Things are hard right now. Jake and I have both been sick. Stuffy/runny noses coughs, fevers. Then Jake has been just a bundle of joy working on his third tooth. Poor guy is miserable. He keeps biting his Mommy though when she is trying to feed him. I don't know how much longer I am going to be able to nurse him if he keeps drawing blood. I had hoped I could go until at least six months but I won't have any nipples left if things continue. I don't know what to do. I continue to try the things I have read. I have given him a stern "no" and I have also put him down for awhile and then let him nurse a bit later. I don't know. I can see there is a pattern that it is when he is almost finished that he bites. I have been watching him and I have my hand near to pry myself free when I think he is close to being done. It just frustrates me. I don't want to have to mess with formula. Some how I think we will be the people having to through a dozen different formulas before we are on the most expensive one in the world. That would be my luck.
I could keep pumping and just give him breast milk. However, I hate pumping. It is so hard to try and do at work. I keep getting plugged ducts that I struggle to get cleared before I end up with mastitis. It is miserable to have to work and need to pump and not be able to do it soon enough. That is what I think is happening. I think I'm not able to pump when I need to and then I get stopped up. It hurts so bad. It happened again on Wednesday when I was on call. I had an area I couldn't clear that was the size of a grapefruit. I was on call and I was scared I wouldn't be able get it to drain and I would be stuck at work getting sicker and sicker. I was able to go home several hours later than usual and I put a heating pad on this boulder I now had sitting on my chest. I tried to nurse but the baby had just eaten of course and didn't help me out much. So I just pumped and pressed as hard as I could tolerate. It is surprising how painful that is. I got one area to clear and then the second. I kid you not, milk came out in a constant stream for ten minutes. I got sixteen ounces. No wonder it hurt so much!
So basically, if I can't nurse him I don't want to mess with pumping and giving him breast milk. But I don't want the torture of figuring out what formula he can tolerate. He just has to stop biting. I need help. Anyone know what I should do?
My family will be here in less than a week now and I am having trouble getting excited. I don't want to spend that much time with my mom. I want to see everyone but I don't want all the work of it. This year should be so great because we have the best present ever and some how it just feels more stressful than any previous year. I don't get it.
On a good note, Jake made it two nights last week where he slept from about 8:15pm to 4am! He made it close a third night where he slept until just about 3:30am. But there was the night we were up five times too. Still it is HUGE progress. It makes it easier for mommy to handle other things like her crazy job and the crappy snow.
Jake has grown so much we had to move into size three diapers this week. I just want him to slow down! Too many teeth and too big! If he got his teeth at a normal time like most babies we wouldn't be having so much trouble.
I'm just feeling really down right now. I feel like this year has aged me so much. I was looking at lines around my eyes this morning and it was making me sick. I just feel so tired and so old.
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4 comments:
Sorry, I don't have any advice about the biting, but I am interested in what you find out and if it works for you. Just incase I find myself in your shoes in the future.
Honey, you have a lot on your plate. Working full time, taking call, the upcoming holidays, family coming to visit, not to mention being a wife and a mother to an infant! I get tired just thinking about all you have to handle. Try to take a moment or two for yourself. I know it's hard, but it is the best gift to give yourself and your family. You know what they say, "If mama isn't happy..."
Also try to remember that this stage of life will pass and things will get easier. Can you remind me of that when I am up to my chin in caring for a baby? :)
I had to stop BFing at 2 weeks because of pain and bleeding-- it was the best decision. You want feeding to be special and enjoyable, if your in that much pain it's not, and your baby definitely picks up on how your feeling.
I use Nestle Good Start which was reccommended by someone who I know that works with disabled kids and babies. It is very gentle on the stomach. The orange can with comfort proteins. It's about $25 for the big can that lasts about a week. I switched to this from Similac Advanced because of a lot of spitting up.
Also, it sounds like you are really stressed- using formula allows other people to feed the baby and give you a break. There is so much pressure to BF, that I felt like a failure when I couldn't do it, but you have to do what works for you and your family situation. The baby is more attached to the snuggling and cuddling that goes along with feeding than with the actual breast milk.
Good luck!
I'm sorry things are tough right now. A biting baby on my nipple does not sound fun. I'm switching to formula and have gotten over the guilt. Sometimes we just have to do what works best for our family... so don't feel bad if that ends up being what you do. And I agree that pumping just plain sucks. I really hope you avoid mastitis. My experience w/ it has been dreadful. Be careful b/c it sounds like you're pushing your luck a little... constant plugged ducts are not good.
I can't believe little Jake is about to have his 3rd tooth... I was actually born with teeth myself but I know what you mean about wanting them to slow down and not grow up so fast. Size 3 diapers...oh my gosh. He is so darn cute by the way. Just adorable!
My babies haven't had too much trouble w/ formula. I started w/ Enfamil Lipil and that works just fine for Andrew and then switched Matthew to the Enfamil® Gentlease® LIPIL version that helps w/ gas and fussiness. It works great and my doctor highly recommends it. It's the same price but has broken down proteins so its easier to digest. If you use this brand sign up on-line so you can get a bunch of coupons.
Thinking of you and hoping you feel better physically and mentally soon. It's tough having a newborn so don't be hard on yourself. Wishing you some peace and quiet during this holiday season.
Faith
Ouch. The thought of teeth and nipples just makes me cringe!!! And clogged ducts, too!!!! Yeowch. Formula really isn't so bad :) But, I know the cost of it is a big issue and, yes, that part does suck. We got lucky and only had to try 2 different formulas but my niece was one who went through every single kind made and ended up on soy.
Honestly, if you decide to give formula a shot, I'd start with Similac Sensitive. That's what we use and that's what so many women I know use. We started on Similac Advanced but it was too much for the girls back then (they have taken it now though with no problem).
I can't believe he's in size 3 already!! Wow!!
Oh, and every day I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and can't believe how much I have aged, too. It's mainly the dark circles under my eyes, which no makeup can hide!!
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