January 1st: 3040 grams
January 3rd: 2880 grams
January 8th: 2820 grams
January 15th: 2890 grams
By the end of the day my clothing was stained with every body fluid save for the one found on blue dresses. Spitup, breastmilk, blood, urine, and thanks to a diaper change in my car, explosive baby poop. Immediately after picking his naked body up from the scale and holding his screaming body to my chest the sudden warmth which soaked through my shirt and to my abdomen marked the fourth time he'd urinated on me in two weeks. "I should have packed an extra shirt for myself in his diaper bag instead of two for him." The nurse barely blinked as I dressed Perseus before addressing the new stain on my shirt.
Thanks to my own mother food and drink continue to reach me. Despite the many trays of oatmeal, soup, and cheese I'm still losing weight. I'm down to 158 pounds. My weight at delivery was 180. "As long as you're getting enough fluids and not starving yourself I wouldn't worry if this was affecting your supply."
But they are concerned about my milk supply. "He should have reached birthweight by two weeks." I reluctantly unpacked my pump that night. Between breastfeeding and pumping alternately I hope Percy gets more milk. I look at his 10th percentile frame and am overcome with worry that I'm not meeting his most basic need.
Despite his lean body he is precociously strong and alert. He can lift and hold his head. He follows the mobile animals. And tonight I watched him rollover from his back to his belly.
So now to find Fenugreek...
61 comments:
You probably aren't allergic to peanuts, but if you are Fenugreek is a not something you can take. It is actually something that not a lot of people seem to be aware so I thought I'd mention it to you. I didn't know about the allergy and I took it for a day and it really did help my supply, but the next day I found out from the LC that I couldn't take it and went home and did a search on the internet and found out sadly that she was right. You are doing an excellent job and maybe he's just going to be slow to gain weight. You are just doing an amazing job.
Ugh - I'm sorry you're going through this. I went through something similar with my daughter, but she also had a jaundice issue. I really wanted to nurse her, but suddenly felt I just - well - sucked at it.
All I can say is there's a lot of notice about initial weight loss and gain early on, and from my limited experience breastfed kids take longer to figure out how to get what they need. It's work, and when they're tired they do a lazy suck and sleep instead.
As for your supply - make sure you are drinking water - so much water - nursing really dehydrates you. As a rule, I drank 12 ounces or so every time I nursed. It seems like you are getting a good mix of foods, so the only think left is the elusive SLEEP. You need rest to keep your supply up. Of course you are up every 2-3 hours feeding Percy so how does that happen? I know, right? You've heard all the advice - sleep when he does etc etc. Just give yourself as many breaks as you can.
In the end - feeding your baby is most important - not the vessel. Don't let anyone give you grief about which method you choose. Choose what's best for you and your baby.
Good luck.
One more thing - if they are that worried about your supply, there is prescription medication out there. I've heard amazing things about Reglan. Don't be afraid to ask.
My first daughter never made the charts for weight...now at almost 3 she is still below 3%...but strong as an ox and eats like one too. Now with two fully breast fed babes under my belt I agree with Kymmi that they might take a bit longer to figure it out, especially the first when you are also figuring it all out but most do and are no worse off for their initial slow start.
Water water water. I always (still do, with my 9 month old) drink a glass of water every time I sit down to feed. Also I drink raw milk and have a guiness now and then to keep my milk nice and fortified.
Give it time. Sometimes just a little relaxation will help too.
Best of luck. This is the hardest time for feeding for sure and it sounds like you are doing an awesome job!
I had the same experience just a few weeks ago and my daughter was also doing the terrifying too-tired-to-wake-up-to-eat thing, which really scared everyone. We had many doctors appointments and lactation consultant visits, but basically one day she woke up and started eating more and managed to gain a phenomenal amount of weight in several days. So hang in there.
One thing that really helped me was the lactation consultant reminding me that breastmilk can stay out for several hours unrefigerated. I would pump for 5 minutes at a time about 10-15 times a day, rather than try to sit down and pump all at once when there are so many other things you'll want to do when Perseus is asleep. But even if you do pump just a few times a day for longer sessions, you can at least just leave the pump sitting full of milk for a couple of hours if Perseus wakes up or you need to do something else.
