2 weeks!

Sweet baby H is now 16 days old.  The past 2 weeks have been quite the learning experience.  We have had feeding issues since basically the beginning.  He wouldn't latch at the hospital despite countless meetings with the lactation consultants.  At his check up the day after we got home, he had lost too much weight.  He weighed 7 lbs 8 oz at birth and 3 days later was down to 6 lbs 10 oz.  The weight loss was concerning enough, but the doctor also noticed he was a bit yellow, so we had to go get blood drawn to check his bilirubin levels.  Those were elevated.  So, for the next 4 days we had to go get blood drawn every day.  By 6 days old, the levels went down enough to no longer be a concern.  The eating, however, still was.  Due to the weight loss, we had to supplient with formula while waiting for my milk to come in.  When it finally did come in, I began pumping and bottle feeding.  Then, in a last ditch effort to actually nurse, I called in a friend who is a lactation consultant and she introduced me to the nipple shield.  That thing was a game changer.  He latched on to that with no issue what so ever. He was eating every 3 hours during the day and every 4 at night.  It was glorious.  Or so I thought.  At his 2 week check up, we discovered he was only gaining the minimum amount of weight (half an ounce).  So, he was still not up to his birth weight, which is what they want by 2 weeks.  So, it was time yet again to reevaluate his eating/feeding habits.  I started back to the pumping and bottle feeding.  We were giving him 3 oz every 3 hours.  However, because he apparently wasn't eating enough at the breast, my supply must have slowed up a bit.  So, now we're having to supplement a bit with formula.  But, if it means my little guy is gaining weight, then I'll do what I have to do.  The good news is that he is now up to 7 lbs 10 oz!!!!  Past his birth weight!  So, we're going to keep doing exactly what we're doing.  And, if for some reason the boobie milk dries up, I've made my peace with formula.  In the end, all that matters is that he gets the nourishment he needs.

*Disclaimer - I'm doing things to help my milk supply.  Mothers milk tea daily.  A daily beer.  Pumping with every feeding during the day.