Lilypie Breastfeeding tickers
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Constipation?
Now, I know they say BF babies don't get constipated but I feel like Emma is not going as often she should. She was averaging one large stool a day for the last week to week and a half. The stools were yellow and seedy, but also a little thicker than I would like. She has been a little gassy the last few days, so I decided to help her out a little today with a slight suppository. I used the pediatric dosage and then cut it down to a 10th of that. She immediately went and then ate and then went again. Her tummy wasn't so rigid after that and she looked like she felt better. Now, all of it was yellow and soft - nothing hard. So, I'm not sure what the hold up on the poop is but hopefully she'll start going on her own now and not be so uncomfortable.
If you are reading this and have the same problem, call your pediatrician first. This is not medical advice by any means :)
If you are reading this and have the same problem, call your pediatrician first. This is not medical advice by any means :)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A New Support Group
Today, I decided to try a new BF support group. It is located at the hospital, well across the street from it. I wasn't sure what to expect and I really just wanted to see if there was a difference between the two. Don't get me wrong, I have known Molly and Vicky for 4+ years and adore them both. However, I just needed to see if there was a different way of doing things.
I arrived early (about 20 minutes) and started to feed Emma. A little bit later, a LC walked in that I had not met before. I was glad that it wasn't Liz, cuz I really didn't care for her. I had been hoping for Angela but this woman seemed very nice. She got the scale out and when Emma took a break from the boobie, I weighed her. Unfortunately, I wouldn't know exactly how much she was getting because she had been feeding for 10 minutes on my strong side already. Hmm...oh well.
First, let me say that the room was more inviting than the other support group room. Next, the chairs were much more comfy. This new LC was much more attentive. There were about the same number of women there, however, the babies ranged from a few days old to 6 months old. This was nice to see where I had come from and where I was going. I found this to be most encouraging. Also, she was able to look at my nipple that is slightly excoriated and we talked about the possibility of thrush, Raynaud's, etc. We discussed pumping, as well as Emma's poop (odd, how I am obsessed with poopies lately).
It was a good day. I will be returning to this support group, most definitely. I felt supported, which is the purpose of a support group.
I arrived early (about 20 minutes) and started to feed Emma. A little bit later, a LC walked in that I had not met before. I was glad that it wasn't Liz, cuz I really didn't care for her. I had been hoping for Angela but this woman seemed very nice. She got the scale out and when Emma took a break from the boobie, I weighed her. Unfortunately, I wouldn't know exactly how much she was getting because she had been feeding for 10 minutes on my strong side already. Hmm...oh well.
First, let me say that the room was more inviting than the other support group room. Next, the chairs were much more comfy. This new LC was much more attentive. There were about the same number of women there, however, the babies ranged from a few days old to 6 months old. This was nice to see where I had come from and where I was going. I found this to be most encouraging. Also, she was able to look at my nipple that is slightly excoriated and we talked about the possibility of thrush, Raynaud's, etc. We discussed pumping, as well as Emma's poop (odd, how I am obsessed with poopies lately).
It was a good day. I will be returning to this support group, most definitely. I felt supported, which is the purpose of a support group.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Fourth Trimester
I have heard this a couple of times now during my post partum period. Granted, I am only 4 weeks into this. But, I think I finally got it tonight. My little one is so sweet. She woke up at 11:30p for a feeding, ate for 15 minutes and went back to sleep. Heard her cooing and making noises for a little bit and then got up, changed her diaper (there was poopie and it was more the consistency of what I think it should be - it has been thicker than I would have thought for a BF baby) and then we went to sit and eat. Now, it was time for her to eat on the right boobie, which in my opinion is the better boobie - but, I have noticed the let down to be stronger lately. So, she gulped and gasped and swallowed air and we burped a few times and then I gave her some gas drops toward the end of the feeding to ward off any painful tummy aches later (hopefully). And, then it hit me - like a light bulb going off over my head. As, she fell asleep nuzzled up against my breast and then again when I put her on my shoulder - this is the 4th trimester. She isn't ready to be separated from me and then I understood. For 36 weeks, she was a part of me and then she was thrust into the world and initially, I wasn't ready for her to be away from me (it killed me when they took her to the NICU and then I didn't let her out of my sight once they brought her back to me). Now, I like to occasionally go to the bathroom or do a load of laundry and she wants nothing to do with that (and rightly so - normally I wouldn't either) But, I am feeling better and I want to get up and move around - now, I need to find a balance. As, I write this she is swaddled next to me in the chair, looking at me but she can feel me and she can smell me.
