Last week you met Sales Manager Jaime Putnam’s daughter, Lainey, and this week we’re delighted to introduce you to Wyatt, the bouncing baby boy of our Customer Service Guru, Krista Gamble! Wyatt was born just before Christmas–the day before Krista’s birthday–(talk about the best gift ever!) and is now close to 6 weeks old. We caught up with Krista while she’s away on maternity leave to find out how motherhood is treating her and to learn more about her precious son Wyatt. We also asked her to giveaway her favorite i play. or green sprouts product to one lucky ready. Read on to find out how to enter!
Name: Wyatt Warren Gamble
Birth day: December 19, 2012 – the day before my birthday!
Birth weight: 8lbs. 6 ozs.
Birth time: 2:24 in the afternoon
Present age: Wyatt is 5 weeks old now
Tell us about your birthing experience.
I got up around 3 am to go to the bathroom and my water broke. However, I wasn’t 100% sure that’s what had happened. So I woke up my husband, Griff, to tell him and decided I would lay there until my doctor’s office opened at 8:30 am and have Dr. Moore check me out. HA! About an hour later I started having extremely painful contractions, however they didn’t feel like “textbook” contractions (back to front or top to bottom pain). Griff joked that maybe it was from all the spicy food we had been eating to move things along!
Anyhow, the pain got worse, and the contractions got closer together so I showered and got everything ready. We headed to the hospital about 6 am. That was a heck of a drive and we only live about 5-10 minutes away!
When we arrived at the hospital I was 7 cm dilated and the nurse joked that most women do not wait until 7 cm to come to the hospital when having their first baby. I didn’t know!!! And it happened so fast!
How did the delivery go?
Delivery was a breeze. I was in my room by 7 am and climbing the walls in pain. I couldn’t get comfortable, I wanted to stand, sit, squat, walk…and finally, I said, “I’m ready for the epidural.” My goal was to see my pain tolerance, and I found it! Luckily I’ve never broken a bone, or sprained anything, have never had stitches, or even an IV, so all of this hospital stuff was new to me. After the epidural, we just hung out, and about 1 pm I started to push and he was here by 2:24 pm!
What was the moment like when you first saw your new baby?
I think Griff and I both were in shock that he was actually here now, on my chest, ours, our baby. We both just kept looking at each other and then at him. I had a mixture of giggles and tears flowing. It was the most amazing moment of our lives!
Who was at the hospital with you?
Just my husband Griff. As soon as we got to the hospital and knew that Wyatt would be making his appearance, we called our parents and they jumped in their cars from Florida and drove straight to Asheville.
What does it feel like to be a (new) Mom?
AMAZING! I love spending every moment with him catching all his expressions, sounds, and even his toots! Really, people say it all the time but it’s a love I’ve never known, and am so happy I do now.
What’s been the biggest surprise?
How laid back he is, and that he is a pretty darn good sleeper. (I hope I didn’t just jinx myself!) But, considering he came from me and my husband, it’s fitting!
I’ve also learned that that stay at home moms really do have a full-time job working over-time! I have managed to shower every day, but some days that is the only chore that gets accomplished. I try to set one goal for myself for the day….laundry, sweep, go to Target, etc., and make sure I get that done. But there have been some days where all we do is eat, burp, nap, diaper change, eat, burp, nap….you get the point! And next thing you know Daddy is home and the day is gone. But that’s okay.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far?
BREASTFEEDING!!!!! People don’t talk about how painful, emotionally draining, and frustrating breastfeeding can be. I would go through labor and delivery again if I could make breastfeeding work without any issues. It is getting better, though….we just keep trying! I did have to supplement some formula and I’ve tried every measure to relieve the pain and produce more milk. I’ve also been extremely lucky to have an amazing support system from my husband, local moms, and friends and family. We just keeping working at it!
What are you most looking forward to?
My best friends meeting Wyatt. And just watching him grow and learning his personality.
::GIVEAWAY::
What would you like to give away to one lucky reader?
