I took Gray by the doctor for another weight check-in. His feeding habits had changed, and he had started to sleep 5-6 hours a night. This meant that he was making it through the night without a feed until about 5 or 6 in the morning. He also seemed to be feeding differently through the day as well. He came in at 7 lb 6 oz, and he was basically gaining an oz a day. That is a good average weight gain according to the nurse so I must be doing something right as far as breastfeeding, or at least, I thought I was doing something right. Later that day, he had bright green stringy poo (I know TMI), and I found out that this meant he had had an imbalance of foremilk (thirst-quenching low-fat milk at the beginning of feeds). Since it is high in lactose, it makes the poo change. Apparently, it was just one time because he hasn't had the weird poo again since last Monday.
Speaking of, breastfeeding has been an interesting experience thus far. I know it has been said before, but I really never thought something that our body does by nature could be so hard. It has been a bit of a struggle on and off the last 7 weeks. It is hard to not worry that he is getting enough despite knowing that things are well-established at this point. I am not sure what I thought the process would make me feel like. I want to say it is an awesome bonding experience with my son. It is in a way, but at the same point, I will feel a little bit on the happy side when it stops. I am really proud that I have made it this far because it was an extreme struggle with pain and crying thanks to sore nipples and bad latch. Based on the research, I know I made a good decision for my child. However, I can't lie and say that I haven't second guessed it or questioned switching to formula. Usually, these thoughts come at 2 or 3 in the morning when Gray is being a bit of a pita during feeding mind you. I am sure someone will shot me for saying this, but my biggest issue with the whole process is time. It takes at least 30 minutes at least to feed him, but a normal average is more like 50 minutes to an hour. This includes burping and him taking breaks during the process. Then we have to have him in a upright or inclined position for 20 minutes or so to attempt to curve spitting up. After that, we might get lucky if he is awake enough to get a little bit of playtime, or he takes a bit of a nap. Then, before you know it, it time to start all over. I swear there are days when he is feeding every hour on the hour. Along with the pumping, it does make me have the feeling of a milk cow. I also have difficulty with oversupply according to the LC at the pediatrician's office, and it doesn't seem to want to fix it self. I sometimes have to pump in between feeds to keep from having sore breast, and then there is all the freaking leaking. I don't know which causes me to change clothes more per day, Gray's spitting up on me or my breast becoming Niagara Falls. I have to keep towels handy when I am feeding him to keep from making a mess on the couch. Oddly enough, my breast leaked as I was writing this. I have tried several suggestions to help the oversupply problem, but much like Gray's spit-up problem, nothing seems to completely correct the issue. Sadly, I am starting to think that the oversupply is probably the culprit of the major spitting up since he doesn't spit-up with the same volume when he takes a bottle unless it is straight from the frig.
I know someone's response to this might be to give it up. Well, you have your son's adorable eyes with a glint of mischief in them look up at you, and it will definitely change your mind. Even with just 7 weeks, I can tell there is bond that has developed between us, and for every difficult time, there is a time with connection that I don't get with the short bottle feed. I know I sound like I swallowed the Kool-aid of pro-breastfeeding browbeaters, but this part is definitely true for me. I am not saying that people who formula feed are doing something bad for their kids and don't bond with them. Theirs is just done differently. Once again, their decision is the best for their kiddo, and my decision is the best for my kiddo.
I am still not sure how this will all pan out once I go back to school. I get a bit of a creepy feeling about the fact that in 2 weeks from now I will have to pump in my classroom, and I am not sure how to get over it other than just gritting my teeth and baring it. Thanks to my oversupply, I have managed to get a fairly good supply frozen so far, and I will most likely have to pump 3-4 times while at school (once before, twice during school, and possible after school if I am doing tutoring). I will feed from the breast while at home and only pump when I really need it. I am hoping this plan along with picking up some herbal supplements helps to keep my supply up. I want to make it at least until we start solids, but that won't be until late December. 4 months is a long time from now. I would prefer the year, but that might be a cross your fingers kind of event.
Gray's major milestones of the week were that he rolled over along with smiling with stimulation. We also discovered he is very interested in having you blow in his face. He seems to attempt to return the favor, but all he gets is sticking his tongue out or blowing bubbles. The smiling is right on course, but the rolling over is a month and a half early. I was the only one who saw it, and he hasn't done it again since. The roll over was from his tummy to back, and Brett doesn't believe it was intentional. Of course, I haven't been able to get a repeat performance since he hates tummy time. When we started out, he was very happy doing tummy time, and now it is like murder to get him to stay longer than a minute or two. I think it is because he gets frustrated that he can't move or crawl yet. Yeah, I know-high thoughts for a baby huh? After some research, I discovered the movements he does on the floor are pre-crawling movements and show he has excellent reflexes. Yah for great reflexes since Brett and I weren't exactly blessed with them ourselves, but it does have me worried about the near future. I am worried about an early crawler, and I think we are looking at a very active toddler for the future. I guess I should be research sports and activities to help with that. Of course, this could spell weight lose and healthier activity for Brett and I both, which would be a good side effect, but I can just envision the wreck my house will be in. Of course, this might all be useless worry if I don't get him to like tummy time.
I had my doctor's check-up this week, and I got the all clear to everything. It was so nice to finally take a bath again for the first time in 7 weeks. Almost as good as that first post-birth shower. It also means I can start an exercise plan as well. I have lost most of the baby weight, but the last 10 pounds are being stubborn to come off. While my pre-pregnancy pants fit again, they give me a horrible muffin top so I will be in maternity pants for the first couple of weeks of school. I also need to still take off quite a few pounds as well. Won't mention how much yet since I am a bit embarrassed by it!
This week chair pictures had two guest and a new prop. I guess that makes up for the fact that Gray slept through them the whole time. Here are my favorites.
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| Daddy and son together |
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| My three boys |
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| Trying out Daddy's hat |
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| Gray hanging on his blanket from C and A. This was the first quilt A made, and it turned out awesome. |