That was something new tonight too. I put her in my bed while I folded up her laundry and put everything away. She maneuvered her little self down until she was smelling my jammie top that I had placed her on, not really even thinking about it. So, later when I put her down for the night in her bassinet, I put my jammie top over her and off to dreamland she went very sweetly. This might have been coincidental, but we shall see.
That was something new tonight too. I put her in my bed while I folded up her laundry and put everything away. She maneuvered her little self down until she was smelling my jammie top that I had placed her on, not really even thinking about it. So, later when I put her down for the night in her bassinet, I put my jammie top over her and off to dreamland she went very sweetly. This might have been coincidental, but we shall see.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The good with the bad
So, I figured I should post the bad with the good. Last night was a rough night. Miss Emma decided she wanted to be up and I wanted to go to sleep. She would eat, fall asleep and then when I put her down fuss...Ugh! I was so tired as I had not had my afternoon nap. She was irritable and so was I most of the late afternoon til about 8:30 pm. Today, she is a little better. We went to Target to get the Breastflow bottle...gonna try it out later and see if she has to work just as hard at it as she does the boob. I want her to have to work a little harder than she does when I give her an Avent bottle (mind you, I am a huge Avent fan) So, anyway we bought one and will see how they work. It is in the sterilizer now. I will pump again at lunch time and then give her a supplement. I usually do an extra bottle of EMB every 12 hours - just to help her have a longer sleep period at night and one in the afternoon so that we can get in a good nap together.
The kids being home on the weekend...kinda has killed our weekly routine - I need to work harder at keeping things as routine as possible. My DH and I talked about extending my time at home - going back to work before she is 2 months old just seems to much.
We shall see.
The kids being home on the weekend...kinda has killed our weekly routine - I need to work harder at keeping things as routine as possible. My DH and I talked about extending my time at home - going back to work before she is 2 months old just seems to much.
We shall see.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
3 week update
Emma was 3 weeks old on Tuesday. I took her to weigh in and then do pre and post feeding weights. She gained a half a pound in less than a week and passed her birth weight. After doing pre and post feeding weights, I learned she is taking in 2 oz at a feeding : ). This was great news. Everything I have been doing apparently is working.
However, I will add that I have supplemented her with pumped breast milk at night because my nipples need a rest and I'm so tired. She is wanting to be held more often and spend less time in her own bed which is making my sleep time less and I have a hard time napping during the day because there are other things to do...like eat and sterilize breast pump parts...you know meaningless things like that. But, she is so sweet.
I am pumping 1.5 oz to 3 oz after feedings, depending on the time of day and how frequently she is feeding. I have been able to store quite a bit so far - I aim for 4 oz. a day and usually give her the rest. I have been engorged on my left side now for about 12 hours and only find relief after pumping.
Oh, and my nipples are itchy on the areola. Occasionally, I have pain that shoots from the back of my breast up to the nipple and after talking to Molly, the lactation consultant - she believes it to be nerve related.
All in all, I am pleased that my little punkin is gaining weight and doing it solely from my breast milk.
However, I will add that I have supplemented her with pumped breast milk at night because my nipples need a rest and I'm so tired. She is wanting to be held more often and spend less time in her own bed which is making my sleep time less and I have a hard time napping during the day because there are other things to do...like eat and sterilize breast pump parts...you know meaningless things like that. But, she is so sweet.
I am pumping 1.5 oz to 3 oz after feedings, depending on the time of day and how frequently she is feeding. I have been able to store quite a bit so far - I aim for 4 oz. a day and usually give her the rest. I have been engorged on my left side now for about 12 hours and only find relief after pumping.
Oh, and my nipples are itchy on the areola. Occasionally, I have pain that shoots from the back of my breast up to the nipple and after talking to Molly, the lactation consultant - she believes it to be nerve related.
All in all, I am pleased that my little punkin is gaining weight and doing it solely from my breast milk.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Supplements
So now a breakdown of what I have done to help increase my milk supply!
My milk came in at the hospital (I was pumping after each feeding) on Day 4 and I was super engorged and the lactation consultant was afraid I would get an infection.
We came home on Day 6 and I was still engorged and leaking and hurting! My avent isis duo (which we bought early in the pregnancy on clearance) would not work cuz the flanges weren't big enough. We were waiting to see if our boobie store had something that would work made by pumpin' pal. As you can see below, just in case you have the same problem I did. In the hospital, I had to request bigger flanges cuz the regular size ones were causing breakdown around the base of my nipple. I worked with breastfeeding moms for 3 years and had no idea that they made such a thing, nor did I know to ask. Hmm...shows what I know. Anyway, my darling husband found these online and our boobie store had them in stock, so we bought them there. We just bought the size we needed instead of the whole kit and it was only $13.00. This was nice since we had already spent $200 on a pump we couldn't return. So, our investment was salvaged and the best part is they work great. The testemonials are definitely true!
