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September 2015 Moms
CEW225
member
Update-Don't know if I can do this anymore...
CEW225
member
This is sort of another breastfeeding post, but, like some others on here, I need encouragement.
I have posted in different threads about how LO lost almost a pound in her first few days. She went from 6lb 15oz down to 6lb even. I was told by the nurses at the hospital to start supplementing with some formula after she fed from me. I have done that, not as consistently as I would have liked to because, I went to a LC, and was told supplementing would hurt my supply, which I didn't want to happen either.
My pediatrician wants her back to 6lb 7oz tomorrow when we visit as that would be a half ounce a day since we last visited. I'm really afraid she hasn't made it. DH bought a kitchen scale at walmart to try and weigh her, but it's too small for her squirmy self. We can't get an accurate measurement. If she hasn't gained weight tomorrow, I don't know what I'm going to do.
I try to feed her and she falls asleep when she's nursing more times than not, which I'm afraid is part of the reason she hasn't gained much. I try everything to keep her awake and nothing seems to phase her very much. She takes a bottle pretty easily though. I am going to ask about tongue tie tomorrow because I think she has it, which, when fixed, could help things out, but I'm about to my wits end. I feel so stressed constantly about how much she's eating, if she's gained weight, and all that. She has a good number of dirty and wet diapers each day, so that helps, but I'm still afraid it isn't translating to her weight. My anxiety is through the roof because I want to breastfeed, but if she's not eating right, then i know something has to be done. It makes me feel like a bad mom because I can't give her what she needs. I cry at least twice a day over feeding her because I'm so scared it's not working.
Pumping seems impossible at this point because by the time I try and feed her, fix her bottle, and all that, I don't have time to pump.
I'm sorry this is such a long post and is another rant/lament on breastfeeding, but you ladies are such a wonderful support group. My mom didn't BF me, so she doesnt understand and, while I could not ask fo a more supportive husband, he can't understand what it feels like and I know he's tired of listening to me cry all the time.
What do I do?
I have posted in different threads about how LO lost almost a pound in her first few days. She went from 6lb 15oz down to 6lb even. I was told by the nurses at the hospital to start supplementing with some formula after she fed from me. I have done that, not as consistently as I would have liked to because, I went to a LC, and was told supplementing would hurt my supply, which I didn't want to happen either.
My pediatrician wants her back to 6lb 7oz tomorrow when we visit as that would be a half ounce a day since we last visited. I'm really afraid she hasn't made it. DH bought a kitchen scale at walmart to try and weigh her, but it's too small for her squirmy self. We can't get an accurate measurement. If she hasn't gained weight tomorrow, I don't know what I'm going to do.
I try to feed her and she falls asleep when she's nursing more times than not, which I'm afraid is part of the reason she hasn't gained much. I try everything to keep her awake and nothing seems to phase her very much. She takes a bottle pretty easily though. I am going to ask about tongue tie tomorrow because I think she has it, which, when fixed, could help things out, but I'm about to my wits end. I feel so stressed constantly about how much she's eating, if she's gained weight, and all that. She has a good number of dirty and wet diapers each day, so that helps, but I'm still afraid it isn't translating to her weight. My anxiety is through the roof because I want to breastfeed, but if she's not eating right, then i know something has to be done. It makes me feel like a bad mom because I can't give her what she needs. I cry at least twice a day over feeding her because I'm so scared it's not working.
Pumping seems impossible at this point because by the time I try and feed her, fix her bottle, and all that, I don't have time to pump.
I'm sorry this is such a long post and is another rant/lament on breastfeeding, but you ladies are such a wonderful support group. My mom didn't BF me, so she doesnt understand and, while I could not ask fo a more supportive husband, he can't understand what it feels like and I know he's tired of listening to me cry all the time.
What do I do?
Re: Update-Don't know if I can do this anymore...
