Thursday, June 05, 2008

On the Upswing

We had an excellent doctor visit today! Elias has gained an ounce every day since we started doing the 2-hour feeding schedule... Praise the Lord! So things are on the upswing with my baby boy. I feel like we're settling into the routine well, and I am incredibly thankful for the support and help I have in Justin and my mother-in-law. They are awesome to take care of Elias and let me get sleep between feedings. What a blessing! (To all expectant mothers reading this, MAKE SURE TO HAVE HELP AVAILABLE TO YOU 24/7 FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST 2 WEEKS! If Daddy's going back to work, get somebody else to come stay with you while he's gone...)

We also had a good visit with the lactation consultant. The problem we're having is that Eli just can't get a good latch on his own, so we've been using a nipple shield since he was 2 days old. He eats fine with it, it's just a nuisance to have to try to use, it could cause problems in getting him to take just my nipple in the future, and I just don't want to have to use it forever. So the sooner we can get off of it, the better. So the tries we had with the lactation consultant today were still not perfect, but definitely the best we've ever had. We did manage to get a full feeding without the shield, which is definitely a first. I think Eli and I both just need time and practice to get things right. He is eating SO WELL, though, with the shield, and I am so thankful that he is starting to gain weight. The doc doesn't need to see him again until his 1 month appointment, but I'll probably take him in next week to have him weighed and just make sure we're still on the right track.

Thank you SO MUCH, everybody, for all your prayers and encouragement. God is good and He is taking care of us through this time.

4 comments:

Jeannie said...

Praise God! Glad things are starting to level out for you all. Thanks for being so honest about your struggles. As an expectant momma, it helps to hear those things. Then in 3 months when I have the same issues I won't feel so alone! Keeping you in my prayers!

Jessica said...

You are doing awesome! I wonder at what age we stop celebrating weight gain?

Shelly said...

So glad to hear that things are going well!!

KarenD said...

I had been warned that breastfeeding was hard... learned behavior for both baby and momma. You would think it would be so natural, too. Good news is, Eli's mouth muscles will develop, and he will get more efficient with it. Everyone told me that it would get better, and it does, but sometimes that's not the most comforting statement at the here and now. It sounds like you have a firm resolve to make it work... just like poppng that baby out naturally when the odds seemed against you. Behold the power of prayer and how He truly is strong when we are weak!