Well, the thing I’m using the most right now are the Glass Storage Cubes. We’re not using them for storing baby food just yet, one day we will, but recently we have been using them to hold a pacifier, nipple shields or an ounce of dry formula in the diaper bag. They are the perfect size!
Enter to WIN!
For a chance to win a four-pack of Storage Cubes, like and share the link to this post on our Facebook page here.
For a BONUS entry, leave a comment below for Krista–your experiences, tips, and advice with breastfeeding would be especially welcome.
We’ll announce the winner at 5 pm EST on Monday, February 4th. Good luck!
No matter how much it starts to hurt dont give up. I kick myself for not trying hard to get my daughter to latch on. I cant wait for my next child so I can breastfeed again.
Be it breastfeeding or solid feeding or just snacking it all was easier once a proper schedule was made for my little one
I was not very good at breastfeeding, so I guess I should not offer advice. I mostly used a breast pump, but I got the job done
. My sons name was also Wyatt, congratulations and a long and happy life together!
Breastfeeding was very hard for me. I tried and tried but in turn my body was not able to do it. Just don’t give up at it unless your body is losing weight etc. Warm washcloths on the breasts and pump to keep from pain from engorgement. Enjoy your baby…they grow up quickly! Mine is now 11 months!
krista – hang in there, it gets so much easier to breastfeed! The most important thing is that YOU eat plenty of food and drink plenty of water, your body WILL make what your little guy needs without formula supplementation!
Congrats on a beautiful and healthy baby!
Breastfeeding can be difficult at times but there are lots of resources for support available be sure to use them if you run into some hard times.
Krista – When you are going through the difficult early weeks of breastfeeding, it can be so frustrating to just keep hearing “it gets better”. I wanted it to get better NOW! But – really and truly – it does. For us, it’s like everything just clicked around 8 weeks and we never looked back. My best tip is that when you go back to work, schedule in time to pump and treat it as a “can’t miss” appointment.
Hey Krista! Congrats- he is a cutie pie! Breastfeeding tips… With my first daughter, I muddled and cried my way through the first few weeks of nursing. Our emotional health was taking a HUGE hit, and I don’t ever regret my decision to formula feed her (only that I didn’t do it from the start)! My second child nursed naturally and, though it was painful and exhausting the first few months, it got better and better, and I am SO thankful I got to nurse her. PLEASE do not feel guilty for ANY decision you make with your baby’s best interest at heart. And, if you do decide to continue BF… My advice would be to a) find a LC you trust and b) nurse as frequently and as long as baby wants! Soak up those moments… he’ll be running around soon!
Best wishes!!!
Congratulations! I wish you all the best as you embark on your BFing journey together. It will hurt for maybe a week, then two more weeks of discomfort when he latches, then pain free! To get a good latch, point your nipple at his nose, then jam it in there when he opens his mouth. You should not be able to see much of your nipple once he is latched on. And a good lactation consultant will help you over any hurdles you may encounter. Breast milk is the best milk!
Breastfeeding can be hard, especially in the early weeks when you’re recovering from the birth But it’s ok and perfectly normal for it to be hard, as long as you can access decent support to make it easier for you!
Krista! Congratulations! Reading your story brought me back to my daughter’s first few weeks of life! We had a terrible time breastfeeding and my tiny little baby (5lbs. 11 oz. at birth!) lost twelve percent of her birth weight and we had to supplement with formula for several days… Fast forward to today and she will be 15 months this week, we are still breastfeeding like champs! My daughter is so healthy and happy! It took us probably three weeks to a month to really get breastfeeding down (the first two weeks were a total nightmare!) and it was a challenge but I’m so happy we made it! The important thing is to not beat yourself up over it and drink lots of water! Find a good lactation consultant (call the hospital) or look up your local Le Leche League. You’ll make it!
Wyatt is a doll and good luck to you all! Try to nap when Wyatt naps!
