From the Mouths of Professionals. 2-7-12

Odd things I heard in the hospital from nurses and other health professionals:

·         We’re all trained in lactation.

This was from the nursing staff. I had asked to speak with a lactation specialist, and this was the response I received. I asked multiple times for a lactation specialist, but I didn’t get to speak with one until I laid down the law with the pediatric nurse practitioner on consult. After a week, the lactation specialist was quite upset. Folks sometimes overstep their boundaries—just like when they say that the physician assistant at work is doing genetic counseling. I feel the lactation specialist’s pain. We lost critical time.

·         You don’t need to burp a breast feeding baby.

This was said by the nurse who was trained in lactation. Everyone thought this was crazy. Unfortunately, now that Boop is not feeling well, she’s swallowing a good bit of air. I suspect her latch isn’t good.

·         That clicking sound is a good sign.

I’m still not sure about this one. The lactation specialist said the clicking sound when nursing is a sign of a poor suck. I have noticed that Boop has been a fair bit more gassy since she’s been clicking while nursing. I suspect it’s due to the cold.

·         You should only nurse for 20 min. at a time.

I think this came from the first pediatrician or the pediatric nurse practitioner. This was followed by an explanation that any sucking after this point would cause Boop to expend more energy than she is taking in. The problem with this is that babies will suck on pacifiers and fingers with no energy return. I read in the Nursing Mother’s Companion that some babies nurse for 45 min., and the lactation specialist advised nursing until she was ready to stop.

·         Your baby is just using you as a pacifier.

This is along the lines of the previous bullet point. Boop does fall asleep at the breast a lot, and nursing does calm her when she’s crying. There are alternate explanations, though. First, Boop is hungry. Second, she is in ‘milk coma.’ Breast milk often makes babies sleepy.

·         I’ve never seen nipple confusion.

Multiple groups do not recommend pacifiers in newborns, and at least one does not recommend a bottle in the first month. After Boop had a pacifier, she did not nurse for 8 hours!

Building Up. 2-6-12

I’m trying to build myself back up. This sinus infection has been rough on my energy level, and I haven’t been doing well with nursing. It’s been rather haphazard. I missed a few days of pumping and just started pumping a bit this afternoon. It was easy enough to eat my milkmakers cookie; so that didn’t falter. I’m also trying to get going on herbal tea to improve my milk supply. A few days ago, I called the local grocery to see if they had the same tea that my friend, M, sent me. They confirmed that they did. So, I had my mom make a run over there, and she couldn’t find it. The one she got is a bit strong on the anise flavoring, and I’m not a big fan of licorice. But I have to admit, the warm liquid feels good on my throat.

I’m definitely feeling better than yesterday and the day before, thank goodness. Aside from supplements, another element to improve nursing is to be able to keep Boop awake and interested in feeding, which is a bit easier since the jaundice is gone. However, the bottle with formula makes it a bit too quick and easy for her to get formula; so it’s harder for her to stay the course with nursing. B, my friend at work who just had a baby, has let me borrow her Nursing Mother’s Companion book, which has been helpful. I was reading something that was interesting—that inadequate removal of the placenta can cause symptoms like infection and delay milk production. Maybe I’ll mention it to the lactation specialist this week when I visit to get her opinion. Otherwise, we’ll just keep plugging along.

Boop snugggling up to my hand

3 Musketeers: Boop, Grandma, and Winnie. Looks like trouble when Boop can walk!

The Cavalry. 2-5-12

Yesterday evening found me at the Urgent Care. After nearly a week of fighting this cold, I had enough. The doctor called in a prescription for antibiotics to the pharmacy, which was closed. Thankfully, I was able to arrange for it to be transferred to a different pharmacy, where the pharmacist was anxious to close from being ill himself.

I’m not sure whether the cold is easing, the antibiotics are kicking in, or I got some decent rest, but I’m starting to feel a little better. Boop is resting in her portable crib for the first time in a while. It was such a relief to have Mom here this weekend. I definitely would have needed someone here to help me if she didn’t come. Cramming tissue up my nose to plug it from running incessantly only got me so far! It was nice to be treated to fried pork tenderloin for a change. I wish I could have tasted it a bit better. And Mom also served valiantly on bottle washing duty and bottle feedings. I was able to make a trip to get my hair cut. <This was my first time seeing this beautician, and I must have looked a fright with my white surgical mask on.> Mom also managed a trip to the dog park with Winnie.

Boop napping in Grandma's arms

A view of Boop's Lungs!

Hopefully, Mom won’t get this cold, but I know she loves spending time with her Sweet Pea—who she refuses to call Boop. We both agree that she’s probably the best thing since sliced bread—too cute to beer? I admit that I keep looking at my little Boop and find it hard to believe that she’s mine; although I remember her little blue feet across from me on the exam table and see her little hands are a miniaturized clone of mine. Maybe it will be a bit easier to believe as she chunks up and her porcelain skin starts to brown a bit.

