Sunday, January 28, 2007
Frustrations
We've been going into the doctor's every 2 weeks since she was born just because of her slow weight gain, and this last time (Wednesday) she only gained 4 oz in 2 weeks. So, the doctor has me pumping extra and offering her that after nursing, which even after a 40-minute nursing session, she'll gulp 3.5 oz like an African refugee baby! Of course, he initially wanted me to do formula, but I told him I'd rather pump, which he said was actually preferable to him too (so why didn't he recommend it in the first place?!?). He thinks that's why she's crying, because she's still hungry. I don't get it though, because she nurses all the time!!!!! Seriously, some days she nurses for 30 minutes, sleeps for 30 minutes (as I hold her), nurses 30, sleeps 30 -- all day long! I can't understand why she's not getting enough. The doctor said maybe it's that she is just a really inefficient nurser and doesn't get that hindmilk after the initial let down. I don't know what it is, but it's stressing me out big time! Zack stayed home from work Friday so that I could pump after each of her feedings, and he could help take care of her. He's so great -- I can't imagine doing this without him. Single girls really make it hard on themselves! There's a reason God says marriage first. Anyway, even after her feedings I can still get an ounce and half or so, which makes me wonder why she isn't emptying that out... AHHHHH!!! I'm so confused. I had NO IDEA breastfeeding could be so horribly hard. I really want it to work out, and for us to get it figured out so that I don't have to pump all the time, but can just nurse, but I'll do whatever I have to.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Chicken Legs
Sara has definitely gained some weight! Check out these pictures of her little legs. The first is from 3 weeks, and the second is from today, at 8 weeks.
Friday, January 12, 2007
The Good and the Bad
Because Sara has been slow to gain weight, we had to go in Wednesday for a weight check. The news was good and bad.
The good news is, she gained weight like a champ (even more than average)! She weighed 5lb 13.5oz last time, and that was 13 days before, so she needed to gain between 6.5 oz (1/2 oz/day) and 13 oz (1 oz/day). She actually gained more than an ounce per day -- 15 oz total! Ha :-) I'm so glad we didn't go ahead with the formula supplementation like he wanted us to. So, she's almost 7 lbs now (funny to think she's still smaller than I expected her to be at birth!!), and she also grew 1.5 inches.
The bad news is that I noticed a bulge in her groin area a couple of weeks ago, a soft bump that sticks out when she cries. When she's lying still, you can't see it. Anyway, I asked him about it, and he said it was an inguinal hernia and will require surgery. :-( I can't stand the thought of her getting put under and cut on, but if we don't do it, her intestines could get caught in the hole and "die" from lack of blood flow. She also has an umbilical hernia, which we already knew, and doesn't require surgery, but he said that they would probably fix it while they were there anyway, even though it would heal on its own in a year or so. It's not an emergency he said, I just have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't show signs of strangulation (when the intestines get caught). He gave me the name of a surgeon in the area who does these, so I'm going to go ahead and take her for an initial visit, even if we put off surgery for a few months (the pediatrician said it probably wouldn't be necessary before 6 months, and maybe even later). Poor baby Sara!! At least it's fixable though (not a tumor or something like I feared!), and surprisingly common (about 1 in 20 babies have them). And it doesn't hurt her as far as I can tell, so that's good. I'm just not looking forward to the recovery!
The good news is, she gained weight like a champ (even more than average)! She weighed 5lb 13.5oz last time, and that was 13 days before, so she needed to gain between 6.5 oz (1/2 oz/day) and 13 oz (1 oz/day). She actually gained more than an ounce per day -- 15 oz total! Ha :-) I'm so glad we didn't go ahead with the formula supplementation like he wanted us to. So, she's almost 7 lbs now (funny to think she's still smaller than I expected her to be at birth!!), and she also grew 1.5 inches.
The bad news is that I noticed a bulge in her groin area a couple of weeks ago, a soft bump that sticks out when she cries. When she's lying still, you can't see it. Anyway, I asked him about it, and he said it was an inguinal hernia and will require surgery. :-( I can't stand the thought of her getting put under and cut on, but if we don't do it, her intestines could get caught in the hole and "die" from lack of blood flow. She also has an umbilical hernia, which we already knew, and doesn't require surgery, but he said that they would probably fix it while they were there anyway, even though it would heal on its own in a year or so. It's not an emergency he said, I just have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't show signs of strangulation (when the intestines get caught). He gave me the name of a surgeon in the area who does these, so I'm going to go ahead and take her for an initial visit, even if we put off surgery for a few months (the pediatrician said it probably wouldn't be necessary before 6 months, and maybe even later). Poor baby Sara!! At least it's fixable though (not a tumor or something like I feared!), and surprisingly common (about 1 in 20 babies have them). And it doesn't hurt her as far as I can tell, so that's good. I'm just not looking forward to the recovery!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Reflections
Sara is 6 weeks old today! In some ways, it's hard to believe it's been that long, and in some ways, it feels like twice as long. I certainly was unprepared for how difficult it would be! To be perfectly honest, the first 2 weeks were probably the toughest thing I've ever gone through, and there are still difficult days now and then. But it gets better and funner every day as Sara grows and becomes more like a baby. She's recently started making baby noises, the precursors to "baby talk." Her favorite place to lie and play is her changing table in the bathroom (why, I do not know -- maybe the fluorescent lights are warm??), and she'll lie there and look around, cooing at the lights and the mirror for a long time.
Another thing lately is that I've actually been able to put her down for naps. For the first few weeks I was having to hold her constantly, whether she was awake or asleep. However, Mom helped me figure out that if I'll put her on her belly (I know, the doctors say not to!), I can put her down when she's getting sleepy, and she'll sleep there for hours! This means I've actually gotten to cook dinner and do the dishes.
It's so amazing to watch her change and grow! This morning, she was giving me all kinds of smiles (and of course I got lots of pictures!). I'm looking forward to the next few months as her personality comes out more and more, and I get to know her better. I'm so grateful that the Lord enabled our family to let me stay home with her. I couldn't imagine passing her off to someone else every day.
Another thing lately is that I've actually been able to put her down for naps. For the first few weeks I was having to hold her constantly, whether she was awake or asleep. However, Mom helped me figure out that if I'll put her on her belly (I know, the doctors say not to!), I can put her down when she's getting sleepy, and she'll sleep there for hours! This means I've actually gotten to cook dinner and do the dishes.
It's so amazing to watch her change and grow! This morning, she was giving me all kinds of smiles (and of course I got lots of pictures!). I'm looking forward to the next few months as her personality comes out more and more, and I get to know her better. I'm so grateful that the Lord enabled our family to let me stay home with her. I couldn't imagine passing her off to someone else every day.
