Nursing surprises

I know I have a few months before I will be nursing, but I have been reading up on it, as well as buying supplies in preparation.  However, I do think that there are a few things that moms to be need to know.  Things nobody told me and even though I took a breastfeeding class was shocked to learn how much was NOT covered in the class. First, I didn't know how hard it would be the first couple weeks. For something so natural it did not come naturally.  I spent the first couple nights in the hospital crying because I was struggling to nurse. I also didn't know about flat and inverted nipples, (which caused us grief in the beginning). I had to use a nipple shield or pump to be able to get DS to latch.   We only used the nipple shield a couple times, and once I learned I could just pump for a minute or two first to get him to latch that is what we did.  I thought it was more painful to use the nipple shield, so I wanted to go without it. I also did not know that for about the first month they want nursed about every 45 minutes, or at least DS needed nursed that often. I didn't know milk comes out of more than one hole, and that they do not all spray in the same direction! I cannot tell you how many times I sprayed Owen in the face with milk.  Took several months before I had it semi under control. I didn't know to wear a nursing bra and nursing pads the first time we had intercourse. (oops!) So when your milk lets down it is because your body releases oxytocin, the same thing that is released when a female orgasms.  Therefore, during intercourse it is important to keep the bra on. I didn't realize how much it would hurt to be full. Your breasts definitely help keep you nursing on schedule.  When your breasts become engorged they become hard as a rock, a very misshaped rock. It is painful and can lead to clogged ducts, so it is important to pump or nurse before you become engorged. I took a breastfeeding class but they didn't go over any of this. I am sure there is more that surprised me I just can't think of it at the moment. What surprised you about nursing?

Cloth Diaper Inserts

There are so many sizes and styles of diapers that I often find myself researching and reading reviews before buying a particular diaper.  However, I never really considered the inserts for the diaper.  I just used whatever came with the diaper.  Until recently.  My toddler has hit that stage where he pees crazy amounts at one time.  Previously we would use two microfiber inserts or whatever inserts came with the diaper.  Well lately Owen would freeze when going pee and I would soon see the pee running down his leg.   After changing his diaper I noticed it is not at all fault of the diaper, the inserts were completely soaked.  So, I started researching for other inserts.  I was about to buy several different brands of hemp and bamboo inserts until I read an amazing review for BabyKicks Premium JoeyBunz Hemp Inserts.   I decided to give them a try.  I only bought three at first and have recently ordered five more.  These are amazing.  They are super trim and SUPER absorbent.  The Premiums are a cotton hemp combination and include two inserts sewn together.  At night I just add a microfiber on top before inserting them into the diaper.  Since Hemp is a little slower at absorbing this prevents it from leaking until it can be absorbed.  I also do the same during the day, but with a booster rather than and insert, this helps keep it trim.  I have had to readjust his pants because the diapers are so trim with the hemp that his pants were falling down.


When I was ordering the JoeyBunz inserts I read that they shrink.  I was thinking maybe a couple centimeters.  And then the inserts came in.  I could not believe how big they were.  I thought I was going to have to fold them to get them to fit in the diaper.  After washing them however, they are not much bigger than the Kawaii One size inserts.  As you can see in the picture, these inserts are made by hand and the lengths vary slightly.

 Washed insert on top of pre-washed insert to show difference in size.
These inserts can come stitched with green or ivory.  

These come as two inserts sewn at one end.

 This is a comparison to show the difference in trimness.  On the left is a pink sunbaby diaper with two microfiber inserts.  In the middle is a pink sunbaby diaper with the JoeyBunz hemp inserts as well as a Kawaii microfiber insert.  On the right is a pink sunbaby diaper with only the Joey Bunz inserts.  

Pretty trim.  :)  

I think I might get a couple other brands just to try them out.  But for now, I am very impressed with their absorbency and how trim they are. 

If you cloth diaper, what kind of inserts do you use? 

I passed!

Today I had my midwife appointment and my glucose test.  I went in drank the sugar water and hung out with Owen in the waiting room for half hour, then the midwife saw me for my appointment.  I have lost two pounds since my last appointment which the midwife was a little concerned about, as I am now 13 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight.  However, I am growing well so no reason to be too alarmed yet.  The midwife is hoping to see an increase in weight by my next appointment or she is going to request an ultrasound to be sure baby is growing as she should.  Charlotte's heart beat was at 143 bpm and is measuring 29 weeks.

I have a 3D ultrasound coming up, plus now I will be seeing the midwife every two weeks until 36 weeks.  Time is going quick, and thank goodness because I cannot wait to see my little girl!!!