Hang in there, honey.
I started housing pints of milk, on the tenuous premise that my body would have less molecule conversion work to do... I needed more sleep, yes, but that one still seems to make sense!
So I'm not a doctor or even an authority on babies. I do realize that they would like to see him gain back to his birth weight. However he still hasn't lost even 10% of the birth weight. Is there any way (if you haven't already done this) you could have the doctor or a LC weigh him before a feed and then immediately after. That way they can tell how much he is getting.
Was it all on the same scale? And even so my husband works in space research and he specialisez in all sorts of mesasuring and testing. He told me they use a 1 % fault margin wich seems reasonalbe in enough. In a 3000 gram baby that measn 30 gramms up and 30 gramms down again. Reason why husband refused the scale in the house ;) So of course he must grow but don't get to hang up on grams a scale never is 100 % accurate and on a tiny bay that means a lot..
"he is precociously strong and alert" Is he also peeing plenty? Are you feeding when he wants, for as long as he wants? If so then he is FINE. Your milk is fantastic.
It can take 6wks to get back to birthweight, and that's still within normal. TTG took the full 6wks and I had some LCs giving me hell about it.
Were you slow to gain as a baby? I was, as were my sisters, so in my family it's normal.
You are doing so well, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Also, the forums at llli.org are excellent.
Hang on, Anty! He's alright as long as he's peeing enough (it seems so!). Give time to both of you. When you can't take it anymore ask someone(your mother?) to watch him for 20 minutes and get out of the house, just for a short time by yourself. Usually 3 months is the threshold for getting into the beat of it. Hang on, and, is there anyone to tell you you are doing splendidly as a mother? Me, my (his) paeditrician did this: "Oh, perfect baby! Look how well cared for he is! How alert! It's obvious he knows already how much he's loved! Keep on the good work, you are doing it great!" And by the evening of the same day I was better so he was better, it has all started with a few nice words. And, maybe, someone close (mum, friend) Can tell you how much s/he loves and admires you. I do! A lot!
P. S. Sorry for Anty...
Hang in there--it will get better, at some point you will develop a rhythm. We hit ours at 6 weeks, at which point I had been pumping full-time for my daughter. For some reason at 6 weeks she decided she wanted to nurse again, and so we did and have been ever since (except when I'm at work) and its been 6 months.
Try the fenugreek (they sell it at GNC), and if you've not considered it I've heard Alfalfa helps as well as oatmeal and water.
Thinking of you.
I experienced something somewhat similar.
As a baby, Gray, (who was *not* breastfed) was tiny and very slow to gain weight. His birthweight at full term was 5 pounds, one ounce and we had constant weight checks those first few months.
Today, 17 years later, he's a healthy, happy teenager who towers over me. (not that that's all that hard, since I'm not quite 5'2")
Yes, do hang on!
Some babies just aren't the rapid gainers others are. I know not one of my babies has reached their birthweights within the requested two weeks. So, hang in there, he will gain weight!
As long as you are changing plenty of wet diapers (And it sounds like you are), It sounds like he is FINE. Babies that aren't getting enough milk would not be holding up their heads, be that alert, or (OMG) rolling over already. Hope the fenugreek (or reglan) helps you out.
Oatmeal and dark beer. No, I'm serious.
You might also try one breast at a time -- really empty it out and give it the signal that it needs to refresh in full. Just a thought.
Hang in there mama.
Ugh. Just make sure you are getting enough fluids. I used to try to drink a glass of water while I was pumping or nursing, just as a reminder to do it.
If you don't have fears about allergies, get some of the pre-cut cheese slices, crackers, etc. Easy snack foods that you don't need to prep at all. They totally saved me.
You're doing great.
Assvice alert!!!
First off, you need to eat fattier foods than oatmeal and soup. You need full-fat yogurt (I prefer the Greek), fettucine alfredo, hamburgers ... lots of PROTEIN. That will enrich your supply. Also, you might want to pump off your foremilk before a feeding so that baby gets the fattier hindmilk right away. For galactagogues, I like the Yogi Teas Mother's Milk. It is very tasty, and what's more pleasant than a cup of tea 3-4 times per day?
