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Breastfeeding/ baby help (long)
Background: K was an extremely easy newborn. The last 2-3 weeks have been a little tougher, especially since we started out so easy with no real effort on my part (just luck). First, she was sick. She started not sleeping as well and needing more help to get settled down at night. She was unhappy and exhausted during the day so I tried to get her on more of a nap routine. I brought her to the pedi and it was just a cold, she had fluid in her ears but no infection. They also said she has very early signs of teething so I've been doing tylenol (generic) as needed if she seems to have a lot of pain. And finally, she's had a major growth spurt as well.
The problem is that for the last week or so all she wants to do is nurse, nurse, nurse. It is exhausting. She is falling asleep after a few minutes, then when I try to move her she is screaming and wide awake. The cycle repeats until she is eventually exhausted enough to sleep for a longer stretch. This is all during the day- thankfully she still sleeps through the night.
The couple of times I've left her with DH she has refused to take her bottle. Previously she'd take a bottle of breast milk no problem. She really doesn't like a paci and she does suck her fingers or thumb but can't seem to soothe herself that way. I am basically her pacifier right now...
I don' think there's any issue with supply or her not getting enough bc she is gaining weight like crazy, has tons of wet/dirty diapers, and every time I pump (doing it once each night to stock up) I get 3-4 ounces. We've offered bottles of pumped milk and formula just to make sure she was not hungry but she refuses them.
I have tried everything to get her to settle down and nothing works. I'm nervous bc I am going back to work Monday and I have no idea if she'll take a bottle or nap. I'm afraid she's just going to cry all day long. Anyone have a similar experience and any advice? Could it be due to teething or not feeling well?
Re: Breastfeeding/ baby help (long)
Sounds to me like a growth spurt. She's trying to build your supply for her new needs. Hang in there the first 5 months of breastfeeding are trying and new but after that it gets easier and you fall into a much better routine.
It could always be the 4 month wakeful period showing up a bit early, teething is a ***, it could still be remnants of her cold, just hang in there. Ive always done on demand feeding and he comfort nurses A TON. Even still at almost 14 months there are days he just wants to nurse more then others. Big hugs
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i agree with kendra.
about daycare - don't fret! sam had 2 bottles total before daycare started when she was 3 mos old, and neither of them were even within the 3 weeks leading up to her start. the teachers know what to do, and you'd be surprised how your kid reacts to them. and they should feed and nap her on demand. sam does not have a nap schedule, but she does nap and that's all that's important. they tend to feed her every 2 hours, so i think she's a bit overfed and it's very hard for me to keep up. i'm about to institute an every 2.5 hr rule and extend to 3 soon. i mean, she doesn't nurse every 2 hours at home....
also, sam would not take a bottle from dh until she was almost 5 mos. whether or not i was home.
I have no personal experience to draw from, but this sounds like a problem a friend of mine had. I was just visiting her and her 4 month old in Arizona and she filled my suitcase up with some "lifesavers" that she thinks I will be needing soon. One was a vanilla flavored paci- this is the only thing besides the vibrating dildo chair (sorry, that's what I call it b/c of the SATC episode. I guess I will need to learn the proper term soon) that works for her. Her doc mentioned something about the vanilla.
In case you want to try it, here is what the package says: Hawaii Medical Gum Drop (BPA Free) Full-term pacifier, vanilla scented. Here's the phone/web from the pkg: 1-800-396-1550, www.gumdroppacifier.com
Good luck!
I was going to say either one of these things! Hopefullly she will spurise you on monday, GL!
That's exactly waht I was going to say. It will go in cycles and it's exhausting for us but, I promise it doesn't last forever...hugs!!!!
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