It's making me nuts, this whole weight issue. Finn is 6 weeks old today and still not even 7 pounds. I haven't allowed myself to fall into the trap of weighing him several times a day, but I do weigh him religiously each morning, first thing, and write his weight down on a little calendar on the kitchen bulletin board. Since we started supplementing with bottles of breastmilk and using the SNS, he has been gaining, but at a snail's pace . . . ounce by ounce. It's like torture watching how slowly his weight is creeping up, and honestly for some reason it's just got me in tears tonight. Six weeks old and not even 7 pounds!! I am so stressed out about this. At this rate, will he even be 10 pounds by 6 months old?
I'm still struggling with the SNS even with the help I got from the LC last week. Finn tends to pull the tube out over and over because he's so fidgety with his hands while he nurses - it's frustrating. There seems to be a very small window of opportunity to get the tube into his mouth once he's latched on, and if I miss that window, it just doesn't work and I end up having to top him off with a bottle afterwards. I am going to see the LC again later this week and see if there is anything more I could/should be doing.
In the meantime I can't help but wonder if I'm cheating him by insisting on being such a purist with the breastmilk. Should I be fortifying the ebm with formula to boost up the calories? I just don't know.
Adieu
-
After more than two years and 555 posts (556 counting this one!), I'm
saying goodbye to Adventures in Motherhood. I'm ready for a change, and
I've started ...
13 years ago
7 comments:
Lisa, my last two took forever to gain weight...I had huge doubts about breastfeeding without supplementing with formula (I did for a short time and then just stopped). I kept comparing them to my other three who were breastfed and quite plump early on. The babies finally started gaining at about two months or so. I hope he starts gaining soon! Peace,
Julie (preg.org)
Does Finn mind being swaddled? What about swaddling those little hands out of the way while trying to use the SNS? Just a thought...
Alyson from PO
Are you using the DS growth charts? Seems like he is doing great, especially after starting life with a surgery...
My daughter was on higher calorie formula, with no medical issue and still struggled with weight...in retrospect, I shouldn't have wasted so much time worrying about it.
(((hugs))) You are doing a great job, giving Finn the best food on the planet.
Maybe Human Milk Fortifier would be an option for Finn. It comes in powder form but it is not formula. We use it in the NICU alot. Ask your LC about it. And as long as Finn is gaining, that is great!!- no matter how little each day, it is the trend that matters!
PS, I just love the picture of Finn and your daughter, the way he is looking at her is priceless!!
Megan (from PO)
First off, love the most recent photos! All the kids are gorgeous! I swaddled my second all the time. For some reason she wasn't as easy to nurse as my first. But once I figured out the swaddle it seemed to keep her arms under control. And my second had a hard time gaining weight. She was very jaundiced and the dr had begun insisting on fomrula for her to get extra calories. I said okay but never gave in. She eventually started to gain weight but not near as quickly as my first. It will all workout. I am a die hard believer that whether Finn is getting his milk from the breast or from the bottle with EBM in it that is the best for him.
I don't have any advice, but I did want you to know that I am thinking of you. I didn't know that there was a different growth chart for DS kiddos (as karly posted). I learn something new from you and this blog everyday.
Yes, like Karly said, there is a diff. chart for LOs with DS. My dr. office didnt have one, but the nurse printed one up from Google (or something) and mailed it to me. I can mail you a copy if you'd like?
Keep it up, Lisa! You are doing awesome!!
((Hugs))
Post a Comment