Few Questions, Please Help

Carol Ann was all, like:

Here's my $.02 on a couple of your questions:

~Am I supposed to be pumping if I am feeding every 1.5 - 2.5 hours?

No. I wouldn't start pumping until 3 weeks or so, and then only if there's
some reason to do so--if you need to build a freezer stash for returning to
work. I returned to work full-time when my son was 8 weeks old--far earlier
than I wanted to--and didn't have a huge freezer stash. I pumped only once a
day before going back to work.

~If Morgan eats on one breast for 10 - 20 mins and then falls asleep,
is it okay not to try to get her up to feed on the other one?

~What can I do to keep Morgan awake during feedings?

This is what I did when Sprogly was very young: fed 15 minutes or so on the
first side, then changed him, which would wake him up, then give him the
second side.

[...]
~How long should I wait before I take her for a walk around the block?

Don't wait. ) I went out with Sprogly when he was only a couple of days
old. I carried him in a sling. He slept, and the walk did wonders for me.

Morgan and I have been able to sleep together for the past two nites.
This allows me to read her cues much more quickly. She hasn't cried
at all. She isn't much of a crier at all.

I'm glad co-sleeping is working for you. It's the only thing that kept me
sane in the beginning, and now I really like it.

I am able to leave her bundled and sleeping without being held a good
deal of time now. Of course, NOT when we are trying to sleep. It
seems she likes the bodywarmth.

I am enjoying myself so far. I wonder though, how do I get myself
back into a "real life" routine?

Heh. This *is* real life now. It took me a while to figure that out.

Perhaps I should just focus on what
I am doing now and slowly add tasks that need to be accomplished.

Yes, and get family and friends to help you. Don't hesitate to ask for help.
New mothers deserve support. Gradually, you'll be able to work out a
routine.

By the way, I'm down 25lbs. Wow! I am still 15lbs away from my
beginning weight prior to pregnancy.

Good deal. Don't sweat it too much now, though. It sounds like you're doing
great.

I just wanted to add my 0.02 also...
~How long should I wait before I take her for a walk around the block?

Don't wait. ) I went out with Sprogly when he was only a couple of days
old. I carried him in a sling. He slept, and the walk did wonders for me.

I will just add that I was advised by both the hospital, my OB and my DD's
pediatrician that I needed to look at the pollution index for the day before
deciding to take her outside - we live in a very polluted city and it's a
big concern where I live especially at the time of year my DD was born.
That was the *only* reason I didn't take her out sooner because I had to
wait for the numbers to drop (which now of course I don't know what the
*right* numbers should be!). I was about 2 weeks post partum I think. So
unless that's a concern where you live, I would take her out as soon as you
feel up to it!!

Congrats!

CY