Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Thanks...

everyone for your support while Gwen and I go through this learning process. Last night Eric did give Gwen a supplementation bottle. This morning I found her to be incredibly sleepy. I could not wake her up for her feedings. This morning we went to the dentist, Eric had to drive because I still cannot. I feed her before we left, but did not finish. I expected her to be cranky, but she was not, slept right through my appointment and until almost 4 hours later. By this time I was concerned, she had no wet diapers or anything and I could not wake her for more than a couple minutes. Yesterday I had called La Leche (still have not heard back) and I called a different person this afternoon, only to find that the number was incorrect. How frustrating! I also called the Hospital lactation consultants. I just noticed they left a message (when I don't know, b/c I have been home!) I also spoke with my doula, who was conviently in the area and had a book for me to read so she stopped by. While she was here we finally woke Gwen up...5 hours after she last ate. As the doula was here we feed and to my surprise we might have figured out the problem. We have a lazy girl on our hands! (ok, so I shouldn't have been surprised, my Mom is probably thinking, just like her mother!) The Dr had told me 15 minutes on a side, but this little tyke generally becomes lazy and stops eating correctly after several minutes. She looks like she is eating, but in truth she is just not swallowing so she is not really eating. We really had to mess with the poor girl to keep her awake! And when she was full, a good 45 minutes later we had a happy and content baby on our hands that did not go back to sleep. So, 2 hrs later I started feeding her again, same thing, struggle to keep her awake and feeding. So, I hope this solves our problem. We had a little latching-on adjustment to do. It seems I have to be more proactive with this little one to get her to do everything right. So, if we are correct, when the Gwen is tired and I am watching the clock, she is not getting enough of my milk, because she has become lazy and doesn't actually eat much in 15 minutes. She is not getting the 'hind milk', the milk with all the calories. We will see how this theory holds tonight along with me drinking and eating more.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you've got it down! I am curious though - why can't you drive? I was only supposed to stay away from driving a couple days - are you okay?

I am glad things are progressing better. A friend of mine, a mother of five and breastfeeding advocate suggested I drink ONE small (only one) beer and the yeast stimulates you to let down easier... It worked when I had trouble with Drew. I never tried it with Jack - he was getting plenty...

Anonymous said...

I am glad you figured it out...Josephine was alazy eater at first too, but it didn't matter becasue at 5 weeks I had to go to a bottle schedule becasue of my surgery.

How long can you not drive? I was told 10 days with a C-section...was it becasue she was a big baby?