Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Weight gain issues

K is still having weight gain issues.  I took her to get a weight check at the pediatricians office and she had lost an ounce in a week when she should have gained about 6-7 ounces.  I'd been feeding her constantly, and had pumped a little bit but not given it to her.  The pediatrician said that I needed to supplement her 1/2 to 1 ounce 5-6 times a day (so at least 3-4 ounces a day).  He gave me formula, but I don't want to give her formula unless I can't make the milk.  I called and talked to my Lactation Consultant and then to Sew to dealt with the same issues.  Sew's pep talk has given me the confidence to supplement with just expressed breast milk, even though it requires a lot of time and effort.

I'm basically feeding her, giving her the supplemental breast milk and then pumping and then repeating, unless she's asleep or won't nurse.  I do get some breaks, but my day is mostly feeding or pumping or washing the pumping stuff.  Most of th

I was so upset about her lack of weight gain.  Especially since she's exclusively breastfed, it makes me feel like a failure as a mother.  It seems like my body doesn't do things like it's supposed to.  The years, surgeries and medications that it took to get pregnant, the bleeding that I had during pregnancy, and now breastfeeding issues.  I'm just ready for something to work right.

Please pray that we can get her weight gain on the right track and I can keep from getting too overwhelmed.  It's very stressful and tiring right now.

7 comments:

  1. Oh C, I am sorry for these continued issues. I will pray for you and little K!

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  2. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. But you shouldn't feel like a failure-most would have given up long before you. For what it's worth-I'm proud of you for sticking it out!

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  3. I'm sorry to hear about her weight gaining issues. I'll say a prayer for y'all that things start to go mote smoothly!!

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  4. I was right there with you. It was such a hard time for me. I was devestated, too. It hurt my heart do bad to know that I couldn't physically provide for my baby. But, you know what? Its okay. What a miracle you have her! Do your best with the pumping but please don't forget to enjoy your baby. You waited so long for her. Its okay. I found that pumping after my early morning feeding sessions were the most fruitful and I could use that milk for later on in the day. Formula is okay, too. Do what is best for your baby, what a lesson in motherhood! Check out vitanica's lactation blend supplements, they really helped me. :)

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  5. I just want to let you know that if you do need to supplement with formula, it's not the end of the world. I wasn't able to BF or pump nearly enough for my Kate. We had to start supplementing early on. I still pump, but more than half of her feedings are formula. I felt like a failure initially, too. I don't know why: she's doing well. I'm doing the best I can. I know you are, too. That's something to be proud of no matter what.

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  6. it was the same with my oldest, he also had digestive issues (like gas and looser stools and brest milk rejection) that noone could really explain. It all finally got better when i started giving him probiotics (our wallgreens sells powedered ones to put in their drink) He is now up to 50% weight wise wich is a total miracle considering he had a hard time staying in 10% before.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear this! Praying for you both!

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