Interesting Find

While reading my nursing book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (the new version) I came across some interesting information. The charts by the CDC for babies that are used by most doctors are based on formula-fed and breastfed babies. (They were recently updated and used to be based solely on formula-fed babies.) The WHO (World Health Organization) has charts based on exclusively breastfed babies. This difference is important because breastfed babies grow more quickly than most formula-fed babies at first and then taper their growth off as they get closer to one year so their 50%ile at one year is approximately 21 pounds and the CDCs chart 50%ile is 20 lbs.

I printed off the WHO charts from the internet, converted his measurements (the WHO charts use kg and cm) and filled in his numbers. This is what I found!

According to the CDC charts: (what the doctor uses)
For weight he was 25%ile at birth, 75%ile at 1 mo, and 95%ile at 2 mo.
For height he was 50%ile at birth 75%ile at 1 mo, and 75%ile at 2 mo.

According to the WHO charts: (for exclusively breastfed babies)
For weight he's approximately 50%ile at birth, 67%ile at 1 mo, and 67%ile at 2 mo.
For height he's approximately 40%ile at birth 50%ile at 1 mo, and 65%ile at 2 mo.

Notice the extreme difference in percentiles for his current weight! Almost 30 percentage points! I'm going to continue charting on the WHO charts and make sure that if there's an issue, the doctor understands it's because he has "bad" charts! Also notice that whereas with the CDC charts he "looked" like he was increasing weight at an other than ordinary pace (25-75-95), with the WHO charts he's stayed a lot closer to "average" (50-67-67) and actually didn't change percentiles at all from month one to month two!

Here's another interesting thing I just discovered. I went on the CDC's website to get a link for the charts the doctors uses (which I had downloaded a couple months before Benedict was born). They have new charts on the CDC's website that are made by the WHO but they are different from the exclusively breastfed charts from the WHO. According to these new charts, Benedict would be in the 92%ile for weight and 85%ile for length at 2 months. Just a little different, but different nonetheless.

Numbers, numbers, numbers! Are you confused yet?!

Learning

The sweetest quote from a four-year-old breastfeeding child found in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding "Mama, when you nurse me, it's as if you take the love out of you and put it into me."

Now for the info (paraphrased from the book):

Human babies are born at an earlier stage of development than many other mammals. Why? Because our brains are so large and a woman's pelvis so small (in comparison) that to wait any longer, the baby wouldn't be able to fit through. How much longer would it be? A chimpanzee or gorilla baby is born with a brain half its adult size. Human babies don't reach that "mark" until about nine months old!

Babies are meant to stay with their "mommies". It's the way God and nature intended and for some reason out society has tried to counter this with bouncy seats, swings, cribs, bassinets, car seats, etc. I tried to go against the flow for a while as well and it back-fired (if you'll remember this post). Now we're both so much happier because we're together! There are times when he's laying/sitting by himself and I think "I need you" because I can't stand to be away from him. Why fight with nature?

Baby Check up: Two Months

Recap of  1 mo #s:
Length: 22 in
Weight: 10lb 15.2oz

Today (10 weeks 2 days):
Length: 24 in
Weight: 14lb 1.9oz

He's in the 95 %ile for weight and the 75%ile for length and head circumference! He went from the 25 %ile at birth, to the 75 %ile at one month and now he's in the 95 %ile at 2 months! What's next?!

The doctor is happy that he's growing so well. And everything else sounds and looks great. He's had some issues with eye discharge and the doctor said that it's normal. He goes back in 2 months (at age 4 months).

He had to get some shots today though. I ended up getting everything but the Hep B - b/c there's absolutely no reason for a baby to get this shot. It's an STD and can also be transmitted through contact with infected blood. They just give it to children so they'll be immune as adults. But most shots don't even last that long without a booster so what is the point? Anyway, he got four shots in all plus the liquid for Rotovirus. And he's been reallly fussy all day. It has not been a fun day - for mom or baby!

Struggles and Joys

Well, it's almost that time again. It's been posted on the ship's Facebook page so apparently it's safe to post anywhere -- the ship is leaving September 7th. We will be on our own for 6+ months. I know I will be struggling through this time. It was so nice to have Robert home, even to just have someone to talk to and see what I go through. He helped out a lot around the house too. I'm just so thankful to have such wonderful parents who are planning to visit a couple times while he's gone.

As for the joy? Well, you're looking at it!