And now I'll share my own experience: My daughter had still not regained her birthweight at 2 weeks. I did all of the things above (and I never had to supplement w/formula), and at her 4 week appointment, she had gained 5.5 more pounds. She's now 12 weeks and wearing 6-month onesies.
In short: some babies are slow growers. Don't fret.
My sister in law took 6 weeks to establish exclusive breastfeeding because of supply. However, after sticking to it for those hellish 6 weeks, she went on to nurse a giant of a baby boy for more than 2 years.
The firsts weeks are absolutely rough. But hang in there, do what needs to be done, and if you can, keep going with the bfing. It will actually get A LOT easier.
my son was a sprite 6 lbs 7 ounces at birth (5-15 when we left the hospital). he has remained in the 10th percentile for weight (he is now 8 months old) and yet is a happy, healthy, active baby who is slowly gaining weight. i agree with all comments, give yourself and perseus time. it sounds like he is fine. and breastfeeding, for something that is so natural, is very hard. try to hang in there, it should get better! but if you decide to give it up and switch to formula (which is VERY expensive!), don't beat yourself up about it. i gave up with my first child at 3 months and she is fine--healthy and at 5 years old has never had anything worse than the common cold. sounds like you are doing great, albeit a bit tired!
He turned already!? That's pretty awesome.
My little one was 4"7' at birth, he couldn't even turn his own noggin when lying down.. I remember looking at him and being so sad because he's so completely hopeless. And a year later, he was chasing me saying "mama! boobie!". Anyway watch what you teach your kid to say when he wants to be nursed, because you don't want them to scream "boobie" in public.
I forgot so much from those initial days. Probably because of the sleep deprivation. I just remember nursing hours on end and wanting to bite my legs off. Yup that was a thought I never forgot: this very strong impulse to bite my legs off.
you are doing great!!!! You really are. If he is active and alert, he is good. most of those guidelines
(like birthweight in two weeks) were developed watching formula fed babies. You are right there, it will get better, soon.
Fenugreek may make you smell like licorice. But pumping and fenugreek can't hurt (unless you are exhausting yourself - take care).
I hope we are hel[ing. I still want to encourage some irl support.
My weight just melted off at first, too. But then stopped, aand I was sad.
One word of caution about Reglan (although I did take it briefly with my first child, who was preterm and too weak to nurse, to boost my output while pumping): it screws up your seratonin levels and can make you REALLY depressed. My first child is also the only one I experienced any type of post-partum depression with (although that could be entirely coincidental; who knows). My youngest child has severe GI issues for which Reglan might be indicated, but his GI doc doesn't want to use the drug on HIM (he's three) because he says the side effects are so nasty (he says he's seen even small children become depressed and anxious, and it can also make you twitchy). Now, it still might be worth it to you to try for a bit, and I'm not saying don't take the stuff, just that a lot of OBs will cheerfully dash off a prescription but not go over the risks with you. Fenugreek, oatmeal, dark beer, and tons of fluids in general are all good ideas, as is a high-fat, high-protein diet for the time being (if you're worried about supply; if he's peeing enough then it's not the fault of your supply that he's gaining slowly--some kids just do).
You are doing great, and it sure does just take some time. It seems like time slows down in the those early, scale-watching weeks, but Percy will be fine.
My daughter is one year old now, and she has dropped off the charts for weight and she eats 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, as well as breastfeeding 8 times.
My supply did drop, and unfortunately I've had to use Domperidone (I think it's also sold under Motilium in the US), and it's worked wonders. I probably would have had to stop breastfeeding at about 4 months except for the meds.
My point: there are options IF it comes to that, but just give him a little time. He sounds like he's doing great.
Someone above mentioned Reglan, but I'd like to let you know that some folks experience a mood issue with Reglan. I tried it for my supply and I was suddenly furious, all the time.
