Detroit Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Booger+Bear
Just read your birth story.....major kudos to you for going med-free, that is awesome!! Also, July 30 is my mother's birthday too....he picked a good day. 
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Re: Booger+Bear
I read your updates too Erin. What a great birth story. I about melted at the part when DH told you that you were his hero. How adorable!
Sounds like James is growing like a little weed! If you don't mind my asking, how is the BF going? I'm really hoping to have an easier time with it this time around. I've been meaning to do a little more research/reading to better prepare myself but I keep putting it off.
I also saw in your Ten Things Tuesday that he slept through the night! Has he kept it up or was it a fluke? Either way, how exciting.
Mara - Thanks! It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done and if it weren't for H and my awesome nurse supporting me I probably wouldn't have made it. But I'm just thankful everything went smoothly with me/baby.
Ritzy - I don't know where the time went either but it's going too fast! I didn't cry after delivery but I did when H said that. FWIW he thought it was so amazing that women give birth in general and said there's no way a guy could do it lol.
BFing is going well now but the first 2-3 weeks were tough. Getting a good latch was hard and just the feeling of never-ending feeding wasn't fun. But once he got the hang of eating and started spacing feedings out 3+hrs at night we were both happier. The biggest thing that helped me was talking to my sister about specific things I was experiencing - she's BF 3 kids. So I suggest having either a friend/family member or a good LC on speed dial. Someone you feel comfortable talking to about your boobs lol.
I'm pretty sure that 8 hrs was a fluke although he gave us 4 and 5 hrs last night so I'm feeling reasonably well rested lol. I just am happy with 4 hr stretches at this point.Not sure how I'm going to function when I go back to work next week.
It's getting really close to the big day for you! Is Emma getting excited to meet her little sister? Do you feel ready for her arrival? How are you feeling?
**Butting in**
I'm just reading your updates now, and your birth story, but I didn't know you were cloth diapering!! DH and I are planning on CDing too - would love to know your thoughts thus far! What brand are you using, or do you have a variety of brands? Sorry, I got super excited when I read that and wanted to chat about it lol.
We are using a mix of things - prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers, some sized FuzziBunz and some BumGenius (sized AIO and onesize pockets) and a variety of covers. We also have some fitteds (RearZ and Green Mountain Diaper Workhorse) but they are bigger and won't fit for a little bit yet. Oddly enough H likes prefolds/covers best but I think that's because it's what he's comfortable with since the pockets just started fitting.
We were fortunate that we got a gift of diaper service the first few weeks so I didn't have to deal with washing until a few weeks ago but it's not really a big deal. It's just a load of laundry every other day. So far I'm really happy with everything - it's been fairly easy. The only time he was in disposables was at the hospital. We just use original Tide powder for washing and so far so good. The cloth diaper board on TB has an overwhelming amount of info too. I lurked there a lot while pregnant.
We tend to use the prefolds/covers during the day and then pockets for nighttime and pockets/aios for going out. The AIOs are definitely the trimmest option but the pockets are great for nighttime because I stuff them with extra inserts and the interior stays drier than prefolds so I think it helps him sleep better.
If you want to come by sometime I can show you my stash and how they work. I know places do diaper trials where you can buy a variety of diapers and then send back the ones you don't like. I think there's a few CDing stores in AA too that you can check stuff out. That's a good way to get an idea of what you like. Honestly there are so many options it can be overwhelming. We ended up with what we have because I got them on sale lol.
You can totally give birth without the epi - it's hard and I won't lie it hurts worse than anything I've ever felt but you can do it. For me, and I'm a huge baby about pain, a lot of it was mental. I have two books - one is the bradley method and the other is called birthing from within - if you want to borrow them they have some good techniques that you may find useful. From talking with other people who went without pain meds it seems that it really varies from person to person what works. I found sitting up in bed and focusing on my breathing was the only way I could relax whereas other people want to move around, etc. Anyhow - I will stop now because this ended up ridiculously long.
I appreciate your ridiculously long response!
The whole idea of CDing is really overwhelming, but I really think it's going to be the best option for us. We went to a free class at Modern Natural Baby in Ferndale that basically explained all the different types and styles of cloth diapers, and allowed you to see the brands - that was really helpful. I don't know if you've ever been to that store but we really like it.
Right now I think our game plan is to do disposable diapers until the umbilical cord falls off, and then move into CDs. Planning on buying FuzziBunz one size. I'd love to come over though and see the diapers you have! I feel like I want to make sure I make the most informed decision possible, since it is an investment.
I'd also love to borrow those books. Like I said, I had a spinal fusion when i was 15 so I have two rods along my entire spine - neck to tailbone. I've always known I couldn't have an epi, so I've kind of mentally prepared myself for that (I mean as much as you can - obviously I have no concept of what it's really like lol) but what I didn't realize was that if I have to have a c-section, I have to go under general anesthesia. So basically, I am going to try my hardest to avoid a c-section, but you know - if it's for the health of baby, then that's what we have to do. Anyway, long story short, I'm trying to learn everything I can about natural birth so I can go in prepared to give it my best shot. I'm doing prenatal yoga right now which is helping a ton with my back pain, plus helping me to stretch and prepare for all that - since I'm like the least flexible person in the world. haha.
If sometime in the next few weeks you have some time - no rush at all - let me know, I'd love to stop by and see you and James and your diaper stash lol. Thanks again for all the info and help!