one nursing pad in my bra (instead of one for each breast) or not wear any and would keep a supply at my nursing station.  The reasons for this is 1: I didn't like my options of putting the other pad somewhere while my breast was in use and 2: I saved money on nursing pads.  I always needed at least one for the non-nursing side because it would leak while McKayla was nursing and would usually never leak any other time.  So I would just use the one I had in my bra (which also helped me to remember which side to start nursing on) or I would use a new one from my supply.  When I was using two, you can either place the one not in use into the other side of your bra with the other pad or in a pocket that some covers provide. 

7.  Update: If you have a frozen milk supply, and need your milk to defrost in a hurry, place the sealed milk bag/container in a bowl of cold, not warm or hot, water.  My husband told me about this and it defrosts much faster.  I don't know how to explain why, but I'm a believer.

9: Work That Body!

Two Days Prior to McKayla's Arrival

 My weight the day before McKayla Belle was born was 167.8 lbs.  I had gained 35 pounds during my pregnancy.  I was super eager to get rid of that excess weight after she was born and by the time she was four months old, I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight!  This is how I did it:

Four Months After Giving Birth

First and foremost, be sure to get your doctor's approval prior to doing any workouts, and that goes for vaginal and c-section deliveries.  It's usually around 6 weeks after giving birth that they give the ok, as long as there aren't any issues.  Don't push it, you'll get your chance to get back in shape; meanwhile, use that six weeks to relax when you can so your body will heal faster.  Also, easy on any diets.  Eat a well-balanced diet without any major changes.  Read more HERE.  In addition, know that if you are breast feeding, you're already burning 500 calories a day (YAY!) (Eisenberg, Murkoff, & Hathaway, 1996).  Read more HERE for more information about working out after giving birth.

1. As soon as I was feeling up for it, I would take McKayla Belle for a stroll every day in my neighborhood.  It was nice to get out of the house for some fresh air and I'm sure it was good for her too.  I always had someone with me, my momma, my daddy, my momma-in-law, my husband.  It was an easy thing to do that wasn't hard on my body and baby got to enjoy it too!

2. After I got my doctor's ok at my six week check-up, I started more strenuous exercises.  I found these ten minute work-out videos on YouTube by popsugarliving that I would work-out to every morning (I never skipped a day until I reached my pre-prego weight!).  I've never been a person to like to work-out, especially for very long, plus, now I didn't have that much time to do so. So ten minutes while she napped or watched her video was perfect!  Below are the videos I would work out to once a day:

• Pop Physique
• Core Fusion
• P90X
• Another Pop Physique
• Legs & Hips
• Arms & Legs
• Full Body
• Arms
• Abs
• Another Full Body
• Another Full Body

3. An exercise I like to call vertical dance, otherwise known as pole dancing.  Before you cast judgement, I need to point out that I am not a stripper (and have nothing against them!) and don't plan on being a stripper (and have nothing against the field!).  I simply enjoy the art, challenge, and full body workout it provides.  I happen to have my own spinning pole at home which has already paid itself (Nooooo, not what you're thinking!  I mean compared to classes!).  There are classes available that I would recommend if you're a beginner and are interested or not sure if you are interested yet.  (For safety's sake, you should start with an experienced instructor and get comfortable performing the moves, especially inverts, before venturing home with a pole.)  That's where I started.  When I got good enough, I decided to get my own pole and worked out at home.  (If you do work-out at home, never practice inverts alone.  Make sure there is a friend or your husband available in the house to help if you get seriously injured.)  Unfortunately, my pole instructor moved the business farther away, so now I started self-teaching through apps and YouTube videos.  Working out on the pole is a fantastic work-out and excellent confidence booster!  As with most sports, there is the risk of minor (bruises, pole burn, rug burn) and major injuries (sprains, or worse).  In the beginning, everything you do hurts, but there is a saying that if you're in pain, you did it right!  LOL!  The more you practice, the less it hurts.  It also hurts less and is more fun when you work-out with girlfriends!  So if you're interested, look to see if there are local classes you could join.  Also, try to go to a show.  I mean a professional pole dancing show.  I've been to several and let me tell ya, most of the audience is women!  You'll hear in the the videos below that most of the cheers are from girls.  If later down the road you decide, "Dang!  This is fun!!" then below are some links to get you working out at home.

• X-Pole Xpert 50mm Chrome Pole Very expensive, but if you're serious about vertical dance, it's a good investment.  No worse than a stair master.
• Dry Hands to help you stick
• Windex to clean the pole
• Boy Shorts
• Sports Bra
• Pocket Pole Studio App It's pricey, but worth it!
• Pole Video
• Pole Move Tutorial  Mina has several videos on YouTube that are awesome tutorials!
• Pole Move Tutorial
• Jenyne Butterfly  One of the best pole dancers ever!
• USPDF I saw one of these USPDF shows live in New York, it was amazing!!
• My Pole Instructor  Where it all started for me!