Domperidone, on the other hand, which my pediatrician (who is also a lactaction consultant) suggested and prescribed, did no such thing. I went from pumping 2oz at a time to 15 oz. It was nuts. :)
That said, I also did formula/nursing (well, pumping breast milk--Tori didn't latch until 12 weeks) the first couple months. It does not seem to have caused her any harm, and by 11 or 12 weeks she was fully on breast milk after my supply went up. :)
I know you are getting a shitload of advice here; truth is, it's your body and your baby. You know what the right thing to do it. Trust yourself, because you are an AWESOME mom.
I have a friend who has had THREE kids that all fell of the charts the wrong way.
They are amazingly healthy, strong, and nearing the 40th percentile for weight in their 1st, 3rd, and 5th years respectievely.
Hang in Antigone. You are doing EVERYTHING that boy needs and so much more.
Hi Antigone-
Delurking to say that I also have a word of caution about Reglan. I took it as an anti nausea medicine during pregnancy....and I had to take it for about 8 months. It is a documented side effect that it can cause rather extreme fatigue. It went away very quickly after birth but then I had fatigue for another reason ;) I have an insanely healthy 19 month old running around the house so no side effects for the baby but I mention it so you are fully informed.
One other thought...the first thing you learn about parenting is that you have to stop listening to what the world tells you to do, even the well-meaning world, and just follow your instincts. Breastfeeding is wonderful and has lots of benefits for babies and mothers but it doesn't have to be the only way to feed Percy. There are many people who feel it's the only way and that formula is evil and that using formula makes you a quitter and a bad mother. There are many others, myself included, that will argue that we do many things with babies in the modern world that are not 100% the way they used to be....vaccinations, ultrasounds, c-sections, prenatal vitamins, even.
I successful nursed and gave formula to all three of my children, especially as they got older. There was never any confusion. They were just happy to eat. The flexibility gave me space and sleep and kept them happy, growing, and satisfied.
It's okay to give Percy some formula, it's okay to pump, it's okay that your milk supply needs some time to get up to speed. Don't worry about your weight, eat the foods you need. Be as easy and gentle with yourself as you are with him. Take a deep breath and let go of guilt.
Motherhood is a marathon and you don't want to sprint in the beginning.
PS I love his name. Love, love, love the origin of his name. Truly a hero.
Hi Antigone,
I had the same problem with my son for the first 3 weeks. Hang in there. Even though pediatricians really want the baby back up to his birth weight by the time he is 2 weeks, it sometimes takes a bit longer. I also lost 35 pounds FAST.
I went to a lactation consultant who watched us nurse and she said we (largely) were doing fine. But she did offer some suggestions on the latch and also mentioned that my son did a lot of non-nutritive sucking. Listen for swallowing and also try to get the long, deep sucks from the baby in case that is going on with you as well.
I hope Percy catches up soon. Try not to worry too much. It's a very common concern. It's a great sign that he is peeing and pooping normal.
I also did take More Milk Plus by Motherlove (with fenugreek) and did supplement a little. I know some people might disagree with my decision, but I did what I felt was right for me and my boy. I still wish I had tried domperidone. You guys are doing great!
Best,
Sarah
IMHO, the number one rule is feed the baby. supplementation if necessary is not evil or proof of failure...it's just formula.
FWIW, it sounds like he's a very active baby. I know this sounds weird, but that could affect his ability to gain weight, rather than your milk supply. He also might take a bit to catch up, now that his latch is good. My experience: My daughter was the same way at birth and beyond. Several years later, she's still in the 3% for weight, but is perfectly healthy, active and otherwise fine.
Here's an unrelated thought: I wonder, now that your Perseus is here, if you should change your blog name from Antigone Lost to Danae Found? Like Danae after her trials and travails with her son Perseus, you seem to have finally arrived at a safe harbor (knock wood!). I'm so very pleased for you and your little one!
You may want to have your thyroid levels checked....even if it was never a problem for you before, postpartum hormone and immune system changes in moms can effect your thyroid which can effect prolactin.
Just (yet another) piece of assvice....
Hang in there, mama!
Seconding, thirding, the oatmeal recommendation. I pump about 25% more when I have it for breakfast. I also love these supplements:
http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_plus_veg.php
They're $$$, but they work better than fenugreek alone.
