Update: At Laney's doctor appointment yesterday(Monday), she lost weight since last Friday. As you can imagine, that was hard news to hear and a bit upsetting, for we had great expectations for significant weight gain. However, I'm okay now and optimistic. I'm taking 2 herbal supplements that are supposed to increase my milk volume. Our Lactation Consultant is out of town for the week...(can you believe the timing of that?) We had to increase her supplement to 1 oz every feeding. I'm still pumping after every feed but I'm having to give up the pumping at night b/c I can't keep up ...I'm so so so so so tired. Pumping is exhausting when you have to put it all together and then clean it up at night. We go back on Wednesday to check her weight. Please pray for us and for her. I don't know how we are going to get off of this supplement....we may never...but I'm hopeful that we will. Thanks for your prayers.
Hollie
5 comments:
Hollie,
I'm praying for you and Laney too. I pumped exclusively for a month (around the clock) before Will could even breastfeed and we've dealt with supplementing to get the weight up. The lactation consultants are so much help! I'm not sure we would still be nursing if it weren't for them! I've taken the herbs before too - have you tried oatmeal? It worked for me, and luckily I like it anyways. I've enjoyed the pictures and the birth story too! She's beautiful!
Christina Gainor
Dear Hollie: Hang in there! It is so hard nursing. Just listen to your heart and try to do what is best for Lana. God will show you what to do. If the baby needs formula then don't be so hard on yourself. John Robert was so hungry and I had no choice because my milk took forever to come in. Just remember formula is ok! Love you, Aunt Lisa
Hollie-Thanks for your message last night with the details! I was just praying taht yall would be led by His heavy peace in making these decisions. He is Soveiegn, and if it ends up that you get to feed her primarily through your breastmilk, and just a little through some formula, then it will be ok! It will still be great for her to get so much of the antibodies from your milk (and all the other wonderful things about nursing), and whatever it is that God knows she needs from the formula. Psa 16:5-6, "He has assigned you your portion and your cup..." HE knows every detail of yall's circumstances, and He is mighily in control. You can rest in that, girlfriend! Love you. Praying! Steph
Hey Hollie! I continue to pray for you and Laney as I am up to nurse Samuel. You can do this girl! Keep your head up! The Lord is in control and will help you as you care for your little one. Keep up with the nursing and know that you are giving your baby girl the nourishment, immunity, and love that she needs. Each day that she gets breastmilk (no matter how much) she is building up her immunities and benefiting from it. You are making the right decisions. I know I had about ZERO faith in myself at the point you are at - you really start second and third and fourth guessing yourself. BUT, listen to your heart and listen to your baby. The doctors won't let it get out of hand. Keep at it and just keep loving on that sweet, little bundle of joy that God has blessed you and Hugh with. XOXO.
Hollie,
1-What herbs are you taking to increase your milk supply? I still need to increase mine!
2-Have you gotten a hands free pumping bra? It is great!
3-Do you have a microwavable sterilizer? We put the pump and bottle supplies in it, microwave for 2 minutes, sit for 2 minutes, then all is sterilized... another great invention!
Carli is still trying to breastfeed ~10 minutes, then we give her a bottle with 1 oz of my pumped breast milk and 2-3 oz of formula, THEN I pump and get ~1 oz. We bought a double electric pump and Curt got me 2 extra sets of the pump attachments, so I have 3 and as long as I wash them before going to bed, I don't have to wash them in the middle of the night!
Hang in there with the breastfeeding. It has definitely been my biggest struggle! I have almost quit so many times. There was one 2 day stretch at 5 weeks (Carli's due date) when I got thrush (breast yeast infection that is NO fun and very painful) where I just pumped and bottle fed. I couldn't put Carli to the breast and the pump on the lowest setting hurt really bad! Things seem to be getting better everyday now... Carli is 12 weeks old and 10 pounds (she started at 4lb 8oz!)
Keep the updates coming and check out our blog... I finally posted to it. I need help on how to add links and a hit counter!
Mariah
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