Coburg don't have nothin' on me!

Tillman is breastfeeding, but I must say it is not easy.  It is just like anything in life worth working for-a college degree, running a marathon, a master's degree, etc.  I have done all of those, so this is just the challenges of being a good mom, and it is worth working for and not giving up.

We went to his first pediatican appointment yesterday.  Here is some email exchanges I had with the MUSC lacation services after his appointment.  Lacatation consultants are the best resource for mom-baby success with breastfeeding.  Dr. Villers told me before I delivered "you are a mom, and have no idea how to be a mom.  Tillman is a baby, and he has no idea how to be a baby.  It is a learning process you will go through together."  She couldn't be more right!


Email exchange:

From: Meredith
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 2:08 AM
Subject: Feeding volumes

I need more of your advice.
Tillman went to the pediatrician today. They don't feel like he is getting enough to eat. She encourage me to talk to an Lactation Consultant about it and drink tons of water. We go back on Friday for a weight check. She says that his face shows signs of Jaundice and dehydration (little sinking in around the eyes and dry lips). If he doesn't gain enough by Friday, they would like for us to supplement or use some lactation devices to get him more intake.
Do you know what device she is speaking of? She said we could provide more volume without using a bottle nipple. She said there are devices that well mimic the nipple.
I feel he has eaten better over the past two days, but think we got him behind with my milk coming in and being engorged (yes people, the girls were like rocks! They were so hard, I couldn't even pump, but applying heat to them worked great!).

At birth, he weighed 6 lbs 3ozs.
Leaving the hospital he weighed 5lbs 9 ozs.
Yesterday he was 5lbs 13 ozs. She wanted him to be back to birth weight by now.
Thanks you for all the advice.
Meredith
-----------------------

Good morning,

Only a mother e-mails at 2 am. I think you have a good handle on it. He probably got a little behind with the engorgement. He should be eating at least 8 times per day for 15-20 minutes minimum, could be as many as 12 times with cluster feeding. He should be wetting 5-6 diapers and at least one stool (could be many). If he is doing this he should be doing well. Drink only to thirst, 8-10 glasses per day. Not gallons. Rest. The next 24 hours (before your next pediatrician's appt) should be all about breastfeeding and rest. Do not go out, or shop or anything. Just allow him to eat whenever he wants and wake him if he has not woken by 3 hours after his last feed. Put him skin-to-skin on your chest at 3 hours and wait for feeding cues. He should be eating within 30 minutes.
I am on tomorrow. What time is your pediatrician's appt? If he has not gained weight I can show you how to use the Supplemental nursing system. We have them here (MUSC). You just put breastmilk or formula in a bottle that has a tube that goes down to the breast. When he latches the tube goes in his mouth also so he will get extra breastmilk or formula when he sucks.
This is not uncommon. Don't worry. Try to stay relaxed and focused solely on Tillman and breastfeeding today.
Page me tomorrow after the pediatrician's appt. or if you have any questions.

MUSC Lactation Service