When I finally was able to talk to Molly on Friday. She gave me a scale for the weekend and had me start drinking some tea (see image below). Now, the only problem with the tea is that there are no guidelines anywhere on how much you should drink - so, I started out with one cup a day, then two and then was up to 3, 4, 5. I liked it better cold than hot. I'm not a big licorice fan. I could tell a slight increase in my milk supply. The tea is called Milkmaid Tea. You can buy it online, at Babies R Us and your local boobie store. Babies R Us had it the cheapest locally at $5.99 a box for 16 bags. Now, when I returned to Molly (my lactation consultant) on Wednesday for the support group (6 days later)I had one or two bags left and she was surprised I wasn't out. So, I finished off the box and then moved on to the next supplement.
Now, when I went to the support group - I weighed Emma before and after the feeding. She had just eaten an hour and a half before. I was actually shocked my preemie wanted to wake up and eat so soon. Must have been all the boobies full of milk in the room that tempted her tummy. Anyway, I was proud that she took 22cc before passing out again. Molly wasn't. She said we might need to move on to a new supplement, but to talk to Dr. Elzie first. So, I did and he said that sounded great. (It helps to have a supportive pediatrician). So, I bought the next supplement. Now, this one comes with defined directions...yay!!!! So, we started that on Thursday. This one is called "More Milk Special Blend" by Motherlove. There is a link to their website on the right if you need it. I paid $22.00 for this bottle, however, they have it in pill form too if you can't do the liquid. It's 2cc of herbal liquid in about 2 oz. of apple juice (my choice). I take it like a shot - you don't drink or eat 15 minutes before or after and you take it 3 times a day. Now, I have been on this one for 4 days - huge improvement. On average, I pump a total of 2 oz after she eats and passes out. Sometimes, I give it to her (usually only an oz) - sometimes I store it just depending on if she needs an extra slurp before she takes her nap.
Now, after doing a little more research I found that there are foods that increase the fat content of your milk. Now, there are varying lists and mine is not all inclusive. Barley, Oatmeal (rolled oats, not instant), Almonds, Pecans, Avocados. Now, I do have a few recommendations. If you have a health food store where it is like a little market - you can find everything you want. Raw Almonds are best. When they say Barley - they mean Barley Grass. Now, you can buy this in supplement form - 3 pills, 3 x a day. That was much easier for me to stomach then the powder form. We bought it at the health food store but one bottle is roughly a 10 day supply and at $10/bottle it can get a little pricey. You can buy this online for almost a 50% savings. Here is the one I bought and they sell online. Any barley grass will do. I can't tell you if it works or not because I've only been taking it for one day. But, I will let you know. At this point, I'm just trying to improve the fat content of the milk so that she gains more weight.
My milk came in at the hospital (I was pumping after each feeding) on Day 4 and I was super engorged and the lactation consultant was afraid I would get an infection.
We came home on Day 6 and I was still engorged and leaking and hurting! My avent isis duo (which we bought early in the pregnancy on clearance) would not work cuz the flanges weren't big enough. We were waiting to see if our boobie store had something that would work made by pumpin' pal. As you can see below, just in case you have the same problem I did. In the hospital, I had to request bigger flanges cuz the regular size ones were causing breakdown around the base of my nipple. I worked with breastfeeding moms for 3 years and had no idea that they made such a thing, nor did I know to ask. Hmm...shows what I know. Anyway, my darling husband found these online and our boobie store had them in stock, so we bought them there. We just bought the size we needed instead of the whole kit and it was only $13.00. This was nice since we had already spent $200 on a pump we couldn't return. So, our investment was salvaged and the best part is they work great. The testemonials are definitely true!
When I finally was able to talk to Molly on Friday. She gave me a scale for the weekend and had me start drinking some tea (see image below). Now, the only problem with the tea is that there are no guidelines anywhere on how much you should drink - so, I started out with one cup a day, then two and then was up to 3, 4, 5. I liked it better cold than hot. I'm not a big licorice fan. I could tell a slight increase in my milk supply. The tea is called Milkmaid Tea. You can buy it online, at Babies R Us and your local boobie store. Babies R Us had it the cheapest locally at $5.99 a box for 16 bags. Now, when I returned to Molly (my lactation consultant) on Wednesday for the support group (6 days later)I had one or two bags left and she was surprised I wasn't out. So, I finished off the box and then moved on to the next supplement.
