And now for 30 seconds worth of blogging:
What a couple of weeks! I have had at least ten blog entries (for both blogs) written in my head, but I simply have no time for writing nowadays! This will be a super-quick entry, mainly just to let everyone know that (1) my blogs are not dead, and (2) I am still alive. :)
My pride got a good bashing two weeks ago when we had our week-visit with our pediatrician and heard the words, "His weight looks awful - you need to start supplementing." (Before everyone gets up in arms, I would like to say that our ped is really breastfeeding-friendly and also alternative-parenting-decision-friendly, so I tend to trust his judgment.)
Now, a bit of history... We had weight-gain issues with our last son too... However, we were able to solve them without supplementing. Our son nursed for two years and nine months, and I never once pumped, gave him formula, or fed him from a bottle. So... I guess I considered myself somewhat of a breastfeeding veteran? In other words, I didn't really anticipate any insurmountable nursing challenges with our newest.
Apparently I was wrong.
After getting the "start supplementing now" directive from our ped, I held out for three miserable days, determined that I could make it work. Well, I couldn't. Try as I might, I could NOT get this kidlet to wake up! Tickling, massage, bare skin, wet washcloths, talking, diaper changes, whatever - he could sleep through it all. So on Monday, after being reduced to tears by the whole thing, I finally gave in and headed for the breastfeeding store to rent a pump. It's been quite an experience, never having even bottle-fed before.
However, his weight did start to turn around, and things have much improved (for some reason it's easier to keep him awake bottle-feeding than breastfeeding). What a relief. Of course, it's rather embarrassing to be bottle-feeding, especially as I'm such a breastfeeding advocate. And I know that we have a HUGE challenge ahead of us in converting a bottle-feeding baby back to the breast (hints, anyone???). I'm trying to still give him some nursing time, but he's not particularly interested (surprise, surprise!). So that will be our next challenge.
And speaking of which, someone around here is hungry! (Hint: He's lying on my lap yowling.) So it's time to go! Much love to all, and I'll attempt to write soon!
I would suggest Breastflo Bottles. My daughter loved them and when I was working she would eat out of these, and have no trouble coming back to the breast when I got home.
ReplyDeleteThey are a lifesaver!!
Perhaps start him off nursing when he's hungry, then switch to a bottle if he starts to fall asleep or doesn't seem to be getting enough to eat.
ReplyDelete-Kathy
We had a very similar fight with my daughter, compounded with her unwillingness to open her mouth widely to latch on.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you had some trouble with your older son, so I apologize if this is all stuff you've been over before, but have you tried a supplemental nursing system? If your son is struggling to stay awake to nurse, the SNS would make it easier for him to get the milk while still stimulating the breast and keeping him familiar with nursing.
However you proceed, I wish you much luck! Nursing challenges are so trying.