FWIW, I have supplemented my son with a bottle of formula here and there over the past 8 months, and it hasn't interrupted our breastfeeding at all. It's just given me a much-needed break at crucial times. However, I understand the desire to bf exclusively and it doesn't sound like there's any health/medical reason that you need to supplement him now. Follow your instincts and know that things get SO much easier really soon!
Eating, sleeping and drinking (water) are the best. Pumping should help increase production.
I wouldn't worry just yet, he isn't losing weight anymore and once the boobs get it figured out, he'll catch up because they all do. You'll see. Just keep hanging in there and try not to stress about it.
There's also a tea called "mother's milk".
I also noticed that having small amounts of caffeine (like half a cup of coffee) REALLY made my production go up.
I liked Milk thistle tea.
More rest of course.
Try not to stress.
You are still in your very earliest of days.
It's wrong for the doc's to concern you like this. Don't let thier numbers and charts and diagrams consume you at this point.
Your milk will come and be unstoppable...you'll choke the poor boy.
He'll double his birth weight by 6 weeks.
*By the time he is 10 lbs aim for 6hours of solid sleep.
Hang in there this is around the corner for you both.
Yay for your mom!
I am a huge breastfeeding fan and due to my thyroid condition (which please be sure they check your thyroid at your check-up-I didn't find out until I was slurring my words barely, functioning after my first baby that I had this)I had a low milk supply. I was not a formula fan, however, if you have to supplement a bit here and there DO NOT feel bad. Just remember if you supplement to pump at that same time as you would miss a feeding. You will feel so much stress relief from this. I was so grateful I did it and still was able to nurse at the same time! Don't give up!
Also, so happy to hear you have a healthy little baby in your arms. Your other little guy will never be forgetten...
My experience with Reglan was very positive-
I had a lazy eater and, as my LC said, "it takes two to tango." His weight dropped at his two week appointment. So, my LC and I weighed him before and after eating a few times - he just wasn't getting much and I wasn't making much milk. I broke that cycle by taking Reglan. It increased my milk and I didn't experience any ill effects. I'm not usually one to turn to use or encourage the use of optional prescription drugs, but I feel like Reglan made the difference for me.
Domperidone, and the other suggestions I gave you. Lots and lots of skin to skin contact. It really does work.
Domperidone is like magic. Seriously awesome. Within 24 hours of taking it, you would be Bessie the Cow.
As for the 10%, don't you dare blame yourself or milk. He started small due to placental issues and you did every single medical thing imaginable to make him into a great big giant babe. The shots, the aspirin...you deserve a medal for everything you suffered. So tell the doc to stuff it. Babies don't grow overnight. He needs time and milk.
And yes, it is completely ok to lose weight after you give birth and still make lots of milk. Between water loss and a shrinking uterus and sweat and what have you, it's perfectly natural and normal. Don't be shocked if you lose a lot more, even if you are eating.
Just keep up your vitamins ok?
And if you need domperidone, email. I know you can get it online, but I can try and get you some as well.
What others have said, except NOT reglan, it has horrific side effects of depression and sleeplessness. It's a bad bad drug. Domperidone, from www.inhousepharmacy.com. They are reputable and get it to you as fast as they can, which is sadly about 2 weeks to the US. Prob worth going ahead and ordering some just to be on the safe side.
The girl lost 10% of her weight 36 hours after she was born, so they insisted to supplement in the hospital. I was freaking out, but since it took 5 days for my milk to come in and 10 days for it to come in full-force, supplementation was still necessary. Now, she is catching up full-force and had gained 7 oz, and we are weaning back on formula and going back to full on breast milk.
Just sharing this so you can be gentle with yourself, this is hard work! I though supplementation meant I failed at breast feeding, but now we are happily trucking along.
Hoping it gets better. Thinking about you both---Reese
I'm totally with Cecily on the Domperidone. Just amazing. It doubled/tripled my supply in less than 2 weeks. And it doesn't come with the CNS side effects like depression that come with Reglan.
Only problem is that it is not sold in the US. I had to buy it from a Canadian pharmacy.
My supply was never great because my son was a preemie and I don't think my body got the "message" so to speak.
If you need info, you can always private mail me.