My beautiful son is becoming more contented with each passing day. He's now okay with sitting by himself for a few minutes at a time - which makes it a whole lot easier to do things like sweep the garage, pull stuff out of the oven, and cut up food!

Baby Check up: One Month

Bene went to the doctor today!! (Finally ... it took us forever to get him signed up with our insurance so he missed his 2-week appointment.)

Recap of birth #s:
Length: 19.5 in
Weight: 7lb 4oz

Today (5 weeks 2 days):
Length: 22 in
Weight: 10lb 15.8oz

He's in the 75 %ile for length, weight, and head circumference! And he's a solely-breastfed baby!!! My "little man" is growing!! He was so happy during the appointment - wide awake and smiling at everyone!

No shots this time, but he did have to get his second PKU test. I asked the doctor why they have to get it twice and she said because the first test results aren't even valid. They don't mean anything unless the test is taken when they're at least 72 hours old! So then why do they even test them in the hospital?! Good grief!

He will start getting shots next time, at 2 months. I will have to look over the suggested schedule and see which ones I'm going to get for him. I know there are a few that I'm declining for him. (More on that later.)

**On other note -- Everything is getting better. God is giving me more patience everyday, it seems. I bought a new carrier that is more comfortable for me and I just keep Benedict in that unless he's eating or getting his diaper changed. And today - he was able to lay on the bed for a few minutes after his diaper change and entertain himself without fussing!!!! : ) And he slept on the bed this morning by himself for about 20 minutes after I got up! It's been a good day!

Being a Parent

I heard a quote once (from Roland on Army Wives) that this is "the hardest job you'll ever love". I'm definitely seeing that to be true these days. Benedict eats almost every hour during the day. He only takes one "true" nap during the day. A 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. Other than that, he'll sleep for maybe 20-30 minutes once in the morning.

He is very "high needs" right now. A term I learned from Dr. Sears. Robert says "isn't every baby high needs? It's just some are more vocal about it?" - I believe that to be true, and let me say, Benedict is very vocal about it! He must be held constantly, even when he's sleeping. If he falls asleep and I put him down he will wake up within about two minutes and start crying. If I put him down somewhere when he's awake, he starts fussing immediately. If I wait too long to pick him back up, he is very hard to console.

He LOVES going for walks in the stroller at night. We've been doing that every night. But as soon as we get through the door (or today, even on the porch) he starts crying because he knows the walk is over!

And sometimes, even when I'm holding him, he still fusses. It's not an all-out scream, like when I put him down, it's just a fuss to say - "okay, next! I need to be walked around now!" Or the "I am hungry" fuss.

I am so glad that I got the pacifier. It is a life-saver right now. I think if I were to follow the "comfort your baby at your breast" rule of ecological breastfeeding, I'd be nursing constantly (literally!). I nurse enough just with him being hungry every hour.

And let me say - he goes through a lot of diapers because of this! I've been using disposables the past couple days because I was having constant problems with leaks with my cloth diapers. There was one night where I had to change his clothes every time I changed his diaper (like 3-4 times) because he seemed to soak the clothes more than the diaper! I tried to strip them yesterday and I let them air-dry, but they're still damp so I'm leaving them to dry for another night. Even with disposables, I still have to change his diaper every 2 hours - at that point it is bulging from being soaked so much. And last night (after only about four hours), even the disposable leaked.

The past two days have been really hard on me. My parents left yesterday morning so I've been completely on my own. Which is really difficult with Benedict's personality. I'm struggling with my patience - something people have always commented on in the past because I'm such a patient person. This is definitely new. And maybe with time it will get easier being a "single" parent, but for now - I just have to take it day-by-day (and sometimes even minute-by-minute).

With all that being said, I wouldn't change anything. He is my life and he does bring me joy when I get to see his occasional smiles. Mommy loves you, Bene! : )

B's Birth Story

If you recall my last post (yes, I'm sorry it's been so long...), I had to be induced if his fluid level didn't go up (from 6.5). Well, when went in for our appointment Monday morning, June 28th, his fluid level had dropped to 4 cm. So it was pretty necessary that I be induced.

They started the Pitocin around 1 pm (I'm guessing here b/c I didn't look at the clock). Then they stopped it around 2:30 because the nurse thought he was having problems handling the contractions. She thought his heartrate was dropping off after the contraction which means the placenta isn't doing it's job. -- The midwife thought everything looked fine though so they started it up again.

