Breastfeeding Round 2

Breastfeeding Round 1:

Colby didn't won't to latch on and eat until about the third day.

My milk didn't come until the 5th day, which was a big problem because he was jaundice.

The only way to get rid of jaundice is eat and poop it out and Colby wasn't doing either.....not good.

He was on the light at home and resembled a little Mexican. We thought he just had a dark complexion at first but then the tan turned yellow.

His jaundice level got really high on the fourth day and the nurse insisted on feeding him formula through a syringe until my milk came in. It broke my heart, but I agreed since they were considering putting him back in the hospital.


My milk came in the next morning packaged in triple Fs....I kid you not. I couldn't even put my arms down to the side because my breast bulged out from underneath my armpits.

No problem, Colby can just nurse and alleviate the pressure. Wrong, he had formula through the syringe already and that's much easier than latching (his latch on time was around 10-15mins) on mommy's breast and waiting on her horribly slow let down. I had the slowest let down in the world....pretty sure I have the world record. It literally took five minutes and with a baby trying to get milk out and screaming as loudly as possible, it seemed more like an hour.

When he cried, I cried and then I said my usual prayer:
Dear Lord,
I pray in Jesus name that Colby will learn to latch on correctly and that my let down will speed up for my impatient son. I also pray for understanding of why this is so difficult for us when it's your intention. I pray for strength not to give up and to trust in you Lord.
Amen
oh yea, and please make him stop screaming during the process. Amen

Definitely not a prayer I thought I would be praying pre-baby.

Colby wanted to nurse every 1.5-2 hrs and this same scenario happened for the first few weeks so you can only imagine how many times I prayed this prayer.

Well...there is power in prayer and one day it became easy and all the hard work was worth every minute!


Round 2:
Before Chase even arrived, I was praying up a storm that I didn't have to endure the same difficulties again.

Chase latched on immediately

All I have do to his put him in the vicinity and his nipple radar takes control.

My milk came in on the third day

My let down is like 2 seconds..........thank goodness!


Yesterday, I found myself walking around to find Colby as Chase was latched on nursing, and I was eating a plum with the other hand. Totally different from round 1- 1st week.

Look how tiny he is.....I barely feel him in my arms.



I think stress also has a lot to do with successful breastfeeding. I was a worry wart that stressed about every aspect of breastfeeding when it came to Colby.


I stressed about:

producing enough milk

Is he eating long enough

Is he getting the hind milk since he won't stay awake long enough to nurse for more than 5 mins

Am I nursing too much or not enough

should I switch breast during a feeding

Blah Blah Blah Blah

Oh my, the list goes on and on. I called my lactation consultant so many times that I think she started screening my calls. When I said, "hello" she responded, "hello Amanda"......now that's pretty sad.

This time I decided to protest against any worries. I know that Chase knows how much he needs so I decided to nurse on demand in the beginning. I nurse every time he wakes up and every time he cries. I offer and if he wants to nurse that's great and if he doesn't that's fine too. I don't watch the clock to see how long he nursed, and I have no concern if I'm producing enough milk
.........ahhhhh this is a much better experience.



I guess you live and learn and as my nanny would say.....

You learn something new every day and still die dumb!

Do my boys look alike at 1 week

Colby Michael
Look at our little chico
Christopher Chase

The Birth of Christopher Chase Jones

As you know my goal this time around was to deliver Chase naturally.

Did it go as planned? Well let me start from the beginning.

Thursday night I felt slight leaking and assumed it was my water. I figured it would completely rupture at any moment, and I was starting to get very anxious. I continued to leak all night and the next morning when I picked Colby up, out came enough water to cause me to change panties but I still wasn't sure if my entire bag ruptured. I called Chris around 9:00am, and told him to come home from work because I had a good feeling that Chase was getting ready to make his grand entrance! Chris got home around 9:30 to occupy Colby while I took a shower and checked everything off my to-do list.

I was having sporadic contractions but nothing consistent. I called my nurse (she is a friend of mine and was on call, so it worked out perfect) and she said to come to the hospital around noon and get checked out because I could be at risk for infection since my water had been leaking for some time.

Since I intended on going natural, the plan was to stay at home until my contractions were 4 mins apart.

Why...

A hospital is not conducive for natural birth because it's very difficult to get comfortable with a drip in your arm, monitor on your tummy, and the most uncomfortable bed ever.....not to mention I would be confined to my room because it's slightly frowned upon to walk the halls and leak amniotic fluid all over the floors LOL!

A birthing center would have been ideal but we live in Mississippi.....not an option.

It was now 1:00 and I had little progress. Chris and I decided to take a walk around the block and see if I could get Chase to put a little pep in his step! After walking, I began to have contractions about 10 mins apart but still nothing to cause us to get into a rush.

It was now 2:00 and my Dr. said to quit being stubborn and get to the hospital because he was concerned about infection. We took a few last pictures of our family of three and said goodbye to Colby and told him we were going to get Chase. He told me to go push him out and then he shared his cars with Chase hehe!

We got to the hospital around 2:30 and I was only dilated 2.5 cm. I knew this wasn't good.

