Nursing Story

Dec 11, 2006 11:50

I would like to become a mentor at
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valkynlu December 11 2006, 22:30:13 UTC
That is an awesome story. Stupid hospital. It seems like they just get so used to their routines that it makes them close-minded and narrow-eyed.

One of the nurses at my hospital gave Arilyn formula without even asking me "because you aren't trying hard enough" to breastfeed her. I was pissed, but too doped up to make much of a fuss. My issue with Arilyn was that she wouldn't stay awake long enough to nurse. She'd latch on well, but would pass out in less than a minute. I'd wake her up, repeat. So I begrudingly (sp) took the "supplement with formula" advice.
As a result, formula entered into the picture more often and my supply has suffered significantly. I can go about 6-8 hours without that full/almost engorgement feeling, which is usually when I feed her or pump. I've dropped down to only getting about 3 oz total (both breasts) when I pump.
Once I can afford to buy a SNS (this weekend, yay!), I plan on trying to relactate to a good amount. It's hard to pump at work, but I can work a little overtime to make up for pumping time.

It's so easy to want to give up. I've been in that state for the past month. Arilyn isn't as interested in breastfeeding anymore because she knows she'll fall asleep (just like when she was a newborn). She associates it with sleep and HATES going to sleep. But, I figure I'll try it before giving up.

Wow, that ended up being long. The nursing story was quite good! Very motivational. My birthstory is here:
http://valkynlu.livejournal.com/203855.html?nc=9
(stupid link thing won't work for me)

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valkynlu December 11 2006, 22:30:58 UTC
Oh good, it linked to it.

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janinechan December 11 2006, 22:35:51 UTC
i actually use real html for my links, because the link thing pisses me off too much.

1. pumping output is not indicative of supply. when I am on ferungeek, i get about 5 oz combined each pumping session. just nursing though i made more than enough - Pi will unlatch and milk will have pooled in the divit on her chin.
2. have you tried fenurgreek or dopmeridrome?
3. yay for an SNS and relactating!
4. how to you try to wake her when you nurse? i used to have to undress Pi, flick her feet, switch sides, blow on her forhead and nurse her sitting upright facing my boob.

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janinechan December 11 2006, 22:38:01 UTC
i meant to add taht when i do not take fenugreek (which is most of the time), my pump output varies from a half ounce to two ounces (both breasts).

and, don't wait 6-8 hours to pump, if you want to increase your supply, i would definately pump more, at least every 4 hours, more likely every two hours.

and GOOD LUCK!

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valkynlu December 11 2006, 22:49:09 UTC
Good to know about the pumping thing. Its a little depressing to see the number drop.
I haven't tried fenugreek yet, but plan on it come payday.

I've tried all of the above for waking her. When she sleeps, she sleeps HARD. She'll wake up for about 30 seconds and pass right back out over and over again. She is getting a little better (very little), which is another reason for the decision to start relactating.

Pumping more at work is going to be the hardest part. I work at a law firm and it's hard to get away. I even have alarms on my phone as a reminder, but it's so easy to get distracted. Next thing I know, I'm engorged and that forces me to do it. I'm just going to have to force myself to drop what I'm doing when the phone reminders goes off.

Thanks!

Btw, payment for the hat will be mailed out on Friday or Saturday. Ran out of checks, they were promised to me in 5 days...I still haven't gotten them yet, so I'll just get a money order to ya.

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janinechan December 11 2006, 22:55:22 UTC
not a problem. as soon as i get it, i'll get the fabric and get it made one night when P can keep an eye on Pi. also, I have to go to the city to get to a decent fabric store. the one here sucks.

oh - and would you mind it i put some pretty lavender ric rac (zig zag ribbon) on it? i found some and it's adorable and i think it would go well with light green and lavender :)

also, GNC carries fenugreek, at it's about 15 bucks for the large bottle :) and, eat oatmeal. lots of oatmeal. cookies, cereal, bread, muffins. if you make your own, add brewer's yeast and flaxseed meal - they all help boost production. and make sure you drink tons of water. sometimes just increasing your water intake does amazing things for supply!

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valkynlu December 11 2006, 23:01:35 UTC
Add whatever you think will look good. :) Except for lace. I hate lace. Hee-hee. Seriously though, go for it. Sounds cute.

More carbs! Yes! Carbs are my weight-gaining downfall. I have been upping my water intake lately. Difficult, but worth it.

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janinechan December 11 2006, 23:11:37 UTC
i am kinda confused - but going to go with the interpretation that carbs are bad and keep you from loosing weight.

so, remember, the longer your breastfeed, the more wieght you loose (as a general rule of thumb) - breastfeeding burns up to about 500 calories a day. which is my kind of exercise. cuddling on the couch with a warm baby and watching tv = burning calories? rock on.

and i hate lace too. my mom and dad put out a small fortune on a Ralph Lauren dress for Pi for christmas - and thier only request is that I put her in those godawful lace trimmed socks and proper mary janes. I'm broker than a two-bit hooker right now, and the only soft soled patent leather baby shoes I could find that would fit Pi were close to 30 bucks, so I swallowed my irritation and will put her in a pair of hard soled long enough for Pics with presents, family and Santa. But those socks. Thank god grandmom didn't request those Rumba tights with the lace all on the ass.

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valkynlu December 11 2006, 23:20:33 UTC
Oops. You interpreted correctly. Typo demons, grr.

Ew. Thankfully, I remembered to tell all the lace-loving, pink-freaks that I wanted to buy Arilyn's first holiday outfit, so no worries there! One of the Aunts wanted her to wear one of those little headband bow things when she was a newborn. I despise those with a passion (even more than lace) and politely (I hope) declined her offer of purchasing five of them for the baby.

My boyfriend's cousin is super crafty and sent me the pattern for some leather soft-soled shoes she made. She just used the fabric from a thrift-store leather skirt and they turned out great. I'll be happy to share the pattern with you if you want. Cheaper than buying some!

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janinechan December 11 2006, 23:23:57 UTC
1. i would LOVE the pattern!
2. my aunt bought Pi like 20 outfits when she was first born. every single one came with a matching headband. i couldn't even give those fuckers away.

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valkynlu December 11 2006, 23:28:35 UTC
I'll email it to you. Here's a link to the finished product:

http://craftychristinescrafts.blogspot.com/

Just scroll down the page and bit and you'll see them.

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janinechan December 11 2006, 23:12:31 UTC
and - i get tired of plain water to. Crystal light (or the walmart knock off) is a god send for making sure i drink at least a gallon of water a day.

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valkynlu December 11 2006, 23:22:56 UTC
That's the only reason I've been able to increase my water intake...cheap Crystal Light. I just wish they had more flavors I like in the cheap kind.

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