Lilypie Breastfeeding tickers

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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Fenugreek is not Emma's friend

She wouldn't lay down for a nap all day yesterday and then last night, every time I tried to put her to bed - she would wake up and fuss. I took her to bed with me and cuddled her and gave her a paci and we slept. We slept 4 hours. Fed and went back to bed for 3 hours. She is horribly, painfully gassy. No more fenugreek for us.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Growth Spurt

We went to the mountains for the weekend (Friday - Sunday) and Emma did great. In fact, she was on a better schedule traveling than she is at home. She would eat every 4 hours and she was asleep by 8:30pm and slept til 1:30am and then down again for another 3 hours. It was great! Then we came home and the growth spurt began. She ate every hour on the hour all Monday and then Monday night. Tuesday, she ate every 2 hours and today...we are all over the place. In the night, she ate every 2 hours. I haven't had more than an hour break between feeds this morning. So tired!

She was 8 weeks old Tuesday - so we are hitting the 9 week growth spurt a little early. Also, because I am extremely self-conscious and doubt myself all the time about milk production (especially during cluster feeding), I am trying a new herbal supplement. We will see how this one works. Motherlove was great, just a lil expensive for a 2 oz. bottle.

I ordered a 4 oz. bottle of the new stuff for the same price. Slightly different ingredients. It's from Kerry Herbals Nursing Mother Blend.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Reassurance

We went to our boobie support group today at the hospital. But, let me back up a little. Emma decided to cluster feed last night and we were having so much fun playing with her that we over-stimulated her and then she was over-tired. So, at 11pm - she still wanted to eat. Ugh! I was tired. So, I thawed a bottle of breast milk and fed her that - she took about 3.5 oz. and she slept for 5 hours. 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, just what I needed! So, she woke up and ate on the right breast for 15 minutes and went back to sleep. She got up at 7am and ate on the left breast for 30 minutes, while I pumped the right and then the left. I got 3.5 oz.

At 10:30, she ate again. So, let the reassurance begin. I wanted to see how much refilled after pumping. She ate 116cc - so almost 4oz. She weighed 10lbs 4oz. today! She gained a lb. this week - so it is working. So happy!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Nipple soreness, cluster feeding and sleep

My OB says that since I have sensitive skin, my nipples are prone to be sore from time to time. Ok. That explains so much.

Now, an update on Miss Emma's cluster feeds. She eats a big meal around lunch, takes a 2-3 hour nap and then cluster feeds early evening, takes a break - wakes up has a bath, cluster feeds from 8pm ish to 11pm ish and then sleeps for 3-4 hours. Wakes up, has a snack (10-20 minutes) and then back to sleep for 2-3 hours and then up for a snack and back to sleep for about an hour and then a regular meal for breakfast and out again for 3 - 4 hours.

I need to learn to nap during the day.

Baby K'tan Giveaway

http://www.sweeps4bloggers.com

Great giveaway. We have one of these wraps and it is so easy to use. Will insert a picture of Miss Emma in it as soon as we take one. Enter to win!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Approaching 7 weeks

Feeling unsure about things today which is probably irrational. I didn't go to the support groups last week, due to sleep deprivation. However, I did weigh her at the pediatrician's office and she had gained over a pound that week. So, I'm not sure how much she is getting this week. We have been dealing with eliminating dairy from my diet (which is most depressing) because it seems she reacts badly to it. So, I have been dairy free for several days now and she seems to be doing better. At night, feedings only last about 20 minutes which is nice and then she tends to cluster around 5-7 am. I haven't pumped today thinking maybe I'm short changing her, again irrational. Hopefully, I won't be sleep deprived this week and can make it to my support groups - thinking I'm overdue for it.

On a side note, I made more lactation cookies today and added raisins to this recipe. They are yummy. I have had several - so let the milk flow!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Growth Spurt Wednesday

This week we officially turned 6 weeks and we are apparently doing growth spurts several times this week. Tuesday all day and now Wednesday Night/Thursday morning - every hour on the hour and both boobs are leaking and I am exhausted.....

I had so much planned to do today and am just so tired now that it isn't going to happen. I feel like if I pumped right now that I would get gallons (but know that isnt' realistic). Love my little one so much but the lack of sleep is horrible!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Lactation Cookies Update

They are delicious! See recipe below. My milk supply seems to be in great standing now. She is taking in on average 4 oz. per feeding and I can pump 1 oz - 2oz after she eats. Plus, my early morning pump yields 3-4oz after she eats. This is good for me and I am stocking up a nice supply in the freezer!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Cluster Feeding vs. Day & Night reversal

The last two nights, Emma has been all over the place as far as feedings go. She wants to eat, eat, eat and it drives me crazy because of course I want to sleep. Her feedings seem to be taking longer too and I'm having a hard time differentiating between eating and pacifying. Hopefully, tonight will be an end to the chaos.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Lactation Cookies

As soon as I can make it to New Leaf I am going to make a batch of lactation cookies :)

Here is the recipe, I will update on how they turn out.

For 1 Dozen:
# 1 cup butter
# 1 cup sugar
# 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
# 4 tablespoons water
# 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
# 2 eggs
# 1 teaspoon vanilla
# 1 cup almond flour and 1 cup wheat flour
# 1 teaspoon baking soda
# 1 teaspoon salt
# 3 cups oats
# 1 cup chocolate chips
# 4 heaping tablespoons brewer's yeast

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 27 mins

1. 1 Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2 Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
3. 3 Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.
4. 4 Add eggs and mix well.
5. 5 Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.
6. 6 Sift together flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.
7. 7 Add dry ingredients to butter mix.
8. 8 Stir in oats and chips.
9. 9 Scoop onto baking sheet.
10. 10 Bake for 12 minutes.
11. 11 Let set for a couple minutes then remove from tray.

You can google "Lactation Cookies" to cut down the recipe if you like. I changed some of the ingredients to make them a little healthier. (i.e. wheat flour per other people's suggestions. There are suggestions for the sugar as well, but I left it as is.)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

5 weeks

It is so nice to go to these support groups every week - and I think that if they weren't there that I might not be doing as well as I am right now. Emma weighed in at 8lbs 9.5oz. Wow!! She ate really well too - 104cc or 3.5oz. Also, she spit up on me for the first time today. (I could have skipped that milestone :P)

I am so proud of her and myself for sticking it out and coming this far. Taking it one day at a time is the only way to do successfully do breastfeeding. So, if you are reading this - know that you are not alone and that it will come together for you - hang in there!!!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Things coming together....

Today, we stopped by the boobie store for a pre/post weight. Emma weighed in at 8lbs. 1.9 oz. Yay!!!! Then, she proceeded to eat on both sides. First, the left 56cc and then the right 58cc. Wow! She was a hungry bunny today. So, what am I doing?

Water
Oatmeal Cookies
Oatmeal Bread (I make a sandwich)
Almonds
Pecans
Barley Grass Capsules 3 - 3x a day
Motherlove More Milk Plus Special Blend 3x a day

I only pump once a day. Usually, in the morning when supply is highest. I usually get 2oz. after she eats.

Emma is no longer pooping everyday. She only poops every other day, but she is healthy and happy!

My nipples still get tender, but usually after I have pumped. She is sleeping 4 hour stretches at night and usually gets up around 2am and then 6am.