It took me until 8:45 that night to progress from 1.5 cm to 3 cm. But after that I got into the tub because I was struggling with the contractions. That helped to relax me so much that Robert went out and asked the nurse why my contractions had stopped! (They hadn't. I was just able to handle them better with the water.) Right before I got out of the tub, I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore. I needed a break and was ready to "concede" to the epidural. -- Looking back I can't believe I doubted that I was in transition at the time. I just figured there was no way I could have progressed that quickly.

I finally felt like getting out at about 10:20 p.m. The student midwife wanted to check me to see how much I'd progressed. She was so shocked to feel his head she had the midwife check me as well. A little after 10:30 I started pushing and our little baby boy made it into the world at 11:06 p.m. on Monday June 28.

He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He is such a blessing to us and we are so happy to have him in our lives!

Prenatal Exam: Ultrasound

I went in for an ultrasound this morning.

His estimated weight is 7 lbs 14 oz (+- 18 oz) so he could be 6 lbs 12 oz to 9 lbs even. I'm hoping he's more toward the lower end!!

They checked the amniotic fluid level and it was "mildly low" (6.5 cm -- normal is 8+, under 5 is too low). So now I am on "moderate bedrest" and must drink LOTS of fluids and go in for EFM (electronic fetal monitoring) tomorrow. And if the fluid level doesn't go up by next Monday, I will be induced.

I didn't get a picture because he was pretty squished in there. I couldn't really make out anything other than the heart beating!

Hopefully, the bedrest and fluids will work OR he will come before Monday. Pray for us and a healthy baby!

Prenatal Exam: 40 weeks

Had another appointment today. Today's the due date, so maybe this will be the last one. We'll see......

Weight gain: I lost 1.2 lbs
Fundal height: 36.5 cm (higher than last time, but the midwife still thought it was small ... more below)
Heartbeat: I'm not sure. Robert got to check it, but the student nurse was holding it and she didn't tell me what it was.
Position: Hopefully hiding back inside!

The midwife ordered an ultrasound because he feels small to her and I measured small. Rebecca and Sky were never bothered by my measurements so I think she's just being cautious. I go in on Wednesday to check the amniotic fluid level and to see how big they think he is. I'm not worried - I figure, this is probably what happens when you're not seeing the same person all the time. Maybe he'll even decide to come before Wednesday. Who knows! : )

Prenatal Exam: 39 weeks

Another appointment today ... I'm actually getting tired of going in there!

Weight gain: Thankfully, only 1.4 lbs
Fundal height: 35 cm - I was worried because it's going down, but she said it's because he's dropping more into my pelvis and the amniotic fluid naturally decreases as you get closer to your due date
Heartbeat: right at 140 bpm
Position: head down - I don't think he could move into any other position right now!

I had an exam today and I'm starting to dilate (only 1 1/2 cm though) but she said that's normal for 39 weeks. She thinks he will probably be born right around the due date (next Monday). -- I'm hoping it's before my appointment, but we'll see! I'm anxious, excited, and getting (a little) impatient! : )

The Room is Ready

We finally got the crib today. Robert helped me put it together. I'm so excited that everything is in place. I just hope he comes soon!!!

Here's the view from the door:

Left side of the room:

Right side (The bag and box are stuff that needs to be donated and sent to my niece. The mirror is placed in such a way {not planned} that when you stand in the hallway, you can see the crucifix from above the bed in our room in his room!):

I love the crib. I was frustrated with it at first, but now I have come to appreciate it (with Robert's help). I can't wait to see him in it! "Bene, if you can read this, we're ready for you!"

Prenatal Exam: 38 weeks

Had my 38 week appointment today. And I learned that my favorite midwife had her baby on Saturday ... so hopefully Bene will come soon!!! : )

She palpated to feel his weight this time (I asked her to) and she thinks he's about right at 7 lbs. I was getting "worried" (not too much though) that he was huge b/c whenever I feel him, he feels so big!

Weight gain: Finally, only 1.2 lbs! I'm slowing back down again ... I was getting a little worried that I'd gain a lot of weight this month!!!!
Fundal height: about 36.5 cm. She said the measurements taper off near the end and you don't really get any bigger.
Heartbeat: 160 - A lot higher than normal, but still "in the normal range". She took it right after she felt to see how big he was, so I think that upset him.
Position: Head down - and she said it feels like he's dropping down into my pelvis! Yea!! He's getting ready!

