Tomorrow is 3 months. Three months seems like a silly thing, yet I can't believe I am here, typing those words and giving an update on bebe A. He is getting big, and we go to the doc for his 3 month check-up Thursday, so I'll get the weight stats then. I can tell he is growing because he now kicks the arm rest of the glider when he nurses.
Speaking of nursing, about 2 weeks ago, he started rejecting the right breast. I didn't think much of it, especially because he'll take it when he is half asleep, so I am sure it's not bad milk, mastitis, or the like. Well, last week, he started rejecting both breasts. or at least fighting to drink. His latch, which used to be herculean, is now wimpy. This all happened after I had a couple of work days where DH was in charge from morning until night because I was stuck at school with finals and grading sessions. So, I concluded that A must realize that the bottle is way cooler than the nipple. Lactation consultants told me to stop all bottle and binky use and exclusively breastfeed him. Well, that was an utter (or shall I say udder) fail. I'm not going to let my baby starve, and the truth is that I'd rather go with his needs rather than my own desire to have him nurse directly from me. So I nurse him until he gets antsy, then offer him expressed milk. This has made things oh so much harder because now I am nursing and pumping at each feeding (except the sleepy feeds when he doesn't know any better). I'd like to say that nursing directly from me is what I think is best, but once school starts back up, he'll be hitting the bottle again anyway, so why make things difficult for him in the short term.
Anyone have this issue before? I can't imagine that A is trying to wean himself from me, but who knows. I am a rookie at this---I plan to ask the doc about this Thursday. I read that it might be teething that causes this, or maybe an ear infection. I don't see any signs of the latter, but the teething--I have never seen so much drool before in my life. And his little fingers are prodding and poking at his lower gums. Hmm....
I'll post again soon with pictures and stats. Have a happy Sunday.
8 comments:
Happy 3 months!! Good luck with the appointment and I hope the nursing strike is temporary. You know my story so I'm not much help in the nursing category. However I did the nursing and pumping thing for a few weeks and it was brutal. And I did it while staying at home. So huge hugs to you for nursing and pumping and working because that leaves so little time for sleeping and eating and those other things I used to believe were necessary to function as a human but I guess since becoming a mom I've learned they aren't. Just huge, huge hugs to you and so many nursing vibes headed A's way so he hits the boob more than the bottle!! Can't wait to see pictures!!
I got nothing on the boob rejecting, hope he stops. can't wait to see photos!
I know that babies have to work harder at the boob than at the bottle. So by having had the bottle, he might have gotten lazier, so to speak, and not want to work as hard anymore, knowing he can get expressed milk from a bottle instead. And in that case, the lactation consultants are spot on... no bottles until he's back on the boob regularly and exclusively.
Just my two cents; I know my sister had a bit of trouble with this and stopped bottles for a bit til her little one got sorted out. And it worked out just fine. :) Wishing you lots of luck. Let us know how it goes!
my daughter does this too if she gets alot of bottles. It is so much easier to get milk from a bottle than a person. He's going for path of least resistance. One thing to think about if you want to continue BFing. Expressing milk doesn't get out as much and often your supply will go down. nb
Ugh - nursing and pumping about threw me over the edge. I'm impressed with anyone that can make it work.
Happy 3 months... hope things are getting better all around. I won't say easier - because I don't think it gets "easier," but it has (for me, at least) gotten better.
Good luck with the BFing issue- my boys refuse both boobs- so I really do not have any advice! Happy 3 months! I hope you had a very merry Christmas.
I've got nothing on breast feeding, lol! But I must say that your baby is absolutely ADORABLE! Congratulations, I'm sure he was well worth the wait!
Hi. I just found your blog from another blog I read, and I'm thinking you might have been on WebMD at some point?? I'm Emily (booklvr on WebMD) and I just wanted to say congrats on your beautiful little boy! I read some of your story and I have to mention that your L&D was eerily similar to mine. And your son, well his stomach issues sound just like my son's! Small world! Anyway, my son was born 9/1/10 and his nickname is also Little A. Love it! Good luck with the continued breastfeeding and the stomach issues do get better, although we went to zantac for about 8 weeks and then he was fine around 4 months! Sounds like you are loving being a mom! Congrats again!
Post a Comment