November 23, 2009
The Flu and More Breastfeeding Woes (Yes, Again)
I don’t know how it happened, but Owen came down with the stomach flu. He had been having bowel movement troubles for several days and after seeing what looked like a streak of blood in his poop, I took him the pediatrician immediately.
The doctor inspected the diaper, checked over my sweet baby and told me it was the flu. “Not H1N1,” she said, and I was relieved, but Owen’s fussiness continued and I was at my wits end. Three days of a non-sleeping baby and then the fourth day he slept a lot. So much in fact that he didn’t wake for five hours. I woke up in a panic, made sure he was still breathing and promptly pumped my engorged breasts. Thank God for Medela.
Now it seems like he’s feeling a little better, but he still fusses at the breast and I’m afraid he’s taken a preference to the pumped milk in a bottle. I’m not sure what to do. Let him cry a little to make him hungry?
He sometimes falls asleep while nursing and the second I de-latch his tiny mouth and lay him in his bassinet, he wakes up frantically and starts rooting and sucking on his hands.
It was so crazy that I finally just gave him another two ounces of milk and he slept soundly.
I’m sort of feeling like I’m messing up this breastfeeding thing, and frankly, I’m sick of talking about it. For the last five weeks it’s been nothing but NURSING! and NIPPLES! and IS THE BABY EATING ENOUGH? IS HE STARVING?
Ugh. If I’m not over analyzing my milk supply, I’m studying the contents of his diaper like a mad scientist. He’s still having trouble with his bowels. He strains and cries as he tries to poop. His face gets red as a cherry and I feel helpless because I hate seeing him struggle.
Right now, as I type, he’s fussing. I just spent 45 minutes trying to get him to nurse, on and off, fits and starts. Blah.
Any advice? I seriously need it.
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November 24th, 2009 at 9:08 AM, Debbie Says:
Does your pediatrician have any advice? I would start there, and then have you tried a lactation consultant? I used one at a local hospital (not the one I delivered at) and it was all free. I could call them with questions any time, and then I could meet with them and they would weigh the baby and help me with latching issues, baby falling asleep, etc. I believe that breastfeeding became so easy for me because I worked with them so much in the beginning.
I’m thinking about you and I hope it gets better!
Debbie´s last blog ..There Comes a Point When You Will Exhale…
November 24th, 2009 at 2:39 PM, CJ Says:
I agree with Debbie! Find the closest La Leche League meeting and GO! They do amazing stuff!
What bottles are you using, if I may ask?
CJ´s last blog ..Traditions: Revised