Update on Elijah
Wednesday was Elijahs appointment and we got some not so good news. Elijah had lost an ounce in a one week span. He went from 6lbs 12oz to 6lbs 11oz which means he didn't gaining any weight at all since his last appointment. I'm pissed because I honestly think he has gained some weight but lost it because of the constipation because he was not eating at all on that day and that last Saturday, his naming ceremony, he hardly got to eat because everyone wanted to hold him. SO was constantly taking him away from me. He wasn't getting enough.
So because of his weight loss the doctors gave us another appointment today for a weight check up. I decided to supplement which was the agreement in the first place but we all know how that went. So I supplemented with formula for yesterday and today and he gained 2 ounces the doctors was okay with that and we have another weight check up next week.
I was getting him 1-1.5 to 2oz of formula and 2oz of breast milk. I'm thinking of upping the formula to 2-3oz. I'm still breastfeeding. The doctors want him to reach the 7lb mark and over by his next appointment.
SO and I have only seen each other at the appointments and we speak briefly through text. I did call him today for the baby's wipes and gifts I left at his house from the ceremony. We were more cordial today. He held Elijah and were was able to talk to each other without escalating to an argument.
Right now what's more important is our son and his health.
So because of his weight loss the doctors gave us another appointment today for a weight check up. I decided to supplement which was the agreement in the first place but we all know how that went. So I supplemented with formula for yesterday and today and he gained 2 ounces the doctors was okay with that and we have another weight check up next week.
I was getting him 1-1.5 to 2oz of formula and 2oz of breast milk. I'm thinking of upping the formula to 2-3oz. I'm still breastfeeding. The doctors want him to reach the 7lb mark and over by his next appointment.
SO and I have only seen each other at the appointments and we speak briefly through text. I did call him today for the baby's wipes and gifts I left at his house from the ceremony. We were more cordial today. He held Elijah and were was able to talk to each other without escalating to an argument.
Right now what's more important is our son and his health.
Comments
Thank you I will keep you uodated.
I also don't have anything against formula (i formula feed), and i also understand that the concern now is the health and well-being of your son but like it was mentioned before, im afraid that if you introduce formula that your supply will actually decrease and your son might not get full with breastmilk anymore.
Anyway, like you said, the important thing now is that your son is ok and i hope that he gets to the weight he needs to be at (or what his doctor thinks she should be at). Let us know how the little man is doing
I'm also mixing formula with breast milk. I told the doctor about SO feeding him formula. SOB gave DS Enfamil Gentlease for gas, fussiness and crying. The doctor recommended Enfamil Newborn for now.
I didn't know supplementing could kill your supply. I'm trying my best to boost it. I'm thinking of giving in and try fenugreek and just deal with the maple syrup smell for a while.
@starrxoxo9: I really want to exclusively breastfeed but I don't think he's getting enough breast milk. In the first two weeks I could pump to two 4oz bottles, now I hardly can get an ounce to 2oz in one session. He used to latch on and drink for as little or long as he wanted to, now he doesn't latch on for long and he only sucks for a few seconds and delatches and cries out like he's starving I put him back and he sucks for awhile and delatch. When he comes towards the breast you can tell he wants it, acting like he hasn't been fed in days, lol. I have looked on websites and watched videos on different latch techniques but none of them seem to work. I don't want to supplement at all. I take my vitamins daily, eat oatmeal, drink water, and Gatorade, eat vegetables, eating 3 meals a day with snacks in between.
One thing could be stress.
The way you started, I KNOW you can do this. It hard but not impossible. If you truly want to breastfeed, please don't give up.
Like i've said before, there's nothing wrong with formula feeding, i feed my son formula, but we all know that breastmilk is best and you still have hope hunn.
@perly: This has been really stressful for me. Not the breast milk but my sons weight gain and SO pissing me off. Formula isn't bad and if I have to I will with no problem. I think its stress thats why I'm having a hard time.
@2girls_2boys: On the times I supplement I pump. I am going out today and get some supplements to help me out.
Good luck and remember we are here for support.
Also, know from another post you were going to try getting him on a schedule, don't know if you have started but, if you do want to keep breastfeeding, I personally wouldn't recommend it whilst he's so young & you're having supply issues. Even if you know he's only on the boob for comfort, trying to sleep etc its only going to help your supply & they nurse so much more frequently before a growth spurt as well.
Good luck whatever you decide to do
@willothewisp: Thank you. I plan to pump during the hours he sleeps at night. I called the hospital for the lactation consultant and made an appointment for Tuesday.
Please don't think I'm being negative but I don't think pumping at night while he sleeps is the way to go, you need your rest too but I never had to pump so don't know how best to go about it. Hopefully you'll get better advice than I can give on Tuesday.
You're breast milk is based on supply and demand and each supplement session you give with formula compromises your supply. You can't compare drawing out milk from pumping from the efficiency of your LO. I could only pump about 2 oz each pumping session and I never had to supplement with formula. If I did I supplemented, it with the breast milk I had pumped. I'm still breastfeeding at 27 months.
Make a list of questions you have. Those around us that are not supportive and believe in myths over fact are the reason why there is such a stigma around breastfeeding, especially in western society. Keep it up, you can do it!
@Mijita: Very true. Breastfeeding is the most natural thing yet. Its funny how science have made it into something so complicated. Its no wonder why a lot of FTMs are afraid or worried about it.