My doctor said it had been way too long after my water broke to only be 2.5cm. He suggested starting pitocin to get the show on the road. He advised me that I would feel much more guilty about me and the baby getting an infection than I would about getting an epidural. Chris and I had previously decided that if I had to get pitocin then I would get an epidural since pitocin causes the contractions to be so much more intense. The Dr. said he would give me a small dose so I decided to at least try to still go natural and see if I could handle the contractions.

Several hours went by and contractions got stronger and about 5 mins apart.

I started trying to relax in the tub and on my birthing ball

Chris was absolutely wonderful and the best coach ever! He encouraged me and went out of his way to make me comfortable. Contractions started getting about 2 mins apart and it felt like my behind was ripping apart....literally.

So, I got out of the tub and tried to get comfortable on the bed. Chris rubbed my lower back to help alleviate the pain. The pain became overwhelming no matter what relaxing technique I tried.

At this point I was around 8cm and I could barely speak to tell Chris that I wanted an epidural but I got the words out and he quickly ran for help LOL! The anesthesiologist could not get there for another 30 mins and I wanted to scream, "are you serious?" I knew I had to remain calm and try to relax or the pain would increase (all though I didn't see how it could get any worse).

If I would have known that my labor wouldn't be much longer I think I could have dealt with the pain but all I kept thinking about was my friend that took nine hours to dilate from 6 to 1o and it put me in panic mode. She dealt with it and went natural, I now have an unbelievable respect for her!!

The anesthesiologist arrived, and I never thought I would be so excited to see someone coming to stick an enormous needle into my spine. I had to sit perfectly still as if I didn't feel like my insides were about to explode. I couldn't have done it without Chris.....I think I almost squeezed his arms off.

I didn't even feel the epidural.

ahhhhhhh instant relief

I called my best friends Angie & Crystal to give the update and they gave me the most encouraging words that I soooo needed to hear at the moment.....I love them!

I even felt like taking a picture with my Sis.....

and mom

before the epidural I didn't even want to hear the sound of voices

I bet Chris felt relieved......he was working hard.

After the epidural, my body relaxed and Chase was born within the hour. I pushed three times and I was about to push for the fourth time and he just fell out on his own ( I guess he was tired of waiting on me). The Dr. only snipped my scar tissue from my first episiotomy and I only had two stitches.........hallelujah! The next day I could walk fine and I felt no pain, unlike my episiotomy with Colby. I remember thinking what the mess went on down there and why in the world did my nurse stick this crazy light between my legs.........wait, I don't care because it feels so darn great?

Born at 11:27 p.m.

6.12 lbs

18.5 in

daddy cutting the cord

It was the best delivery I could ever imagine!


Did it go as planned? No

Did it go perfect? Yes

I really wanted to go natural but my situation wasn't ideal, and I felt like I made the right decision. I assumed I would feel like a failure if I got the epidural so I had been praying for peace about the outcome. God gave me instant peace and it allowed me to focus on my sweet baby boy that he just placed in my arms!

I don't regret my attempt to go natural.

Why?
I prepared my body for natural birth and I still reaped the benefits

It allowed Chris and I to experience something special together as a couple....especially teamwork

I was also able to hold out longer on the drugs and Chase came out wide-eyed and alert which helped him to latch on and breastfeed successfully.
Well at least I like to believe that's why he came out alert....let me have it, I deserve it.

Private Transitional Care

I believe the first few hours are vital for mother-baby bonding so Chris and I decided to pay extra for a private nurse so Chase would never have to leave our room. It was amazing and worth every penny. He layed on my chest skin-to-skin and no one was rushing our bonding time by trying to take my baby away for 3 hours. I kept putting him to the breast and after about 20 mins (when he was ready) he latched on and nursed like a champ. I felt so blessed at the moment and thanked God for my answered prayer. When Colby was born I felt very rushed to nurse, he didn't latch on immediately, and then they took him from me during the most important time. I wasn't given the opportunity to nurse again for several hours and it took many many many days for him to learn how to latch on and nurse well. I think so many breastfeeding difficulties would be eliminated if the mother and baby were left alone and allowed the appropriate bonding time. I felt like Chase should be with his mother, not in a nursery with strangers. I think in-room transitional care should be available to every mommy with no extra charge but even if it isn't free..........I sooooo recommend paying the fee, it's worth it!

My wonderful friend and best nurse in the world, Morgan!
My Boys

JoJo & Gammy

Coach

Dr. Gebhart

PawPaw Mike

Future Buddies.......Kale & Gray

Look at my little peanut, he is so tiny!

On the way home

"From the fullness of grace we have received one blessing after another” - John 1:16

Good Job Mommy

I believe this baby is getting to Colby. He has slept from 7:00-7:00 since he was just a few months old and this past week he has regressed tremendously. He wakes up several times a night and immediately begins a manic scream that could shatter glass. The solution to his problem................he says he wants hugs and kisses and then he ask, "are you otay mommy?"

I'm assuming he thinks I'm not okay because.....

