Baby Feeding/Pooping Log Book?

A dear friend of mine had triplets many years ago. I remember visiting her when the kids were about 1.5 years old, and she showed me the drawerful of spiral notebooks she kept so she could keep track of each child's everything. It was especially helpful if she noticed entries about the sniffles or whatever.

When my son was born I made an excel spreadsheet for each hour of the day & columns for pee, poop, feeding, sleeping and an extra column for other for wierd things that may have come up. I would then check off when each occurred so I could track him in the early weeks until I became more familiar with his habits. The log especially came in handy when it was time to report back to the pediatrician.

I am a mother of five kids also and have never put them on any schedule I have also nursed them all too. I think that by putting them on a schedule that is makes you confinded to a routine that could be broken at anytime and very time consuming. Maybe that is because I am just not that commited to time managment. Whatever the reason is with me you should only do what is best for you. Some people it works for and some it does not to each is to own. On the otherhand nursing them both would be the best thing for them unless you just can not do it some can not.. Pumping is very important though with multiplies though. Keep up the good work and have fun with your new addition. Congradulations on the twin addition!!! I see that you are a stay home mom.. So am I do you work? Do you want to work at home? Let me know and I can tell you how.. Contact me though the mamasorce website or my own www.workathomeunited.com/fivekids. Have ay problems with that you can contact me through my other email ____@____.com..

I didn't have anything special that I used, but what I did use was a small spiral notebook, the spiral part is very important since the pages can be turned back and they stay back, no flopping over on the page you're trying to write on. It was small, about 4x6 so that I could jot things down while holding the baby. I made sure it was not flimsy, but had a hard or pretty sturdy front and back. I fed in a certain place and kept my notebook there so it would be there when I needed it. I did not have twins so I'm not much help there.

best of luck

Hi E.,
I had twins last December and it is definitely easier to keep a log, esp in the beginning! I didn't use a specific book though...My husband made a sheet on Excel that we just had to circle the child's name, breast or bottle, pee or poop, and wrote in what time. We have used it all year and it has been helpful. Also, they will probably give you a log in the hospital too. Sorry I don't have any more info...Good Luck!!! As you know from one, it can be very difficult in the beginning but so wonderful later.

I ordered a book from La Leche as a gift. After breastfeeding my 1st son I appreciated the concern of breastfeeding moms about poop. Output is the only way to measure input when you breastfeed. When a friend decided to breastfeed her first I found a book for her. It had a log in it as well as lots of info. I can't remember the name of it but I'll go hunting and see if I can't find it online. I'd recommend keeping 2 separate logs.

My best freind had twins with a two year old. She didn't keep track of any of that stuff she just fed them when they were hungry and changed them as needed. I am pretty sure as an experienced mom you would notice if your child is hungry or hasn't pooped!! Godd luck.

As for the log book I don't really have any suggestions. Breast feeding, however, I am all for. I love it! I would suggest though that you get a lactation consultant to help you and to answer all of the questions you may have. It doesn't come naturally for all babies and moms. I needed help and it took almost 5 full days for us both to get the hang of it and for my milk to come in. It is completely worth all of the work. I'd also suggest that you try and pump as soon as you can. I made the mistake of waiting and I could never get ahead. You are going to be doing double duty and it is going to be tough, but try to hang in there. It is the best thing you can do for your little ones as far as health goes and it is just such an incredible bonding experience. Learn as much as you can up front so there are no surprises. For me I waited too long to introduce the bottle so that Dad could help with the feedings. You don't want to do it too early in case of nipple confusion, but if you wait too long they won't take the bottle. Start after 6 weeks. Pumping will allow you to have a little break and allow Dad to have the bonding while feeding experience also. Good luck whatever you decide. Congrats!

Wow. I have 5 kids, one with special needs, and one on the way very soon. I have breastfed all of them exclusively and never kept a logbook for nursing/sleeping or even thought about it. I have tracked my son who has special needs poop schedule- it's needed because of his paralysis issues- but I have not even kept up with writing it down, I just keep a mental file on how he's doing. Also in all my years of attending La Leche League meetings I have never heard it recommended or discussed...

Why would you need to do this? Do you have known milk supply issues caused by breast reduction surgery? If not, if I were you I'd save myself the trouble and spend the time I might have spent logging such things taking pictures of my babies, spending time with them, or getting more time for myself. Especially with twins, you'll need some "me" time!

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I can't help but think it's a reasonably "good suggestion," given that humankind has survived for millenia without mothers having to keep logbooks...

Mothering Multiples by Karen Gromada is supposed to be a good resource for nursing twins, but since I haven't had twins I've never read it personally.. Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck on your parenting journey!

I totally know what you are talking about! I'd think, "why can't I remember this stuff?" So, I did my own. I used Microsoft Word and make a table/chart of those things I needed to record. That way, it was only what I wanted, I could print off more as needed, and I had the info I needed. I also made one for my older daughter...not poops and feedings, but other goals I had for her day. That way I didn't "forget" to read to her or practice her shapes and colors. Even if it was just a little bit, I still had the reminder. (I arranged their charts in a weekly form, then put them in the binder so that --when it was resting on the wall, both kids' were displayed and easy to write on.)