I too had a bad expierence with breastfeeding. Though i had everything against me to fakl. I was induced, my daughter went to the nicu, and didnt get a pump until 11 at night (7hrs after giving birth). I tried for a good month took blessed thistle, mothers milk tea, and one other herb to try and get my milk to go. Nothing worked… in the end i have a 2 year old daughter now and realize how silly it was to be so upset that i couldnt bf. Im not saying quit or u cant do it, some women just cant.
Breastfeeding is not easy! I tried with both my boys (one most recently born Dec 2, 2012). I refused to give up, but my body just wouldn’t produce what my baby needed. Don’t give up…..I hear it gets better provided your body will produce the milk. And I believe it is just fine to supplement with formula if that’s what it takes to relieve your stress or to make sure your baby eats enough. Most importantly…..enjoy every moment with your baby because before you know it, he will be all grown up!
What a precious baby!!! Congratulations! For me, breastfeeding was hard in the beginning but it got better…the soreness will go away and you will both get the hang of it. It becomes a really special time for you and baby to spend together. I BF exclusively for six months then had to start supplementing with formula because my baby was losing weight. It was hard for me (mentally) to give him formula. I had my mind set that I was going to BF for a year but things happen. Once he started on formula he gained weight instantly and became healthy again…that is all I wanted, a healthy baby. Definitely don’t give up on breastfeeding but don’t feel bad about giving him formula either. I do advise that you drink lots of water to help with your milk supply. The breastfeeding days will be gone before you know it. Good luck!
If you aren’t allergic to it, pure lanolin will be your best friend for sore or cracked nipples!
I am going to give you different advice as a mamma of a near Christmas baby (like you yourself). We keep Christmas very separate and that means putting our tree and decorations up the day after his birthday. He is 4 now and we love our little tradition. We still do advent calendars and Elf on the Shelf throughout the month. And shop through out the year-it is a big hit financially all at once
I always joke that breastfeeding and potty training are the 2 hardest things I have had to do in regards to parenting so far! My best advice to breastfeeding is to stick with it, and pump in the beginning I always pumped at least twice a day right after I got done feeding the baby. I would freeze this milk for later use, if I went out of town, I used it to make baby foods, cereals, I would freeze some in ice cube trays for Popsicles in a fresh food feeder at teething time. It would also help to increase my milk supply. I know everyone might not agree with this but I would rather have too much milk then not enough.
My biggest tip. BREAST FEED ON DEMAND! And no bottles. Pumping/bottles will slow down your supply and baby will end up preferring the bottle because they get more quicker. It’s a big commitment to exclusively bf but so worth it! I’m still nursing baby #4 (7 months) exclusively. I don’t plan to start food till about 9 months. Breast milk is made perfect and it has everything he needs. I did this with our last 2 as well and it was great! Because once you start supplementing (anything! food, formula, bottles) your supply will be affected. I made that mistake with our first (pumped, didn’t feed her on demand, and started baby food at 5 months) and my milk dried up completely at 6 months. #2 was bf till 18 months. #3 was bf for 13 months (I found out I was pregnant and my supply dried up almost overnight….)
Good luck!
PS> And if it doesn’t work out, it’ll be okay! You tried! Some moms won’t even try! You can always get a goat! LOL. I didn’t even pump a single spare bottle with this baby because I decided it wasn’t worth all the time/effort (because with #2 I ended up throwing away a WHOLE FREEZER FULL of milk because he refused to drink it out of anything but me.) If my milk dried up, I’ll either get a goat or buy organic formula.
Every baby is different, and you need to figure out what works best for you & the little one. With my first, he was a terrible nurser, and I had to supplement with formula. With my second, just born Jan 7th, she is such an, um, lets call it “efficient” nurser that I needed to pump & bottle feed to give my boobs a break. Luckily for me, she goes back & forth between breast and bottle already without any issues. The best advice I can give you is to keep chugging along! It gets easier as the days go by. I treat it like my “job” for the first several weeks, it keeps me in a good frame of mind, helps me to not get discouraged.
I promise breastfeeding gets easier. Just stick to it and you and the baby will both get better at it.