I'm a few days late, but I guess it's better late than never! ;) I cannot believe that Avery is over 2 weeks old already. (Two weeks on Monday November 8th) She is growing and changing every day. Last Friday we went to the pediatrician for her two week check up and here are the stats:
Length: 19 3/4 in. (she was 19in long at birth)
Weight: 7 lbs 2 oz (still under her birth weight which was 7 lbs 4 oz)
I don't think I wrote about her jaundice issues. While we were in the hospital she had very low bilirubin levels (which is great) and there was not a concern for jaundice. We left the hospital on Wednesday and her bili count was 11.1. That Friday we went to the pediatrician for her first check up and the doctor sent us to the hospital to test her bili levels because she was looking a little yellow. Well, her levels had jumped up to 17.5- when they reach 20 they send you back to the hospital so she can sit under the lights in hopes of lowering the bili levels. Anyways, that was Friday. The doctor called us Friday afternoon with the results and told us she wanted us to go back Saturday morning to check the levels again. Praise the Lord her bili level dropped to 16-- we were headed in the right direction! Monday, November 1, we were back at the pediatrician for another weight check (she had dropped to 6 lbs 6 oz) and jaundice check. The doctor said Avery looked a lot better, but just to be sure she sent us back to the hospital for another lab check and thankfully the levels had dropped to 13. Chris and I were absolutely thrilled that Avery didn't end up back in the hospital due to jaundice. I would not have handled that very well... it was stressful just thinking that it was a possibility.
Moving on. I would say that the most difficult, frustrating and PAINFUL part of these past 9.5 months has been breastfeeding. All of my friends make it look so easy, but I'm here to tell you it is NOT easy. Trying to achieve the perfect latch is difficult and when baby doesn't latch on correctly it causes a lot of soreness for mommy. This might be a little TMI, but when my milk came in, Avery decided she only wanted to nurse off one breast at each feeding. That means I'm having to pump the other side at each feeding. This has been quite the challenge now that it's just me and Avery at home. I'm trying to keep her awake while pumping. Not only that, but I believe that just over the last few days mommy and Avery have aquired THRUSH. I cannot even begin to explain just how painful that is! I'm hoping that once we get that cleared up that nursing will come easier for both of us. All of that to say, I went to see the lactation consultant on Monday and she weighed Avery when we first got there. Avery is finally above her birth weight!! She weighed 7 lbs 9.2 oz. This really boosted my confidence and I know that even though Avery is only feeding off one side for maybe 15 mintues, that she is actually getting enough milk.
We go back to the pediatrician on Friday for another weight check then hopefully no more doctor visits until Avery is two months old!!
7 comments:
Breastfeeding is SOOOO hard... I had a terrible time at first!! Don't let it frustrate you :) you're doing great! One of the most stressful things (other than the PAIN) is not knowing how much they actually eat and worrying over that - but now that she is gaining weight, try no to worry about it... she will eat when shes hungry :) the first month or so is really hard, but it gets way easy after that - just wanted to encourage you a little!! I definitely experienced the same surprise over how hard and painful it was!!
awww Abby! Hang in there - it WILL get easier. McKenzie decided the same thing about nursing off one side but I always offered the other to her and eventually she wanted both. I know you are sore. You can do it!
Oh, so glad the jaundice issues are better!! No, breast feeding is NOT easy! Hang in there-thankfully, it is just a season! She's a beautiful baby girl!!
Ohhh yes no one tells you EVER, probably out of fear of scaring you, but having a newborn and then breastfeedingis truely hardest thing ever if you can just make it to like 4 weeks...ahhhh its breeze. Hadley did great at that point...its also age too.
The first picture really cracks me up..haha! Abby, she's beautiful! You definitely don't have it easy and have lots to overcome-hang in there. Adalynn is moderately tongue tied, but we got through it eventually. Love you girl!
Starting breastfeeding is hard, but once you and Avery hit your groove, it's SO easy. Just remember, it will not be this tough forever. One of these days, you'll be able to nurse her without even paying attention to what you're doing.
Abby, I remember those first few weeks!! They seemed neverending. It gets SO SO SO much better. I am so anxious to nurse again b/c of how much I loved it. That time when the latching is hard is such a short time. It will get better soon. Just work hard on that latch and don't let her nurse the wrong way...pull her off everytime that she nurses wrong. I used that lansinoh (spelling?) cream after every nursing and it really helped. I've never heard of a baby only wanting to nurse on one side...hmm...so I'm not sure what to tell you to do for that!! I promise it gets better!! Keep it up! Nursing is the biggest blessing for that sweet girl and you!
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