and not in a good way. I took Mackenzie to see the doctor yesterday b/c I've been thinking she might have some reflux problems - not eating cereal well, crying more during feedings, still spitting up a lot at almost 6 months. Well, it was a bit disappointing to say the least. Starting with the weigh-in. Only 11 lbs, 10 oz. Not even on the charts anymore - < 1%. Not even a pound gained in 6 weeks (12 oz gained). She seems really happy & healthy & hitting all milestones on time/early, so I wasn't expecting such a drop off in weight.
The doctor prescribed prevacid for the reflux, but she's also worried that it could also be a supply problem since I'm still almost exclusively breastfeeding. If I want to continue, then she wants me to do 24-48 hours of pumping and giving Mackenzie bottles so I can see how much I'm producing. FUN..... Or I can start supplementing. But I know supplementing eventually tapers off your supply even more. I was a little upset because I wasn't ready to give up breastfeeding quite yet, although my minimum goal was 6 months, so I've basically made it that far. Brannon & my mom were on board with supplementing because I'll still be able to nurse for a while if I'm first nursing & then giving a few ounces to supplement. Maybe that way I can get to 7-8 months of formula & nursing before I have to go 100% bottle. Also, we're going to up her food intake over the next week a little more aggressively than I had been adding food to her days. 3 meals starting today. And she gave me some goals to aim for adding food (waiting the required 3-4 days for allergies) until I can acheive the amounts she listed.
So, pray that she will start gaining weight a little faster and that there isn't anything else wrong with why she's gaining so slowly. I know she has small genes, so I have to keep that in mind, but this is below what I was as a baby her age (by like 2 pounds), so I think she is a little too small.
April 26 - Hunker Down Day 45
5 years ago
4 comments:
We will be praying! Try not to let the charts be something to worry you! Each baby is different and those charts are just charts! Easier said than done. Follow your peds advice but don't let yourself get too worked up. (that will affect your supply too!)
She may just be smaller than you or Brennan as a bay! I so wish they would throw those charts away and not even tell parents where their kid was!
Oh honey, I'm sorry. I know you're worried, but she does have small genes and babies are different.
Let me give you just a bit of pumping / breastfeeding ass-vice. 1. Go get some Motherlove More Milk Plus. Be sure and take it according to the directions. It's a combination of some really good herbs and really does help supply. 2. Rent a hospital-grade pump. 3. You have done a wonderful job! Think about how much breast milk she has gotten over six months! Try really really hard not to be hard on yourself.
Mackenzie is obviously healthy and active - she probably burns off tons of calories with all of her rolling and wiggling and moving around!
We'll be praying for you. This stuff is so hard.
We'll be praying. Don't stress too much about nursing. You've come a long way already. She seems like a happy, active baby so I'm sure she'll be fine :)
Don't stress Val. I know she's fine. Burning too many calories all being active and rolling around and jumping in her little exersaucer, that's all. She looks great, bright eyes, plump little cheeks, has plenty of energy to keep her moving. She's curious about her world, pulling down mobiles and peering into the toy box... Just give her all the sweet potatoes she wants! Not a thing in the world wrong with Mackenz.
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