Karter had a doc appt yesterday and she only weighed 5 lbs, 7 oz. She lost 12% of her body weight. Her pedi was concerned and recommended that I go home and feed her every two hours breastmilk and chart her poops and pees. So we did that.
We went back today and she weighs the same. So the new recommendation is that we go home, feed her every two hours off the breast using a nipple shield, and then pump out the rest and offer it to her in a bottle. We have to offer her at least an ounce after each breastfeeding.
We go back tomorrow and if she hasn't gained any weight then she will be put in the hospital and monitored. This sucks. I really hope I can get her to eat better. I don't know what I am doing wrong.
Re: The Worries Begin...
Oh no! That's awful!!! Hopefully the new eating routine will get her to gain a little bit of weight.
::EATING VIBES::
Update! She ate the entire ounce from the bottle after eating off the boob too! So things are looking good! I am hopeful.
The lady across the street is a nurse and said that often early term babies just don't have the capabilities to suck the milk out of a boob and either need a nipple shield or the extra pumping. So that is comforting also, to know that it is common anyway. I am a little sad that nobody told me this in the hospital. In fact the one nurse that said anything about a nipple shield recommended I didn't use one! I hate conflicting advice.
Oh no Ashely... Sending lots of vibes that Kiki starts eating more and gaining some weight!!!
{{Hugs}}
How is breastfeeding going for you?
It isn't a latch problem. She latches like a champ. She just doesn't have enough suck power to get the milk from the gland to her little mouth. She tries though. My nipples show it too! The nurse across the street said that it happens a lot with "early term babies" - which Karter is since she was born at 37w4d. As she gets older, she will have more suck power and we shouldn't have to do this anymore. But until then, I just want her to have the breastmilk.
Esther, it is going just fine considering. I am not having all the issues that I thought I would. The first time was really weird but now I just feel like I have to do what I have to do, ya know? My biggest complaint is the intense nipple pain. OH man! My nipples had blisters and got all chafed but after using the nipple shield twice I already feel a difference.
Note to self: Get Nipple Shields.
First of all, you aren't doing anything wrong. Rowen had issues with sucking too (he was born 37 weeks 1 day) and no one told me this either. Keep doing what you are doing and it will get better. At least you have someone giving you advise that seems to be helping. Good luck!
Started TTC Nov. 2011
1st clomid cycle June 2012- No response :: HSG August 2012- Left tube blocked, right tube clear :: 2nd clomid cycle Aug. 2012 BFN :: 3rd clomid cycle Sept. 2012 :: BFP Sept 30th :: DS born 6/15/13 :: BFP #2 7/29/14 M/C 8/5/14 :: BFP#3 10/20/14 DD born 7/1/2015 :: Applied to be surrogate April '17 :: Transferred 1 Embryo for IFs Dec. '17 :: Surro Babe born 9/11/18 :: Started 2nd Journey May '19 :: Transferred 1 Embryo for new IFs 9/24/19 :: HB 138 at 6w6d