Jess Connell

growing heavenward, by grace

Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Start Here
  • All The Posts
  • My Favorite Things
  • Get My Book
Menu

Thoughts on Day One (with a New Baby)

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Jess Connell

Our 7th child, Luke Ebenezer entered the world Wednesday night (2/11) at 7:19 pm. It was my fastest labor yet (4 hours, start to finish), and he’s our biggest baby yet (9 pounds, 8 ounces & 22.5 inches long).

MSML.2.12.15

He is sweet and strong and much-adored. We’re all loving getting to know him.

I had a number of random thoughts from day 1 and wanted to share them here. There are a lot of little things I do that come naturally to me now. They did not always come naturally. I can’t help but think about the differences these “little” things make, over the long haul.

I offer them as food for thought for new moms– not as (necessarily) a model for every baby and mama, but as some things to consider.

  • When he got flustered/frustrated with nursing, I instinctively lowered my voice to soothing tones, and worked to calm him down. I think our natural inclination is to get more anxious, more stressed, and feel like “I can’t do this/he won’t do this/what if he doesn’t nurse well?/maybe this isn’t going to work.” That response, though, escalates and exacerbates the stress. But instead, by calming down, and turning my mind to problem-solving, things are more likely to resolve and less likely to escalate.
  • When he appeared satisfied after just 4 minutes of nursing, I laughed and said, “oh no, little buddy, you didn’t get born into an AP home. You’ve gotta eat a full meal. No snacking around here.” 🙂 I said this tongue-in-cheek as I unwrapped him and helped him latch back on. I’m truly not meaning to “diss” any other mamas out there… just to say, I feel that these habits are built, incrementally, from day one. Learning to take a full meal (and not just snack) is a habit we work to instill in our kids, and I believe it leads to good long-term eating & sleep patterns. So, even on day one, there’s no quick-snack-nursing allowed here in our home. No matter how sweet and content they seem after just 4 minutes.
  • When he wanted to nurse again an hour after he nursed, rather than thinking, “oh man, again?” I think “great! My milk is going to come in sooner.” Again, we don’t do snack-nursing here, so that meant two back-to-back “meals” (upwards of 20 minutes per nursing session), but I’m more than happy to nurse him more often in these early days because I know it will lead to good milk production and good sleep, sooner.
  • When I was starving (breastfeeding is such a hungry-maker for me), I reached for high-protein, healthy-fat options, rather than carbs. A small handful of nuts, a few slices of gouda, thin-sliced ham rolled up around a strip of spicy brown mustard, a green apple & spoonful of peanut butter… these things kept me full but aren’t empty calories. I’m trying to do better at this, this time around… being more purposeful. For me, nursing has never been a time when I get skinny. In fact, my pattern has been the opposite– that I tend to stay relatively “chunky” until I wean a baby, and then the weight drops off. (So for those of you who find that to be true, rather than the oft-spoken, “breastfeeding melts the pounds away,” take heart!) But this time around, I’m at least trying to make good, healthy choices that won’t pack weight right on my mid-section.
  • When I wanted to burn through the day and operate in my post-delivery “high,” I had to force myself to rest mid-day. I wanted to keep going-going-going, but once I made myself lay down, I easily fell asleep and got a 90-minute nap in between feedings. In these early days, it’s worth it to rest MORE than you feel you need to. By being proactive to care for me, I’m less likely to hit burnout, postpartum depression, physical exhaustion, excessive bleeding, and the angry/stress/emotional mama-zone with the kids 2-6 weeks from now. It’s soooooooooo worth it to take time to rest in these early days.

 

That said, I’d better get back to resting. He’s gonna need to eat soon. Here are a few pictures though. 🙂

Immediately after delivery (yes, it was my first water birth):
Luke

Getting weighed, after delivery—

IMG_1864

Meeting Nana & delighted big-sis MeiMei for the first time:
IMG_1884

Being welcomed into the family with a kiss from the 2-year-old (I think all my 2 year olds have done this upon meeting their new sibling):

IMG_1895

Snuggling with Moses, the 4 year old (wearing the friendship bracelet Moses gave him):

IMG_1932

Making a precious pouty-lip face while being admired by Daddy & Theo:
IMG_1930

With big-brother Ethan, 12, who is now a pro with new little guys:IMG_1924
Waking up with me this morning– I LOVE HIM!!! 🙂

IMG_1964

Have a great weekend, and I will too. I’ll be resting. 😉

Category: Freestyle Friday, Grow as Mom

20 thoughts on “Thoughts on Day One (with a New Baby)”

  1. Jennifer Collins says:
    February 13, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    So precious!
    Congratulations!

