My lovely friend (and amazing jewelry artist) Nancy made these matching bracelets for Thea and I. She suggested that I could wear my bracelet to help me with breastfeeding - the bracelet could be moved from wrist to wrist to remind me which breast to start nursing on during Thea's next feeding. This thoughtful and beautiful gift has been especially helpful. Feeding Thea - or some aspect of breastfeeding - has been just about all I've been able to manage this week.
Monday, we met with Thea's pediatrician for her first appointment. She gave us the green light to stop supplementing with formula and to try exclusively breastfeeding. So we did. Tuesday afternoon, we met with a lactation consultant. She promptly informed me that the bright red areas and soreness on my breasts were NOT normal and that I was on the verge of mastitis, a breast infection. She walked us through the basics of positions, latch, and a feeding routine. I had been having difficulty getting Thea to latch on to my nipple while Thea was in the progressive care nursery, and the hospital's lactation consultant got us started using a nipple shield. The LC we met with on Tuesday suggested that we continue using the shield until Thea is a bit stronger and able to latch on and suck a little better - probably another two weeks. We'll then go back for a follow-up to work on the transition to bare breast.
Because I'm using the shield, and because of my crazy milk production and the inflammation, she advised me to pump after each feeding session. Halfway through pumping, I am to apply a warm compress and massage to help empty my breasts. We finished our consultation with a lesson on pumping. I had been doing it all wrong (using the wrong settings on the pump) AND the folks at the hospital had gotten me started using the wrong size attachments, which were not allowing me to completely empty my breasts, leading to the clogged ducts and inflammation. After Thea's feeding session (where she drank two ounces), I pumped another 5 ounces. And at one point I was worried about producing enough milk!
So, now we're following Thea's feeding cues, which means she generally wants to eat every 2-3 hours. With the nursing, pumping, and settling down of little Thea afterwards, I'm getting very little sleep. It seems like all I'm doing is feeding her or pumping, and it's starting to get a little old (the pumping, not the feeding). I keep telling myself that it's only for a couple more weeks, but it's exhausting. Last night, John got up with me at 3 am and gave her a bottle while I pumped. Then he stayed up with her while she settled down, and I got to go back to bed. It was heavenly. I'm trying not to feel guilty about giving her the bottle, and I keep reminding myself that a bottle a day is not going to ruin her learning to breastfeed, and that a healthy and rested mama is good for baby.
And, at our follow up appointment and weight check with the pediatrician today, Thea had gained 4 ounces since Monday - so we must be doing something right.
So glad she is gaining weight. Yay for that. The fist weeks that all I did, feed feed feed feed and when I wasn't feeding I was rocking, comforting or trying to sleep. The little heart filled with the cherry stones I sent you is perfect for inflamed breasts. I hope it helps and that the mastitis goes away soon.
I used a shield too the first 3-4 weeks because my nipples were just so bloody (yikes). Stella had no problem switching from shield to no shield and neither did I.
Good luck sweetie, you are doing a great job, Thea is just fantastic and very sweet.
Posted by: Nina | May 02, 2008 at 03:05 PM
those bracelets are beautiful! what a lovely gift!!
definitely don't feel guilty about a bottle here and there, and there's certainly nothing wrong with letting john step in when he can so you can get a little sleep. thea is happy and feeding and gaining weight, so you're doing much more than "something" right -- you're doing a terrific job, as I always knew you would. ((hugs))
Posted by: joriel | May 02, 2008 at 04:15 PM
What great news about Thea's growth -- your post reminded me that when I would pump with my first one, I would pump first thing in the morning and get lots of milk, so much I would have a bottle for J and freeze the extra so I when I went back to work there was plenty. I remember you could also donate your extra milk to mothers in need. Not sure if that still happens though.
Sorry about the mastitis, but it's good you have a correct diagnosis. And finally --I think it's great for John to feed Thea, good for you and good for him!
Posted by: mush | May 02, 2008 at 08:35 PM
I have gotten mastitis twice and it is soooooo painful. I hope that it is getting better. Sometimes breastfeeding was difficult just because I felt like everyone was telling me to do it a different way - a nurse, a lactation consultant, my mom... It was exhausting. My only advice is that you may want to consider asking Thea's doctor or lactation consultant if you can pump after every feeding except in the middle of the night. Maybe you could just do it after every other feeding. Just a thought. Sleep is so important. I found when Paige was still in the hospital and I was home that I was getting so much more milk after I had gotten a good bit of sleep. If I wasn't getting enough sleep, I wasn't producing enough milk. I love you!!!!! (You can tell me to shut up whenever you feel the need!)
Posted by: Nicole | May 03, 2008 at 05:22 PM
ugh...I had mastitis 3 times with my first baby. I am still not sure why. My left side I never get as good a latch, it produces less, and that is the side that gave me problems. And yes...isn't pumping a drag? Its wonderful, no doubt, but it really cramps my style during the day (I work). sounds like you're in good hands with your LC...aren't they great? I was so inspired by mine I wanted to BE one!
and by all means...don't feel guilty about an occasional bottle. yes there are certain guidelines and time lines blah blah blah...but you really have to follow your gut. I think if it hasn't "confused" her thus far, she probably isn't going to get "confused".
I promise, breastfeeding becomes so easy in just a few weeks. All the soreness and yukky stuff goes away.
the picture of you and Thea on your husband's page is awesome. You look so happy and I am so happy to finally see a picture of you holding the baby you worked so hard for!
Posted by: kelly | May 04, 2008 at 02:31 AM
You are doing a fabulous job! It is SO hard the first six weeks! Before DD was born, I wanted to breastfeed for a year. And two days after she was born, I said I was giving it six weeks, because it was just too hard. And at the six week mark, I was willing to go to six months, and at six months, to a year, and at a year, to 18 months (which we're 2 months from and I'm just now thinking about nightweaning). Anyway, I say all that to say this, HANG IN THERE! It is HARD WORK!!! One of the greatest things I ever learned to do was to nurse lying down. Then I could lay down for a nap and still nurse without fully waking up. It's a little challenging to master with a floppy-headed newborn, but so worth it in the long run.
One more thing, her 3-week growth spurt is coming soon and you will be nursing all.the.time! I nursed around the clock for a few days and it was hard. But it's great for your supply. Get help when you need it, have friends and family bring you meals and keep snacks and water nearby.
I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: joana | May 04, 2008 at 11:48 PM
all hail to the pp joana! nursing laying down is awesome!! and yes, the 3wk growth spurt...it will come just as you've started to get a couple hours of good sleep and feel like you're getting a routine!
Posted by: kelly | May 06, 2008 at 04:22 PM