Sleep Anxiety page 4

[Louisa655]

I've always been super awkward nursing while laying down. Any tips? The best I've figured out is to prop her on pillows, but it still doesn't feel like a good latch. She's a really good baby when it comes to nursing. When she's not really hungry and doing the crazy head shaking thing (I think it's an excitement/anticipation thing. Looks like a wide opened fish mouth shaking its head no), she'll sit there with her mouth open very patient and latch correctly. Smart 3 week old!

And an anecdote on nursing/sleeping: When I was about 9, I got an awesome second degree sunburn with blisters the size of my fist. It was torturous and I had to learn to sleep sitting up. Looking back on it now, I realize it was actually a tender mercy. I can sleep and nurse sitting up (actually I can do several things asleep while sitting up. I think I slept through half of high school and definitely part of college thanks to this little trick, lol)

So tips on nursing laying down would be much appreciated.

I'm able to sleep anywhere -- and sleeping while sitting up is one of my bragging rights. I used to work two jobs and on a date at the movie theatre, I used to sit upright and fall asleep. I felt badly about it, but I was so exhausted and couldn't help it. I always co-slept with my children and learned to nurse lying down. It was the only thing that allowed me to survive nursing twins while having a 2 and 4 year old (and as a single parent). It takes a bit of positioning and practice. In the beginning stages, positioning is most important to avoid sore nipples. Proper placement and support with pillows and towels is key. Once you are 'over the hump', you'll be able to nurse standing on your head.

I'm with the other poster on thoughts that 'when a baby cries' we must go. It's old school to just let a baby cry --- raises our cortisol levels and God knows what it does to a baby. Babies need to be cuddled, picked up and loved. All too soon, they will be teenagers, and these precious moments will be gone.

As an aside, I had brunch with my 26-year old and 21-year old. The 21-year old's twin now lives in London, UK --- a good 7 hours flight way from us. :-( So cuddle and co-sleep and enjoy every second of it! Time is precious and our babies are so precious. much love, /Lu

[Ayla2010]

Aw Lu that must be tough
Not looking forward to those days.

Dr Bork Bork. Def just practice. It took me ages due to huge boobs LOL, when I first started breastfeeding could only do it in the football hold, with a pillow under my baby, but once we mastered laying down feeding, it just became easy no matter the position.
Then comes the standing all over you to feed, LOL, now that is fun.

[Louisa655]

Aw Lu that must be tough
Not looking forward to those days.

Dr Bork Bork. Def just practice. It took me ages due to huge boobs LOL, when I first started breastfeeding could only do it in the football hold, with a pillow under my baby, but once we mastered laying down feeding, it just became easy no matter the position.
Then comes the standing all over you to feed, LOL, now that is fun.

The first day that I mastered the football hold to nurse my twins was my proudest moment -- and then panic set in ---- I didn't have any hands/fingers to unlatch them. I was mortified and in a terrible predicament. Oh, he memories. I lost those beautiful Double D boobs --- now just a regular 36B ----- ahhh, those were the days!

[Ayla2010]

yeah those were the days LOL, am left with empty bags of nothing now after 4 years of straight breastfeeding.
I am usually so far from medical stuff, but so grateful cosmetic surgery exists LOL

[sbhikes]

I've never had any babies, but I have noticed that after a nap I feel absolutely horrible. Doesn't matter if the nap is 20 minutes or 60. But that horrible feeling does go away after a while and then I feel okay enough to make it through the day feeling still kinda tired but basically fine. I usually feel much better the following day.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Tried co-sleeping today. Slept less cuz I was just staring at the 9 lbs of adorable furry hobbit baby snuggled against my breast, lol. Maybe just keep her in the bassinet when I lay down.

Tired today, but feeling emotionally better (and a bit more perked up) than I have the last few weeks. Got in a tiff with my mom though cuz she gave Grace 2 saltines when she knows Grace is gluten sensitive and will get a head cold within 3 days of consumption. I immediately dosed Grace with essential oils as a preventive measure and my mom argued that I don't even give the kid a chance to try gluten and grow out of her allergy, that I'm paranoid and something something about my ridiculous oils. Maybe I should have said "Let's give you some lobster and see if you grow out of your shellfish allergy" :P

[Uncephalized]

I was going to suggest co-sleeping too, Trish. Babies are supposed to be with their mommies all the time, when they're new! Hope it helps.

[Ayla2010]

Oh poor you! Is your mum really even helping being there? Maybe suggest she go home

[Primal123]

Glad you are feeling a bit better. Keep snuggling. yes the watching the sleeping baby is addictive but you will sleep with her. I nursed for 6 years straight you learn to nurse in all sorts of places and positions, especially when sleeping.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Oh poor you! Is your mum really even helping being there? Maybe suggest she go home

Yes, actually. She's been doing almost all of the cooking, and the cleaning. She enjoys cleaning (to which I give her a very confused face. I can't fathom how anyone enjoys house work. Blech!), and has been cooking from our paleo cookbooks without much complaint (usually she carries on about the "weird food" we eat). She's also been taking my husband to the train station at 6a every morning so he doesn't have to march through the ice and snow to catch the bus over a mile away to get to the station, and bringing him home from the station at 5:30 in the evening, and taking Grace to school Tues/Thurs.

So, yes, she is helpful... we just have very different opinions on parenting & nutrition.