If you end up using either a little or a lot of formula, please don't beat yourself up about this. Life with a newborn is all triage. You have to balance your need for sleep/sanity and the baby's need and ability to nurse. So if you decide formula has a place in your life, that's not a failure. It's you adapting and making progress.
Neither of my boys make it on the chart for weight by their 1 month check up. My older son hit the chart for weight at some point after a year (being the 5% tile). I would second the idea of it being on the same scale. I would also look more at the number of wet diapers, and poops (which he seems to at least pee a few times ;0). Hang in there. There is also domperidone (spelling is wrong), which I had to order from Germany because you can't get it in the States. I really don't think mine is a milk supply issue so much as I have skinny kids issue. I worried ceaselessly with my first, not really so much with my second.
Good luck!
I just hate it when they stress you about weight at 2 weeks. Non of my kids ever do that...but by the 4th kids I was sure of my supply. You are doing great!!!!
Both of mine took 4 full weeks to get back to their birth weights. And they've both been in the 90th percentile since. Don't freak yet.
Pumping is rough, no doubt about it, especially when you feel you aren't making enough milk. I second the Domperidone, and also try brewer's yeast and green leafy vegetables. And barley, maybe barley water? (The barley is what is in the guinness that works so well for milk production. It gives you the benefits of the guinness without the alcohol which some studies show causes the baby to drink less). And nuts are good too.
So ends my delurking assvice. Hang in there. You can do this. I also found it useful to be thinking about the baby (or babies in my case), that helped let down my milk. You are not a failure, no way no how. This is a minor bump in the road and you will get through it swimmingly like you do everything else.
Heather
Let me add to the chorus of NO REGLAN. It is Satan's drug. I seriously half-want to start a campaign to turn it illegal, but it probably is great for some people and I'd be screwing them. Domperidone is way better -- I ordered it from where Thalia did. I just got some in anticipation of continued low supply with #2, and it came in about 7 days. If you get desperate, email me and I will overnight you some of mine and order some more. I ordered quite a lot this time. It doesn't work great for me, but it does help some. Just email by Tues. b/c I am delivering by Weds., fingers crossed. :)
More Milk Plus, as others have recommended, is a good idea -- better than fenugreek alone.
Also, there's a good new book by two well-known IBCLCs: "Making More Milk."
In any case, HANG IN THERE. You are doing a great job.
Almost every mom worries about her supply. It is just one of the 'joys' of motherhood. Be sure to drink plenty., just eat what you feel up to... Enjoy your time with P. Expect to catch up with your supply, expect to fall behind again...and repeat. It is all normal. Oh, there are certain ages where there are predictable spurts, at 9 weeks and, um can't recall any longer. There are great resources out there for advice with breastfeeding, hope you find what you need. I particularly found kellymom.com and fertilethoughts.com, parenting/breastfeeding forum to be invaluable.
Also, about those percentiles, take them with a grain of salt.
Ah, the overpowering love and the worry. Yep, welcome to motherhood.
Oh by spurts, I meant that the baby suddenly starts eating much more and if you are bfing, you will freak. Then you get caught up and the rascal goes and has a spurt again.
I know it is difficult when you feel like your body might be failing your child. My son gained one pound in the first week of his life. One pound! He was almost 9 lbs. at birth. I couldn't believe.
Fast forward 8 years. My daughter was over 9 lbs. when she was born, but she lost ounces and ounces in the first few days. It took forever for her to gain that weight back. I would be so disappointed at each doctor's appointment. (She hovered in that 10 percentile range.) She was peeing and pooping plenty, though, and there didn't seem to be any concerns about my milk.
For my daughter, it turned out she was just a little jelly bean. She was probably three or four before she began to move up into the 25th percentile.
Now, having said this, I am not saying not to be concerned or not to listen to the doctors. I just wanted to give you one case that is is similar for reference. It is possible to have a slow gainer who is healthy.
I hope that, as you and the doctors follow Percy's weight, all concerns about your milk supply and his weight will be addressed successfully.
You and he are troopers and I know you will find the solutions you need!
