We are still having difficulty with latching, but tomorrow (or later today if you look at that way) he has another Pedi. appt. where we will discuss his short tongue and possible intervention. I am continuing to pump and look for natural ways to up my milk supply, but we are still supplementing breastmilk with formula. He feeds well and his diapers are good, so there is no indication he is not adjusting to the mixed bottle, but I really hope we can go back to breastfeeding soon.
I am also doing much better at 2 weeks postpartum. I feel much better and everything seems to be healing well. Most of my swelling is gone...still a little swelling along my stitches, but they seem to be healing well and not hurting as bad. I decided (after much consideration for both my well-being and my students' well-being/learning) to return to work this coming week...but will start back on Thursday to ease myself back into my schedule. With pumping, I am not too worried about his feeding schedule...just praying I can build up a bit more of a stash before Thursday rolls around. We are also not worried at all about his care since he will be with a close friend who is very experienced with caring for newborns and babies in general. I am also happy to say I have dropped over 20lbs so far....was 202 going into labor and delivery and now 181. I cannot wait to get back to the gym and get my tummy flat again, even though it is already looking better with just wearing the post-partum band. My goal in terms of weight loss is to be back down to 140-150lb range by the holidays, as well as, a bit more "in shape" or toned. This is a huge weight loss goal that I am not sure if possible given muscle mass weighing more than fat, but between continuing to eat healthy and drink lots of water and gym workouts (when I am released back to the gym), I think it is manageable. I am definitely not looking for my pre-college body, but a flatter mid-section and stronger leg and arm muscles would be nice.
In two weeks, I have also learned a lot about myself.
- I obviously have a low pain tolerance, but I can definitely perservere through a lot more than I thought...especially with the love and support of Husby and our families.
- I am also a great multi-tasker and can think way out of the box to accomplish stuff...such as pumping while responding to student emails and doing my homework discussion posts or writing a paper. I even went as far as have Husby help me configure a hands-free support band for my pump parts. It works decently, so I am proud.
- B has taught us to throw the schedule out the window and follow our intuition. People were telling us to wake him every so many hours to feed, yet he would be cranky and refuse to eat and then we would be cranky and frustrated since we got up for no reason. B has his own schedule and we have learned to adapt ourselves (and our activities) to it.
- Although we hoped to breastfeed solely, it is not an option for us at the time...and that is ok. This was a hard lesson for us to swallow...especially with all the criticism everyone was giving us. We are currently doing what is best for our child and although others may not agree with it...it works for our child. B has a shortened tongue and therefore has a huge difficulty "latching on". In addition, when he does latch it is not a true latch and therefore puts a lot of stress on my body (specifically my nipples) which causes me a great deal of pain. I could care less about the pain if he would actually latch long enough, but since it is a challenge for him to get nourishment in this manner, he typically "gives up" after ten minutes of nursing and is very fussy while nursing...therefore not worth the frustration.
- Another lard lesson we learned....it's fine to supplement. We were both so scared into Camp Breastmilk Only that when the Neonatal staff told us we had to supplement because he was not eating enough in the hospital and when we realized I was having issues getting my milk in, we both freaked a bit. Thankfully he does well with the formula addition to his BM, but we try to keep the ratio even or lower in terms of the amount of formula used. Once again, we are doing what is best for our baby and have found common ground that we are comfortable with. Again, people think we are wrong for what we are doing and try to school us on the "proper way", but we are a united front and either tell them what we are doing or tell him to mind their own since it truly is none of their business.
- In these last 2 weeks, our marriage has also been strengthened. We communicate our needs and issues and we also work as a stronger unit together. We have always had a good relationship, but it is even more strengthened with our new addition. I am so proud of my Husby and the way he has taken to our son and I feel he feels the same way in terms of me. late nights and irritability sometimes make communication tough, but we work through and are better at realizing our "tired" points.
- Lastly, these last 2 weeks (and especially B's birth) have taught us, a well thought out plan is wonderful, but life has a way of making its own plan and path to follow. I know I have embraced the free-spirited go with the flow mentality now and have learned to take things the way they are or fall. We made plans upon plans, but when it came to using them...the circumstances that presented themselves just were not plan-worthy. We put a lot of faith in our doctors and hospital staff and looking back we are satisfied with how things turned out.
- Oh, and we make cute babies! (that is what everyone keeps remarking about B) :)