Cold. 2-3-12

Last night felt like a longer night. Not sure if Boop was more agitated or if I just had less energy. Admittedly, I’m running a little low on sleep. If I’m up puttering around the house, Winnie and Boop sleep or entertain themselves, but if I’m resting, they need my attention. They must be in cahoots to keep me awake.

I suspect I caught my cold from Boop. When I put her up to my shoulder, she’s started sucking on my cheek. While I’d like to believe she’s giving kisses, I know she’s really looking for food. She was sneezing a lot at the hospital before we left. They said the sneezing was to help to clear out amniotic fluid from the lungs, but after 2 weeks, I doubt that is still the case. I started developing a sore throat a couple of days ago, but now I have a cough, sneezing, and runny nose. I bet Boop is miserable if she has the same.

Boop Mid-Sneeze

I rarely look for the cavalry, but today, I could use someone to sweep in and let me get a little sleep. Mom is coming tonight; so that will be a big help. Hopefully, I’ll even be able to get a haircut tomorrow, which should make me feel better. If it’s a bit shorter, maybe it won’t be a Boop formula magnet.

Accomplishment. 2-2-12

Being able to take care of my Boop and my Winnie is empowering. I had 3 things to do today, and I was feeling a bit nervous about being able to manage them all. First, I was concerned that I might have an infection; so I made an appointment with the midwife. Second, the lactation specialist was concerned about the knot on Boop’s head; so the pediatrician’s office had suggested I make an appointment. Third, Winnie’s hair was getting everywhere, and after her last unfortunate grooming, I knew I needed to take her to her original groomer across town. I was hoping to do it on Saturday when I would have help, but the only day the groomer could do it was today. My goal was to drop Winnie off before the pediatrician and midwife and pick her up afterwards.

I was pretty drowsy at 5am, but I knew I had a lot to do to get Winnie to the groomer by 9am. Thank goodness, everything worked like clockwork. I was able to get myself showered and dressed and Boop, Winnie, and the diaper bag ready and in the car in one trip. Boop only complained a little, and Winnie was so excited about being in the car. The pediatrician and midwife gave us a clean bill of health, with Boop up to 8 lbs!! Before leaving the doctor, Boop got enough to eat, and I even managed a quick trip through the drive-through for a bit of lunch myself before picking up Winnie. The groomer was nice enough to bring Winnie to the car so I didn’t have to get the baby out. We got home in one piece, which is an accomplishment!

Time. 1-31-12

It just takes time, I remind myself. Everything takes more time than I thought. I did not expect the recovery from jaundice to take so long; I didn’t think I would have so much trouble nursing; I thought Boop had already passed her meconium, but I was surprised to see it several days later; I figured Boop would be growing and adding weight like gang-busters, but we’re fighting for every ounce. We’re still #26 on the wait list for the daycare I want.

And then there’s the time that it takes to get out of the house. I was trying to go meet with the lactation consultant at 1pm. Of course, that didn’t happen. I nursed Boop a bit so that she would have a little something in her stomach for the trip. She calmed right down, until we were ready to leave, and then, she let me know she was hungry. We had to stop for a bottle. At almost 1pm, I was trying to get out the door. Then, I saw 3 packages. I stopped to open them as I needed supplemental nursing system and the Milkmakers cookies for the lactation consultant visit. My milk production has increased a bit, but it wasn’t enough to keep Boop from screaming in hunger in traffic on the car ride home.

A gift from C. I can only aspire to Boop's coolness in the zapatos!

So far, I’ve been managing on my own, for the most part. People call and email me offering to help, for which I’m very grateful, but most times, I really don’t know what to say. I think of things I need as I’m doing them, but that doesn’t help much. Hopefully, as Boop’s times between feedings increase, our available time will increase, and I can think a bit ahead.

Taking Stock after Boop’s Week 2. 1-31-12

Here’s what’s happening at 2 weeks old:

• Boop’s bilirubin is starting to lower. The week in the hospital and follow-up were tough to manage, but it looks like we’re through the worst of it. Boop still has some pretty good horns, but the pediatrician said they would get worse before getting better. At the pediatrician, when we undressed her, Boop threw a fit, and the pediatrician was a bit concerned about Boop’s heart rate. She couldn’t get a count. Hopefully, this is just a fluke. Thankfully, Boop is getting a bit better about diaper changes, but I wonder if there is an underlying heart problem.

What a shiner! I wish it would go away.

• Winnie has stopped her crazy barking when the baby cries, thankfully. She wants to go outside as soon as Boop and I are settled into nursing. Overall, she seems to be managing, though.
• I’m transitioning back to more breast feeding. The lactation tea seemed to help increase my production, but I had a wee rash and a tickle in my throat. Maybe it’s a touch of a cold, rather than being an allergic reaction to the tea—maybe ragweed exposure. I might see if I can find an English one where they don’t have ragweed.
• As to me, my hair is beginning to fall out, which is a bummer. The stitches seem to be bothering me a bit less, and I can sit and rest a little easier. I’ve lost about half of my pregnancy weight, which means I have about 25 lbs <YIKES> to go. Brushing my teeth isn’t as nausea-provoking, and I’m starting to enjoy tea a bit more. I’m starting to get used to hair caked with formula.