We had our two week post partum appointment last week.
I felt so good when I walked out of the midwife's office after it was over. It was a really positive appointment that made me feel really good and really... ok.
Lincoln, who was back up to his birth weight at one week old - gained an additional 1lb1oz in his second week, bringing him up to a whopping 9lb14oz. And how did he get there? From breastfeeding! I did that! I feel really proud considering the hell I went through with Ruby and her BFing issues. He's a little rockstar breastfeeder! In fact, my midwife suggested that I maybe start pumping off a little of my extra milk and start giving him a bottle once a day. She said that if I wait too long to introduce a bottle that I may have a struggle getting him to take the bottle at all. This will also give me a tiny little bit of freedom should I need it (oh I need it). She assures me that it will not turn him off BFing, he will not have "nipple confusion" and that he will continue to be a breastfed baby. (I realize there are lots of strong opinions on this and just to be clear - I'm not interested in hearing any negative ones - it's right for me, it's right for us and that's all I care about.)
She also said that he is a really good candidate for a soother since he just wants to suck and suck and suck and sometimes he just wants to hang off my boob and his mouth pools with milk but he's not swallowing it and he chokes. He just wants something in his mouth.
Also - gripe water is totally ok when he has a tummy ache.
All these things seemed to be controversial and I never thought I would hear the midwife not only ok'ing them but actually suggesting them. And all these things are going to help me and make my life a little bit easier - and I'm feeling pretty good about all of it.
I feel like I've gained (regained?) some confidence in myself and that feels really, really good.
8 comments:
This is all great news---congratulations!!! I am so happy for you. Little Husband was a champion breast feeder and we also gave him a bottle at least once per day from the start (I am selfish and wanted to sleep three hours at a stretch, so Husband did the early morning feeding). Never had a problem and when my milk dried up at 10 mths, he was perfectly fine with the bottle.
Oh, and I love gripe water. Forgot all about that--thanks for the reminder. I'll be needing it come February!
Keep doing what is right for you...no matter who has opinions on it!! You're a rockstar mama!
Yay! I'm so happy to hear all of this. Yay for confidence! Yay for a little bit of freedom! Yay for pacies! Yay for everything that's going on. I'm hoping some of it will rub off on me: BFing my first one was hard and I'd love for it to be easier this time around.
You sound so much better!
You sound like you're in such an awesome place! That makes me so happy.
You sound so happy!! I am so happy for you Tara! You are a rockstar Mom and it shows everyday you parent your babies.
I loved hearing this post..I am so glad that he's doing well! You know what is best and always - just go with your gut. You've already proven you're a great mom :-)
Gripe water has been one of my best friends. It calms my little one down almost instantly, and seems to work really well if she's constipated.
Congrats on the BF'ing. It wasn't for me and it took a long time to come to terms with that. I'm glad your little guy is such a champ!
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