Friday, November 12, 2010

Breastfeeding Lessons

Last week I took Peanut to her 4 month checkup. She weighed a whopping 12 lbs! Although I thought this was pretty good for her, her doctor advised me to see a lactation consultant since she seemed to have dropped down on the weight charts. I had been worried for the past couple of weeks that my supply had dropped, so I was not surprised to hear this. The next day, I went ahead and scheduled a visit with the LC.

Peanut definitely wasn't taking in as much as she could, after being weighed both before and after feedings, so the LC advised me on ways to get my supply back up to par. She gave me this delicious tea, Mother's Milk, which I was to drink 3 times daily. I also was instructed to pump more often and offer each breast for a feeding (I had previously only been offering Peanut one at a time since she had seemed satisfied in the beginning from it).

After a week of nursing nonstop, drinking tea and pumping, I went back in to see how much Peanut weighed and if my supply had gone up. Well, she gained a full 4 oz in that week! AND she got 2x as much milk as last week in a feeding! I was so happy! And Peanut surely was too!

I'm proud of each moment that I am able to continue breastfeeding and that I have made it this far (4.5 months) without having to supplement with formula. However, because my mother and grandmother did not breastfeed, I don't have a close support network to draw from concerning this issue. I am thankful I was able to visit with an LC who could give me some much needed insight on things! Support, I am realizing, is extremely important for a successful breastfeeding experience. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who supports me wholeheartedly in this endeavor!

Here's to more successful breastfeeding milestones I hope to meet in the future!

5 comments:

Mary said...

That is so great! People seem to think breastfeeding is "weird" or "awkward" or "unnatural" and it's just the opposite! I
m so excited for you and your little one that you are continuing to breastfeed. How long are you planning to continue?

PS, if you want a smile, check out this video. http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/08/20/whip-em-out/

Geigerin said...

Props to your ped for suggesting an LC instead of formula! I, too, have a little one who was sliding down the charts. I second the recommendation for Mother's Milk. It's a great tea!

Have you checked out the WHO growth charts for breastfed babies? They are different from the AAP charts, and you may find that your 4 month old is higher on those charts. I look at those when I'm told our kiddo is in the 25th percentile (she's long and thin, like her papa).

Thanks for sharing your experience! :)

Geigerin said...

Props to your ped for suggesting an LC instead of formula! I, too, have a little one who was sliding down the charts. I second the recommendation for Mother's Milk. It's a great tea!

Have you checked out the WHO growth charts for breastfed babies? They are different from the AAP charts, and you may find that your 4 month old is higher on those charts. I look at those when I'm told our kiddo is in the 25th percentile (she's long and thin, like her papa).

Thanks for sharing your experience! :)

Rachel said...

Mary, I plan on giving Peanut breastmilk for as long as possible! My goal is 1 yr, though it would be nice to go longer.

Rachel said...

Geigerin, my LC assured me she was actually on the right track according to the breastfed growth chart, and I plan on bringing that chart to her next appt to show her doc! Peanut is long and thin too, and they have her in the 25% which I am skeptical about.

We actually switched doctors early on because her original doc was not entirely breastfeeding friendly and did not support our decision to delay certain vaccinations. I am so glad we made the switch as I am sure we would have be pressured to give her formula otherwise!