We are doing great. Tony back to work and all is fine. I am actually finding the newborn more challanging then the toddler. I suppose I love toddler activities and HATE being tied to sitting around and nursing all day and holding someone who cannot communicate his needs. The day is mostly fine the nights stink but should be better in another 3 weeks.

I guess we are spoiled. Miguel came out a person and while I did not enjoy him much for about the 1st 3 months at least I knew what he wanted. I got him. I still do. I miss playing with Miguel, I am having some issues wanting to do things with Miguel but know its impossible with Finn around.

Finn on the other hand, he fusses alot. Not much crying just fussing and I have no idea what his needs are. We pretty much hold him non stop and change him burp and then nurse. Finn seems to think he should always have a nipple in his mouth. We tried a pacifier but he caught on to our trickery. He isnt hungry all the time he wants the nipple. His favorite is to get a big mouth full of milk and then fuss to let it all spill out and then refill this can go on for an hour at a stetch. He is getting plenty of milk and is gaining an ounce a day he has plenty of wet and dirty diapers. I am not really able to do anything while I nurse. It takes 2 hands. My personallity is not ok with just sitting around and Miguel's pleas for "Mommy play" are not helping. To top it off his non stop nipple holding causes me to get engorged for my next feeding when he isnt interested in the milk spill game. I just dont enjoy nursing enough to not get upset when i see the liquid love spilled.

I know I have a very different baby this time. I know that his being only 37 weeks means while he looks like a full size baby he isnt fully cooked and he needs a little more then Miguel did.

So what can I do to satisfy Finn's sucking need that doesnt involve my nipple?

Thanks
julie

Try letting him suck on your pinky finger, pad up. :hug:

Try letting him suck on your pinky finger, pad up. :hug:

He hates my finger.

He likes to suck his own thumb but the wiley thing just wont stay put.

jlie

Oh, bummer. :( Hmmm....all I can say is just ride it out. He'll change soon enough and won't want the boob quite as much. :big hug:

:big hug: julie! you remember my posts about jackson when he was just a few weeks old? if not...do a little search in this forum and you'll see...i had a hard time dealing with missing my time with savannah for this wee little one that was demanding and spitting up on me constantly!

hang on..the ride is bumpy at the moment but i swear it will be smooth before you know it!

On the sucking- you might try a knuckle. Sylvie likes that better than a pinky and has always hated the paci. Also, do you prop your breast? When my babes were very wee and my breasts were so very big, I'd role up a prefold diaper and wedge it under the breast to keep it at a good level, then I have one hand free to hold a book or build with blocks or stroke baby hair.

I always said after Phaedra was born that I would rather argue with 2 yo Ezra than sit and nurse the baby. It made me crazy. It did get easier and this time, for some reason, it's even easier. You're not alone in finding the newborn stage tedious. Thank goodness it does pass.

On the fussiness- (boy, you guys are going to get sick of this suggestion) You might hold him in a supported squat and see if it helps him pee or poop. You can do it with his diaper on or hold him over a bowl or the sink. I did not try this with the first two kids, but it has worked EVERY time with Sylvie and she is just less fussy than the other two were. You can also tell me to blow it out my ear :happy:

Good luck! It will get better. My mantra with Phaedra was "It's only 12 weeks."

Mama, I could have written your post, right down to the spilt milk, Connor does the EXACT same thing, LOL. And night nursing can be downright painful because he wants to keep my nipple in his mouth all night sometimes, but not actually nurse. As for playing with my older boys, lets just say they have watched more TV this summer than ever before. About all I can do with them is read books, which we have done a ton of, but even that gets old after awhile. We will take walks with C. in the sling on nice days, but it has been too hot for that lately.

All I can say is that it does get better. Connor is two months now, and while things certainly aren't easy yet, they are a bit easier. He has finally decided he likes the swing in short bursts, so I do take advantage of that.

((Hugs))

Finn doesnt have poop issues, no spitting up, no gas, no... nothing bad.

He just likes to be held on his side and really not moved around too much. As long as I hold him and dont move he is happy. its all the noise and movement and lights of the world that disturb his sleep. I think this has more to do with his being early and will go away in the next week or so.

I like him enough, just his favorite thing is my most hated thing.

The let down isnt the issue, its the painful engorgment and it takes ALOT to engorge me. Tried the diaper roll thing for nursing... it doesnt work gravity and all. I am not a DDD large I am like an L large. I can use a table but still have to cup my nipple area cause otherwise it would be pointed the wrong way. I cup my breast under one hand and hold the baby with the other. I saw like 10 different lactation consultants to get position help with DS#1... no one was able to help at all.

Golly I hate nursing

I'm sorry. :(

:hug:

Can I help? I can hold Finn while you play with Miguel. Or read. Or pay bills. Or whatever you need to do.

Does your dh help with feedings at all? With both my girls I started pumping early so they could have bottles of ebm upon occasion. Probably not popular, but I remember when Em was little and I went to sleep KNOWING I'd get a few consecutive hours was incredible.

Seriously, I am happy to help out if you'd like. :)

I'm sorry. :(

:hug:

Can I help? I can hold Finn while you play with Miguel. Or read. Or pay bills. Or whatever you need to do.

Does your dh help with feedings at all? With both my girls I started pumping early so they could have bottles of ebm upon occasion. Probably not popular, but I remember when Em was little and I went to sleep KNOWING I'd get a few consecutive hours was incredible.

Seriously, I am happy to help out if you'd like. :)

You are super sweet!

I would love any help anyone is willing to give. Neither DH or I have any family in the state so our support system doesnt exist.

I dont pump well, only get 1oz each time I tried with my medela. I have a whisperwear but gotta send it in to be refurbished. Since Finn came so early we just are not ready yet.

DH sits up with me most of the time. He helps a ton. I dont change diapers once he is home from work. I am just sleepy and cranky at only 3 weeks PP.

Anytime you wanna come over and help/play I would be totally welcome to the idea.

julie

PM'ing you. :)