I walk slightly different
I act a little tired
I get off the floor slower and sometimes with a sigh
and I can't dance like I'm on Soul Train

After a few nights of waking up every two hours, we had to have a long talk. I told him if it's dark outside he has to go back to sleep, not scream for mommy. And, as soon as he sees light coming through the window, he may call for me. I believe he is waking up between 5:30-6:00 and at 6:30 when he sees a tiny stream of light that's his Que and he reacts promptly! He screams, " mommy, want out, light, good job mommy, good job". He is trying to convince me that he did a good job because he waited until he saw light.

I told him that was a little light and lets wait for a lot of light, but I guess that's asking way too much!

6:32 am

Nursery On a Budget

Decorating Colby's nursery was definitely a different experience to say the least. Money really wasn't an object because we had two incomes, no children, and no mortgage (we were living with my parents about to start building our house).
I bought overpriced furniture that is now covered in bite marks, dents, and scratches. I guess even expensive furniture can't withstand the destruction of Colby! I also purchased bedding that cost more than mine, accessories that weren't necessary, and curtains that must have been made of gold.....I can't believe I wasted so much money! It was really easy to get carried away with all the excitement of having our first baby.

I knew I had to do Chase's nursery on a budget, and I'm pretty proud of the end result!

Adorable painting: Gift $0


Dresser: $70 / flea market

Chocolate Walls: Paint $20

Tree: Paint $12
Crib: Free

Rocking Chair & Bedding: Reused from Colby

Cornice Board: Free (my wonderful hubby & friend made it)

Cornice Board Material: $14 Monogram $6

Bird Decals/ Branch: $25

Shelf: Free (found it in my mom-n-laws garage......one man's trash is another man's treasure!)

Total: $147 Woohoo....I feel like patting my own back every time I think about it!

The nursery is done and the bags are packed which means I'm ready to go! Wait, not so fast.....my hospital doesn't have running water right now, and I would be unable to labor in the tub or take a bath after delivery. So, Chase needs to bake a little longer until the water situation is corrected! I'm 38 weeks & 3 days, and I go Monday morning at 8:00 to get checked.....so we'll see!

Hip Hop Prayer

It melts my heart when we gather around the table to eat, and Colby quickly presses his little hands together and says, "pay mommy." Oh yea, and don't you dare open your eyes during the blessing because Colby is always on prayer patrol.

He concludes the prayer with a loud AMEN and In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It's not your ordinary sign of the cross........it's a raise the roof, let me see you put your hands up kinda cross! Not sure where he got this hip hop soul but you've got to love his enthusiasm!!

The Fear of Failure

My due date is quickly approaching, and I think fear is beginning to set in just a little bit. I keep repeating in my head


* I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me



* Worry about nothing and pray about everything



I think the fear began to set in this morning when my doula told me she had a family emergency and won't be back in town for another week or maybe longer, which means she might miss the birth. I need her support and Chris needs her guidance!! Once again, I should pray and not worry (okay God.....I know, I know).


I know that if I don't deliver Chase naturally, I will feel like a failure. When I was pregnant with Colby I considered a drug fee delivery, but I didn't prepare or educate myself. Lacking knowledge about the matter made me quick to change my mind after I heard a doctor say, "get the epidural, it's fine."


I have heard so many people say, "God gave doctors the ability to ease the pain so take advantage of it."


It's a ludicrous comment because a doctor also created abortion but it doesn't mean that God had a hand in the situation.

Why would God create labor to be one way and then want man to change it to be our way?

When I decided to have a natural birth a friend of mine gave me these books to prepare for the big event.





After reading these books, I felt regret that I didn't give Colby the same start in life as I intend to give Chase. Now that I have all this information racing through my mind, I feel accountable.

With Colby I didn't know the dangers of

being induced

having my water broke

how the drugs effect me, the baby, breastfeeding, and initial bonding



It all reminds me of breastfeeding with Colby. I knew everything there was to know about nursing and all the benefits so I made my mind up that no matter how hard it got, quitting wasn't an option. It was tough for weeks, but I kept repeating in my head all the things I knew about breastfeeding and I didn't won't to fail Colby or myself.

I'm not in anyway saying that mothers who don't nurse are failures.......it was something within me. I know many amazing moms that didn't nurse, it's a personal decision.



So.......... I wonder if my mind will work the same way during labor and will it be enough to get me through the pain. I don't know the answer, but I do know that no matter what........

I pray that God will give me peace about the outcome.

I can't believe it's almost time to do this again!

37 Weeks & 2 Days

I'm 37 weeks & 2 days pregnant. I haven't had any contractions and I'm still 1 cm, as far as I know. I go back to the doctor Thursday and hopefully I will get news that doesn't include the number 1.

Look at that smile............man, I love him!

I haven't had any pain at all but the pressure is out of control! It literally feels as if I'm carrying a bowling bowl around in my pelvis. When I stand up it takes a minute before I can walk normal, and Chris seems to think it's so comical.

I'm ready to walk normal, and I'm ready for this little guy to join our family!!

My sweet, talented friend Emily made my door hanging and matched it perfectly to his bedding! Thanks, Emily........I love it!!