Back Update

So the sports medicine doc didn't think it was joints...he thinks it's a muscle issue. Which honestly I way prefer. The joint thing seemed kind of unfixable. Muscle issues just need a little time and tlc to work out. So I am now on muscle relaxers round the clock (totally safe while breastfeeding) and I start some physical therapy this afternoon. The muscle relaxers don't seem to be doing much but making me really sleepy. Really hoping the physical therapy helps and they are able to show me some stretches and stuff that will help work this out.

Keep me in your prayers peeps. This is getting really old and my post partum emotions can't take this much longer.

Breastfeeding Must Have #4

This is something I wish I had known about when I was breastfeeding Grayson. It collects the milk you leak from the boob that isn't feeding the baby. This is especially handy for that first feeding of the day when leakage tends to be most.

I don't know about you, but I work HARD to store up a supply of breastmilk in the freezer for the times I can't be with my baby. So this little invention is great because you don't have to waste a single, precious drop. I've been using it for the first morning feeding when I'm particularly engorged. Right now I'm collecting about a 1/2 ounce per use. And I imagine this will only keep going up and envision that as S gets older and eats more, I'll be collecting a couple of ounces each time I use it. This is my new fav by far.

It's called the Milk Saver by Milkies. You can read more about it here and can buy it here or here.

Deal Alert on Hooter Hiders!

In a previous post I raved about Hooter Hiders. Here's a great deal on one! Udder Covers has their 6 nursing covers on sale for $9.95 shipped! Just use the code cute at checkout and all you pay is shipping!

I personally like this one best....cause I think the dark is more discreet. I already own this one and am gonna pick up an extra one at this price for a preggo friend.

The Good & The Bad

Very soon I will finish my post with my birth story - which was GREAT by the way and a huge improvement on my last experience. And I will update you on my wonderful baby boy is is soooo GOOD in every way - eating, sleeping, being content. Seriously he is a dream. (This is again nice change of pace from Grayson - who had NICU time, reflux and crazy fussiness round the clock)

So...here's the bad. Since Tuesday, I have been in crazy pain in my lower back. It came on all of the sudden and has pretty much kept me fairly immobile. Something I don't really have the luxury to be with a newborn and a 2 year old. When it first came on I literally couldn't move and had to tell Grayson to "go get mommy's phone, it's by her bed". Thankfully he understood and did and my mom was over within minutes. I went to the doctor on Tuesday, thinking maybe it was a kidney infection. Something not uncommon after having a catheter in...which i did have as part of labor with an epidural.

They did a urinalysis which came up negative. The doc said it was joint pain. The joint that connects the back and the hip does all kinds of funky things in pregnancy in order to loosen up the pelvic area for birth. It's called the sacroiliac joint - and mine is inflamed. Oh joy joy. I'm supposed to take Advil and just wait it out til it goes away. Unfortunately it isn't. So I have a follow up appt. today with the sports medicine/physical therapy people to see about some further treatment.

From what I read, treatment is either physical therapy or shots (cortisone I believe). From what I read you can have cortisone shots while breastfeeding, but I'm not totally sure. So if not, I'm gonna have to choose between crazy pain, and breastfeeding my baby. I can always pump and dump for a while and then hope he comes back to my boob, but my supply doesn't keep up well solely on the pump. So that would be quite frustrating. But, if shots are the answer, I will have to do it. Because right now I can't take care of my kids on my own. My wonderfully awesome mother has been with me all days since this happened, and my husband in the evenings. Without them I would be unable to do things for my kiddos. This is oh so frustrating and has brought me to tears many times over past few days. So i need a solution. Hoping to find one this afternoon.

Anyone ever hear of this? Any ideas?

Introducing Sawyer!

Sawyer is Here

We welcomed an 8lb 13 oz 20.5 inches beautiful baby boy early this morning at 2:56 a.m. Birth went smoothly and we are both doing well. Pics to come when we get home and have a computer.

Breastfeeding Must Have # 3

The Hooter Hider!

I must admit, I do get annoyed at the people who get totally grossed out by breastfeeding and think that it should never ever be done in public. There are those who say if we want to feed our babies we should do it in the bathroom in private. Um, I'm sorry, do you want to eat your food in the bathroom?! I think not. I also though, don't think we need to subject everyone to flashes of our boobies. The hooter hider is a great solution to this very problem. It covers everything without smothering your baby. And the wiring on the top offers mommy a view of baby, without us showing the goods to everyone else.

There are some really fun patterns out there as well for these, but my suggestion would be to go with a solid color that is nice and discreet. I have a solid black one and I can't tell you how many times I was at a restaurant or somewhere else feeding G and people didn't even realized what I was doing under there. So, if you want to stay stealth, go dark and solid.

You can find a bunch of options using the link above, or there are a bunch on Etsy as well. I have gifted these numerous times as well to expectant moms. They make a great gift.

Breastfeeding Must Haves # 1 & 2

Any new mommies out there who need some help in the area of breastfeeding? I'm a huge advocate for it. Yes, it can be very tough and challenging in the beginning as you deal with latch issues, crazy sore nipples and worries about if your baby is eating enough. But, if you can push through the first weeks - it gets super easy! I promise. I'm starting a new series of posts of some of my "must haves" for navigating breastfeeding.

The first two, are extremely helpful during the first days and weeks as your nipples are getting "broken in" so to speak.

The first is Lan.sinoh Ultra Soft Nursing Pads. Now....any nursing pads will do once your healed and not hurting any more. But, these ones are great for the beginning because they don't chafe and are super soft. Buy a box or 2 prior to going into the hospital so you're prepared when it is time.

The second must have for the beginning is Lans.inoh Topical Breast Cream. This is great for soothing the soreness. Apply it liberally and often...and don't worry, it's safe for baby too. You don't have to wipe off before feeding. Keep it in your hospital or diaper bag so that you're ready to go when you need it.

I have more must haves to come over the coming days...stay tuned!

Pregnancy Must Haves - #5 & 6 - for all your smart phone gals

In prep for my impending (hopefully) labor, I downloaded a FREE i.phone app to track contractions. Kind of makes the pain a little more fun. :-)

There are a ton of other really cool apps out there for pregnancy and labor, but I was cheap and went for free. You can find out more about this app here.

Another app that is fun for pregnancy in general is the What to Expect app...it even has a place to take a weekly photo of your belly. Something I of course always forgot to do. But if you are just starting out in pregnancy and have a smart phone, it is a great app for info and tracking.



Any more great pregnancy apps out there that are worth sharing? Leave a comment!