Sweetpea7830
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- Jul 18, 2008
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Hi all...just wanted to share an update on how breastfeeding is going for us. Our little one is a little over 4 months old, and about 8 weeks adjusted age. We had a rough road with the NICU and starting out on bottles, and I was hoping to get to breastfeed more often.
I tried a "bottle strike" where we stopped any top offs or bottles for 3-4 days, but he couldn't quite get enough at a time. I think he may have hit a growth spurt at the same time which didn't help. We ended up giving him a bottle after 3-4 days, and he downed it gleefully and slept and slept. I was upset at the time, and frustrated...I have been frustrated with breastfeeding and on the verge of quitting quite often.
After that, I just decided to relax and do the best I could. I let go any expectations of myself or him, and decided to just go with the flow. If it worked out that he could breastfeed at a feeding, great. If not, he could have a bottle and I would put him in his swing while I pumped. Now this would not have worked weeks ago when he wouldn't let me put him down, but now it is possible. We also bought a new swing that was nicer than the cheapy one we were using, and he LOVES it, so he takes all his naps there now and happily so. In fact, he gets fussy at times and just wants to be in his swing. I am happy he is getting more independent because it gives us both a bit of a break, and gives me time to pump.
It is going much better now that we have both relaxed! He takes his feed before bed from a bottle, and then any nighttime feeds as nursing feeds. His first couple of the morning are short nursing sessions, and then when he's ready to get up for the day he takes a bottle. Throughout the day, we mix and match as he feels ready. Letting him take the lead, instead of trying to force him, has really made the difference. I think he's happier and I know I am! He is napping more - which surprised me - but I think that might be part of the growth spurt?
Anyways I just wanted to update everyone and say thank you to everyone for your help and support. It has been a long road, and it is so helpful to be able to go online to see what others are doing and get advice! Thank you also to MM for the IM chat session!
I tried a "bottle strike" where we stopped any top offs or bottles for 3-4 days, but he couldn't quite get enough at a time. I think he may have hit a growth spurt at the same time which didn't help. We ended up giving him a bottle after 3-4 days, and he downed it gleefully and slept and slept. I was upset at the time, and frustrated...I have been frustrated with breastfeeding and on the verge of quitting quite often.
After that, I just decided to relax and do the best I could. I let go any expectations of myself or him, and decided to just go with the flow. If it worked out that he could breastfeed at a feeding, great. If not, he could have a bottle and I would put him in his swing while I pumped. Now this would not have worked weeks ago when he wouldn't let me put him down, but now it is possible. We also bought a new swing that was nicer than the cheapy one we were using, and he LOVES it, so he takes all his naps there now and happily so. In fact, he gets fussy at times and just wants to be in his swing. I am happy he is getting more independent because it gives us both a bit of a break, and gives me time to pump.
It is going much better now that we have both relaxed! He takes his feed before bed from a bottle, and then any nighttime feeds as nursing feeds. His first couple of the morning are short nursing sessions, and then when he's ready to get up for the day he takes a bottle. Throughout the day, we mix and match as he feels ready. Letting him take the lead, instead of trying to force him, has really made the difference. I think he's happier and I know I am! He is napping more - which surprised me - but I think that might be part of the growth spurt?
Anyways I just wanted to update everyone and say thank you to everyone for your help and support. It has been a long road, and it is so helpful to be able to go online to see what others are doing and get advice! Thank you also to MM for the IM chat session!
