We began today with a visit from the pediatrician team at 7:30, having not yet gone to bed. We learned that the boys had lost around 10% of their birth weight -- which is not as alarming as it sounds, but at the outer limit of normal. They recommended that we begin supplementing with formula. A subsequent experiment with the breast pump supported the idea: Katy's supply had not yet risen to the level the boys needed. I wonder if, had my brain been working last night, I might have made the connection as to why our neonates kept wanting more food every time we tried to put them down!
The prescription was a "three-way" routine: breast-feed, then pump, and then add sufficient formula to make 20ml for each baby. Do this six times in the next 24h, meaning every 3h on average. This satisfies the needs to (1) feed the babies, (2) feed them breast milk, and (3) provide demand sufficient to raise the supply. The problem was that all these steps took us... about 3h... leaving a nap time of... 0h.
In the afternoon, at the beginning (delayed, naturally) of our 2nd cycle, a lactation consultant visited and shared an ingenious trick of supplying formula during breastfeeding via a syringe with a thin feeding tube alongside the nipple. I will add a useful photo if it's OK with Katy.
This alternative strategy addresses all 3 of the above needs in one go. We tried it. It worked! We did the 3rd cycle on our own from 10:30p to 11:30p. BAC and CAC rewarded us at the beginning with loads of poop and spit-up, and at the end with loads of burps and spit-up. Try to imagine being happy at this. I'm not sure it's possible without hormone therapy. Maybe this pic of Charlie will help:
Katy is now napping. In 45 minutes we are supposed to do it all over again. I need a nap.
I've had Dad's open bottle of Veuve Cliquot sitting by the window since yesterday, to keep it as cool as possible. (With a can of Guinness in the nursing staff fridge already, I was reluctant to ask them to store our open bottle of Champagne.) Those natural bubbles have staying power. It is still delicious.
The prescription was a "three-way" routine: breast-feed, then pump, and then add sufficient formula to make 20ml for each baby. Do this six times in the next 24h, meaning every 3h on average. This satisfies the needs to (1) feed the babies, (2) feed them breast milk, and (3) provide demand sufficient to raise the supply. The problem was that all these steps took us... about 3h... leaving a nap time of... 0h.
In the afternoon, at the beginning (delayed, naturally) of our 2nd cycle, a lactation consultant visited and shared an ingenious trick of supplying formula during breastfeeding via a syringe with a thin feeding tube alongside the nipple. I will add a useful photo if it's OK with Katy.
This alternative strategy addresses all 3 of the above needs in one go. We tried it. It worked! We did the 3rd cycle on our own from 10:30p to 11:30p. BAC and CAC rewarded us at the beginning with loads of poop and spit-up, and at the end with loads of burps and spit-up. Try to imagine being happy at this. I'm not sure it's possible without hormone therapy. Maybe this pic of Charlie will help:
Katy is now napping. In 45 minutes we are supposed to do it all over again. I need a nap.
I've had Dad's open bottle of Veuve Cliquot sitting by the window since yesterday, to keep it as cool as possible. (With a can of Guinness in the nursing staff fridge already, I was reluctant to ask them to store our open bottle of Champagne.) Those natural bubbles have staying power. It is still delicious.
Ha you deserve whatever you need to help with this craziness!!! :-) Sounds like a good plan with the supplementing- we had that exact same weight drop and discussion! I'm so glad they're doing so well with the feeding (I don't know how you do it with Two!!!) - you're Amazing, Katy!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are amazing. I wish I lived closer! Nap when they nap, and once they are on a bit of a schedule you'll have it down. The picture of Charley is adorable.
ReplyDelete