nospam99 Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Is it wrong that I just want to switch to formula? I pumped for two months. I had an appointment with a lactation specialist, and she won't latch. I'm tired. My breastmilk is draining up. I pump 10+ times a day. She is not sleeping. I know it's just day 4. But I'm depressed and the psychiatrist said an increase in my ant-depressants would help, but not recommended if I continue to pump. If your reasons have to do with your fatigue, depression, and draining, it's not wrong. On the other hand, what did the lactation specialist say about your daughter not latching? It sounds cruel, but I remember a baby, might even have been one of ours, who wouldn't latch. The lactation specialist grabbed the baby when it was making sucking motions and shoved it on to mom's nipple, forcing the nipple into the baby's mouth. It took a several seconds for baby's instincts to kick in but .... no more latching problem. Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 If your reasons have to do with your fatigue, depression, and draining, it's not wrong. On the other hand, what did the lactation specialist say about your daughter not latching? It sounds cruel, but I remember a baby, might even have been one of ours, who wouldn't latch. The lactation specialist grabbed the baby when it was making sucking motions and shoved it on to mom's nipple, forcing the nipple into the baby's mouth. It took a several seconds for baby's instincts to kick in but .... no more latching problem. Honestly, if she wasn't a premature baby, I'd have gone straight to formula in the first place. Link to post Share on other sites
littleblackheart Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Honestly, if she wasn't a premature baby, I'd have gone straight to formula in the first place. Do that without a second of guilt. All she cares about is eat anyway There is enough unnecessary pressure put on mothers of newborns as it is, and having a premature baby is hard enough in its own right. You can do lots of skin on skin cuddles to make her feel close to you, and it'll be easier for dad (or big sis, at a later stage, or anyone else) to take over when you need a break. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 Thanks I told my husband today that I wanted to stop pumping. He's 100% supportive. I'm going to keep pumping until her doctor appointment tomorrow to discuss on how to wean. He's going to come with me as support because her doctor is a breastfeeding pusher. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
CautiouslyOptimistic Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Thanks I told my husband today that I wanted to stop pumping. He's 100% supportive. I'm going to keep pumping until her doctor appointment tomorrow to discuss on how to wean. He's going to come with me as support because her doctor is a breastfeeding pusher. I hope you're not made to feel guilty. As far as the latch, does she drink OK from a bottle? Have you verified she's not tongue-tied? Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 I hope you're not made to feel guilty. As far as the latch, does she drink OK from a bottle? Have you verified she's not tongue-tied? She drinks fine from a bottle. I think it's because it was her first time, and it's easier to get liquid from a bottle. It takes her about 20 minutes to take 2 oz. We do stop 2 to 3 times to burp because she's so small. Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 Today she passed 5 pounds. She is taking about 2 1/2 ounces per feeding. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 She is 5 pounds 3 oz. She has her days and nights mixed up. I recently switched her to formula, which is a blessing because I can get more sleep, be more alert and am a better mother because of it. Despite my best efforts betwen 10/11pm to 3am she won't sleep. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
littleblackheart Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Despite my best efforts betwen 10/11pm to 3am she won't sleep. I wouldn't worry; mine did that too. I was explained that premature babies usually have shorter sleep cycles and are light sleepers (probably down to all the disruptions in the NICU). She'll soon settle into her pattern, especially once she gets totally used to the new routine with the formula. You are both doing well Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 I wouldn't worry; mine did that too. I was explained that premature babies usually have shorter sleep cycles and are light sleepers (probably down to all the disruptions in the NICU). She'll soon settle into her pattern, especially once she gets totally used to the new routine with the formula. You are both doing well Thanks. I had been blessed with good sleepers until now, and even now compared to others she does sleep pretty well for being a premie. Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 (edited) Baby will be 3 months actual age on the 18th and finally reached her due date. She is 20.5 inches and 6 pounds 7 oz. She is drinking 3 ounces every 2 - 3 hours. She smiled for the first time yesterday, and it has happened a few times since. She sleeps about 16 hours a day in total but wakes up every 2 - 3 hours on a good night, every 1/2 to 1 hour on a bad night. Good thing is she goes right back to sleep. My husband is great. My one-year-old is jealous of the baby. Edited March 16, 2019 by TheRainbow 3 Link to post Share on other sites
El Duendecillo Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 So great reading your updates Rainbow! Happy to see your baby continues to make good progress, along with mom as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted March 26, 2019 Author Share Posted March 26, 2019 SHe is still doing well. Not much to report. 3 1/2 month old. She passed 7 pounds. Smiles all the time. Hates tummy time. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 My daughter has her 4 month appointment tomorrow. She is doing really well. She is around 9 pounds (home scale, will now an accurate weight tomorrow). She just rolled from her tummy to her back once. I'm waiting for her to do it again. While she is making great progress, we were hoping she'd be closer to 11 pounds by 4 months old. So I'll have to see what the doctor has to say. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bathtub-row Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 So good to hear! Link to post Share on other sites