I know it's scary, but the positives are that he is gaining, he is not losing anymore, and he's eating. It also sounds he's having plenty of output LOL, and as you've said he's alert. Those are all huge. That means the only place you have to go is up, and he will get there. Be aware, but try not to panic. Not everyone fits in those standardized charts, and there are a lot of sheep (ahem...medical professionals) out there who seem to have forgotten that. If I remember correctly, there is usually a grow spurt during the second half of the first month. I know it's hard though...you love them so much how can you not be terrified?
My son, born at 42 weeks, came out and gained exactly a pound in his first 5 days. His little sister, born at 38 weeks, went from 6lbs 8oz down to 5lbs 10oz in her firt 36hours. We were kicked out of the hospital when she was 24 hours old and I KNEW she wasn't eating enough, but all I got was "new babies are sleepy!" and "all babies lose weight!" I asked for a lactation consultant, who told me that I knew what I was doing and that I was doing it right, and to stop worrying. I cannot imagine what would have happened to her if A) I didn't have an amazing Ped, and B) had she been my first, because I probably would have believed them. I mention this not to scare you, but to point out that while it may not be your first choice, formula is an option. My son was exclusively bf until he self weaned at 19 months, (wouldn't even take a bottle of bm) and I never imagined doing anything else when my daughter came along. But she was too tired to bf, she had lost too much weight, and so we were told to put her on high cal bottles of formula immediately. I was devestated, because I couldn't even give her pumped milk the first week, and I was sure she'd never bf after that. It all worked out though...she never got nipple confusion, and it so nice to be able to have someone else feed her occasionally. We are still happily bfing now at 9 months.
The thing I've learned about parenting is that you make plans and they almost never work out. Little people have an amazing way of adding their own 2 cents before they can even talk, and there are some battles you just can't win. It was so important to me that I exclusively bf my daughter, but it wasn't a battle I could win. And I am just as happy today as I would have been had she never had a drop of formula.
HUgs to you.
nothing new here--i also have skinny newbies and have had lots of nursing worries. after some friends --IRL and in the computer -- recommend domperidone, i started taking both it AND fenugreek. the difference is tremendous, and most importantly, i worry a lot less now about my supply. (there's plenty else to worry about, as you know.) i second thalia's recommendation to get motilium NOW so that you have it on hand. inhousepharmacy is reliable. you could start with a one month supply to see if you notice a difference in the first few weeks, and then stock up if you decide to continue it.
He is gaining weight and that is a good thing. You have come through so much already and you will get through this too. The first two or so weeks are the hardest. I don't think your weight could affect supply but I may be wrong. I was 185 at delivery and got down to an all-time low weight of 135 about three weeks PP. I know it is hard to remember to eat and sometimes physically impossible to get food with a newborn but try and drink, drink, drink water as you nurse and pump and keep lots of high-calorie, easy-to-eat foods around. It seems like we nursed between 15 to 18 times a day for the first month. And with the exception of nights as he got older, my kid never got on that mythical 3-4 hours between feedings. During the day, he was still nursing every 1-2 hours until we weaned at a year. You are strong person and you will get through this. Good luck!
My little guy did the same thing. Had a great birth weight, then didn't gain as much as my doctor wanted. He got all worried, made my life h*** for weeks, sent me to a LC and told me to supplement. The LC I went to didn't see the same problems as my doctor did and even called him on it. She set me up with pumping and Fenugreek and boosted my confidence. She weighed him, had me feed him and then weighed him again and felt he was getting enough. In the end, I had to supplement because the doctor told me to.
Looking back, I have mixed feelings on it all. I wish that I had have told the doctor to stuff it and give us both more time, but for the little while that we did give him formula, it was nice to be able to share feeding him with others.
I also meant to add, Hang in there, it will get better.
Good luck.
Another vote for domperidone. It's a miracle drug. Seriously. Some quadruple their supply in a few days. Standard dose is 80 mg a day (2 pills 4 times a day). But Diana West says to take up to 120 a day... and Dr Jack Newman says 160 is even fine (which is what I took.)
Don't hesitate to get this drug. The worst it does is make you feel like your stomach is empty... and some gain some weight... but if you're able to feed your baby well the few extra pounds are worth it.
I also agree about the Motherlove Tinctures. (dried herbs aren't nearly as effective.) Get the Special Blend with Goat's Rue. Builds mammary tissue.
