Feeding a Big Baby

Ayla weighed in at 9lbs 6ozs when she was born. She didn't get enough to eat at first, and consequently became jaundiced. There was really no way for me to know that she wasn't getting enough to eat. She seemed to be latching on correctly, sucking and swallowing regularly, and generally eating the way that I had expected her to, albeit a bit more frequently than my nipples really liked. (Yes, I did just mention nipples in the first paragraph. What else did you expect when I title this post "Feeing a Big Baby"?) When we checked Ayla back into the hospital to be treated under the bililights the doctor instructed that she be given 40-45ml of formula every 3 hours or so, this in addition to what I was able to give her at my breast. The nurses gave her the milk, as the doctor instructed, and used a special bottle. This was the beginning of all the troubles I would have with breastfeeding.

Ayla wasn't getting enough milk from me. Unfortunately the only way to get my milk to come in is to have a baby sucking at my breast. When she refused to continue sucking, which makes sense seeing as there was not really any milk coming out, my milk didn't come in fully. Once she was given the bottle there was no going back. From that point forward, for about four weeks, every time I'd put her to my breast she would scream bloody murder. It wasn't until I went to Baby Moon and worked with Tricia, and then Sonja, that I was able to get Ayla to latch on. I went home with the assignment to feed her every two hours, except for while we were asleep at night.

It was already too late. My milk has still not come in enough to feed Ayla. I had to start fully supplementing with formula at 6 weeks, we had been using it regularly before then, but were really relying on my milk to come in. We were using something called a Supplemental Nutrition System (SNS) to feed her the formula with our fingers. Once Ayla got the hang of breast feeding I was able to start using her bottles. She was taking around 4ozs a feeding every three to four hours.

Feeding Ayla has been a constant source of frustration for my family. Ayla's frustrated because she's hungry all the time; I'm frustrated because my baby is always crying; Andrew is frustrated because he has to deal with both of us. It feels like I am always worrying about how to feed Ayla and keep her happy.

Last weekend my mom suggested that we try giving Ayla some cereal. I was cautious at first because she's only 2 and a half months. I called her pediatrician and the nurse suggested that I try mixing 1 tsp. of cereal with her bottle. Thank goodness for this suggestion. Ayla is much happier now. She stays fuller for longer, and isn't crying every hour for more food. I'm still keeping up with the breast feeding, and it's still Ayla's favorite form of food. You should hear the om nom nom sound she makes as she throws her head at my breast!

So, moral of the story? Do what's best for your baby. Not all babies are the same; some babies are ahead of the curve, some are behind. If I'd waited until Ayla was 4 months to give her cereal then I'd have a screaming baby for two whole months!