Today is World Prematurity Day, being a NICU nurse I felt it necessary to a moment to honor the millions of babies who have died this year because they were born too soon and the millions more who are so strong and courageous as they fight for their little lives each day. These little guys are some of the strongest and bravest little people around.
A glimpse:
I love what I do and these babies and their families have blessed me and showed me how precious life is. These babies amaze me every day and when I get to see them go home and then see them months and years later thriving and doing well it rekindles my love for these little babies.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Breastfeeding: an update
So the last I posted on the topic was here and here things have certainly made a 180 and Im so so glad I stuck with it! I was determined to not give up and I really put a lot of extra effort in. I saw a Lactation Consultant on my time, called someone from the Le Leche Leauge, cried in frustration, googled and came out alive!
As far as the nursing itself goes L is a champ he can eat and be done in about 10 minutes and I have pumped after he finishes and he literally drains me all the way! I am so glad it no longer takes him 45min to an hour to eat that was so frustrating when I wanted to go anywhere although it was kind of nice when we were at home, I would basically just camp out on the couch with a full DVR and my water and snacks and just relax with my lil guy.
As far as the items that have been a neccesity for me:
I currently have the Medela Freestyle pump and... I HATE IT!!!!
1. It is so loud, like a dying machine
2. The pump parts can only be used with the freestyle and you cant just buy the membranes which you have to replace every 3-4 months you have to buy a whole new pump parts kit so then you end up with five million pump parts and only 2 membranes, totally sucks.
3. Also I use the Medela symphony at work and that thing is a true work horse well I cant use my freestyle parts on that pump so if I want to pump in the car on the way to work I need two different sets of pump parts...its just a huge hassle.
4. Another thing I hate is that if the membranes are even the slightest bit wet, the pump wont suck Im not even exaggerating so you either need to a) have several pump part sets or b) completely clean and dry the pump parts between each pumping
5. my boobs hate it, I can get about 8-10oz per pumping with the symphony and a whopping 2-4oz with the freestyle and those 2-4oz only come after a good 25 minutes of pumping....it majorly blows!
I am on the market for a new pump which deeply saddens me since this thing was $400 but whats a girl to do, I need to pump and this thing is just not cuttin it!
I LOVE these bags:
I hate to pump and I don't pump really unless I am at work. What I pump at work is what L gets the next night I work. I usually try to go 3 times at work and if I cant go 3 times I will have to fit in a pumping at home. I do pump at home on occasion because I dot have a freezer stash at all and I am trying to build one so I need to pump here and there to build that up. I love this hands free bra thing
I used to have the Medela one and I hated it because the holes would stretch out and not hold the breast shields on tight enough and I would end up holding them with my hands. This one I have never had a problem with it getting stretched and its way cuter!
One thing I wished I had had in those early days when I was dealing mastitis and engorgement was this thing:
You can make it hot or cold and it is boob shaped and comes in a pair so you can put one on each boob, also it comes with the washable blue cover. This thing would have been a life saver and I have had some clogged ducts here and there and I need to remember to use this, Im sure its way better than a warm wash rag since it probably stays warm. It will also comes in handy one day when its time to wean.
One last thing I have been using lately to increase my supply since I have needed to pump more so I have enough for L when I go to work is these vitamins:
All items contain a like to them on Amazon, although if your in Houston, I have found the therapearl pillow thing at some HEB's in the baby section
As far as the nursing itself goes L is a champ he can eat and be done in about 10 minutes and I have pumped after he finishes and he literally drains me all the way! I am so glad it no longer takes him 45min to an hour to eat that was so frustrating when I wanted to go anywhere although it was kind of nice when we were at home, I would basically just camp out on the couch with a full DVR and my water and snacks and just relax with my lil guy.
As far as the items that have been a neccesity for me:
I currently have the Medela Freestyle pump and... I HATE IT!!!!
1. It is so loud, like a dying machine
2. The pump parts can only be used with the freestyle and you cant just buy the membranes which you have to replace every 3-4 months you have to buy a whole new pump parts kit so then you end up with five million pump parts and only 2 membranes, totally sucks.
3. Also I use the Medela symphony at work and that thing is a true work horse well I cant use my freestyle parts on that pump so if I want to pump in the car on the way to work I need two different sets of pump parts...its just a huge hassle.
4. Another thing I hate is that if the membranes are even the slightest bit wet, the pump wont suck Im not even exaggerating so you either need to a) have several pump part sets or b) completely clean and dry the pump parts between each pumping
5. my boobs hate it, I can get about 8-10oz per pumping with the symphony and a whopping 2-4oz with the freestyle and those 2-4oz only come after a good 25 minutes of pumping....it majorly blows!
