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01-10-2013 at 10:25 AM
HarleyKins
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Breast feeding app or timer?

I've been trying to find the right solution to keeping track of feedings and making sure I get up every 2.5-3 hours when we first bring home Charley (Charlotte) from the hospital.

I've read about a few timers on Amazon that have 4 timers - nap, feeding, diaper, and somethign else. But I've also read that there are a few apps to use - I have a droid but also an Itouch.

I know I can keep a journal but I'd rather not turn on the light as much as possible at whatever unGodly hour of the morning I happen to be up.

Anyone given this any thought? Bought one? Thanks!
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01-10-2013 at 10:36 AM
Kailynsmom...
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I am going to use this http://www.amazon.com/Itzbeen-Pocket-Nanny-Baby-Timer/dp/B000MEB3GE I wish I had it with my first. I have a few friends who used it and loved it. It eve has a small nightlight.
 
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01-10-2013 at 10:36 AM
animalcrck...
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If you are nursing on demand you will probably not need an app for that.  Most newborns will give you cues when they want to nurse, whether that be for food or comfort.

I had two different kinds of nursers as newborns.  #1 was a marathon bfer and would nurse for an hour and sometimes want to do it again 15 minutes later. #2 was a grazer on would nurse for 15 minutes here and 5 minutes there.  But it was never every 2.5-3 hours evenly spaced out.

In the especially sleepy newborn phase, depending on the weight of baby and how they are gaining, your pediatrician may recommend you continue feeding throughout the night, even though they may not wake up.  We had to do this with DS1 because he was born at 35 weeks and in that case, I would set my alarm clock to wake myself up if he had not woke me up already. 
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01-10-2013 at 10:37 AM
Kailynsmom...
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UGH its not clicky...sorry about that.
 
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01-10-2013 at 10:37 AM
homebird
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I used one for awhile when DD was born. I would forget what times I fed her or how long, what side I started with, etc. Also, DH was obsessed with tracking diapers, lol.

We used this app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baby-timer/id315692413?mt=8

It tracks feedings (bottle, breast, pumping or mixture), naps, diapers, etc. 
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01-10-2013 at 10:38 AM
homebird
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animalcrckr:

If you are nursing on demand you will probably not need an app for that.  Most newborns will give you cues when they want to nurse, whether that be for food or comfort.

Eh, I nursed on demand and I still used an app. It was helpful to see patterns and stats over a period of time.  
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01-10-2013 at 10:43 AM
meltoine
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Seriously, just thatch your baby. I thought the apps would be great, but it was just one more thing my sleep deprived brain didn't need to be bothered with. When your kid is hungry, you'll know. If s/he is having problems gaining and you really need to monitor feeds on the advice of your pedi, then get an app. Otherwise, it's time you don't need to spend worrying about something that doesn't need to be worried about. 
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01-10-2013 at 10:45 AM
HarleyKins
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I "plan" on feeding/waking every 2.5-3 hours per an article I read.  

I found one called Feed Baby - actually notifies you when it's time (has 3 set times) and can track diaper changes, etc.

Also, tracks bottle, L/R breast, and displays on home screen at the top. It's neat but havn'et played much with it it.

And of course, I'll keep looking! Keep the ideas coming!

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01-10-2013 at 10:56 AM
animalcrck...
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homebird:
animalcrckr:

If you are nursing on demand you will probably not need an app for that.  Most newborns will give you cues when they want to nurse, whether that be for food or comfort.

Eh, I nursed on demand and I still used an app. It was helpful to see patterns and stats over a period of time.  

I guess I'm not as tech savy.  I just used a a piece of yarn that I switched between bra straps to remember the last side I nursed from.  I never have had a reason to make a spreadsheet of my breastfeeding:)  
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01-10-2013 at 11:15 AM
meltoine
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HarleyKins:

I "plan" on feeding/waking every 2.5-3 hours per an article I read.  

You only need to do this until your baby regains here birth weight, which most kids do by the first week or two. I've rarely known a newborn that young to sleep more than three hours on their own.

If you want to go crazy with apps be my guest, but be aware that it's superfluous and mostly a pain in the @ss.  
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01-10-2013 at 11:16 AM
Jacksmom22...
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When I nursed my son, I just followed his cues. The app might be helpful in the first week or two, when baby is most vulnerable...but after that, I wouldnt limit/force feedings...just feed baby when she is hungry!
 