Now, when I went to the support group - I weighed Emma before and after the feeding. She had just eaten an hour and a half before. I was actually shocked my preemie wanted to wake up and eat so soon. Must have been all the boobies full of milk in the room that tempted her tummy. Anyway, I was proud that she took 22cc before passing out again. Molly wasn't. She said we might need to move on to a new supplement, but to talk to Dr. Elzie first. So, I did and he said that sounded great. (It helps to have a supportive pediatrician). So, I bought the next supplement. Now, this one comes with defined directions...yay!!!! So, we started that on Thursday. This one is called "More Milk Special Blend" by Motherlove. There is a link to their website on the right if you need it. I paid $22.00 for this bottle, however, they have it in pill form too if you can't do the liquid. It's 2cc of herbal liquid in about 2 oz. of apple juice (my choice). I take it like a shot - you don't drink or eat 15 minutes before or after and you take it 3 times a day. Now, I have been on this one for 4 days - huge improvement. On average, I pump a total of 2 oz after she eats and passes out. Sometimes, I give it to her (usually only an oz) - sometimes I store it just depending on if she needs an extra slurp before she takes her nap.
Now, after doing a little more research I found that there are foods that increase the fat content of your milk. Now, there are varying lists and mine is not all inclusive. Barley, Oatmeal (rolled oats, not instant), Almonds, Pecans, Avocados. Now, I do have a few recommendations. If you have a health food store where it is like a little market - you can find everything you want. Raw Almonds are best. When they say Barley - they mean Barley Grass. Now, you can buy this in supplement form - 3 pills, 3 x a day. That was much easier for me to stomach then the powder form. We bought it at the health food store but one bottle is roughly a 10 day supply and at $10/bottle it can get a little pricey. You can buy this online for almost a 50% savings. Here is the one I bought and they sell online. Any barley grass will do. I can't tell you if it works or not because I've only been taking it for one day. But, I will let you know. At this point, I'm just trying to improve the fat content of the milk so that she gains more weight.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
We were discharged from the hospital Sunday, September 5, 2010 with a bilirubin of 14.3. Emma weighed 6lbs. 4oz., down from 6lbs. 13.7 oz. at birth. My milk had come in the day before and we had a 2oz. gain. Dr. Ross let us go home to follow up on Tuesday or Wednesday. (Monday was Labor Day)
We called Tuesday morning and her appointment was made for Wednesday with Dr. Shaw (never heard of her before). So, Wednesday we went. Her weight was 6lbs. 4oz. and her TC Bili was 19.3. I started to cry and didn't stop. Dr. Martin came in and said that we could either go back to the hospital or go have labs drawn to get a true reading of the bilirubin. We opted for the blood draw, as going back into the hospital was a last resort. Our experience had been so horrible, that I didn't want to repeat it.
I cried in the lab for 2 hours. I missed my breastfeeding support group meeting. By the time we made it home from the lab, Dr. Martin called. Her serum bilirubin was 20 and we were going back to the hospital - only we were going to peds this time. I called my nurse manager (in case I haven't mentioned, I work at the hospital in the O.R. as a circulator) and asked what pediatrics was like and I couldn't even make it through the phone call - I was sobbing like a baby.
I took my time getting everything ready, as I was not going back into the hospital until my two older children were home from school and I could explain. By this time, my parents had arrived to help us and my in-laws were heading out the door. I was supposed to be home to enjoy my new found privacy, but I wasn't and before my MIL (mother in-law) could make it out the door - she was complaining to my mother about how I was starving Emma to death and that her jaundice was my fault and then she moved onto my husband. Now, I heard all of this going on and ignored it. But, what really hit home was that on the way to the hospital - my husband, my support person turns to me and says "Do you think you are passing antibodies through your breast milk and causing her to be sick?" Now, I was sunk. It all started to hit like a ton of bricks.
I was doing this to her. I was starving her by breast feeding and I was hurting her, not making her better. I asked Michael not to stay at the hospital with us. I continued to breast feed her and pump and give her what I pumped. They tested her bili 6 hours after we arrived. It dropped from 20 to 16.9. I was ecstatic. I had a breakdown in the night and cried ~ I wanted to quit breastfeeding, bottle feeding would make her better for sure. But there was something that told me to keep going and so I did and by the next morning I was fine. Dr. Elzie rounded and I asked him if I could possibly be making her worse and he told me no, in fact I was probably making her better. I explained to Michael how I was feeling and he didn't want me to quit - he wanted me to breast feed her too. So, I did. They tested her bili at 2pm that day and she had dropped down to 14.7. Wow!!! So, we got to go home (after I thought we would be there for at least a week - one day was sweet!) We went home on a bili blanket and continued feedings. We followed up on Monday and her TC Bili was 12.3. We discontinued the blanket and went back the next day and she popped back up to 14.3. So, we left her off the blanket one more day just to see if she was regulating her own system and the next day she dropped to 12.1!!!!!!
