Breastfeeding is STILL our biggest challenge. He continues to latch on inappropriately and I try to correct it each time but some times, such as in the middle of the night, I just give up. I know I need to keep trying to make sure he latches correctly, but it gets hard. His lower lip has a hard time flaring out like it should. We've also had a hard time with the frequency of feedings. He gained his weight back after just a week so we know he is gaining okay, but he is sleeping more. While this is good for us, the lactation consultants at the hospital say he should eat every 2-5 hours, with only one long 5 hour stint a day. But, if I let him, he would wait 6-7 hours between feedings at night. Right now, per the lactation consults, I have to wake him to get him to feed at 5 hours. He will feed, but it's just hard on me and he gets really tired. It's confusing because they say to feed on cue but also to not let them go more than 5 hours between feedings, and prefer 2-3 hours. We are struggling with this and will weigh him on Monday at the breastfeeding group to make sure he is gaining okay. Some say we are just lucky and he just sleeps longer than most and with his vigorous eating, he gets what he needs with the feedings he cues for. Who knew breastfeeding is so complicated!!! Any and all advice is certainly welcome!!
Overall he is a pretty calm baby. When awake (after about every other feeding or so), he likes to take tours of the house, go outside on the deck, bounce with mommy or daddy on the exercise ball, swing in his swing, sit in his vibrate chair, or lay on his changing table and just be played with. Now this doesn't mean he's quiet and calm during this time, but that it can take all of the above techniques to get him that way! He is quite the grunter and groaner which is really funny.
Oh yes, and the big news is that he lost his umbilical cord this morning, weehee!!
Sweet baby Eli
Not for long!!
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2 comments:
I don't know that I can give any advice that would be different from what your lactation consultant would tell you. But, they told me to pump for a couple minutes before nursing when I was having troubles with latching. Does he seem frantic to eat after sleeping for so long? If Georgia sleeps for 4 hours or more she gets anxious to eat and doesn't relax enough to latch on right. Also, do you use a boppy pillow? We have an easier time nursing when she's resting on the bobby than when I use a regular pillow or just hold her. Good luck. I know it's frustrating but it gets better and worth the hard work in the long run. I must say I'm jealous of your 5-6 hours of sleep between feedings. I'm lucky if I get that much total in a night.
What a handsome boy! I love the videos, like I always say ~ keep them coming :)
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