After my next visit (Monday) I should know how dilated I am ... but I'm still going back and forth on whether I want to know because I don't want to get excited/discouraged since it doesn't tell you when you're going into labor. Especially since I really want him to be here!!

Prenatal Exam: 37 weeks

It hasn't been very long since my last appointment. But I'm SO ready to see him. The midwife (and my mom ... in the same day) said that I should start talking to Bene and telling him that I'm ready for him to come out! : ) Maybe I'll try that and see how it works! So now for the appointment rundown...

Weight gain: Another 3 lbs! In a WEEK! So obviously I kept on the weight from last week, and added some more to it. I think it's from all the eating out ....
Fundal height: 36 cm (still the same ... but it's only been 5 days since my last appointment)
Heartbeat: 140s -- Back up a little from last week but still looking good.
Position: Still head down. He's being very good for his mommy! But he hasn't dropped yet. I discussed that with this midwife (a different one from my last appointment) and she said that it's not the outside measurement that counts, it's the inside "hole". She got out a pelvis model and a baby to show me exactly what it looks like.

This was my last appointment with this particular midwife. She's pregnant (about a week or two ahead of me) so she's not going to be working for very much longer. We talked for so long though! She read through my birth plan - and she only made about three notes - and didn't discount anything I had on there!! I was "excited" about that because I was worried that my "plan" was too stringent or that some things weren't possible, but she said it looked good after making the little changes (one thing was just re-wording). She also recommended two books to read. I couldn't remember one of the titles when I went to the book store, so I only bought one, but I'm already about 30 pages into it.

I'm so disappointed she's leaving because she's been my favorite midwife so far and I really feel comfortable with her. But, there was no guarantee she would deliver the baby anyway, even if she was still working, so I have to be flexible!

Prenatal Exam: 36 weeks

Everything is still going great. I actually gained some weight this time!

So now for the appointment rundown...

Weight gain: 3 lbs! Of course, I've been weighing myself everyday (yes, I know...) and I actually have been fluctuating back and forth between gaining 0 and 3 pounds, so I might not keep that on.
Fundal height: 36 cm
Heartbeat: 130 (She said the heartbeat normally slows down when it gets closer to delivery.)
Position: Definitely head down. And he hasn't dropped completely yet (or there's a lot of room in my pelvis) b/c she said that his head is still able to move around.

Now I will start going every week. I have all my appointments scheduled (including one at 41 weeks - just in case). The midwife said if I went into labor today, they wouldn't try to stop it because I'm so far along. So now it's just a waiting game to see when he's ready to come out and greet us! I can't wait ... but I am a little scared now ... and unsure whether I'm actually ready! (Not that I can go back!)

Baby Shower

Here's the photos from from the baby shower last night. This first one is all the handmade items. We LOVE the Raggedy Andy doll! He's so cute! And I might steal him for myself instead of giving him to Benedict. : )

The second photo is pretty much everything else. There were a few small items - like socks and bibs that are not in the picture, but almost everything else we got from people was clothes! It's just crazy to think about! He has so many clothes now.

We also got a car seat that's forward facing from 20 lbs to 100 lbs. Basically it's all we'll ever need as soon as he can sit forward facing in the car! We were so grateful to have received that.

Today we went to Babies 'r' Us and Target and bought almost everything else we needed/wanted. (And we spent less than $30 doing it!) I got some really cute things - like the bath robe and little "swimmer froggy". All that we need now is the crib and high chair. And we still have gift cards left over to use for those things!

I would just like to say a big "thank you" to anyone who has given us anything. We have so much great stuff now. And we'll be able to use it all for years (and children, God-willing) to come! : )

34 Weeks

Here's the picture, as promised! I just took it Sunday (so technically I was 33 weeks and 6 days!). The red carnation is from Church. They were giving them out to mothers to wear for Mother's Day. I almost didn't feel right putting it on. Sometimes it's hard for me to view myself as a mom since I'm still keeping my baby safe and warm myself!

When I look at this picture I think, "Wow... am I pushing my stomach out or am I really that big?" -- Yes, I'm really that big now! I can't believe it. When I look in the mirror it doesn't seem as big as when I look at a photo. My little belly button is still hanging on down at the bottom. It's being pushed out lop-sided. (Meaning, it's only poking out on the top side.) If only I had the "guts" to show that!