References:

Eisenberg, A., Murkoff, H. E., & Hathaway, S. E. (1996).  What to Expect When You’re Expecting. New York: Workman Publishing.

8: Make The Most Out Of Me Times

It's hard to care for yourself being a new momma.  Bathroom breaks are hard to come by these days, not to mention showers!  So here are a few tips to make the most out of me times!

1.  Keep a container of flushable wet wipes in each bathroom.  Use these where necessary each chance you actually get to go to the bathroom.  Genitals, underarms, etc...  This will help you keep fresh until your next glorious shower!

2.  Store lotion at each sink.  With all the diaper changes, my hands are having one hell of a time with cracking and soreness this winter.  So after I wash my hands, if I have time, I'll throw on some lotion.

3.  Do the same with lip balm. I have one in my car, purse/diaper bag, living room (right where I normally feed her during the day), bedroom (again, where I feed her) and each bathroom.  

4.  Ditto for deodorant.  

5.  UPDATE:  Dry Shampoo for your hair.  So you can at least pretend you're fresh and so clean, clean!  Dry Shampoo

This is a very short list, but may come in handy when honey is working a long day! :-)  Will add more if think of anything else.

7: The Notorious Diaper Change

Before McKayla came along, I hadn't ever changed a diaper, at least for as long as I can remember.  I have to admit, her first diaper that needed to be changed in the hospital I ended up calling up a nurse to do it while I observed!  It was pretty funny, because I started out strong and undid her diaper, took a peak, and fastened it right back up!  I didn't even know where to start!  So here is my advice to you and some tips we have figured out along the way to prevent huge messes!

If you have a friend with a baby, ask if you could practice a diaper change or two and ask them for any pointers.  Or at least watch a diaper change.  I was offered an opportunity by my friend BB, and I foolishly passed it up.  I was nervous about holding a baby, much less, changing one's diaper!  But I definitely should have tried.

The first night we had her home, my husband was changing her diaper in our bedroom.  I was heading to the room and right before I opened the door, I heard "OH GOD!"  LOL!! When I walked in, he was bent over her with diaper in hand saying "She won't stop!  It just keeps coming!"  She was projectile pooping a good several inches!  Every time he would get her cleaned up, she would poop all over again!  I couldn't help but laugh!!  He was covered in poop and her changing table was covered in poop!  After this accident, we tried several attempts to prevent that from happening again and this worked the best for us...

1. Make sure she's done!  This was my husband's rule, understandably enough!  In the first month, I would recommend giving her at least five minutes after you know she went, maybe even ten.  On several occasions, we would hear her go, then immediately go change her.  Then we would get blasted while she was unprotected on the changing table or she would get urine running up her back soaking everything in its path!  As she gets older, you'll tend to know when to change as their defecation becomes more consistent. (You'll still have some accidents, but not nearly as many as in the beginning.)

2.  Use an old towel for changing tables that don't really have any protection, such as the play yard or the bassinet changing tables.  I fold it to provide four layers of protection and absorbency.  I tried disposable waterproof pads.  Waterproof, yes, but it would absorb and then run up her back.  Same thing with paper towels.  The best was a bath towel.  Even now, each of my changing stations have a folded towel.  They absorb in the same spot and don't allow the urine to travel, are reusable and easy to clean, provide a bit more cushion than the changing table provides and they also provide a warm barrier for her to lay on as opposed to the cool material of the changing table. UPDATE:  06 Mar 2013.  Now that my baby girl is seven months, she no longer fits on the changing tables below and now am using her changing table/dresser with the pad and cover.  I have eliminated the towel and now just use a disposable changing pad.  She rarely urinates with her diaper off now, but when she has a poopy diaper, the pad protects her changing pad cover (which is white...what were we thinking!).  I do cut these in half because I don't really need protection near her head and it saves some money.

3.  Have all of your supplies ready to go.  Fresh diaper, wipes, rash cream, baby powder.  In the first two months, I would even have her clean diaper unfolded and ready to grab.  As long as I had everything lined up, her changes went smoothly and quickly.  Each diaper station is stocked with Desitin, baby powder, diapers, a refill pack of wipes, and a spare towel.  Her wipes are in the warmer and I carry that to the station I'll be closest to most of the time.  If I happen to be at the other station, I'll at least have the back up wipes.

4.  Talk to your baby during the diaper change.  From laying her down, to undoing the onsie, to taking off the dirty diaper, etc...  It is good for them to hear your voice and they learn how to speak by hearing you speak.

