How is everything going: So-so. I keep worrying that LO isn't eating enough. He was down 10 oz from birth weight at his doctor appointment yesterday. We're going in for a weight check on Wedsnesday to see how he's doing. He's a remarkably sleepy baby and only wakes up every 3-4 hours to eat. I've tried waking him, but he's very difficult to rouse. His pediatrician wants him to eat every 1-2 hours and I haven't managed to coax that much out of him. He's still pooping and peeing as much as expected. And tips/advice would be appreciated.
This is is my first experience breastfeeding and it's been more challenging than expected ,but for the wrong reasons. I didn't think I would have to try to wake my baby up to eat. I have only mild soreness and I think a decent supply. LO just doesn't appreciate it.
I remember that so well. My little guy would not wake up to eat either. It was awful, all that worry. First try not to worry - easier said than done! But I feel like I wasted those first 2 weeks being so worried. Try everything AmyG mentioned. I also stripped him naked (usually that didn't matter either, even in February!)
Eventually he just started waking up more. He really turned a corner around 10 days. Hang in there!
@amyg you hit the nail on the head. The painful engorgement has subsided and now DS wants to nurse sometimes when my boobs feel empty. I've worried about supply and it's been really helpful to read what you've written to other moms about boobs being factories.
ravinraven216, it's pretty normal to have to try to wake a newborn. You'd think they'd want to eat, but apparently being a new person is hard! With my son, I'd have to take off his clothes, rub his neck, blow on his face, tickle his feet, even put a cool wash cloth on the back of his neck. Keep at it every 2 hours and you should see him gain that weight back.
ravinraven216 I echo what everyone else has said about waking baby. My DD was so sleepy those first weeks that we even put a bag of frozen peas on the bottoms of her feet to wake her & keep her awake. I felt like such an awful mom! But I knew how important it was for both of us that she eat. DH would often continue rubbing her belly & feet while I focused on the latch and massaging my breast. It was a family affair, but I think it helped us all bond!
@amyg, sorry, I was waiting for next weeks checkin to update
We went back in on Thursday (and the home nurse came that day too) LO is back up to birth weight according to the LC (above it according to the home nurse.)
I am still pumping to supplement, but now we are trying with a syringe while he's on the nipple. They were going to let me stop supplementing, but his weighted feeds are still really low. This time he took in less than 1.5 oz during the feed. They checked his suck & latch and both are still excellent. He has lots of good swallows during the feeding too. They are kind of at a loss as to why he isn't getting more milk from the breast. They also suggested I take Fenugreek. I go back Wednesday for a revisit.
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