I had intended on writing a remembrance of last year every day last week. But, as it often does, life got in the way.
This past week has been...hard. A close relative's death, a very, very long car trip with a 4-week-old, a weight scare and subsequent crazy feeding schedule for that same 4-week-old, family drama--I am extremely glad that this week appears to be relatively routine.
After finding out Tyler wasn't gaining enough weight on Monday, I went to a new parent support group on Tuesday. I was the only one who showed up. When the facilitator asked how things were going, I burst into tears. In short order, she had found two lactation consultants who kindly took time to watch me feed Tyler. They confirmed that I wasn't making enough milk and put me on a feeding regiment that goes something like this:
Mix up formula and put it into a supplemental feeder (a tube that attaches to my shoulder and goes down to my nip.ple). Feed Tyler both with my milk and with the supplemental formula that he is getting while s.uckin.g on my nipp.le (written that way so I don't get perverts on my site). When we are finished, pump for 10 minutes for additional nipple stimulation. Store whatever I get from pumping and use it for the next feeding session, which will probably be in two hours.
The whole process takes nearly an hour. These days, Tyler is feeding every two hours, which means that I am dedicating literally half my waking hours just to feeding him.
Complicated? Certainly. And that's before we introduce the road trip into the whole process.
M was such a trooper. He's a meticulous guy to begin with, and he had us so incredibly organized with the pump, the supplemental feeder, the formula, the nursery water, the bottle warmer (both regular and car), the accessories, and the dishwashing paraphrenalia. I could never have done it without him. Although I didn't particularly enjoy pulling into McDonald's parking lots, finding the most out-of-the-way parking space there and spending the next hour and 15 minutes trying to feed, eat, pump and change Tyler in the most efficient way possible.
The visitation and funeral went as well as can be expected. My uncle is an ass, and he was terrible to my mother. But my grandmother loved meeting Tyler and our niece, and I think they were the one bright spot for her in this whole terrible week.
I've run out of time to post--got to feed again! Yes, this is my life, and I definitely can't take this long-term. But we have a weigh-in this afternoon, so I'll update later.
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9 comments:
You must be so exhausted. I did the SNS system and pumping and it wore me out in about three days and did nothing for my milk production. I am just a horrible pumper. I hope it works for you! Otherwise I am sure you will figure out what does work for you and your family. You are one lucky lady to have such a supportive husband!
I am so glad to hear that you got the support that you needed.
I found that feeding one of the most difficult adjustments to make as a new mom. I empathize with you greatly.
Here's one great thing about babies: they change so fast. So, although as soon as you get used to the new regime it will certainly be time for a change, know that this obstacle won't last too long. I wish you the best of luck in finding what works for you and Tyler.
I have been thinking about Zach and you family this past week. I send you all love.
When I was still trying to nurse through the excruciating bosom pain, I pumped and fed for days. I felt like every waking moment I was either pumping, feeding, or washing pump parts and bottles. My husband, thank goodness, came through and managed all of that. It sounds like you've got a good one there yourself.
Hang in there! I hope this next weigh-in shows all your efforts.
Feeding a newborn is the most frustrating, time consuming thing. And you got a more complicated addition...ouch.
It can only get better! :-)
I have friends who struggled horribly with breastfeeding. It does consume your life for awhile. I'm hoping this new solution works for you!
Oh goodness. I'm so very far behind! I finally got to read the birth story and wanted to know if the placenta thing was called "placenta acretta" because that's what I had. If so, I wanted to tell you more.
And a big ~hugs~ to get through this week! And how proud I am of you doing what's best for your little boy. You are being an awesome mommy!
My son was on a two hour feeding schedule when he was very little as well and it was exhausting, without any additional pumping, so I can only image how you feel. The good news is that this too shall pass :-). They do go longer between feedings as they get bigger. You are a great mum.
we were on a very similar schedule and it is so difficult. It will get better, I promise, and if it is ruining your ability to enjoy the baby, back off the breastfeeding a little bit. I personally H.A.T.E.D the SNS and after about 2 weeks just refused to use it any more. We bf'd, then fed formula, then pumped. It took 1.5 hours from start to finish on a 2.5 hour feeding schedule. I still get shivers thinking about it.
One thing that I didn't know that would have helped me (check with your lc's but I work with a bunch of lc's and they all agree about this now) is that you don't have to dissassemble the pump and wash it all every time you pump. Breast milk can go 6 hours without refrigeration, so only wash everything 4 times a day. That would have cut at least 15 minutes off my feeding time each 2.5 hours. Which is a lot, when you're doing it 10 times a day.
Also, check with the lc to see if you can skip pumping at one of the night feedings. My lc (who is also our pediatrician) said that at one of the night feedings I shouldn't pump, just bf then formula feed. She said that the extra sleep would more than make up for the lack of stimulation in the milk-department. And hey-- only a 40 minute feed? Wow! :-)
By 2 months this every 2 hour thing will be a distant memory, so just hang in there. You are doing GREAT!
Hi Ann. For some reason my google reader stopped updating when you went invite-only (is that normal?) and I'd been wondering how you were doing. Just today I discovered you're still here and got caught up. I love reading since you have many of the same questions I have. Congrats on Tyler - he is really cute!
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