(And apparently, so does corn syrup. Am I the only one who is appalled that corn syrup is the first ingredient in most baby formulas? Sigh. {Edit: It is the “gentle” formulas that are corn syrup based. The regular ones don’t usually have it listed.})
Those of you who are Facebook friends probably saw my status two weeks ago asking for help in increasing my milk supply. Well, here’s the whole story.
To put things in perspective, I breastfed Elijah for 14 months and never had to use any formula. He gained weight and grew just fine. Little Audrey has been another story entirely. At two weeks, she weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. At four, she was 7 lbs. 9 oz. When the pediatrician told me her weight, I was pretty alarmed. At this age, babies should be gaining an ounce a day, not an ounce a week! She was still pretty yellow from her jaundice and was down to only one poopy diaper a week. She was a fussy eater and we often had feedings that ended in tears for both of us. Sometimes she’d get so frustrated that she would cry until she fell asleep hungry. It didn’t really seem to be a latching issue. I wasn’t sore and she wasn’t losing weight, just not gaining. The pediatrician didn’t really seem concerned, which kind of just made me mad. At birth, she was 99th percentile for height and 33rd for weight. At one month, she was 77th percentile for height and 7th for weight. Not okay. After another week of frustration, my mom called me one night and I just burst into tears. I was really worried about Audrey. My mom came to my rescue. She came over the next day and cleaned my house, did my laundry, made dinner, and told me to get out of the house for a little bit while she fed Audrey a bottle of formula. Now I’ve never been a breastfeeding Nazi, but I do feel that breastfeeding is the best way to go when it’s possible. So I felt awful about supplementing. When I got back home, Audrey was content. Like I’d never seen her before.
It’s been two and a half weeks of pumping and supplementing with formula and Audrey is a different baby. She is happy, a great sleeper, her jaundice is completely gone, and she’s starting to fill out a little bit. She was 9 lbs. 10 oz. at her two month appointment on Friday and I couldn’t be happier with her 20th percentile weight! I’m taking fenugreek to help with my milk supply, but I think that was only half the problem. Audrey isn’t an efficient eater. After she eats for an hour, I can always pump out another two ounces or so. And she’s never satisfied after breastfeeding. So it looks like I’m going to be pumping and bottle-feeding her breastmilk for the next ten months. Not the most convenient solution, but you do what you have to do for these cute little ones! My goal right now is to get my supply up to where we don’t have to use any formula.
And now for some baby eye candy:
she is such a beautiful baby!!! Great job:)
I’m so glad you’ve got it somewhat figured out. The feeding thing is so stressful! We had major issues this time so I feel your pain. You should definitely purchase a good quality pump or rent one to make that easier. Good luck to you!
I am so glad things are going better for you. Pumping is purely admirable and astonishing. But so worth it, I am sure. She is beautiful.
It’s hard enough dealing with the sleepless nights, but having feeding issues on top of that sounds incredibly stressful and exhausting. I’m so sorry. But I’m glad you got a good system now that works for both you and Audrey. I was a big pumper with Toby until 13 months so I totally understand the pains of pumping. Let me know if you ever need a good venting session for that one.
And I know I’ve said it before, but she is SO beautiful!
Had this same terrible stress with my forth baby. She is almost 10 months old. And despite my lack of milk and trying to give her formula and bottles . . .SHE WONT TAKE BOTTLES. not even with breast milk in them. she is a prima Donna. She went 2 days with out any milk or formula 2 months ago when I left out of town. Dad tried and tried but just poured breast milk down the drain after it had gone bad. I am glad to hear you caught the issue and are progressing. Newborns always make me so nervous.
good luck!!!
good luck!! That is hard. I’m nervous for the next one to come out! Feeding is difficult. You have to do what you have to do to get your baby fat. formula isn’t my first choice either but it is a great alternative. You are an awesome mommy – each baby is different. And I didn’t know about the corn syrup!! Crazy!
I am glad that things are working out- ultimately, the most important thing is that she is healthy and happy (and that you are, as well). In spite of the corn syrup:) She is absolutely gorgeous!
Sad. I’m sorry that it is a challenge. I totally admire your dedication though, good job. Thank you for the eye candy, she is so cute.
She looks gorgeous Colleen. You gotta do what you gotta do to help the babies. You are a great mom!
Glad you have a solution that works for everyone. I checked both of my cans of formula (I supplement for Mason, he finally started taking a bottle of formula at 8 months), and neither has corn syrup listed anywhere as an ingred…??? She sure is a darling little girl. Keep the pics a’coming. Would love one of her and E together.
Oh, she’s so sweet!
You do what you can to feed your babies. Don’t feel bad. You’re doing great.
Glad you found the fenugreek, it was a lifesaver for me with the twins. Oatmeal and pineapple are some other natural ways to boost your milk. Power pumping is another way that has helped me–you pump for 10 minutes, take 10 off, pump for another 10, 10 off for 3 times. Then repeat 1/day for 3 days. Eat, drink, and rest those days when you can! If you don’t already use it, kellymom.com is my fav breastfeeding site. Good luck, what a cutie!
I’m so sorry you are having to deal with that. Not fun.
I’m glad you are figuring out what works for you. With Ethan (and Trevan actually) I took brewers yeast. That stuff was amazing at increasing my milk supply. You have to make sure you drink lots of water too. Also you could meet with an occupational therapist. They are a step above a lactation specialist. I’ve met with one for Avella and she is a huge help. Seriously, she is amazing. Your insurance might pay fo it too…
oh she is a doll!!! way to go on suffering through it:)
I’m so glad you found the answer! I wasn’t able to breastfeed either of my kids and I hated the guilt I’d feel and the looks I’d get when I pulled out a bottle but seeing my kids fed and growing was well worth it!
[...] had a couple of requests for an update on Audrey’s feeding situation, so here it is. My last post about it was written when she was just over two months old, and right now she’s 5 1/2 months. We [...]