5.  The diaper change: 
(I kept her actual diaper on and used a clean one to demonstrate.) Buckle her to changing table. While holding one leg up a little to keep bottom up, use front of dirty diaper to wipe excess poop/pee.  After this initial wipe, position diaper underneath her bottom to act as a barrier for the towel from any remaining poop/pee on her bottom.

  Use baby wipe(s) to clean diaper area from front to back.  Place dirty wipes, dirtiest side down on the dirty diaper.  

Slide diaper out of the way.  Immediately place ready and unfolded diaper under bum and pull front up and over so all is covered and you are protected.  

Roll the dirty diaper from the bottom towards the top, wrapping up the wipes.  Pull the left tab towards middle of the rolled diaper and fasten it so it doesn't come unwrapped. Take right tab and wrap as tight as feasible around the diaper to make a dirty diaper ball and toss.  We try to get them as small as  possible to save room in diaper pail.

Use another clean folded diaper to fan her/his area dry.  Don't forget between the cheeks.  Keeping the area dry will help prevent diaper rash.  

If you notice redness, apply either Desitin or baby powder.  Update: So lately I've been trying to use more all natural and homemade remedies for both saving money and for better health.  Here is a recipe from my friend Zoë for an all natural, homemade diaper cream:
1 cup coconut oil, 8 drops of tea tree essential oil and 8 drops of lavender essential oil.

Fasten diaper and you're good to go!  This process worked the best for me.  As she got older, I was able to slack on certain parts.  Do what works best for you and your baby.  My daughter is now four months old and this seems to work well so far.  Will update as she gets older and more mobile.

6. Update: Tips on Cooperation: 
Diaper changes are one of a baby's least favorite activities.  If only they knew how important it is, lol!  Using distractions is the best way to get their mind of the changing.  And just when you find the perfect system, they'll change their minds and not like your distraction anymore leaving you trying to find something new.  Here are a few things that have worked for us, at least for a few changings.

• Toys.  Rattles, stuffed animals, any kind that young ones can hold in their hands.
• Pets.  I have used this one more recently with McKayla.  Not sure how well it would work for younger babies.  Lately I've been restricted in lifting things so I've been doing many of her diaper changes on the floor, at pet level.  She loves our animals so  one day after many struggles to get her changed a thought occured to me to involve the dogs.  I have one of my dogs lay down in the floor and then I ask McKayla to come lay down with the puppy.  Now she does it with no issues and she just looks at the dog commenting on their facial bodyparts or how cute they are.  It actually makes the task more enjoyable for me too and is definitely easier than dodging kicks to my pregnant belly.  Please be safe and use your discretion when involving your pets.
• Books.  Small board books are perfect for those who can grasp them.  
• Sing.  Sing a fun, silly, or soothing song.  This worked for a little while and sporadically still does.
• Repeat after me.  Have a baby who can, repeat the numbers or the alphabet to you.  If they are too young, then just recite them for baby.
• Wall decals.  Line the top of the changing table with wall decals.  I currently have the Disney princesses and when they first went up, they worked like a charm.  I would tell her their names and the color of their dresses and hair and we would count how many of them there were.  Now, I'll ask her to tell me.
  
• Hanging Decoration.  I have three paper lanterns hanging above her changing table that, again, worked well when they first went up.  Taught her more about colors and counting too.
• Someone Else.  Have a friend or family around?  Ask them to talk or sing to her.  Sometimes a voice other than yours is distraction enough.  If you and they are willing, have them change them.  My family/friends haven't had to fight her yet.
• Location.  Try changing baby somewhere else in your house at different levels.  On the bed, couch, floor, even outside if possible.  Sometimes being changed somewhere new helps.  Have a basket or changing organizer that has everything you need to grab on the go.
• Standing.  When your child is able to stand, try changing her diaper while she stands in the floor.  Not recommended for poopy diapers, but works great with peepee diapers.  

7. Update: Changing a Diaper When There's Not a Place to Change a Diaper:
It's not always a pleasant experience to change a diaper in public when there is no place to change your baby.  The worst is when you go to a restaurant that provides high chairs but not a changing table.  Here are some tips to help you get through an inconvienient public diaper change.

• Use your vehicle, weather permitting.  I have been known to use my front seat, back seat, and trunk.  Please be safe and use your discretion when changing in the trunk.  If weather isn't nice, after getting the inside of your car to comfortable diaper changing conditions, do them in the seat with doors closed.  Very uncomfortable for you, but if you're desperate, it can be done.
• As stated in 6 above, you can change while they stand.  I have done this as privately as I could using my car doors.  Or any bathroom stall will work, big ones are best.
• If your stroller will allow, do it on that.  My stroller has a recline option and I've been able to change my daughter right on that at places like fairs, where there aren't many options.
• I've never really had to change her on the ground, but if you find yourself in that position, use a changing pad for comfort for baby.  I've liked this one so far and have two now.