I am on the market for a new pump which deeply saddens me since this thing was $400 but whats a girl to do, I need to pump and this thing is just not cuttin it!
I LOVE these bags:
They seem very sturdy and have a double zipper so the milk doesn't leak also, you can lay them flat in the freezer for more efficient storage of milk
Bamboobies are amazing!
These things are so soft and so absorbent I love them! I still need nursing pads and I got tired of shelling out the change for the disposables plus these are very slim and don't show through my shirts
When I am at work I don't clean my parts in between pumping since I can use the symphony the parts don't have to be dry so I just rinse them in water and put them in a ziplock in the fridge and this cuts down immensely on my pumping time, from set up to being back in my unit it is anywhere from 20-25 min total that includes set up, pumping, and clean up, I really only pump for 10-14 min with the symphony its awesome!
I used to have the Medela one and I hated it because the holes would stretch out and not hold the breast shields on tight enough and I would end up holding them with my hands. This one I have never had a problem with it getting stretched and its way cuter!
One thing I wished I had had in those early days when I was dealing mastitis and engorgement was this thing:
 |
| Therapearl |
One last thing I have been using lately to increase my supply since I have needed to pump more so I have enough for L when I go to work is these vitamins:
I feel like I have not been able to pump enough for L for when I am gone, when I pump at work I don't really get enough for the next night lately and have had to pump a few times at home too and these vitamins have been helping, I am slowly starting to see an increase ...even though I smell like IHOP
All items contain a like to them on Amazon, although if your in Houston, I have found the therapearl pillow thing at some HEB's in the baby section
Monday, November 14, 2011
Rock and ROLL
This past weekend I ran in the San Antonio Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon. it was my first since finding out I was pregnant. Granted L is only 5 months old I knew it would be the perfect motivation to get my butt in gear!! Not to mention my mom and Gram were doing it too and heaven forbid I let them run without me!!
My training was mediocre at best, I really wish I could have trained better but getting back into the swing of things was a little harder than I anticipated. I LOOSELY used the Hal Higdon training schedule for Novice. I say loosely because I didn't really stick to it but when I needed some guidance on distance and when to get started I would refer to it.
The days before the race I tried to really up my hydration, during my last half that was my downfall and it really sucked, I hit a wall at mile 10 and the last 3.1 were miserable because I think I wasn't well hydrated. So this time I really tried to amp up the hydration the week before and then the day before the race I think I drank like over 3L of fluid not just water as I didn't want to end up with hyponatremia (low sodium).
The night before we had our usual pasta and I was able to get about 8 hours of sleep. I was up bright and early and started my race routine. I ate a bagel with peanut butter and drank a red bull. About 15 minutes before race start I ate(?) a GU it was chocolate flavor which was like chocolate pudding. It took me a long time to get used to GU because the texture really gags you but I take it in bits and also swig water so it dissolves in my mouth. Once I started using it I really really noticed a difference in my endurance and the way my body felt during long runs.
The race was good, I made sure to pee right as the race was starting and thus did not have to pee during the race, I learned my lesson on that the first time...always pee before you start...the clock doesn't start till your chip passes the start and once you pass the start you cant pause the time and if you have to pee the long potty lines will KILL your time!
I hit a few rough patches but God was good and put the right song on my ipod in my ears right when I needed the motivation. Believe it or not some of my most motivating songs are worship songs! I started getting a headache around mile 5 and was a little worried it was going to escalate into something else or worse so I stopped drinking as much water and focused on the Cytomax and then at the spot where they offered salt packets I downed like 3 salt packets as well as some GU when it was offered as well. This was the right thing to do because my headache went away and I had the endurance I needed to keep up my pace and finish without any health problems or injuries. When I hit mile 12 I had enough steam in me to book it and I hauled it to the finish and ended with a time of 2:09:01. I wish I would have pushed it harder during the race and I could have gotten a better time but oh well.
I must also add, I forgot a part to my pump and didn't realize it till race morning. I ran the race with rock boobs which really wasn't that fun. Luckily some nice security men let me run in the locked up Henry B. Gonzales convention center so I could feed L and at least relieve some pressure haha.
It was a really good time, I wish there were more water stations towards the end and also at the finish its so congested with people you just want to go sit and you feel like a heard of cattle, also some fritos and mini bagel and some cookies is not enough sustenance for people who just burned over 1500 calories...just sayin
I cant forget...My Gram, who is 77 I might add, finished in 3:09 and my mom did 2:32...they are so awesome, I hope to be as healthy and awesome as them when I get to their ages!!!
