Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Argh !! (but isn't she precious?)


I am getting a little discouraged with nursing. I need a pep talk, okay?

Melanie only gained 3 oz this week. She is still 12 oz below her birth weight, and is 4 weeks old. She still has a lazy suck and poor latch, and we both have thrush. I am sore and tired, and tied to either her while nursing, or the breast pump when she is finished. Someone remind me how glad I will be that I persevered in nursing. That this is really a good thing for her, that she will chub up, that this really isn't that big of a deal. Thank you. I feel much better now =).

15 Comments:

Anonymous midwestmom3 said...

My cousin is going through the same thing right now. Her litle one was 6 weeks before she got back to her birth weight. She has now taken off and is doing great. My third one was the worst nurser ever. I have no idea why the little stinkers have to do it their own way! Hang in there and you will both be doing super soon!

April 15, 2009  
Blogger ukok said...

Persevere sweetie, you are doing just fine. I'm sure your little one will start to chub up soon. You are giving her all the love you can and you are trying your utmost to nourish her,things will work out just fine, i'm sure :-)

April 15, 2009  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, don't give up. It seems like an eternity now, but it will be gone in a flash, and you'll be glad for the times you had with her when she was tiny and needed you so much. I'll be praying for both of you.

Barb

April 15, 2009  
Anonymous Patricia said...

You can do it! And little Melanie will plump up before you know it! I have been really blessed that all 6 of our babies have been little buddhas! I did have to deal with mastitis (OUCH) with babies 2-5 & I know how very difficult it can be to nurse through the pain. Its all worth it, though, & so beneficial for you & baby! God bless you & your precious little girl! Hang in there!

April 15, 2009  
Blogger Mimi said...

What an amazing photo! She is so adorable.

You have my best pep talk, my prayers and a huge, huge hug.

April 15, 2009  
Blogger Anne Marie said...

It took little Bill nearly a year Ree....YOU CAN DO IT! look what I went through...and how you helped me - remember? the screams? the tears? but wouldn't ya know - it worked :)

READ MY NEW POST, grab a cup (yes a cup) of Wine and one of my chocolates I made for you and have a good night ~
Blessings!!

April 15, 2009  
Blogger Elizabeth @ The Garden Window said...

What a little darling she is !

At least she **is** gaining weight, despite spending lots of her calorie intake on growing in length and wriggling around.

If she was not gaining at all or losing weight, then you would have real problems.

Remember how painful it is for her to have oral thrush; each suck and swallow will be painful to her as well as to you.....ouch ouch ouch.

The thrush really does need to be treated aggressively and simultaneously for you both, then things should start to pick up. Is there a Lactation counsellor you could contact in your area for moral support and practical help?
Sending hugs !!

April 15, 2009  
Anonymous CJ said...

Do you need some ideas? I haven't been doing much clinical breastfeeding support lately but would be happy to chat with you if that might be useful. Email me if you want: mostgladly at gmail. She is beautiful!

April 15, 2009  
Blogger owenswain said...

She's beautiful. God bless your family.

April 15, 2009  
Blogger Farmgirl Cyn said...

My daughter was having similar problems with my 7 week old granddaughter. She called LaLeche League, and the woman there gave her very good advice. 1st off...what color are her poopies? If they are green and not yellow, baby is not getting enough "hind" milk, which is where a lot of the fat is. Her advice was to nurse 4 hours on one breast only...any time Trena wants to nurse during that 4 hour span it is on the same breast. Then...switch. 4 hours on the other breast. She saw yellow poopies within 24 hours. Hope that helps.

April 15, 2009  
Blogger Farmgirl Cyn said...

PS...Melanie looks a LOT like Trena!!! If you link to my blog, you can see hers on my sidebar. "life at 4810"

April 15, 2009  
Blogger Renee said...

CJ, thank you for your offer. I am currently working with 2 lactation consultants, but if their ideas don't work, I will certainly take you up on your kind offer!

Farmgirl Cyn, WOW, those babies DO look alike. Beautiful! and thanks for stopping by!!

Elizabeth, we are treating the thrush with nystatin. It comes and goes, seems to be clearing up, then resurges. I am just trying to keep applying the medicine regardless of how it looks, for another month or so, and hopefully it will be gone.

And to everyone else, thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. Thank you, thank you!!

April 16, 2009  
Blogger Mother Mayhem said...

SO sweet! Grow baby Melanie! Grow! :o)

I have no clue about breastfeeding. I planned on it, but didn't get to...

I'll say a prayer though! ;o)

April 18, 2009  
Blogger Michelle said...

I'm glad you have good support. when I blogged about my troubles with Mary 18 months ago, I got a lot of "you don't need to breastfeed to be a good mommy" advice. NOT helpful. I have lots of resources if all the other help you are getting still isn't working. Praying! I know how frustrating it is!

April 18, 2009  
Blogger Laura The Crazy Mama said...

I went through days of a living hell with two of the six (number 4 and 5) with thrush. My desire to make nursing work was causing me to completely spaz out at the idea of pumping. I finally had to pump EXCLUSIVELY for a few weeks because at least that was tolerable and I wouldn't scream in pain and cry! I even resorted to formula for a little while to allow things to heal. I finally (but still very fearfully!) tried nursing again and it caught up and things went very well from then on. I remember wishing I had a look into the future to KNOW it was all going to be okay...it was, but not without a lot of frustration and some pretty awful memories! At least I can have empathy for other women who have a hard time, right? I am praying for you!

May 01, 2009  

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