Sol
At almost six weeks Sol’s weight is still really low. The problem seems to be his inefficient latch—he can nurse for an hour but not get that much milk. We give him a bottle right after every nursing session now. He mostly refused it at first but he seems to be getting used to it; he’s been drinking more formula in the past couple days. The doctor told us to keep doing what we’re doing and come back in a month. He seems confident that supplementing with formula will boost Sol’s growth. I hope it starts working really soon. This morning as I was nursing him I just sat there with tears rolling down my face, staring at his stick-thin arms and legs.
I’m still spending almost all my time feeding (or trying to feed) the baby, and Sam goes back to work next week. I have a lot of anxiety around that too.
One thing I can do while nursing is read, so this blog might be all book reviews for a while.
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:50 pm
I am rooting for you and Sol! I’m glad he’s drinking formula now after nursing. That sounds like an excellent system. Hang in there!
May 3rd, 2013 at 5:49 pm
Thanks, Madeline. I got him to take a full bottle this afternoon so I’m feeling a little better.
May 4th, 2013 at 6:38 am
I had the same problem – spending 45-60 minutes to feed at first. My solution was I bought a powerful double pump, it gets lots of milk out in 15 minutes, then the baby drunk from the bottle exclusively, and we store the rest and this worked out for my work schedule later. Don’t worry, Shannon, look how chunky Jonathan is now.
May 4th, 2013 at 10:13 am
Thank you, Pei! I don’t mind nursing for an hour–I think the other kids took that long at first too–but after a nursing session they’d be tired and sated and full of milk. Sol’s just…tired.
But giving a bottle right after nursing seems like a solution that will work. He’s used to the bottle now and generally takes 3 to 6 ounces on *top* of what he gets from nursing.
May 5th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Thinking of you all. Please don’t worry so much – everything will be just fine. I’m confident. Love U all.