We Finally Caved In
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
For the last several days, Lilly has been cluster feeding. She'll think she's hungry and want to eat every hour for about 45 minutes. She takes a 15 minute break and decides she's hungry again. So far, her cluster feeding episodes have been limited to 3 or 4 hours at night. I called the lactation support group at the hospital and they said it was normal and she probably needs the extra milk. So, I've been feeding her whenever she's hungry - even if it's difficult on me.
It's getting worse now. Last night, things got out of control. She ate almost non-stop from 7pm to 2am! After 7 hours of this, I was in tears and didn't feel like I had any more milk to give her. She'd drink it as soon as I could make it and then was getting frustrated. I have plenty of milk - just not enough for a continuous 7 hour meal! Hubby had a cold, but still got up with her to give me a much-needed break. He couldn't soothe her either and decided to try the pacifier. Shockingly, it pretty much worked. I was able to sleep for two hours!
We went for her two-week checkup this morning. The doctor said that cluster feedings are normal and if she is satisfied with a pacifier, then she isn't really hungry but just needed the comfort of sucking. So, we're going to use the pacifier only when Lilly won't settle down and thinks she needs to eat continuously.
Hopefully tonight will be better. Its bath night and that always seems to send her into a nice long slumber. She's had four or five baths now. I'm getting better at it, although I need someone else there to help keep her steady. She's a slippery little thing when all soaped up.
As for everything else, the doctor says she's doing great. She's gained 12 oz since we left the hospital. Her Jaundice is better. Her little belly button looks great.
We had to get the second PKU test today, which involved checking into the hospital on an outpatient basis. That took forever! I had no idea Lilly would scream and cry from a heel stick, but she turned purple and couldn't even breathe. It made me cry to watch them milk blood from my little baby's foot. Later, when we got home, I discovered the woman had been so rough with her that the skin on her lower legs was all roughed up and even skinned in a couple of areas! No wonder the little darling was screaming. There is simply no need to be that rough with an infant (or anyone).
posted by Avorie @ 2:37 PM,
2 Comments:
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At 7:27 AM,
Kristin said...
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Logan was cluster feeding in the hospital. Every time a nurse would come in to check us out, he would be attatched. Finally one of the nurses came in with a pacifier & said that it looked like I needed some rest. He took to it & it has been a godsend ever since. His sucking reflex is so strong it's crazy.
Hats off to you for hanging in there this long! -
At 10:34 AM,
Isabel said...
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Well Avorie, it sounds like you guys are adjusting to having your sweetie around. It sounds hard, I won't lie to you. But it also sounds like you guys are doing a great job with her.
You are strong...and I'm impressed with you.
(and I always figured giving baths would be hard because they get so slippery. Eeks!)
