Emmy had her first appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday. She has grown 2.75 inches since she was born, but is still just a few ounces heavier than her birth weight. I know, crazy, right? How did that happen? Let me start at the beginning.
About a week after Emmy was born, I knew we were having breast feeding issues. Latching was weird, her feeding times were really scattered and she seemed a little lethargic. So, I decided to make an appointment with a lactation consultant. When E.J. was born, she weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. Ten days after she was born, she weighed 7 lbs 1 oz. She had lost way more than normal. The consultant worked with us and was a huge help. She said Emmy wasn't a very enthusiastic eater and that we'd really have to work at it to continue breast feeding. Anyway, from that point until about a week ago, I thought everything was going fine. Until we saw a Nutritionist. She said E.J. was in the 2% for weight. I was devastated. I thought we were doing so well. She had grown out of her newborn sleepers, we had to adjust the straps in her car seat a few times. I mean, I knew she was skinny, but I didn't think she was that skinny. The nutritionist asked me a hundred questions about Emmy's nursing habits with an accusatory tone and I answered them all honestly. Yes, she eats every two hours, yes she has plenty of wet and dirty diapers, no, she doesn't sleep all the time. And the lady just stared at me as if to say "Yeah right".
So I left that office feeling terrible about everything I had been working so hard at. I called my husband and we agreed that we needed to get her in to see the pediatrician. We took her in and he did the whole work-up. Saying everything looked good except her weight. Again, I was asked a million questions. Again, I got the side eye. And he recommended I give Emmy a few ounces of formula after every third or fourth feeding.
I hate the idea of formula. I want to breast feed my baby so desperately. I want to give her the best start in life. I don't want to seem like I'm having a pity party over here, but I see so many mothers who are complaining because their milk hasn't dried up and they don't want it. I have half a mind to remind them of how lucky they are, and another half to ask them if they could spare a few ounces for my baby. Yeah, I might be going crazy.
So, now I'm spending all of my energy trying to make sure I do everything I can to help the situation. We're going back to the consultant and our midwife has given us some helpful advice.
I'm sure I'm not the only mother who's going through this, but it sure seems like I'm the only one talking about it. Did any of you have any breast feeding issues?
stephanie, i had problems making enough milk with Alijah. By the time he was about 6 months he was on formula and i hated it. I felt like a failure. With Noah I had to give him formula in the beginning because I had gestational diabetes and hes sugars were way to low. Again I felt as if I as a mother had let him down too. When Alijah had to start formula my husband wasnt much of a shoulder to lean on. He kept saying we couldnt afford it and i had to keep trying. by that time my milk had almost dried up. He couldnt see how bad i felt but he just made it worse. Your husband seems to stand by your side and support you. Your lucky there. As far as the feeding and stuff goes maybe try pumping and storing it. I have always been told the more you use the more your body will make. thats what wendy had to do. I hope things get easier for you and babe and if you ever need to talk im here. good luck
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mandy. Im sorry you had a rough time with it. I have great support from Michael and our families, so I'm really lucky. I don't think I could do it without them. So are you breast feeding Noah now?
ReplyDeleteYes I'm breast feeding Noah too. Its what I planned doing until I can't any longer. I would have done it even if I had to pump all the time. I really hope things get easier for you.
DeleteGood! I'm so glad it worked out for you!
DeleteMadison and I have always had a rough time with breastfeeding. Every since day one, she has never latched correctly. So, I pumped every ounce I could every time I could. It still wasn't enough, so we ended up supplementing with formula. Believe me, I know how emotionally painful it is.
ReplyDeleteMaybe instead of supplementing with formula in a bottle, try pumped breastmilk? I have two pumps if you need one! One is a Medela too.
Try this lactation cookie recipe too, perhaps? I think Joe ate more of them then I did. http://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/lactation-cookies-recipe-increasing.html
Thanks, Shelby. I do have a pump and I've started using it more. It's still not enough right now, but I hope it will help increase my supply. Madison is such an advanced baby, so that makes me feel better about formula, if we have to use it.
DeleteIt was hard to use it, but a happy, full baby is so much better than a grumpy, hungry baby. I learned it the hard way!
DeleteAnd as long as she gets some breastmilk, that helps build the immune system and gives them that extra dose of vitamins and goodies. I kind of saw formula as a "filler" between feedings some time.
We started Madison off on baby food at 4 months too, but that helped with her weight gain. She's at the 50% mark, whereas at her 2 month appointment she was only at the 20% mark. Plus, all babies are different. It's important to keep that in mind.
I did eat more. They taste great!
ReplyDeleteBreast pumps were a life saver!
she'll get the hang of it! make sure you're drinking lots of water and taking in at least 300 extra calories. I'm sure you've already heard that. ;) Ellie had latching issues as a newborn and I even had to use a nipple shield. they gave it to me at the hospital, but then I read it can be hard on supply so I spent a whole weekend focusing only on nursing. it clicked in Elle about a month in....we never had weight issues (she weighed 6.12 at birth so smaller to begin with) but at 16 months she's in the 5-10% weight and eats all. the. time. and still nurses every morning and some nights. I would say she's healthy and doesn't even look skinny to me. it was so hard to know if she was getting enough and I never pumped so she never had a bottle. I could tell when her belly started getting full from her feedings bc she was much more content! so this novel is just to say....do what feels right to you and for Emmy. don't feel pressured into something you aren't comfortable with!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lesley. It's good to know that some babies are just petite. Your little one is adorable and I'm so glad you two were able to figure it out. I'll keep at it, and I have faith that things will all work out.
Delete