A little addiction

I realized today that I have a slight cloth diaper addiction.  It was not until I took a picture of my diapers for this blog that I realized that I might have an addiction to cloth diapers.  I have recently made several purchases from Kelly's Closet. They are amazing!  They offer coupons weekly for free one-size diapers.  Which has helped feed my addiction and multiply my stash.  

Here are a few pictures of my recent purchases.

These two grovia AIO I received free with my purchase.

Grovia AIO newborn, 2 lil joeys AIO newborn, 2 Kissaluvs AIO newborn, 2 FuzziBunz Pocket newborn, 3 Bum Genius AIO newborn. 

6 Bum Genius One-size, 1 FuzziBunz pocket one-size(free diaper),  2 swaddlebee AIO newborn, 2 lil joey newborn AIO

Bum Genius is currently offering a deal that is available at Kelly's Closet.  If you buy 5 diapers you get one free.  Click here for the Bum Genius deal.  

So, after all of those purchases, here are pictures of my current stash.  

 Newborn diapers:

 3 bum genius, 2 fuzzibunz, 2 swaddlebees, 4 lil joeys, 1 grovia, 2 kissaluvs, 1 perfectbum, 1 happy flute, and 2 WAHM.  

One Size:

11 happy flute, 2 grovia, 1 coolababy, 4 Kawaii, 1 perfectbum, 20 sunbaby, 6 bum genius, 1 fuzzibunz.   Not pictured 2 happy flute.  

The happy flute diapers are a Chinese diaper that I ordered on e-bay.  They go for about $4 each.  They are awesome!   

I cannot wait for Baby girl to arrive and try out these newborn diapers!   

26 weeks!!

We made it to 26 weeks!  I had another appointment with the midwife today.  Weight and blood pressure both were great.  My uterus is measuring a bit larger (28 weeks) but I believe it is because of so many pregnancies (1 full term, 1-8 week, 1-16 week with twins, and my current).  Despite my growing size, my pre-pregnancy pants are too big and need a belt to keep them up.

Here is a belly picture from 24 weeks.  

Charlotte tends to like hanging out on my left side, so my belly is always lopsided.  

I have another appointment in two weeks and I will be doing the glucose test.  Yuck.  Stay tuned! 

Baby update

Sorry for my absence.  We took a trip to visit family in Maryland and Delaware.  It was great to get away and really good to see family and friends.  Before our trip I had my first midwife appointment, on the 20th.  Owen got to come with me.  It was the first time that he was able to hear the baby's heart beat.  The midwife even put the doppler on him so he could hear his.  Baby Charlotte's heart beat was 147 bpm.   So far so good.

I also was able to ask the midwife some questions about her practice and her labor/delivery practices.  I took a tour of the hospital that I will be delivering at and all of the nurses are trained in natural childbirth and will not push drugs or medical interception if there is not an absolute medical necessity.  Which is a huge relief.  My best friend will be acting as my doula for the birth and she is also going to attend the birthing classes since they are in the middle of the week and DH will be out of town.   The next thing I have been debating is whether or not to have a photographer at the birth.  A friend who did my wedding photography as well as some Christmas pictures volunteered to do the birth photography.  I do not know her super well and we are not very close.  Not sure how comfortable I feel about her being there through the birth.  However, I really really regret not having someone to take pictures of labor/delivery of Owen.  I am debating having a photographer there or just handing my best friend the camera, but if/when I need her support she wont be able to take pictures.  hmm...

Anyhow, my next check up is on the 17th.  Watch for a "bump" picture to follow soon.

Pregnancy update

Wow!  It has been almost a month since I have posted anything.  Over the past few weeks I have been struggling with the decision to stick with my regular Ob/Gyn, or see a midwife.  I knew one thing for sure, I did not want to give birth at the same hospital I previously did, but I hated to leave my regular doctor.  After doing tons of research and talking to tons of moms, I decided to make the switch.  I had an ultrasound and check up with the OB today and I told him I was going to see a midwife for the remainder of my care.  The wonderful doctor that he is, supported my decision.

I was nervous going into the ultrasound today because I have been having crazy pregnancy dreams that I was actually pregnant with a boy.  While doing the anatomy scan the tech made all the necessary measurements and said she is growing as she should and everything looks good.  She also checked for signs of and health complications or abnormalities and again, everything looks good.  Baby Charlotte looks as healthy as can be.  She also confirmed it is indeed a girl.  Which obviously the health is the most important thing, but I am so thrilled to be having a girl.

Here are some pictures from today's visit.

Also, I am exactly 20 weeks today.   Here is a comparison of what I look like today, and what I looked like at 20 weeks with DS.