Challenges

Since we left the hospital with the little man we have struggled in getting him to gain weight. After meeting with his pediatrician, when he was 1 week old, he had lost 11oz. In talking to her we thought that we could get him up but in all reality over the next couple of days I realized that it wasn't happening.

So over the past 3 weeks we have been working with a lactation specialist and the pediatrician to increase his weight (i.e. my supply). We have done everything from pumping after each feeding, supplementing with formula, to taking herbal supplements that are supposed to help with increasing the supply.

Over the past 3 weeks we have been able to increase the little man's weight by 9oz (from his lowest point) but that is still not where it needs to be. In talking to the lactation specialist we are estimating that I am only producing about half of what he needs.  Bummer.

So after a lot of internal thinking, talking with Scott and consulting the pediatrician we are going to stop breastfeeding. This was a difficult decision but if we were to continue with the plan that the lactation specialist was recommending after our last appointment the feeding process would take 1.5h and I was going to have to take prescription medication, that isn't covered by insurance.

It has been a difficult decision but I think for the little man's health and my sanity we are doing the best thing for the family. I can tell you that yesterday we had the first day for him to eat the amount of food he is supposed to for his birth weight. That made me feel really good and hopefully in the next week we will be able to get him back to his starting weight. We will officially know if this change is helping on Wednesday. Wish us luck!