Bad appointment again

[lady1297]

We are just not having good times around here. Just when I think things are going well, they go bad.

Edward: double ear infection, possible that the left ear tube is obstructed, but the doctor said it was a good sign that there was drainage yesterday that it probably isn't enough fluid back there to drain.  He's on Omnicef to clear it. Last

Comments

[sherylb]

Oh, hon! {{{Hugs!}}}

Have you called an LC to see what they recommend? Or perhaps this would be time to call LLL. Maybe they can give you hints on how to help him gain without formula (and I know exactly how you feel on giving formula!) Do you think it is a supply issue? He isn't showing signs of dehydration and he is gaining, although slowly. Makes me wonder what else is happening. While the doc means well, it could be metabolic in nature or something and even formula may not solve the issue.

Have you checked out the article at Kellymom on increasing the amount of milk your baby gets? http://www.kellymom.com/newman/b-protocol_increase_bmilk_intake.html

I do hope he starts gaining soon!

[lady1297]

I have a call into the LC. I hope she calls back soon. Sheryl, I'm just so defeated.

[sherylb]

I can only imagine how you are feeling. I don't know what I would do or how I would act if I was told Jackson wasn't growing enough and was told to give formula. I would have to fight tooth and nail with the doc because I am like you and believe that breastmilk is ALL he needs. Even looking at Kellymom, they say over and over that formula is rarely needed. I just hope it is something that can be corrected - latch, supply, amount of time nursing, etc.

I would suggest keeping a log of how long and when John nurses. Maybe that will help you see what can be done to help.

I so wish I could make that one suggestion that hasn't already been made that would work! But I think we are a lot alike and you have done tons of research on how to help him grow. I am confident you will get this figured out!

[lady1297]

You hit the nail on the head. I'm desperate for something we aren't doing right. I hope the LC can shed some light on it.

I'll start the log again. I seriously thought we were out of the woods so I stopped all that stuff.

[jent9202003]

Is he going to supply formula for the entire first year if you supply tanks

[lady1297]

I like 4-5 oz...that makes me feel like we are closer...

I have no idea how many pee diapers, but we go through I'd guess 8 or more a day. Poops, well he pooped last night and this past Sunday...not big on the poop I guess.

We try to normalize the weight checks. Same time, same scale, butt naked. The only variable is the paper they place on the scale but the same nurse does it, so we are hoping that that is negligible difference and I'm pretty sure it is.

Off to read what you've posted.

[olliemom]

How are his poops? What color are they?

[lady1297]

He doesn't poop often, twice this week and once the week prior. They are mostly liquidy and a brown/yellow color.

[olliemom]

Oh no, I am so sorry. How frustrating. Keep in mind, he IS gaining, even if it's not at the rate you'd like. So it's just a matter of figuring him out

[lady1297]

I do pump, but don't typically get anythig right after a feeding. In the morning, I've been pumping about an ounce from one side while he nurses from the other. I'll be just nuring him for that for now, though. Rather than pumping. This is so stinken hard when there are two kids to deal with. Seriously. Poor Edward is getting so neglected.

[olliemom]

Edward will be fine. This is just temporary, remember. He'll never know the difference once the baby's a little bigger and things get back to normal. Yes, it is hard with two kids though, especially when you run into trouble. Don't I know it!

My advice, even though it may seem counter-intuitive, is to keep pumping as much as you possibly can, give him an ounce of EBM here and there from a bottle (supplementing with formula as you feel you need to) and just put him on the breast pretty much all the time. Do you have a sling that works for nursing while walking around? That would help a little with the toddler anyway.

I know it's hard, hang in there. Thinking of you guys.

[olliemom]

Also, I was going to suggest pumping right before a feeding instead of right after. I'm sure you know this, but your baby can get way more milk out of you than the pump can. So even if it seems like you're "empty" after pumping, you may actually just be getting him to the hindmilk faster, which is what he needs to grow.

[henrysmom]

First off, ((((((((big hugs))))))))) to you!!! I agree, John may just be a slow gainer. The important thing is, he *is* gaining! You mentioned that Edward was the same way and look at him now!!!
I can't even imagine how you have managed to pump as long as you have with a toddler and a newborn to care for...my hats off to you!! When I tried pumping at home for Lilly Henry was always trying to sit on my lap or decided he wanted/needed something right then when there was no way I could just get up and do it. The last straw was when he tried to grab the "bottle" the breastmilk was going into saying "I want milk...i want milk!!"
Hang in there!!

[devil_kitty_1]

Hank was a slow gainer and lazy nurser. And I had a low supply w/ him. I've BTDT and have the milk stained t-shirt to prove it ;).

Have you tried eating oatmeal to up your supply? That helped me tremendously. Although I did prefer it in cookie form so that wasn't helpful to my a$$ but it worked on my supply so its all good ;-).

I also did Mother's Milk Tea and More Milk Plus. Both of those helped as well.

How much water are you consuming? You should be drinking at LEAST 75 ounces a day.

How about your calorie intake? If you're not getting enough cal's, see above comment WRT cookies.

I have a scale I will ship to you if you'd like it. Its an infant scale that I used to weigh Rachel the last few months when she wasn't gaining well. She's doing AWESOME now so we don't use it unless we're curious. If you want it, say the word!

[lady1297]

Can I say I love you! :)

I was eating oatmeal, but stopped because I was too lazy in the morning to make it. I will be returning to it though! Cookies sound good. Did you just use regular recipe?

I was drinking MOther's Milk and ran out and have not been to the store to get any more (it's on the other side of town and a bit of apain to get to. I will be sending Joe out tonight to get it.

Water...I could do better I think.

Calories, ugh. I have no idea. I think I remember to eat all my meals. :) I know I get three in a day, I could care less about weight right now if it means stinker will gain.

I'm heading to the LC tomorrow afternoon. I'll have a better idea then about what's the issue. I'll let you know then about the scale, okay?