Now, we don't have to go back until Oct. 11! So happy! Her weight was up to 6lbs. 8 oz. We are moving in the right direction!
We called Tuesday morning and her appointment was made for Wednesday with Dr. Shaw (never heard of her before). So, Wednesday we went. Her weight was 6lbs. 4oz. and her TC Bili was 19.3. I started to cry and didn't stop. Dr. Martin came in and said that we could either go back to the hospital or go have labs drawn to get a true reading of the bilirubin. We opted for the blood draw, as going back into the hospital was a last resort. Our experience had been so horrible, that I didn't want to repeat it.
I cried in the lab for 2 hours. I missed my breastfeeding support group meeting. By the time we made it home from the lab, Dr. Martin called. Her serum bilirubin was 20 and we were going back to the hospital - only we were going to peds this time. I called my nurse manager (in case I haven't mentioned, I work at the hospital in the O.R. as a circulator) and asked what pediatrics was like and I couldn't even make it through the phone call - I was sobbing like a baby.
I took my time getting everything ready, as I was not going back into the hospital until my two older children were home from school and I could explain. By this time, my parents had arrived to help us and my in-laws were heading out the door. I was supposed to be home to enjoy my new found privacy, but I wasn't and before my MIL (mother in-law) could make it out the door - she was complaining to my mother about how I was starving Emma to death and that her jaundice was my fault and then she moved onto my husband. Now, I heard all of this going on and ignored it. But, what really hit home was that on the way to the hospital - my husband, my support person turns to me and says "Do you think you are passing antibodies through your breast milk and causing her to be sick?" Now, I was sunk. It all started to hit like a ton of bricks.
I was doing this to her. I was starving her by breast feeding and I was hurting her, not making her better. I asked Michael not to stay at the hospital with us. I continued to breast feed her and pump and give her what I pumped. They tested her bili 6 hours after we arrived. It dropped from 20 to 16.9. I was ecstatic. I had a breakdown in the night and cried ~ I wanted to quit breastfeeding, bottle feeding would make her better for sure. But there was something that told me to keep going and so I did and by the next morning I was fine. Dr. Elzie rounded and I asked him if I could possibly be making her worse and he told me no, in fact I was probably making her better. I explained to Michael how I was feeling and he didn't want me to quit - he wanted me to breast feed her too. So, I did. They tested her bili at 2pm that day and she had dropped down to 14.7. Wow!!! So, we got to go home (after I thought we would be there for at least a week - one day was sweet!) We went home on a bili blanket and continued feedings. We followed up on Monday and her TC Bili was 12.3. We discontinued the blanket and went back the next day and she popped back up to 14.3. So, we left her off the blanket one more day just to see if she was regulating her own system and the next day she dropped to 12.1!!!!!!
Now, we don't have to go back until Oct. 11! So happy! Her weight was up to 6lbs. 8 oz. We are moving in the right direction!
Welcome Baby Emma
Emma arrived Tuesday, August 31, 2010 @ 1626. She was taken to NICU and intubated to be given Survanta to help her lungs mature. The next day, she was extubated and started on feedings by noon. We immediately did skin to skin and breastfed every 2-3 hours. It was a battle with NICU, at first to be able to breastfeed exclusively - but ultimately we won or should I say Emma won. It was exactly what she needed and she did great. Even though I was a c-section and feeding were delayed for almost 24 hours - my milk came in by day 3 - 4 and she was not only feeding great but I was able to pump more and supplement her to assist in weight gain and to help reduce the jaundice that was induced by an ABO incompatibility. I would like to tell you that I remained strong throughout this whole experience and that I never considered quitting but that wouldn't be true. I had people in my life that not so subtly accused me of starving Emma and causing her jaundice - even though the doctor adamantly said it was because of her prematurity (36 weeks) and the ABO incompatibility. My foundation was rocked and I second guessed myself for over a week but I kept plugging away at it and she is thriving and the jaundice is going away. It is now 2 weeks and 4 days. She is almost back up to her birth weight - she may already be there.
I appreciate my parents, lactation consultant, friends, husband and Emma's pediatrician for supporting me through this - as this was very important to me, as well as Miss Emmy!
I appreciate my parents, lactation consultant, friends, husband and Emma's pediatrician for supporting me through this - as this was very important to me, as well as Miss Emmy!
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