I know it's stressful. We struggled for a while with latch issues. She has a slight case of tongue tie (not enough to snip it though). And i have flat nipples. We had to supplimentint with formula the first few days. I will say, a nipple shield helped us tremendously. It kept our nursing relationship and I would pump after every feeding so I could have bottles as well. Baby girl is a little over 3 weeks old and we retired the nipple shield and she latches great! I've found out breastfeeding is a learned skill that takes time for both mommy and baby to perfect. We still have a ways to go before we're breastfeeding masters, but every day we get better! Hang in there! And if you have to give LO a formula supplimentint that's okay too! As long as baby is healthy and thriving, that is the most important! Good luck!!
But like others have said, it's more about signs from baby that they're getting enough. Moist mucus membranes, tears when crying (be careful with this one, it sometimes takes a bit for babies to cry tears), and wet/dirty diapers.
I know it's hard as f@ck momma. It really is. Trust your gut. My middle lost a pound after birth and wasn't gaining. Long story short: formula. But I remember another momma on here said she just kept asking the pedi to give baby time and baby was at birthweight at 2 weeks!!
There's many roads momma, you have to pick the one that works for you and your family. But whatever you pick, it's perfect!!
I need to find a hands free pumping bra so that it will make pumping while nursing easier. This may be dumb, but I don't even know when she reaches the hindmilk. I know she has to drain one side, or feed on it for a while, but it doesn't ever seem to get to that point. However, I did read that if she is getting too much foremilk, her poop will be different and it's not like that. It's the normal mustardy, seedy consistency it should be, so that makes me think she's getting the hindmilk.
As far as keeping her awake, Ive used the washcloth, ice cubes, stripped her down, changed her diaper, etc. It works for a couple of minutes and then she's out. I'll burp her in the middle, change between the football and cradle hold, nothing phases her. I'm going to ask tomorrow at the pediatrician because I feel like she might sleep more than she should throughout the day.
https://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2011/10/31/newborn-weight-loss-and-iv-fluids-in-labor.html
As far as waking baby up during or for a feeding, I found it far too stressful for both of us. He refused to eat at the start of that day for nearly 10 hours, I tried stripping him down to just a blanket and diaper but it only caused him to shiver as he cried and sleep even more because I wouldn't let him rest. I finally gave him about an ounce of formula when he would take it to settle his tummy, let him sleep awhile and then tried a more relaxed approach. A warm shower helped soften my breasts and allowed the milk to flow easier, massaging them as he ate helped him get milk more efficiently, and rubbing the side of his face, his jawline, or between his eyebrows usually helps him to wake a little when he's dosing off during a feeding. When I started doing all of these things during feedings, he stopped wanting to feed constantly and seemed much more content in waiting every 2-3 hours. I know it's easier said than done, but try your best to let go of some of the stress so that it doesn't make it even harder for you and baby. I've found that breastfeeding him is far more difficult when I'm worked up and trying to force him into it.
Went to her appointment today and she has not gained any weight. She has maintained though. She does have a slight tongue tie, but nothing bad and the pediatrician believes she will probably be okay without fixing it.
Doctor was concerned about lack of weight gain, but not overly concerned. She reassured me by saying she breastfed her daughter and it took her 3 weeks to get back to her birth weight. That helped me feel better. Everything else looked good though, so that is a blessing. We have to go back Monday to get her weight checked again. She thinks I should be able to continue to breastfeed, but to give her supplement after each feeding just to help boost her weight. I may be able to stop with the formula once she gets to a certain point. She also said that, once we get some weight back on her, we can let her sleep through the night and wake us up when she is hungry. I still have to try and do everything I can to get her to wake up for eating, but at least I feel better about continuing to breastfeed.
@beansideirae Thank you for posting that link. That explains a lot about her and it explains a lot about me too. I am 2 weeks postpartum and have already lost back down to my pre-pregnancy weight; I only gained 20 lbs to begin with.
And...5-6 wet diapers, 3-4 soiled diapers and you're good. I had pretty bad anxiety too, but just trust the facts: if you meet those numbers your baby is good!