2 week old only gained 35g in 12 days - so stressed

[Taurean]

Just another quick update....

Although i've been in a lot of pain with thrush and staph in my breasts, it looks like all my hard work has paid off. Isobel was weighed on Friday and she had gained 280gm in a week!!!! We are so thrilled!

We plan on continuing with our current routin for another week when we need to take the hired breast pump back then I will see how Izzy goes without the EBM top ups after every feed. I will slowly drop the EBM bottles this week so hopefully she'll learn to take more from the breast and not just expect the top up, IYKWIM.

Cross your fingers for us. I desperately want to continue breastfeeding. Let's hope little Izzy has now got the strength she needs to live off her mummy's boobs

[Janine1511]

Woohoo Taurean! That's awesome hun, well done

[Janie]

It's sounding fantastic hun, good for you! Have faith in your body and your baby that they can do this together! Feel positive that you can start slowly dropping the comp feeds NOW . You could try doing it one at a time, or reduce the amount in each comp feed until she has none.

I will warn you that the next few days or week may feel a little hairy , you may feel unsure at times if she has had 'enough', and want to give her a comp (when you were planning not to). But if she has had a good feed at the breast, and she isn't too distressed, then give her a big cuddle, or pop her in the sling. If she seems to be looking for more say, 20 minutes later, then pop her back on the breast. Once your DD, and your breasts, realise that this is how it's going to be happening from now, things will settle down and become easier. A good way of getting around this (potentially tricky) time is to spend as much time in bed with your DD as possible, just laying around and feeding her LOTS. It will seem less stressful this way .

Of course, it may all go so well and seem easy, and I really hope that's the case for you. But if not, try not to stress, just hang on in there and know that things will get better soon - you can do this!!! You've done a wonderful job so far .

[MantaRay]

Well done Taurean. That sounds like things are going much better.

[Taurean]

Thanks girls! I think we are getting somewhere. I will keep thinking positive (boy that is hard at times!) and hopefully our breastfeeding journey will only get better and better.

Janie - you have so much wonderful advice! Thank you so much. I only decided today that Izzy and I are having a much needed bonding/pj day so that is the plan for tomorrow. I've made no plans with anyone and will knock back any invites or visitors. We are just going to spend some quality time together in bed.

I hope my little journey is inspirational for other new mums experiencing feeding and weight issues. There has been a lot of good advice from all the girls too.

[Gigi]

Yes, "establishing" bresatfeeding when you feel you have to get certain things done/ready, for visitors - and inconsistent advice from hosp/ childnurse, can really get in the way of what you REALLY need, which is plenty of alone time with your baby. Most of my visitors didn't understand/respect breastfeeding, saw it more of an interruption of their visit.

having a wet flannel handy to rouse your bub, changing nappy halfway thru the feed, another thing we used, was to tickle the underside of baby's chin/neck, to rouse her to drink more.

i'm so glad things are going in the right direction for you, bf-ing didn't come easy to us either, but i'm very glad i persevered, many times it would have been easy to give up.

i hope you have the aba number on your fridge.
1800 686 2 686

congrats, you're doing a terrific job.

[Gigi]

how are you going Taurean?

have you gotten your bonding time?
has the staph/thrush healed up now?

how are you feeling?

hoping it's goign well for you and your lovely Isobel.

i believe your thread WILL inspire other mums going thru the same/similar thing to you. so many mums get the wind put up them, after a CYH nurse does the weighing and gets out the charts.