Wallysbears Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Fantastic updates! Keep in mind, when it comes to her milestones - you'll be going off her "adjusted age" not real age for a bit (her due date vs. the age she actually is) Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted May 21, 2019 Author Share Posted May 21, 2019 (edited) I realize it has been a while since I updated. My daughter is 5 months old. She is 10 pounds 1 oz. The pediatrician is starting to worry about her slow weight gain. She is too young and her immune system isn't developed enough to start solids, so they want us to make sure she doesn't go more than 4 hours without feeding. She usually sleeps 5 to 6 hours at night. I'm on day 4 of this new feeding. On average she is consuming 6 to 8 oz more of formula a day. So she is going for weekly weigh-ins now. They are aiming at 6 oz weight gain a week from now to her six-month appointment. She was 9 pounds 4 oz exactly at her four-month appointment. On a more positive note, she is rolling from her stomach to back consistently, and she is trying so hard to go from back to stomach but no luck yet. She is doing well for her adjusted age. Her older sister is jealous of the baby. When I'm holding the baby, my daughter (16 months old) will climb all over my leg. When her dad is home, she'll run straight for him. Such a daddy's girl. Edited May 21, 2019 by TheRainbow 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 What you describe is not unusual for an extreme premie. They tend to be on the low end of the growth curve. Follow your doctor’s advice and all will be well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 In eight days she has gained 1 oz. If she doesn't gain at least 4 oz by next Friday they want to admit her to the hospital. I listened to everything they told me. They want me to continue pretty much forcing her to eat every four hours at the most, even if she doesn't want too. My husband wants to get a second opinion, so I'm going to call on Monday and see if I can find another doctor for their opinion. In the meantime, I hope this was just a really rough week, and next week she'll gain at least 4 oz as they want. Link to post Share on other sites
UpwardForward Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) In eight days she has gained 1 oz. If she doesn't gain at least 4 oz by next Friday they want to admit her to the hospital. I listened to everything they told me. They want me to continue pretty much forcing her to eat every four hours at the most, even if she doesn't want too. My husband wants to get a second opinion, so I'm going to call on Monday and see if I can find another doctor for their opinion. In the meantime, I hope this was just a really rough week, and next week she'll gain at least 4 oz as they want. IMO, She should be fed intravenously (or G Tube?) until she is stronger. While she is in the hospital, they may give her more tests, call in specialists - or discover more ways to help her. My 5 lb babies were drinking quite a bit every two hours, so I would think your daughter needs help with her nourishment. After they were born at 4.7 and 4.12 my sons dropped weight in the following days - or to 4 lbs or a little over. It took two weeks for them be able to come home .. or for them to reach 5 lbs. So there is a comparison. At the time (and all those decades ago), they were on Enfamil formula. Edited June 1, 2019 by UpwardForward 1 Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 At least she’s gaining and not losing. Maybe she’s just a slow grower. Her physical strength doesn’t seem to be lacking much if she’s able to roll herself over. So strange that docs want us to gain weight as babies then use losing our extra pounds as their first order to help fix whatever’s ailing us once we’re adults. Link to post Share on other sites
Author TheRainbow Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 She quite active considering her limitations. She moves her legs and arms, starting to lift her chest up into a crawling position, even though she is still very wobbly. She eats fairly well, 32 ounces a day. IMO, She should be fed intravenously (or G Tube?) until she is stronger. She is developmenting based on her adjusted age, on track. They are just wanting her to gain weight. They don't want to hospitalize her unless absolutely necessary because she is doing well otherwise, especially for being a premie. Link to post Share on other sites
UpwardForward Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 She quite active considering her limitations. She moves her legs and arms, starting to lift her chest up into a crawling position, even though she is still very wobbly. She eats fairly well, 32 ounces a day. She is developmenting based on her adjusted age, on track. They are just wanting her to gain weight. They don't want to hospitalize her unless absolutely necessary because she is doing well otherwise, especially for being a premie. Sorry, My thoughts were based on your saying if she doesn't gain 4 oz by Friday, doctor wants to hospitalize her. Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 We have a “feeding clinic” where I work. Ask your doctor if there is a developmental pediatrician that specializes is feeding where you live. They won’t be rushing to hospitalize her and no doubt, a feeding tube is an absolute last resort. If they do anything, they would suggest a nasogastric tube short term - but I doubt that would be suggested for a little one who is taking fluid as well a she is taking fluid. It’s not uncommon for premies who have had lots of tubes in their mouth to be aversive to feeding. As she gets older and you introduce solids, there are things you can do to boost her calories. She is five months now, corrected age? Have you started to introduce solids? Premies are often on the low end of the growth curve, but as long as they keep gaining they are usually doing ok. Remember, she is becoming more active which will also burn more calories. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 How are you doing this week? Hope all is well. Link to post Share on other sites
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