Thank you all for your comments, suggestions and support on my last blog post. It has been a real eye opener to read and hear about others who have been through the same thing as I have when it comes to breastfeeding and kudos to those who go through it and persevere! It really isn't easy! After having a visit from a lactation consultant who observed that Cohen has a tendency to be a lazy sucker on the boob and hard to latch, I tried a few times independently (with mixed results) before deciding that breastfeeding isn't for me. What should have been an enjoyable bonding time between my son and I was turning into a time of anxiety (me) and impatience and stress (him) so I have decided to continue exclusively pumping and bottle feeding expressed breast milk to him with the occasional bottle of formula thrown in as a top up (rather than waste precious breast milk if he is still fussy after guzzling down 60-100ml of breast milk, I give him 50ml of formula and that way if he only drinks 10ml or decides he's not hungry after all than I am not wasting the good stuff). This is working really well for me and I only have to express three times a day and not at all during the night in order to get enough to last us through. He has gained 400gms in 9 days so clearly I am doing something right! He is a little piglet and I am finding that I am still bonding brilliantly with him regardless of the fact that I am bottle feeding as opposed to having him on the boob - we are still snuggled together and I talk to him and he is happy and content which is important to me. I know that some people who read this blog may frown on my approach but it's working for me and we're both so much happier.
As for everything else, we are learning the art of swaddling and boy what a difference it has made to his sleep pattern through the night! I initially threw the idea out the window as he would scream having his hands tied down but I have since discovered that he is more than happy once he is swaddled and swaddled up nice and snug so he can't escape and I am now getting 4 hour sleep stretches through the night! Yay! It has also helped to actually get out of the house and go for walks with the buggy and get some fresh air.
So all in all, we are doing brilliantly and I am such a proud mumma!
And just because I can't help myself, here is another picture of Cohen - he is already starting to look more like a little boy than a baby!
This is excatly what happened to me. I pumped 6 times a day and overnight with an awesome double pump (The medela freestyle) until he was 6 months old. We bounded perfectly fine! I had the nurse work out by his weigh how much EBM I needed to give him and then if I did not have enough EBM I would then I would give a bottle or two of formula.
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous little boy you have! and i think re the breastfeeding -- it's whatever works for you that's important. i'm a little scared about the whole breastfeeding thing...and not sure what's going to happen, but i really am inspired by you. if it doesn't work/happen, then we'll work out what does...and whatever is happiest for baby and mum. :)
ReplyDeletewhat sort of pump and bottles are you using? would you recommend them? would you say that having the lactation consultant was worth it?
sorry about all the questions but i've got all this ahead of me and it's nice to hear from someone who's just been there :)
OMG! That photo made me gush out loud. He is so cute.
ReplyDeleteI think what your doing is great. If I feel BF isn't working then I'm going to do exactly what your doing. That way he still gets the good stuff and it takes away the stress. I love the fact you call a "pram" a buggy.
Also thanks for the comment on my blog. It really helped ease my mind.
IM so happy you have found a solution that works for you and I dont think anyone would frown upon you as anyone who breasteeds/bottlefeed are in different positions and different difficulties...good on you for persevering and getting right advice and still expressing your milk as that takes dedication my girl...Im so proud of you and your little boy he is looking more like a boy ...
ReplyDeleteWhat a FANTASTIC photo of him! And I think your approach is perfect. He's still getting breastmilk, but expressing has allowed you both to settle into it faster. You could probably try again the 'breast way' later if he becomes better at sucking, but only if YOU wanted to. I think people get pushed too much to keep trying when it's just getting in the way of the relationship, so I think it's great you've found your own solution and are comfortable with it. People who try to push you another way are only trying to push their own agenda on you and make you feel bad. Geez, it's not like you're putting fizzy drink in his bottle!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you're settling into this mum caper quite well. :-)
This is what makes you a great mummy - doing what's best for you and your baby. Don't let people pressure you on what is right or wrong. A happy mummy makes a happy baby and this little guy is gorgeous and thriving!
ReplyDeleteSorry breastfeeding was so difficult! But, at least he's still gettin the good stuff! He is adorable and definitely looks like a BOY! :)
ReplyDeleteHe's so so beautiful! Breastfeeding is such a unique and emotional thing, so different for everyone. You found what works best for you and your baby, and that's what's important!
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