Well, Hayes made it home on our Subaru sleigh. I had to park it in a snow bank because we only have reverse commute indoor parking. After lugging all the hospital stuff and… that baby… uh… Hayes, I think that’s his name, up the stairs, we’ve settled in. Hayes is happy.
Feeding is still tough. Hayes has been regularly downing 4oz per, which means that each feeding takes about two hours through our finger and syringe feeding method. Our nurse was flabergasted. She said that she had never, in all her years, seen a baby that young eat that much. After consulting with some other nurses, she told us that he is probably going through his first growth sput early. It was hard enough trying to wait for the milk to come in when Hayes only needed 1.5oz. This, and he, continues to suck.
We really appreciate all the support from you guys and the mommy and daddy blog community as we go through the difficult time awaiting the breast milk. Our lactation consultant, one of two with whom we have spoken, assures us that it will come in, and that the delay is likely because of the Pitocin(tm). Though, we are now on day five and… nothing. We’re giving it until six days until we make a decision — to breast or not to breast, that is the question. We’ve already been through so much with the waiting… we can only take so much more.
June and Geoff says:
January 27th, 2005 at 7:11 pm
Having been through a bit of breast-feeding hell myself, let me say that it can make you crazy! Especially at this most vulnerable time right after your baby’s birth. I encourage you to keep trying as long as you feel good about it, but don’t despair if you must go to a bottle. What the experts don’t tell you before the baby comes, is that breastfeeding is easy for some, but very difficult for others. Put your sanity first and you’ll end up making the decision that is right for your family.
Lauren Goldberg says:
January 27th, 2005 at 9:01 pm
I’m so glad you are all home. I’m sure you’ve already found yourselves more relaxed without people coming in and out all the time. Poor Jennifer and Hayes! I’m betting the milk comes in strong in the next couple of days. I love the nurse’s comment that he’s having his first growth spurt. You know, it makes sense if you think about his age in terms of his due date. Jonah’s first growth spurt happened when he was almost three weeks old. If Hayes had come on his due date, he’d be about the same age…just a thought. In the meantime, give him whatever makes him calm and happy and do not worry about the source of his satisfaction. Have a wonderful first night at home.
Lauren and Larry
David says:
January 27th, 2005 at 10:13 pm
Lacation consultants are worth the money - and their weight in gold or even breast milk. Our oldest - who was also induced - took a few days to learn to latch correctly and we also had some problems early on with one of our daughters. Both times it was a good lactation consultant who helped us work it all through.
Be patient and enjoy your new life. It only gets better from here….
melissa says:
January 28th, 2005 at 3:29 am
Hi, congratulations on your new baby! I’ve just been skimming thru your posts for a few days now, but this time I felt the need to comment. I have 2 boys, the youngest is now 5 months old. I really wanted to breasfeed all the way, and I emphatize with jen’s predicament. Pardon me for those with ‘delicate’ sensibilities, but after I gave birth to my first son, I was so filled with milk it was hurting like crazy. I was going crazy. And the baby didn’t have a strong suck reflex, so he wasn’t getting enough milk, and I was having fever because of the swelling mammaries. I almost marched to the nursery and volunteered as a wet nurse just to have some relief. Fortunately, around the 7th day (imagine!), milk and baby seemed to achieve connection. I was able to breastfeed for 3 whole months and then i had to go back to work. It helps to just have the baby suck for as long as you can, and as long as he will tolerate it. If he cries and is not getting enough, then bottle it is. I hope jen will get to nurse Hayes, and you three will share in that special bonding. Good luck.