As a math person -- I deal with formulas every day. But this is not the kind of formula I am referring to. Formula saved Jace and myself today. Here is the hospital update:
We started out the morning with his sodium levels coming down -- but he still doesn
't seem to be eating as much as he should. My goal is to feed Jace with ... what I have. He latches on with no problem -- when he is awake. The problem is with al
l of his medical issues -- he is sleepy. This is a stressful experience, so that is not helping the "supply" either. I was pumping today after he fell asleep yet again in the middle of a feeding. I was texting Joe and was almost hysterical. I know that I am doing everything I can to produce milk for my little man, but after 25 minutes of pumping I only got 1/2 of an ounce. I am emotional and can't help feeling like I am not giving him everything I need. I talked to a lactation specialist today and we have a plan to help "up" the supply. In the mean time though -- they will not let us go home tomorrow if Jace doesn't eat.
Luckily Rayma was here again and gave me the sanity that I needed. I don't want to transfer
to formula exclusively -- but the fa
ct of the matter is ... he needs to eat. After eating my little bit from the pumping room, Rayma fed him 1 oz of formula. What a difference it made! He has been sleepy, subdued, and "out of it" for two days now. After the formula he was bright as ever. He was looking around, making faces, and just being a different little boy. I honestly was about ready to throw a fit ... the formula saved me.
I keep trying to f
eed him myself first, but if he doesn't get enough, he doesn't get enough. Tonight after 30 minutes of feeding he was still searching for more. Joe fed him 1 oz of formula. 45 minutes later he STILL seemed hungry so we tried another 1 oz serving. BOTH times he downed the food. The result was the same as before. He was alert
and fun to be around.
I am not giving up yet. I am just grateful that we are able to get him to eat something. My emotions are directly linked to how he is doing. As soon as he ate -- a huge weight was lifted off of my chest. NOW we just cross our fingers that we get to go home tomorrow!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I've Always Liked Formula
Posted by Bouchizzle at 7:58 PM
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11 comments:
I'm glad you met with a lactation specialist and made a plan. Feeding a baby is not an easy thing. I hope things keep looking up! -Jen
Oh, I wish you knew how much I feel for you! First, you do need to know that you are doing your best so try not to question that! Sometimes the nursing, the milk supply and the latching on works all together with a struggle at first or not...however as you are learning sometimes it doesn't all work together. Keep trying with him now but maybe more for the help of stimulation for your milk supply and then do the formula to help with his weight and health. Get him healthier and out of there and then you can try to change over to nursing 100% if that is what's going to work. Also, as we found out mixing formula and breast milk together works great too...gives them the natural nutrition and the formula give the calories and some more vitamins. Sorry, I could talk for hours on this topic. You're doing great and things always work out how they are suppose to!
Are you in the infant unit or the PICU?
I'm glad that he was able to perk up. What a relief. I didn't produce enough for Ethan, so I had to mix from the start. It worked for us. Good luck with the "supply." Let me know if I can do anything for you.
Kim, we are in the IMCU.
Yeah for good news! Jace looks absolutely adorable in those pictures (sad that he is hooked up to so many machines.) He has such a cute face!!! Good luck coming home today!
I'm so sorry you have had such a hard start to motherhood. I know how hard it is to want to nurse your baby and can't. I had the same problem when Aaron was born and formula saved us as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday and I wish I could have been around for you durring this difficult time. Good luck on coming home today I know how yucky it is to be in a hospital.-Kim
I hope all is well. He looks bright eyed as a new born should at this time, I had to do formula part time for a month, then slowly he didn't need it anymore, just keep up with it and it will eventually work how you want. Formula is great to help out in the meantime though!
Your friend Kim about said it all, Jen. Do what you can now to take care of your little sweetie, and when you are more relaxed, maybe things will work better. I admire the fact that you just keep trying!!
And thank you for the blog updates. I don't know if it is easy to write or not, but I sure appreciate hearing your words,dearie.
And I am glad you have had Rayma through all this stuff!
Love ya !! Ann
First of all, our computer crashed so this is the first chance I am getting for a CONGRATS! He is adorable and I have been reading all of your stress with him and I am so sorry. So glad you figured out the formula thing, it can be a godsend sometimes when you are a new mother and totally stressed. Just remember that no matter what happens to you or how stressed you get, the sun will still come out tomorrow and you still have a baby who needs to be fed every 3 hours. No changing that. Sounds like you and Joe are adjusting well. Hopefully things will be calmer now that you are home (again:)) Love you, you're in my prayers.
Oh man, I totally know how you feel. My milk didn't come in strong enough for both Laura or Casey, so I ended up having to feed them both formula. It was such a bummer, but it was the difference between them dehydrating or getting the nourishment they needed. I hope you can get things straighted out soon and that you can produce enough milk. If not, thank goodness for formula!
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