    Reply
  2. Evie says:
    February 13, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    Wow congratulations!!!

    Reply
  3. Madelyn Lang says:
    February 13, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Congratulations!!!! God bless you and Baby! I can’t get over the picture of your two-year old kissing the baby. <3

    Reply
  4. Catie says:
    February 13, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Congrats!! He’s so sweet!

    Reply
  5. Naomi says:
    February 13, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    Congratulations!! He’s beautiful.

    Reply
  6. Jennifer S. says:
    February 13, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    Congratulations to you and your family. He’s beautiful. I love his name too. Enjoy these special, special early days of learning all about this new little personality.

    Reply
  7. Charisa says:
    February 13, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Congratulations Jess and family! !

    Reply
  8. erika says:
    February 13, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    Congratulations!! So sweet♡

    Reply
  9. Melinda says:
    February 13, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Congratulations all the way from Australia!
    Great advice too.

    Reply
  10. Barbara H. says:
    February 13, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Congratulations! So sweet! Great advice as well.

    Reply
  11. Lou Ann says:
    February 14, 2015 at 12:12 am

    Congratulations on your new little boy! Precious! What a blessing!

    Reply
  12. Shannon says:
    February 14, 2015 at 4:58 am

    Congratulations! My seventh was my first water birth too. 🙂 I am still amazed at just how wonderful that birth was compared to my others. I was the same way, too, with losing the baby weight while nursing. It always stuck until they were about one year old. After my seventh was born, I started a way of eating called ” Trim Healthy Mama” and the weight not only came off but I had more energy and life that year than I’ve ever had! My youngest is now 16 months old and I’ve been at goal weight since she was 13 months. Just thought I’d mention that in case you’ve never heard of it. It was a lifesaver for me- weight-wise and energy-wise. God bless and congrats again!

    Reply
  13. Candice says:
    February 14, 2015 at 7:59 am

    Congratulations on the arrival of your precious Gift! He’s beautiful!

    Reply
  14. Katie S says:
    February 14, 2015 at 8:40 am

    Congratulations! He’s a cutie! Your family is so sweet. And four hours – wow!

    I’m in the same boat as you – the weight doesn’t come off until I’m done nursing. With our first, I was pregnant with #2 before that happened. My current non-pregnant, non-nursing state has given me some time to head back toward pre-baby level of fitness.

    Reply
  15. Janelle says:
    February 15, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    I don’t usually take the time to comment, though I’m encouraged and helped by just about everything you write…but for this special event I had to take the time to say CONGRATULATIONS on the newest member of your beautiful family!

    I want to remember you”food for thought” for when/if God gives us another little one, and I too was encouraged to know I’m not alone in struggling to loose weight while nursing. Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Melissa says:
    February 16, 2015 at 8:25 am

    Congratulations on your newest blessing! He shares a birthday with my daughter, who turned 1 this year.

    Reply
  17. Amy B. says:
    February 16, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Oh wow! Congratulations!! He’s beautiful….happy babymooning!!

    Reply
  18. Autumn says:
    February 17, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Congratulations, Jess! I’ve prayed for you and your delivery. Enjoy your REST period.

    Reply
  19. Jules says:
    February 17, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    How wonderful! What a beautiful new baby to welcome into your lovely family. Thankfulness!

    Reply
  20. Pingback: What Worked (and Didn't) for me in 2015 - Jess Connell

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Looking For Spiritual Life in Our Kids
  • 25 Ways Camping is Like Being Mom of a Lot of Little Kids
  • The “SHOULDS” & the Limitations of Now
  • Spiritual Abuse: Grow More Discerning and Be Less Manipulable
  • USING THOSE MUSCLES AGAIN

Recent Comments

  1. Looking For Spiritual Life in Our Kids - Jess Connell on Your Hope is NOT in Your Perfection
  2. Looking For Spiritual Life in Our Kids - Jess Connell on Christian Fasting, for Moms
  3. Looking For Spiritual Life in Our Kids - Jess Connell on Spiritual Abuse: Grow More Discerning and Be Less Manipulable
  4. Jess Connell on The “SHOULDS” & the Limitations of Now
  5. Susan Benson on Christian Fasting, for Moms
© 2023 Jess Connell | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme