This morning Ava went in for her 10 week appointment and to get her 2 month old shots. She is still between the 75-90 percentile in height, weight, and head circumference, but I don't think she's been getting as much to eat as she should be. The past few days Ava has been acting like she's hungry about an hour after she eats. That's normal, but usually a pacifier soothes her right down. Not lately. She sucks on the pacifier for a few seconds and then starts crying around it. So I started feeding her for longer than usual and offering her both sides, but that didn't help. I also noticed that she would wake up from her nap early if the pacifier wasn't in her mouth. Then yesterday, I finally buckled down and gave Ava a bottle of formula about an hour after I'd fed her. She drank 5 ounces and then went to sleep for the afternoon! I couldn't believe it! I felt so bad. I just knew I was starving my daughter. Well, the rest of the night went off without a hitch, but today I decided to pump right before I was going to feed Ava and just see how much I got. It was only about 2 ounces. I think with her going so long between feeds and only eating on one side it's caused my milk supply to slow down. The doctor told me to go get some "mother's milk" tea and pump after I feed her to boost my supply. Until then I think I'll just keep feeding her and then offering her a bottle. My poor, starving daughter!
Anyway, so shots were definitely a black spot on our day. Ava cried for almost an hour straight, and that's after me giving her Tylenol prior to the vaccinations! She was feeling pretty poopy, so I've held her for quite a bit of the day. She seems to do better that way, and I don't mind it one bit! It gives me an excuse to sit and hold my Ava all day long and do nothing else!
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1 comment:
Courtney, I would be really careful about giving Ava supplemental feedings, especially if you want to boost your milk supply. Milk supply works on a 'supply and demand' process, so anytime you feed her a bottle, your body is not going to produce the milk for that feed. I agree with the mother's milk tea, and pumping after you feed her, but try not to give her a bottle.
It is natural for Ava to go through growth spurts occasionally. You will know she is going through them by her hunger. She will want to feed every hour for a day or so. This will signal your body to produce more milk. If you feed her a bottle at this time, your body won't get the signal to produce more milk.
I would try not to use the pacifier too much at this time either. It is better for her to suckle on you, as that will also increase your milk supply. You may feel that she is 'attached to your boob', but that is really the best way to increase your supply.
As for only getting 2 ounces at night, don't worry as much about that because of 2 things (1) as good as your pump is, Ava will always be able to get out more milk, and (2) you always produce the least amount of milk at night. Then your prolactin levels increase after you go to bed, and you produce your most in the early morning.
Sometimes the best thing to do is to take a 'nursing vacation'. I know you are probably very busy and stressed with the move, and that can take its toll.... Try to stay in bed/on the couch all day, don't run around and try to get errands/unpacking done, and just nurse Ava any time she squeeks. Cuddling her all day and just being very close to her can increase your supply. Also, make sure that you are eating and drinking a lot.
Just some ideas that have worked for me and Kiera - it has been challenging trying to keep up my milk supply while working full time, but we are 10 and a half months in to it and going strong! Hang in there. I would also recommend looking for a lactation consultant, or looking up La Leche League for help. As well meaning as your pediatrician is, if he/she doesn't have extensive training on lactation, they may end up not giving you the best advice. (Also learned from experience - 3 differend pediatricians gave me 3 different pieces of advice, so I found a great group of IBCLCs to go to with my questions. They also have a weekly 'mommy mixer' that was wonderful to be able to go to and ask all the other moms what they did too!)
Good luck! Whatever you end up doing is OK, there are lots of moms that supplement too. Any bit of breast milk that Ava gets will benefit her!
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