Hi Archie,
Everything is going on fine with me and the baby but still I had few doubts. Before I ask my questions just for our info I delivered a girl on 8th & she weighed 5 pounds 13 oz & 19 inches tall. During first week checkup on 15th she weighed 5 pounds 11 oz. During second second week visit on 22nd she weighed 6 pounds 11oz. She has gained 1 pound in a week. I delivered vaginally and had one stitch due to episiotomy. Also I took epidural. I am currently only breastfeeding. Now my questions are as follows.

1) Its two weeks since I delivered and my stitch has healed but I have pain in lower abdomen when I walk. I am trying to walk in the house only for few minutes after lunch /dinner. It is too cold to walk outside. Is this pain normal or should I contact my ob? Or should I do something /exercise so that this pain goes. Its not very severe pain that I cannot walk at all but I do feel it.

2) My baby’s cord fell yesterday. Should we give her a bath today or wait for a few more days for the cord area to dry completely?

3) The cord has fallen but the belly button is still very protruding. Does this mean my baby has an outie. Someone suggested that in India they tie a piece of cloth around baby’s tummy so that the belly button goes in.

4) Curently I am feeding my daughter for 30 mins ( 20+ 10) or (15+15) mins every 2 hours to 2 and half hours. Its hard to keep her awake for half an hour to feed. Pediatrician said I can allow my daughter to be on a 4 hour schedule now. But she gets up every two hours for feeding. Please throw light on how long I should be feeding her & how often now that she is two weeks old.

5) What is your opinion about pumping breast milk? If I do so will it cause nipple confusion?

6) How do I know if my breast in empty after feeding. I was reading we should empty breasts completely to avoid all breast related problems.

7) Should I massage the baby’s eyes to clear the tear ducts.

8) When should we try to introduce a schedule so she knows day night etc?

9) Should I give some vitamin D/ iron/fluoride supplement?

Its a big list. But these questions were in my head & i thought let me ask them before they start bothering me.
Thanks in advance
-Meghana nandini replied. HI meghana
I had asked few of the queries.this is what my drs said.
1.the stitches pain shd subside by 6 weeks then we can do abdominal exercises fr the tummy to go inside.
my stitches are healing well. she said while tking bath apply very little coconut oil on it. also wear ur panties below the stitches.
2.U dnt have to wait fr the chord to fall to give bath depending on the weather decide the time fr the bath and warm water wth least soap i am using oilatum u can bathe him.
3.tke cre while bathing him his belly area. my babys chord fell few days back.dr. has given some cotton dipped in spirit satchets to clean that area fr few days.He specifically told not to use nebasulf or neosporin pwder on that area.
As i remembered using that fr my elder son.
3.Hehas said to schedule the baby every 3 hrs after 2 weeks fr non first timers feeding every 20mins.initially 20 mins is shared between bth the breasts then feeding frm each breastfr 20 mins as first water will cme first in the feed then fat will cme so 20 mins frm one breast during this time will ensure that the baby doesnt feel hungry fr atleast 2 nd half hr.(the fat ensures it)
I thnk ur baby is doing fine.
6.I read in benjamin spocks book the breasts empty 8hrly.nd whatever is the baby's requirement i.e. how much he fed depending on that it gets replenished back.so the mre u feed the mre u lactate nd the milk supply increases.Above all no stress fr good lactation.
7.the Dr.said initial few months the baby will be awake in the night as during the day we used to work nd the baby in the womb used to b e rocked to sleep but in the night when we lie down the rocking stops nd he wld ve been awake in the womb.so he will be doing the sme fr 2 3 months.
maybe whenever we want to put the baby to sleep dim the light do the sme thng everyday so that they realise its sleeping time.thats what i do fr my other 2 kids but they are older.
9.Right now my dr. has not sugges anythng said i shd continue balanced diet and cont my calcium nd multivit or iron whatever i was ving befre.no dieting now.
so that my milk will provide him everything.
hope this helps.
do share ur views.
tke cre
whats ur daughters name?
luv
nandini