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01-10-2013 at 11:44 AM
PansyPants
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A timer or an app is a great idea for the first couple of weeks, after that it's unlikely you'll need it. 

I don't remember what app I used but it was just a free one (I also have an android) and then later on I just used a stopwatch to keep track of how long it had been since the last feeding. I actually still use the stopwatch to track how long DS1's naps last and other little things throughout the day. 
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01-10-2013 at 11:48 AM
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Kailynsmommy731:
I am going to use this http://www.amazon.com/Itzbeen-Pocket-Nanny-Baby-Timer/dp/B000MEB3GE I wish I had it with my first. I have a few friends who used it and loved it. It eve has a small nightlight.

I used this for DS and will absolutely use it for LO #2. It is so useful if you use it religiously. And if you're able to sneak in a nap or get out of the house for a bit then DH (or whoever is watching baby) doesn't have to bug you to find out the last time baby was changed/fed/etc.   
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01-10-2013 at 11:55 AM
homebird
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Just fyi - an app isn't for scheduling/forcing feedings. There seems to be some confusion about that.
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01-10-2013 at 12:34 PM
emolm
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http://www.awarenessproductsonline.com/product_mom_MothersMinderRasb

I used this.
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01-10-2013 at 12:52 PM
ladybugpjb
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I had the Itzbeen timer - it's not fancy or anything, but it was a lifesaver. It has a timer for diaper changing, feeding, sleeping, and then it has a 4th. I think it also has a switch to keep track of left/right.

I was so sleep-deprived for WEEKS that I couldn't remember how long it had been since I did anything. So when DS would get fussy, I'd look at the timer and know, "Oh - it's been two hours since he ate; he must be hungry." (He NEVER showed hunger cues, and I watched and watched for them.) Or "Oh - I should check his diaper" or "oh - he must be tired." It really saved my sanity, especially after one night when I was up late googling "Why won't my baby stop crying?" It wasn't perfect, but it helped me figure out what might be wrong.

When I switched to EPing, it was helpful to keep track of how long it had been since I'd pumped, and then it was a good timer for pumping.
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01-10-2013 at 1:26 PM
jlaOK
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I wouln't worry about having something to make sure that you get up every 2.5-3 hrs to nurse.  Your baby will be doing that.  I do suggest having some sort of journal or app to keep track of when you nurse, how long, and what side.  This is important information to know so that you can make sure that your baby is getting enough to eat and it will also help you start to recognize patterns so that you will be able to form some sort of schedule.
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01-10-2013 at 3:45 PM
andyyougoo...
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I nursed both sides each time, but I would try to alternate which side I started first (since she would drain that one the most).  Honestly, I would just feel my boob to see which one felt most full.  I offered that one.  lol. 

In the beginning, I did like to time how long she would sleep for and stuff like that at night, but that was just to see how long it took her to space her feedings.  I never woke her up at night (after that first week, anyway).

During the day, I fed her every three hours and I would either use the timer on my phone or just watch the clock.  I tried to do it on the hour, so it was easier to remember.  I don't think I ever fed her less than every 3 hours during the day.  Then, when she started eating solids, it felt like I was CONSTANTLY feeding her either milk or solids.

DD1 started STTN around 7 weeks.

I could not be happier for my fabulous TTC buddy, MandaPanda518!

Baby Panda is on the way!!!

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Baby Goonie is on the way!

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01-10-2013 at 4:37 PM
dbsk8dance...
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I had an ap. It was easy to use.
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01-10-2013 at 7:55 PM
cyprissa
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Someone gave me an Itzbeen and I found it to br a royal PITA. My kid never slept longer than 3 hrs and I never had to wake him up to feed, plus once they regain their birth weight it's ok for feedings to naturally space out. In the newborn phase we changed diapers with every feeding so that was easy to track. 
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01-10-2013 at 8:30 PM
KMEss86
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Personally, I would not use anything like that. The baby will wake you up, and if she doesn't, that's great! You don't want to be waking babies to nurse, even newborns, as long as you never deny them when they ask. The goal is to sleep long stretches at night, so to wake them every 2.5 hours is confusing. They need sleep, and you do too.
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