We've been having some weight-gain issues with Benjamin. I took him for a weight check at the doctor's office and he had only gained three ounces in two weeks. He was only up to 13 lbs., 6 oz. He's almost seven months old and was 8-6 at birth. His heart surgery is behind him, so he should be gaining more. I rented a baby scale at the hospital and am now weighing him to see how much he is getting from breastfeeding. I've weighed him after each feeding the past two days. He is getting *almost* the minimum of what he needs (24 oz). So I'm not quite ready to supplement with formula yet. I'm pretty much feeding him lots and lots and trying to get my supply up. And I've upped his solids intake, too, even though that's a challenge in and of itself. I met with his Service Coordinator Tiffany today and signed the paperwork to get him evaluated for Occupational Therapy. He may qualify for this and an OT will come out and help him with his eating. He is doing a little better but still doesn't really know how to open his mouth. He is swallowing the baby food a little bit better, though.
We are going to be putting up our Christmas decorations and tree this weekend. YAY!!! I seriously love this time of year, even if the decorating is a little harder now with two boys. :)
Here are the latest pictures.
This one is a little hard to see b/c of the sunlight coming in the window. But if you click on it to enlarge it, you'll be able to see the ADORABLE look on Benjamin's face as he hangs out with Frank on the rug.
By the time I got over there, he had rolled over and was kicking Frank with his right foot, which is *always* kicking!! Luckily, Frank is very docile and is used to it from Andrew by now.
We went last night to get our family Christmas pictures taken. Here are some funny ones of my brothers I got in the waiting room. Here's Justin, who turns 28 next Monday.
And Michael, who was enjoying the sample pictures. He's 33 and his wife is expecting their first child; she's due in April!!
Oh, Benjamin, how I love you.
Thanks for keeping up with us!!
OH WAIT!! I have a question for moms of babies. Or those who had babies and still have enough brain cells to remember what their eating habits were like when they were taking a bottle. Did you find that your babies ate less as the day progressed? I am trying to figure out if I'm having a supply issue or if Benjamin just less as the day goes on. He always seems perfectly content after eating. But he's definitely getting less and less milk with each feeding. He gets about 9 oz, then about 6, then 4, then 3. He sleeps all night and does not seem hungry except when it's time to eat. (Even then sometimes not.) So...what is the dealio? *Let me clarify that he eats for about the same length of time each time he eats. You would think that he was getting the same amount. But twenty minutes of nursing does not equal twenty minutes of nursing. Because the demand of the baby over time determines the supply.*
9 comments:
Hi Angela,
I definitely know that milk supply works like that for nursing moms. As the day goes on, you make less milk. I don't know about three ounces, though. I'd call one of the lactation consultants at the hospital and run it by them. They answer questions for free over the phone. Love the blog, by the way. I'm one of those losers that never comments. I'm not world's quickest typer- which is also why I hardly ever write anything on my blog:)
They eat more calories when they start food and need less mommy milk. Totally normal! Still love your family. Love that Baby Boy!
Angela - I remember with A (and it's held true with S) that she took the majority of her calories in the a.m. As the day progressed, less milk was necessary.
I love Benjamin, too! His expressions are priceless. An answer to your question - yes. Both Cooper and Griffin are big early day eaters, and then as the day wears on they slow down. In fact, for a few months I could not get Griffin to take his bottle at dinnertime at all. That's when I started the dream feeds at 9:00 and now we can't drop it because he's not gaining enough weight, either. And the more solids he eats, the less bottle he'll take so it's a vicious cycle. I have now started on full fat whole milk yogurt because if he's going to eat "food" it's going to be high calorie!
You know, I really think there is a strong argument to force Target to honor the purchase. We were talking about this during our attorney lunch this week and everyone was in agreement that if they charged your creditcard, they have to honor the price. I wish I had bought one, just so I could fight with Target about it! :)
We all love HIM!
I saw a blog with a cool DS post...
http://joeyandperri.blogspot.com/
Scroll down and you will see it.
I don't even know this person.
ME personally my supply is much less by the end of they day. I need to start doing some weighing myself. I swear I am going to try to start pumping at least once a day to build my supply. I am actually trying to stretch Ellie to every 3 hours! What can I say my girls like to eat. He feeding that baby and those boobies will be full of milkies soon! Call if you need anything.
I hope this post makes you happy....
http://www.xanga.com/resolved2worship
First, I have to say that Benjamin is just about the cutest baby I have ever seen. His smile melts my heart!!
About the supply... I always found that my supply in the evening was much lower than earlier in the day. The biggest cause was not enough WATER. Make sure you are getting plenty. Try some fenugreek, it really works. You have to take enough to smell a little like maple syrup ;-) That said, if he seems content and he is gaining weight, he is probably getting plenty. My DD seemed to eat less later on in the day (but she did NOT sleep through the night!)
Oh... and I have to post a VERY BELATED CONGRATULATIONS to Matthew on his marathon. He did GREAT. I am very impressed with his time! Good luck with the training for the next one. Angela, I know it is a commitment for you as well.
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