But the domperidone is an absolute must.
GL! You'll be fine fine fine. I wish I still had some domperidone around... I'm in Canada and LCs and drs hand it out like crazy...
I have been thinking about this post since you posted it.
I'm not sure why everyone thinks that breastfeeding is the only way and that someone is a failure as a mother if they feed their baby with formula. I know that there are nursing nazi's out there - but, a formula-only baby can (and likely will) still grow up healthy.
I now have a 10 year old and 7 year old. My two best friends have kids the same age. I was the only one who breastfed my kids - and my kids are the only ones with allergies and they were significantly sicker than their formula fed friends. My daughter has a life threatening allergy - and I feel responsible because I ate peanut butter while nursing her.
Drop the guilt - do what you need to do to keep you sane. You will have PLENTY of time for guilt later.
And watch yourself for PPD. Ask a close friend that knows you well to tell you if you are getting "off." Sometimes you don't notice it in yourself.
I had the same problem with all 3 of my kids. I also have a thyroid condition, so I think that was a big part of it. Fenugreek can definitely make a difference, but make sure you take alot if you want to see a difference. Omegas can help increase the fat in your milk (you can see a difference when you pump, more cream settles to the top of the bottle in the fridge). Personally, I found this cookie recipe to make the biggest difference. I lived on these for a few months because they made such a difference! I used whole wheat flour so I didn't feel as bad about eating them, but the brewers yeast in them helps with supply and it has flaxseed in it. I'll paste it here if you want to give it a try. I made a batch every 5-7 days for a while.
It will get a little easier eventually. After lots of tears, worry and feelings of failure early on, I was able to BF all of them for 8mos+ though I did supplement with formula a bit. And with my baby now who is almost 9 months old, he's not showing any signs of self-weaning at this point.
Housepoet's Famous Lactation Boosting Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip & Flaxseed cookies ™
Ingredients :
* 1 cup butter or marg
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 4 tablespoons water
* 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal*
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups oats, thick cut if you can get them
* 1 cup or more chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips, craisins, raisins, great with walnuts too--change it up when you start to get bored with them)
* 2 tablespoons of brewers yeast* (be generous)
Directions:
Preheat oven at 375 degrees F. Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes. Cream (beat well) margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the margarine mix. Beat until blended. Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips. Add to margarine mixture. Stir in oats then chips. Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, preferably lined with parchment or silpat. The dough is a little crumbly, so it helps to use a scoop.
Bake 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies.
Store covered with wax paper in between becuase they can be a little sticky
I am researching breastfeeding and poly cystic ovarian disease since I am expecting and have the PCOS. One of the websites suggest taking Goats Rue. Youngest daughter stayed in the bottom percentiles from the time we got her at one month until three. She is still smallish, but healthy as a horse and very active at 11.
about your supply-- make sure you are getting lots and lots of rest-- its really important-- I would do whatever you need to get rest in these first few weeks..
I know this is hard. I want you to know that I sympathize and support you to do whatever eases your mind and grows your Percy big and strong.
That being said I second the fact that you need rest. I hope you are getting sleep when you can.
Oatmeal is good for helping your milk supply for sure (at least it was for me) There is also tea in the health section of the store called Mother's Milk.
and lastly... I had issues at 5 mos + with my daughter. They swore she was malnourished despite all the nursing and bottles, etc. They used all this lab work to back themselves up and put my daughter on a feeding tube. She never gained what they wanted to and pulled the tube so many times we finally said NO!! She still hovers around the 8% range at 2.5 yrs old. frustrating.
The one thing that really got her to gain weight was the recommendation from the LC to collect all the "cream" off the milk I expressed and give it to her directly. She gained 11 oz in one week.
Again, best of luck. You do what is right for you and your family!
"Save for the one found on blue dresses."
Bwahahahahahahhaa! That was really funny!
*delurking*
When my middle child learned to roll over at two weeks, I thought he was brilliant. Turns out babies sometimes do that because they're arching their back in response to gastric reflux. Has that been ruled out? All my kids had it and it can interfere with eating.
Post a Comment