Seeking Mom's or Parents Groups in the Are

Meetup.com is a good place to meet like minded people, also have you tried the hospital where you gave birth? Many have New Mom's groups/classes.

Also, neither of my kids were good sleepers. Both had GERD (reflux). My dd was a silent refluxer and learned to take in only a couple of ounces of breast milk at a time. We nursed every couple of hours throughout the day and night. I found that going to bed when she did, made it easier for me to get enough sleep. I finally got her on probiotics (after trying prescription that did little to help) and this did wonders. I took her to a Naturopath and we were able to work things out.

With my ds, he too had reflux, spitting up constantly, gassy, etc. We started him on a probiotic at 2 wks (he came out so fast he didn't get the fluid out of his system). This helped and he did better than my dd. Both were tiny things (still are - like me) and I think this made a difference in what they could hold milk-wise. They just needed to nurse more often until their little systems caught up. But the probiotics definitely helped with the sleep patterns. They were lengthened, still not what I would have liked, but better. I just learned to go to bed early, so I could get enough sleep. I also co-slept, so while my little one nursed, I could semi-sleep at the same time. It made is so much better. I didn't start off co-sleeping, but it was a sleep saver for me.

Good luck and don't forget to check your local hospital for a New Mom's group. Many do offer them.

Check out MOMS club Google it they should have a chapter in ur area

Hello,

Have faith! I am a doula, though not a post partum doula, I do help my client's with breastfeeding, so thought I might offer a word or two.

First of all, at 11 weeks old, it is possible that he is getting ready to go through a growth spurt. But he may also be using you as a pacifier, which I would caution you against. When I have babes that are not sleeping as well as they might I offer this. If you are feeding on both sides each time, he is likely only getting the foremilk, hence not the high calorie, high fat, appetite supressing milk. I ask my moms to nurse on one side only at each feeding, switching sides each feeing, allowing their hind milk to get in to baby's tummy. If you are having trouble keeping him awake to nurse a good 20-30 minutes then I would start by having your partner get up with him while you catch a few extra zzz's and bring you a baby wearing only his diaper. If he is tummy to tummy with you he won't get too cold as your body temperature will increase a degree if his drops a degree to compensate. Make sure that you are skin to skin and tummy to tummy, his ear, shoulder, and hips in a straight line to ease his swallowing. If you try and swallow with your head turned to the side, you will notice it is most difficult. If he is in an awkward position, it may not pay off for him to struggle, or have to work so hard to get to his food, he may tire, temporarily and go to sleep, but with an unful tummy. Lastly, your partner can make sure that you have PLENTY of fresh liquid at each feeding i.e. herbal tea, water, juice, anything decaffinated. Also a snack to keep your calories up increasing the quality of his food.

If all else fails, you can try nursing on demand while co-sleeping. While this is controversial, in light of danger factors like, a smoking parent, alchohol etc., it has proven to be effective in getting both parents more sleep. Co-sleepers are also a good option for that particular troublesome part of parenthood. One caveat, it does not come without it's own set of disadvantages that one must educate themselves on and weigh in on what makes the most sense for them.

I would also suggest that if you can get someone to relieve you at night so that you can get some sleep, you might wish to take them up on the offer. There are post partum doulas that do just that.

May I also state that you are doing a great job exclusively breast feeding and don't be tempted by the "just a little formula/cereal" antiquated advice. It comes with it's own problems including diminished milk supply, and a list of other problems for your son, as long as my arm.

I wish you well and feel free to contact me if I can help.

Don't forget your local La Leche League, they can be of unmeasureable help!

Good luck and keep up the good work,

T. Nelson CD (DONA)

Look for a group on Meetup.com. That's where I found other parents in my area. Good luck!

There's lots of groups on meetup.com! Have you found the Snohomish Attachment Parenting International group?

Also, have you been to a La Leche League meeting? It's a breastfeeding support group.