Today, Elizabeth was still 7 lbs, 10 oz.. Right after the appointment, I went back to the Women's Center in the hospital to talk to a lactation consultant. I knew that Elizabeth would want to feed soon, and I wanted the lactation consultant to see her feed so we could diagnose any problems.
As soon as I was seated in the lactation consultant's office, I started crying. I couldn't help it--I'd been holding back tears ever since we'd left the doctor's office. Without even blinking, she handed over a box of Kleenex, and said, "That happens a lot here." The stress of it all just wouldn't be kept back anymore--I'd read tons of breastfeeding information and watched lots of instructional videos and dealt with the sore breasts and nipples and I was following all the advice I could grab and trying to do it all on very little sleep yet none of it was working. My little girl was still underweight, not thriving.
The lactation consultant (I can't even remember her name, which is so sad--she was wonderful) calmly listened as I told her about my feeding schedule and got me set up to feed Elizabeth. I started feeding her and felt immense relief when I was told that her latch was fine--I'd been convinced that somehow I wasn't doing that correctly. The issue is that Elizabeth is a sleepy, non-assertive sort of eater: she attacks the breast like a shark, but after getting the initial edge off her hunger, she's happy enough to just sit there and sip. Basically, she falls asleep before completely draining the breast at most of her feedings.
She said that I probably had a decent milk supply, but that to boost it she was going to recommend that I start taking fenugreek (an herbal supplement that boosts milk production) and pumping after feedings three or four times a day. She also suggested that I go ahead and start supplementing my milk with a few ounces of formula a day to get Elizabeth's weight up while we're waiting for my milk supply to increase. She gave me a supplemental nursing aid that administers the formula right at the breast (because using a bottle right now would result in a loss of stimulation, which could decrease my milk supply). Once I've pumped enough to get a few ounces, I can start using my breastmilk to supplement at feedings instead of the formula, and the lactation consultant thinks this abundance of milk will train Elizabeth to get a bit more assertive at feedings and take in more each time.
The lactation consultant thinks this is an easy issue to resolve. She told me that I have 98% of what I need to do this successfully, and that edging up the milk supply and getting Elizabeth to eat more at each feeding will provide the last little bit that I'll need. In the meantime, supplementing with formula will also help because I won't be as stressed about Elizabeth's weight.
I'm hopeful that this will work. At the very least, I know that I'm doing everything I can to make this work--so if it doesn't, I shouldn't feel bad because I tried really, really hard. Elizabeth goes back in on Friday to see if she's gained any weight, and I go back to the lactation consultant then as well. We'll see if there's any improvement then.
Also, a nice little trick to try, is when she stops sucking while nursing, place your fingers at the edge of the areola and apply slight pressure onto your breast. While you probably already know this, I am going to say it anyway: The breast she is nursing on. When you do this it should pull or move the nipple a little in her mouth. It is a gentle way to remind her that she is nursing in her sleep. Most babies nurse in their sleep at some point. And some more than others. (Our daughters seem to both be prime examples of the: "more than others. :)") It is ok for her to nurse in her sleep.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to keep in mind: is that babies gain weight at different rates. The "average" had a lot of babies on either side of the data collection. The Doctors will let you know if she is not gaining enough weight. So far she sounds healthy.
I hope this helps you out and always remember that you are a good mother. I have read your blog. If you do half of what you comment on in your blog, than you are an excellent mother.
You are also a really good writer. Wish I had your skills of articulation in writing.
Eppie: Thank you very much for taking the time to read and comment, and for your advice and your encouragement! It's so nice to hear that Elizabeth's nursing pattern isn't unusual--I'm sure you spent enough time worrying whether your daughter was ever going to eat enough too.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, thank you so much for your words of encouragement and support--as a first-time mother, it is invaluable!