This morning saw us at an unscheduled appointment with Dr. Schwartz to check on my stapled-up incision. Things got a little scary last night with some significant, unexpected drainage. Turns out that some of the concerns about someone of my size and shape having a Cesarean are coming true, but things aren’t as bad as they could be. The staples are all out now, and the wound *is* healing – so close monitoring is in order, but no further interventions were needed.
Dr. Schwartz wants me to be extra vigilant (and Paul too) about feelings of depression, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. He reminded us that we’re going through A LOT just in the general scheme of life and having a baby – in addition to my medical stuff and Kieran’s weight-related challenges. So feeling tired and overwhelmed is to be expected. But with my personal history, and my family history – he wants to be on the lookout for issues to be proactive.
Kieran and I have an appointment with the Lactation Consultants this afternoon at 3:00. They were so incredibly helpful in their daily visits while we were in the hospital. (The LCs are truly one of the things we miss about the hospital.) I’m hoping they can get us back on track with breastfeeding, as Kieran seems to have forgotten everything we learned and had working before we had to start supplementing. It’s getting to the point where his lack-of-latch is hurting me pretty badly. But because his immediate need for nutrition trumps properly learning breastfeeding technique, things have suffered. (We can’t be spending an hour on getting him latched when we have to be making sure he gets a given number of milliliters of EBM [expressed breast milk] every two hours…)
Supplementing: Babies are expected to lose a little bit of weight before they leave the hospital. Usually on the order of 4-7% of their birth weight. They gain it back by their 2-week pediatrician check-up and everyone is happy. Red flags happen though, when a baby loses 10% or more of their birth weight. Kieran hit the 10% mark of weight lost at Day 3. My milk hadn’t come in (which isn’t uncommon since MILK doesn’t come in until day 2-5 after birth) and the colostrum apparently wasn’t enough. There’s a smaller window too, with such a little baby: 10% of 6lb 4oz is smaller than 10% of 8lb 6oz.
There’s a WHOLE LOT of backstory to tell here (and it was a helluva couple of days/nights) but right now the upshot is that I have a rented hospital-grade breast pump at home am using it after every feeding. Kieran gets offered one or both breasts for as long as he’ll nurse, and then he’s offered a bottle to make SURE he’s getting 30-45ml of nutrition every 2-3 hours (closer to two is better.) We have bottles of formula from the hospital, but we do everything possible to not use them – only what I pump. He’ll be weighed today and tomorrow to see how we’re doing to make sure there’s really nothing else wrong.
Prayers for his continued progress and our getting back on track with nursing are greatly appreciated.
Sounds like a lot of what I went through with Kara. You will do it. Call anytime.
You are doing great! Nursing will come, just keep working on it.
Sounds a lot like what I went through. I don’t know what I would have done without the nipple shield!! Will continue with prayers and if you do have to use some formula don’t stress about it and just keep pumping. It will work out one way or another, I promise!
Hopefully everything will get back on track for you guys.
Cassie was only 6lb 3ozs born (at 39wk+2) and she lost close to 10% in that first week. AND she was slow to gain it back. It took all 3 of my girls at least 3 weeks to get back to birth weight. In general, their weight gain was slow as babies, but they are perfectly healthy.
So keep an eye on it, but try not to get too bogged down in the numbers.
We ended up pretty much judging by things like – weight not going down + happy baby + lots of wet nappies and pooes = things going ok. Even if the numbers weren’t going up like they were “supposed to”
Sounds like a lot of what went on with Josh. I know it’s really hard when they just can’t eat enough to grow the way they need to. Hopefully the weigh ins will show things aren’t as bad as they feel. I know you were strongly hoping for exclusively breast feeding, but is it SO not a failing if that doesn’t work. I know you are doing everything possible to insure Kieran is healthy and happy and you are doing great. Love you.
I really can’t offer any advice or helpful hints… being a guy and not having kids and all but I will tell Kieran… buddy, get on those boobies and enjoy them while you can. You’ll spend the next 15+ years trying to get to them again. :)
Lots of hugs and prayers to all of you. I am very proud of you guys and all you have gone through to get here. Love you all!!!!
I know the LCs probably already told you, but with my c-sections, the LCs showed me the “football” hold. This worked great for the short time that I was able to breastfeed. Hang in there, you two will get a system going soon. Sending love, patience, and prayers your way!
You are doing great! I went through similar things with the twins being preemies and Justin went on to nurse for 2.5 years!!! Just hang in there, keep pumping, and know that this crazy time will not last long. Don’t forget in all this chaos to just enjoy your little boy.
My little one was born at 37 weeks too and could not/would not feed due to jaundice. He lost 10oz in 3 days!! So I bottle fed for two weeks and when he was stronger he happily breast fed AND bottle fed without any problems. Don’t let the ‘experts’ tell you there’s no way back from the bottle; it’s the devil’s work etc. It can turn things around. And after those first couple of weeks he was happy to take a booby. It isn’t all or nothing. It’s doing what feels right for all concerned.
Good luck!
Hi Sarah & Paul,
I can relate to what you are going through. My little guy was born via emergency c-section (10/31/2009) and we had a very difficult time with recovery and breastfeeding. We have come through it though and I wanted to pass on to you some advice that was a life saver!
We saw a LC that was trained to diagnose minor palate and tongue abnormalities (apparently not all LC’s receive this training) after 10 weeks of aggressive pumping(with the mega hospital pump) to keep my milk supply strong and feeding with syringe through a nipple shield (due to a lack of a strong enough latch)we saw a well trained/experienced LC that after seeing out baby for only a few moments was able to diagnose that he was slightly tongue tied (not enough to have been caught by the Dr.s but enough to prevent a good latch) she sent us to an ENT Dr that was able to clip it and within 36 hours it was if I had a totally different baby!!!! Our little guy is still at 8 months an absolute champion nurser! I swear he is still trying to make up for lost time! I don’t know if this is what is wrong with your little one but I do know that had someone not told me I would not have known to peruse it as a possibility.
I can say from experience that though this is such a difficult time for you right now it is worth every ounce of challenge!
I will keep you guys in prayer.
Congratulations on your little one!
We demand an update! :) Or, ok, we kind of hope for one but totally realize you’re in new-mommy-mode (I’m still there myself!) and just want to check in on you guys!!