December 23rd, 2009

Weight Gain

I think the domperidone must have finally kicked in because Spencer has gained 5 ounces a week for the last three weeks and is now 13 pounds. I was really hoping that he would be 13 pounds by 2010 and we met that goal a week early.  He certainly seems a little chubbier. He has good smoosh to his thighs now, but he isn’t a chubby baby by any means.  My first week back at work didn’t disrupt my milk supply too much, for that I am very grateful. I was really worried about that. I don’t like pumping at work, though. Even with the office door locked, I feel like someone is about to come in at any minute and it gets really hot in there. I completely forgot how much I hated my office while I was on leave. It is hot, noisy and the chair is pretty uncomfortable. Even with the baby, I definitely am more productive at home. But, I have my own office which serves as a place to pump and my boss is accommodating to the amount of time I need, so really I am lucky. I just need to keep remembering that. On an unrelated note, I can’t believe it is almost time to make a 5 month tag!

December 17th, 2009

First Week of Work

For the first time, almost ever, Spencer had really good weight gain – 5 ounces – two weeks in a row. Of course, I went back to work this week, which I am hoping is not the end of the good gaining.  We have worked so hard at this, I hope my working doesn’t mess anything up.  I only went back to work for three hours on the first day and it almost killed me.  I need to keep reminding myself how lucky I am to be able to work mostly from home and that I have a really flexible schedule and very understanding boss.  We are still cloth diapering off and on, waiting to build up our stash and use up all the size 1 disposables that are lying around the house.  I love cloth diapering, we are changing him less and he seems pretty happy in them. I ordered more soap, too. I am using Rockin’ Green soap right now and I must say I am impressed.  I ordered a few samples to try out some scents and then I might convert all of my laundry over to it.

This seems a little scattered, for that I apologize.  Next year, I think I am going to try to get 3 posts up per week and try to make them more topical.

November 25th, 2009

4 months and still breastfeeding

Spencer will be 4 months old on Friday and we are still breastfeeding.  It hasn’t been easy, but I am so happy we are still going strong.  I am still supplementing with formula, but with an average weight gain of 3 ounces per week. I am reluctant to stop.  I am still pumping about 5 ounces per day which is not quite enough so I have been freezing what I’ve been pumping.  Also, for some reason when I get stressed about output volume, it gets even lower.

I have a tiny stash in the freezer now.  That will help alleviate some of my concerns when I go back to work part-time in a few weeks.  I currently give Spencer three 2 ounce bottles per day.  I think I will start making one of the bottles pumped milk and then freeze whatever else is left from that day.  I am not sure how supplementing will work when am not breastfeeding full-time.  I will have to ask my lactation consultant.

I have delayed my return to work primarily because of my supply issues, but I need to get back.  I am very lucky in that they are letting me return with only 10-15 hours per week on site and the remainder at home.  If I can prove it works, I hope to maintain that schedule for a long time.

October 28th, 2009

Just some thoughts

I am a little confused about what I want to say here. I feel like other people have said everything before or better or more informed.  Mostly I complain about breastfeeding, which I love. It has just been such a struggle.  The gain this week was 3.5 ounces, which isn’t fabulous, but isn’t losing weight either.  I am continuing with the 6 ounces of half formula half breast milk in three bottles per day.  I am trying to figure out if I did something different last week vs. the week before when he gained 10 ounces. I think I may have been only offering one side in the morning and not really worrying about it if Spencer went back to sleep.  This week I am trying to make sure he takes both sides in the morning.  This is impacting how much volume I pump per day though. I have been adding two p.m. pumping sessions at about 9:30 and 11:30 to try and make up the difference, but I still only get 3-4 ounces per day in 5 sessions.  I really have no idea how to increase the pumping output.  I hope the domperidone increases my overall supply leading to a bigger output.