Monday, January 30, 2006
Nursing Nightmare
During the birthing story, I mentioned that Lexi latched on very well right after birth. Unfortunately, nursing has not gone well since then. I can't pinpoint one problem. It could be my numerous cysts in my breasts, incorrect latching, voracious sucking powers from hunger, and extra sensitive nipples. I have a feeling that they are all fighting to make this not work. On top of all of that, Miss Lexi lost more weight than normal. She weighed in at 7 lbs 5 oz (lost about 8 oz) on Saturday. Although, she was doing fine in the diaper department. Perhaps all of this could have been remedied or at least addressed, but the lactation consultant at the hospital is also a regular nurse and had way too many patients to stop in and see me. The nurses helped with the latching on, but the pain was just too overwhelming.
I continued to try nursing until Friday night. Even Steve was begging me to feed her formula. My poor little baby was starving, so I did. She sucked down the first bottle so quickly that I didn't know whether to feel good that she was finally getting food or bad because I waited so long. By the second feeding, I could see that she had relaxed with the sucking. I fed her half an ounce and then tried nursing. It turned out to be me squeezing and her mostly licking. That lasts about 5 - 10 minutes and then I fed her the rest of the bottle. That has basically become our routine since Friday night. However, sometimes she does latch on and suck for those 5 -10 minutes.
As mothers, most of you realize that this strategy wouldn't work for long. Yesterday, I became so engorged that I look like Pamela Anderson. Also, my milk has come in and is leaking up a storm. This would happen on a weekend right? I turned over feeding duties to Steve (thank GOD for him) and have been placing very hot towels on my breasts to try and let as much leak out as possible. I even got to the point last night where I actually put Icy Hot on my breasts (not nipples of course). This did offer enough relief (distraction) that I could get to sleep. Today, my mission is to rent a breast pump and see a real lactation consultant. I have called and left a message. Now, I am impatiently waiting for her life changing call. Please, please, please help it go away! ...and no I will not be mentioning the Icy Hot thing to her.
my name
Husband:
Steve
Baby: Lexi (born Jan 26th)
This blog is like a journal for me. It is also a way for my friends to keep tabs on me.
For people who don't know me, I come from a big family (3 brothers & 1 sister). We moved around a LOT, so I am not really from one particular place. I like to call Katy, Texas my home though.
Recent news, my Dad & Mother-in-Law were diagnosed with Terminal Cancer in April/May of 2005. My dad passed away 5-Dec-05 .
January 2005
February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006