My training was mediocre at best, I really wish I could have trained better but getting back into the swing of things was a little harder than I anticipated. I LOOSELY used the Hal Higdon training schedule for Novice. I say loosely because I didn't really stick to it but when I needed some guidance on distance and when to get started I would refer to it.
The days before the race I tried to really up my hydration, during my last half that was my downfall and it really sucked, I hit a wall at mile 10 and the last 3.1 were miserable because I think I wasn't well hydrated. So this time I really tried to amp up the hydration the week before and then the day before the race I think I drank like over 3L of fluid not just water as I didn't want to end up with hyponatremia (low sodium).
 |
| about to start!! |
The race was good, I made sure to pee right as the race was starting and thus did not have to pee during the race, I learned my lesson on that the first time...always pee before you start...the clock doesn't start till your chip passes the start and once you pass the start you cant pause the time and if you have to pee the long potty lines will KILL your time!
I hit a few rough patches but God was good and put the right song on my ipod in my ears right when I needed the motivation. Believe it or not some of my most motivating songs are worship songs! I started getting a headache around mile 5 and was a little worried it was going to escalate into something else or worse so I stopped drinking as much water and focused on the Cytomax and then at the spot where they offered salt packets I downed like 3 salt packets as well as some GU when it was offered as well. This was the right thing to do because my headache went away and I had the endurance I needed to keep up my pace and finish without any health problems or injuries. When I hit mile 12 I had enough steam in me to book it and I hauled it to the finish and ended with a time of 2:09:01. I wish I would have pushed it harder during the race and I could have gotten a better time but oh well.
I must also add, I forgot a part to my pump and didn't realize it till race morning. I ran the race with rock boobs which really wasn't that fun. Luckily some nice security men let me run in the locked up Henry B. Gonzales convention center so I could feed L and at least relieve some pressure haha.
It was a really good time, I wish there were more water stations towards the end and also at the finish its so congested with people you just want to go sit and you feel like a heard of cattle, also some fritos and mini bagel and some cookies is not enough sustenance for people who just burned over 1500 calories...just sayin
 |
| My sweet boy after the race having lunch...holding his own bottle like a big boy! |
I cant forget...My Gram, who is 77 I might add, finished in 3:09 and my mom did 2:32...they are so awesome, I hope to be as healthy and awesome as them when I get to their ages!!!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
Today I am linking up with Roots and rings for Ten on Tuesday, haven't done this in ages...but I miss it and I back!
1. What is your favorite month?
December...I love, love, love christmas and december is all about it!
2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?
Hands down Reese's!
Hands down Reese's!
3. What kind of pen do you use?
I love the Sharpie Pen or paper-mate profile elite
I love the Sharpie Pen or paper-mate profile elite
4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?
I like anything with noodles, sauce, veggies it just depends on if i am in a tomato sauce mood or a cheese sauce mood
I like anything with noodles, sauce, veggies it just depends on if i am in a tomato sauce mood or a cheese sauce mood
5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?
Carrie Underwood...I have always adored her hair
Carrie Underwood...I have always adored her hair
6. What’s your favorite board game?
Monopoly
Monopoly
7. Do you know how to play poker?
definitely NOT
definitely NOT
8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?
I hate them, they are so cheesy and those stupid jingles get stuck in my head.
I hate them, they are so cheesy and those stupid jingles get stuck in my head.
9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?
I am going to go with paper cut on this one because being a nurse we use that Purell handgel religiously like you would think its going to cure cancer (in my opinion one day they will come out and say overuse will cause cancer but whatever) so that stuff and paper cuts hurts/burns like hell and if you have one little paper cut you are constantly reminded of it all dang day every time you use the Purell...its ridiculously painful
I am going to go with paper cut on this one because being a nurse we use that Purell handgel religiously like you would think its going to cure cancer (in my opinion one day they will come out and say overuse will cause cancer but whatever) so that stuff and paper cuts hurts/burns like hell and if you have one little paper cut you are constantly reminded of it all dang day every time you use the Purell...its ridiculously painful
10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Chocolate pie with a boat load of whipped cream on top! Also this is a tie because I LOVE apple pie, I could eat the whole thing and MUST have one every thanksgiving
Chocolate pie with a boat load of whipped cream on top! Also this is a tie because I LOVE apple pie, I could eat the whole thing and MUST have one every thanksgiving
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