Being a mom is such a rollercoaster for me. One day I feel like I have it all figured out, we're getting into a pattern, and BOOM... she changes all the rules again. And then there are the days that I'm not quite sure that we should even be able to take home a plant, much less a baby. And unfortunately, those days are still the norm.
She hadn't pooped in 2 days so I was starting to panic but luckily she overloaded a diaper right before I started writing this. So that problem is currently taken care of. And she usually goes 3-4 times a day, so I usually worry more that she's going too frequently! And I wonder how a tiny diaper can hold SOOO much poop. (Side note: I find it bizaar that breastfed poop is yellow and seedy. What is the deal?)
Next new mom concern: she's only gained 1 pound in 3 weeks since her last doctor's appointment. I realize we're not weighing her on the same scale so that will factor in and some say breastfed babies only gain 1-2 pounds per month. But all the babies around her age that we know are weighing around 13 pounds. She is just over 10. She's getting really tall, but is staying lean with the exception of her chipmunk cheeks.
I try to remember though that all babies are different and she's not fussy at all. She's a really happy baby and seems to eat just what she needs. I like to think that she'll be tall and thin...
Lastly, this child is determined to win the bottle battle. It's getting worse everytime we try to give her one. And we've tried many different bottles with different nipples. We've put sugar and maple syrup on the nipple. My mom, husband and myself have all tried to feed her. We've all failed. And by failed, I mean we end up with a really aggravated baby that has taken exactly 0 ounces of breastmilk.
Thank goodness I love her so much, because this is making me feel like an idiot! I've never had such a hard time understanding anything in my whole life. This little angel is sure making me work...
She hadn't pooped in 2 days so I was starting to panic but luckily she overloaded a diaper right before I started writing this. So that problem is currently taken care of. And she usually goes 3-4 times a day, so I usually worry more that she's going too frequently! And I wonder how a tiny diaper can hold SOOO much poop. (Side note: I find it bizaar that breastfed poop is yellow and seedy. What is the deal?)
Next new mom concern: she's only gained 1 pound in 3 weeks since her last doctor's appointment. I realize we're not weighing her on the same scale so that will factor in and some say breastfed babies only gain 1-2 pounds per month. But all the babies around her age that we know are weighing around 13 pounds. She is just over 10. She's getting really tall, but is staying lean with the exception of her chipmunk cheeks.
I try to remember though that all babies are different and she's not fussy at all. She's a really happy baby and seems to eat just what she needs. I like to think that she'll be tall and thin...
Lastly, this child is determined to win the bottle battle. It's getting worse everytime we try to give her one. And we've tried many different bottles with different nipples. We've put sugar and maple syrup on the nipple. My mom, husband and myself have all tried to feed her. We've all failed. And by failed, I mean we end up with a really aggravated baby that has taken exactly 0 ounces of breastmilk.
Thank goodness I love her so much, because this is making me feel like an idiot! I've never had such a hard time understanding anything in my whole life. This little angel is sure making me work...
In regards to pooping, I've found that as Noah has gotten older, he poops less and less. And he's gaining weight slower, too. If she's content, then she's getting what she needs. Try not to play the comparison game with other babies though, because you will drive yourself insane! I really hope Paisley figures out the bottle, and soon! At least she nurses so great. When they don't, it's ridiculously stressful!
ReplyDeleteYou could always try a pacifier for a month and get her used to the nipple on that then try and switch her to a bottle and after that takes stop using the pacifier. Though there are arguments on both sides of the table about nipple confusion and once they take the bottle they don't want the breast but I think each kiddo is different.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard, isn't it? When things are going well, it's the best thing in the world but then one little (or big) issue comes up and makes me feel like I have no clue. I heard breastfed babies can go a week or more without pooping, so no worries there. Sorry about the bottle issue, that's a tough one. She'll get it eventually but it's hard to see her get frustrated when she's hungry. Hang in there girl and remember that you're an awesome mom!!
ReplyDeleteI had a friend whose son refused a bottle. Fortunately she rarely went any place without the baby but she came up with a plan of spoon feeding- yes, her caregiver (usually grandma) spoon fed breastmilk to him and it worked out fine the few times she had to be without him. Two of my children refused pacifiers but they would take bottles. I weaned my youngest when she was 20 months. Good luck! You can introduce a cup around 6 months too or is it longer these days???
ReplyDeleteI thought I read somewhere that the baby shouldn't be starving when you try and introduce a bottle. Here is a website with a BUNCH of info:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.storknet.com/cubbies/breast/AS-botspacifiers.htm
From the site:
Try offering the bottle when your baby isn't starving. This may seem illogical, but when a baby is frantically hungry, he is going to be in no mood to try something new. He just wants to nurse.
Try having someone else offer the bottle at first. Your baby associates your smell an touch with nursing, and may insist on the real thing if you try to give him a bottle. You may have to leave the room entirely in order for the effort to be successful. Let Dad try, and if that doesn't work, let an experienced bottle feeder try. You'd be amazed at how many babies refuse to take bottles at home, but will take them willingly at day care where the provider approaches the process matter-of-factly. Encourage the caregiver to cuddle the baby while offering the bottle, but usually it is better to avoid the cradle position.
There is a lot more info about this on the site I posted. Do a search to find that section. HTH