Why Didn’t I Think of That?
So you guys left me some good comments and honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that all day yesterday. I guess I was too upset to think clearly, but last night Jake and I had a long talk about it and we did come to the same conclusion that we should call the lactation consultant. In defense of my doctor, he in NO WAY told me to stop breast feeding. He is so very pro breast feeding. He just said she needed more calories, which was why he suggested to nurse first, and then give her some formula. It was my stressed mind that thought there was no way I could keep up the double-duty feeding for the next six months. And then I realized that with the advent of solid foods, feeding would be a three-pronged hassle. My brain just freaked.
The problem I have with pumping and supplementing her with breast milk is that I don’t pump well. I only have an “occasional use” pump, which sounds like it would be perfect. But my milk for whatever reason does not let down with the pump. So it can sometimes take me two sessions of pumping to get enough milk for one bottle. I also have to trick one boob into being engorged by feeding only on one side all night. That way in the morning, the other boob is so full that it has no choice but to produce milk with I put the suction to it. I’ve tried all the tips I can find to make the let down happen with the pump and it just doesn’t.
So I have a call in to the LC and we’ll see what she has to say. Maybe I just need to rent that big dog hospital pump again and can build up a good supply of milk to supplement her with. Maybe we’ll discover that my milk just doesn’t have the calories she needs. Maybe the issue is Bridget being a lazy nurser or a distracted one, and maybe we can fix that. I don’t know. For now, we will keep giving her the formula after she nurses to give her those calories. I have a goal of six weeks. I’m supposed to take her in then for a weight check and hopefully she’ll have packed on the pounds. Or maybe just A pound. I’d be happy with A pound. For now, I’m just cramming food down her throat at regular intervals. And most of it is staying down.
Filed under Mommy Zombie |6 Responses to “Why Didn’t I Think of That?”
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Maybe she’s just one of those kids that isn’t going to pack on weight. I mean, she’s healthy and happy. It’s not affecting her it seems. If you can manage to keep bfing, it’d be great I’m sure. From an ease standpoint, believe me, there are times where I wish I would have at least tried. But in my heart of hearts, I know we made the right decision for us. Also, if it’s any consolation, the Mini can be a lazy eater too. Shit, lay me down with a straw and a bowl of melted ice cream, I’d probably pass out too. It’ll all work out in the end. No matter what happens. Hang in there.
Can you check you and Jake’s respective baby books and find out your general sizes for this age? That really helped me when we realized Freya is a tiny little mite–I was just as wee as she when I was her age, and I grew a whole bunch. It sounds like you’re doing great, trying to keep a good balance of giving Bridgie the calories she needs, and yet keeping the boob available for the comfort and particular nutrition breastmilk has. Good work!
I am glad that you are getting a second opinion. Breastfeeding isn’t always easy and once you start making things a little more difficult (supplementing) it makes things more complicated. I hope she will gain some weight and take the stress off of you.
You’ll figure out the right thing to do, I assure you. Six months of breastfeeding is fabulous, and never let anybody tell you any different. If you can do more and want to do more, great, I’m sure a LC can help with that. Good luck!
If the LC can’t help and it’s beyond control, I’m sure you might feel disappointed as you said. But, to point out what you said yourself, there are a few positives to giving up The Boob and requiring formula: your body is your own again, you gave her 6 months of good mama milk full of nutrients to build her immune system, Jake can take some of the feedings from you, and well, you don’t have to mess with pumping.I mean this to be supportive, truly.
I say shoot for one ounce of weight gain per letter in the name ‘Trumpengruber.’ That’s 13.