Did you keep a chart?

Just wondering if anyone here kept a chart for the babies when they got home, such as when they were fed, how much, when diapers were changed and stuff like that.

If so, did you find it helpful?

TIA

 

For some reason this posted twice; not sure how to delete one of them. Sorry.

 

I didn't keep a chart. i always kept them on the same schedule and breastfed so I didn't really see the point. I know some people swear by them, but for me it was just one more thing that i didn't want to find the time to do. I am sure for some cricumstances where it would be helpful. like if your bottle feed- to see how much they are eating in a day-different weights if you are worried about a smaller baby-you don't keep them on the same schedule, etc. But I didn't find it neccessary and don't plan on it this time around either.

 

I did & breastfed. Not for terribly long- I think the 2 week checkup I ditched it. But for me mine didn't tandem feed right away and I needed to (but couldn't!) remember who ate when. Plus I brought a baby home at 4lbs 10oz and we wanted to make sure he was nursing, peeing and pooping regularly. It was a bit of a PITA, but I don't regret it. I do think if I could do it again I would get the Itzbeen timer.

 

I didn't keep a chart either! I just fed them when they were hungry, changed them when they were wet and bathed them as they needed it. GL to you and congrats!

 

we did use a chart and I also bf for 13 months (although I only kept the chart for the first 4-5 months). I thought it was really important to remember who fed on which breast (as I switched them at each feed), and if they pooped or peed (as this can be an indication that they aren't getting enough milk). So, in short, yes we did keep a chart and we found it really important especially because I couldn't remember what day it was most days let alone who had what bowel movement!

 

I am breastfeeding and kept a chart for the first 5months. We had lots of feeding and weight gain issues at first so it came in very handy to keep track of wet & dirty diapers (they once went 17days without pooping!), how much they were getting fed by fingerfeeding, if they tried at the breast, timing of feeds, how often I pumped and how much I got, etc. The lactation consultant loved it, since she could get an accurate picture of how things were going (my brain wasn't very reliable) and I love looking back on it now, reading the little comments I wrote, seeing how much we worked at things... I definitely recommend having one handy...if everything goes smoothly and you don't need it, great! But if you come upon some challenges, at least you'll have one ready.

 

No charts here honestly after the babies were born I was so busy with them all the time that I had no time for charting, or showering, or eating......... Lol!!

 

nope...just one more thing to be overwhelmed with...plus they both pooped at EVERY feeding and EVERY diaper change so it wasn't too hard to figure out they were digesting properly...

 

We kept a chart for like 4 months. It was way overkill, but I am very data-driven. For the first several weeks we actually couldn't remember who had been fed when, and we were both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, so it was very complicated. I also wanted to keep track of when they had slept so I knew when to expect to need to put them down again.

It may not be necessary, but I found it helpful for my sanity, even if maybe it was just giving me the illusion of being in control!

 

Thanks for all the replies. I typed up a simple chart on the computer and we will see how things go when they arrive!