The First Rule of Breast Feeding
Finn Sleeping Jaundice off in the SunshineOne prescription of Zoloft and a diagnosis of pneumonia later, I'm feeling like I'm starting to emerge from The Baby Blues. Only one instance of giant crocodile tears today.
Yesterday was brutal.
Finn is a very content little boy. He sleeps a lot. He feeds when he wants to. He's still a little jaundiced. He doesn't meet the minimum eight feedings per day criteria. I've been calling the lactation consultants A LOT to get help with breast feeding and they told me that I MUST make SURE his is feeding that 8-10 times. This is despite the fact that he's hydrated, peeing like crazy and is a little poop monster.
So we spent all day yesterday waking him up every 2-3 hours and trying to feed him. He wasn't interested, refused, wouldn't latch. I pumped, got my nipples out, used hot compresses. NOTHING. He was sleepy all day, he didn't really open his eyes... Around dinner time I lost it. I couldn't take a night of waking him, pumping, trying to latch, pumping, trying to keep him awake....
I called the on-call d0c. I called Dr. G. I was feeling angry at Finn and resentful that we had responsibilities way beyond the cats. I was scared about hurting him. I needed help.
We've decided to stop scheduling and force feeding our baby. He can feed on demand as long as we don't go over five hours. And, amazingly enough, HE'S LATCHING just fine, because he actually wants to. It's 100% better.
The first rule of breast feeding is that there are no rules to breast feeding.
posted by Sacha @ 4:02 PM
16 comments
16 Comments:
Breastfeeding is tough. I'm glad it's working for you. I really felt overwhelmed by it and frustrated that I couldn't be successful with it.
For the jaundice, try putting his chest in the sun too. We were told that would help absorb more sun. Are you giving him Vitamin D? Our midwives told us we had to give that to Riley when breastfeeding. Of course she ended up with enough formula (with vitamin D) so there was no need in the end.
Babies can be frustrating at times. Put him down and take a moment for yourself if you're overwhelmed. I've had to to do that when I had no patience left. Glad you have support. And happy to hear that you're feeling much better. Your boy is adorable.
Hey guys,
since I haven't had the honour to do that yet, allow me to, on this note of breastfeeding challanges, congratulate you on the beautiful mister Finn addition to your family!
He looks adorable, curious and cute, and tiny and the labour sounds a bit brutal, but I guess that's why they call it labour (they should pay women money for that eh?...I mean, it is labour!...) the result is fantastic!
Big hugs for both of you, and hope to see you in August!
I agree. Only if your baby was losing a ton of weight and not filling up diapers would I be waking him up every 2 hours to feed.
I say go with your instincts.
Sorry about your babyblues post yesterday. No one prepares you for just how hard those first few weeks are, because I think there's now way to fully explain it. And honestely the further away you get from that time the more you forget just how hard it was.
I guess that's why people so this more than once :-)
You guys sound like you're doing a great job. It will get better :-)
Keep your eye on the jaundice, because it can make babies extra sleepy. It's like a catch-22 - babies are supposed to sleep and we're always told "don't wake a sleeping baby" and then the baby is orange and everyone says to the mamas, "didn't you realize s/he was lethargic?" As if you're supposed to know everything.
You're doing great! Keep it up!
What a beautiful photo! What a sweetie :-)
Yes, if he's latching on well, peeing and pooping lots, then he's doing great.
Hang in there! You're doing great :-)
It's funny because he's a lot less lethargic now that we're not force feeding him. I can't tell you the joy I felt finally seeing his beautiful eyes again after a day of him sleeping all day.
I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling overwhelmed. So glad to hear that you are getting help and support.
We were told the 8-10 feedings thing and Hannah was very slow to gain. I read and was told that she was sleeping so well because she wasn't getting enough nutrition... and we did have to supplement some. I only say this because you are RIGHT that there are no rules, but i wouldn't want you to wind up someplace you don't want to be if you can avoid it. In the end we pushed the DAYTIME feedings and just let her sleep all night because we'd be crazy not to!! :-)
Ugh. I do not know why I even check in on this blog, except it is like a train wreck.. you just have to look!
You two are the most whiney, complaining people ever! You are resentful you 'have more responsiblities than your cat'??!!
What the..? What did you think having a child would be like?
I have followed for a while now just to see what new calamities and 'wrongs' were being done to you this time.
You would think after whining about wanting a baby and how you 'deserve this', you would have a better idea what to expect.
Yes it is hard but it is just what you do cause you have to.
Stop whining!
We called those extra sleepy, non-eating kinda of days "grow days". Trust yourself, you'll know what he needs and if you don't - he'll let you know.
Sacha, I'd ignore the 3 hour schedule also. Feed on demand!! We went through the same thing too trying to wake the baby only to have her fall asleep and only eat a teensy bit every 3 hours instead of a lot every 4 hours. Mommy(ies) knows best...
Hey there, just wanted to say how fantastic i think it is that this post was so honest. We all think because we dykes work so hard for these babies that when they arrive we aren't allowed to feel any thing negative about how they make us feel.
Well done for being so brave and saying some stuff that lots of people are thinking and not so many are telling. Some other new mum out there is going to feel normal because of you. Glad you are getting the help you need at this rough time.
One thing I always try to remember (working with breastfeeding moms)is that "there are as many ways to breastfeed as there are moms and babies".
You know what signs to look for in Finn to know he is healthy and thriving and as long as that is the case and you feel good about what you do yourself, what YOU do is RIGHT. You and Megan are Finns moms, he is your baby, you have been taking care of him just wonderfully for many months already!
So glad you are doing better. xoxo
And we love you guys but more Finn pics! We can't get enough FINN!!! ;o) (Edie wants to see her BFF)
What a cutie!!!! As long as he is wetting and pooping, let him feed when he wants to. I went through the whole post-partum experience, and Zoloft is our friend. Take care of yourself, and don't let anybody make you feel guilty about anything they may think you should be doing differently. You guys are the moms!!!!
Well hello there. Well we had little Sofia Raina on March 23, we also had to use the vaccuum as well to get here out. Although I am sorry to hear that you had a c-section. I too have joined the world of Zoloft. it was just too much for me to handle I was crying all day several times a day. I also tried breastfeeding but that just wasn't happening. Unfortunately my little one wasn't getting enough to eat so we had to switch to soy formula. Zoloft is a wonderful thing. I was so sad and depressed and felt like I wasn't a good mother and didn't feel bonded to my little one and it was tough when I was trying to breastfeed as my little one wanted to feed every hour for about 1-2 hours at a time. My nipples were so raw and bleeding it was awful. She just never seemed full and wasn't sleeping at all. Now on formula she is a different baby, who knew a full belly would make life better. I totally understand how you feel though. Keep up the great work. Our little one had jaundice as well and we sun bathed her as well. Best of luck to you guys.
I just want to say that I had issues breastfeeding my daughter. She wouldn't latch for about a month. The pain meds from my c-section I thought made her tired. She was so hard to wake up to feed. Water did the trick but only briefly. Welcome to the wonderful world of motherhood. LOL. I was up every 2-3 hours for 8 months with my oldest. Lovely lil' boy you have. The 2nd time around the doctors don't seem to fuss that much about how much the baby is getting. My 2nd is gaining enough weight so she doesn't care how many feedings she gets. I wouldn't worry if your boy is gaining enough weight. If you have a pump it'll be your new best friend. My baby had colic too for 3 hours each night for the first 3 months. Just walk away when you need it. Congrats to you both.
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