I can't wait for the baby shower coming up on the 26th. Our Bible Study group at Church is throwing me and Robert a shower on our pot luck night. Since I already have everything I "need", I registered for some really cute things just for fun (and a couple practical items too). I knew about the baby shower before completing my shopping (with my parents when they visited), but there was no way my "Type-A" self could hold out that long. Remember, you're reading about the girl that bought the carseat when she was only 2 months pregnant!

Prenatal Exam: 34 weeks

Wow, only six weeks left! Can you believe it? Me neither. Well, really he can come anytime between 3 and 8 weeks from now ... kinda depressing for me to think about that one! I'm a planner - I want to know when, where, and how so I can make my list, pack, and be ready!!! lol

So now for the appointment rundown...
Weight gain: almost nothing - less than 1 lb, but she said not to worry b/c I'm still doing great!
Fundal height: 34 cm
Heartbeat: 140s (and low in my belly - which is a good sign ... see "position")
Position: most likely head-down, but I may have to have an ultrasound if she's not sure by next visit.

She thinks the "hard spot" that I've been feeling is most likely his foot. : ) All this time, I thought it was the head!

And next up, I'm finally going to post a picture of myself! How about that?!

Prenatal Exam: 32 weeks

One more appointment down -- (about) six to go.

Not too much to report this time. Everything is normal. She had trouble feeling for the head again (it was even a different midwife this time). I guess he just wants to be a surprise.

I measured at 31 cm and his heartbeat was in the low 150s. And I asked about the contractions again (for like the third appointment in a row!) and they're normal - for me, since I'm not having any other signs of labor.

I'm still gaining weight very well! Hopefully, that will taper off a little bit before the baby comes. But the midwives tell me I'm right on track. I've gained about 23 pounds total so far.

I asked about my results for the glucose test -- completely normal and well below the "max" numbers! So, no diabetes issues!!

My next appointment is in the second week of May - so be ready for another update then!

Diaper Order

I can't wait for Benedict to be here - one of the things I can't wait to "try out" is the cloth diapers! I love the BumGenius - sized diapers and have heard nothing but good things about them on all the reviews and blogs that I've read. I just got done washing everything. So here's my stack of all the diapers I just washed! Yes, there's a lot - actually 48 to be exact ... and these two sizes will only last for about the first 4-6 months. (Hopefully, he doesn't grow too quickly!!) I'm waiting to buy the next sizes until he's older and closer to using them so that I know how many to purchase.

I've been saying that I'm ready for him all this time, but really I haven't been completely ready until today, because I had to wash the diapers before we used them. I was waiting for my next order from this website so that I didn't have to pay for shipping on the laundry detergent. Cloth diapers require a special kind of detergent but you don't have to use a whole lot, so it lasts a while.

And wow! The hassle of getting them dry! I'm so glad they're not made of cotton; I heard those were even worse. I think it would've been much easier for me to get the "classic" cloth diapers - using traditional prefolds. But I still like that they're "identical" to disposables in the way you use them. It'll just take more time during washings.

The Room

We've finally got it pretty much finished. Here's the shelf with all my old Winnie the Pooh items. - The only new (or even relatively new) thing on this shelf is the big classic Pooh on the left. My mom bought me that when she first went shopping for the baby. Everything else is pretty old (7-10+ years). Robert did a great job putting it up too - even though he had to put up with me.

I couldn't find any decent Pooh pictures to hang on the wall, so instead I decided to make these. Robert really likes them and I do too. I made a similar project a few years ago with my Paris stuff. So this was really fun. I just made a collage of scrapbook stickers and a couple pictures I cut out of an old Pooh calendar.

We don't have a crib yet. I may buy one when he's older, but for now, he's just going to sleep in the bassinet. I bought the diapers and diapering "accessories" on Friday. They should ship today so I'm expecting them by next Monday. With that, I'll be able to wash the diapers and have everything ready for the baby when he comes.

Here's the other side of the room. And to think, every one of those books but three or four I had before I even knew I was pregnant! : ) I've been preparing for a while! (And yes, we still have Angel's stuff in here too. I don't think she'd appreciate having to give up one of her favorite rooms and I'm not going to listen to her meowing at the door all the time if I closed it!)

The only things I have left to buy are a couple of nursing items which I going to wait to purchase until the baby's here. I'm so happy to have everything bought and together now. It's such a relief, especially since I get so stressed about planning (when it's not done on time).