10-day checkup (a few days late)
On Tuesday, my mom and I took Jonathan to the pediatrician, and I’m happy to report that all is well!
Jonathan weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. last Tuesday, which was the same as he weighed on Monday coming home from the hospital (birth weight was 6 lbs. 5 oz). One week later, he was up to 6 lbs. 2 oz! That’s gaining about one ounce per day, which is perfect.
All other baby things checked out just fine. Yay!
I’m exclusively breastfeeding, and while it’s going well, I’m not going to say it’s easy. Sometimes he latches perfectly; other times it takes awhile. And waking a sleepy baby so he can nurse every three hours isn’t easy. And not getting more than a few hours of sleep at a time…not easy on me.
Earlier this week, he was nursing for 1:45. An hour and forty-five minutes. These were gulps, too — not just suckling. I went to bed at 2:30. He was hungry again at 5. And then at 6. And then at 7. He seems to be hungriest at night, and more of a sleepyhead during the day. I hope I can swap that around.
I know it will get easier. I know that soon enough, he won’t need such frequent feedings. I know that we’ll be better and more efficient with our latches. But for now, I’m just taking things a day at a time, and I’m thankful it’s going as well as it is so far. Oh, and I’m gearing up for his three-week growth spurt which should hit next week. I’m hoping we can master the side-by-side laying latch by then.
Last night, Johnny was up from midnight to about 3:30 a.m. He was wide awake, looking around and oh-so-fussy. We tried everything — swaddling, rocking, trying to feed him, changing his diaper, shushing in his ear — and he just would not settle down.
Then, we brought out the heavy artillery. I was hoping to avoid using pacifiers until he was older, but I was desperate. We gave him a pacifier and almost instantly, he calmed down and went right to sleep. It was amazing.
I don’t want him to be reliant on pacifiers since they can potentially cause problems with nursing (supply issues, early weening, latch problems, etc.). But for pete’s sake, I needed sleep and that little thing helped me get about three hours in a row last night. Thank you, Nuk!
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To get him to nurse less at night, you could try “over-nursing” him during the day. Most of the time, the reason babies want to nurse more at night is because mommies are busier during the day and more available at night! Or he could just still have his days and nights mixed up. But in both cases, the solution is the same: wake him and nurse him more often during the day and see if you can get him to get his fill before you guys go to bed!
*Of course, some babies just want to nurse all-the-time. I would know. I’ve had one of those!
I think that’s what we’re going to try. I’ve been waking him up more frequently in the evenings to nurse, though he isn’t always interested.
It’s either him or me, and I hope it’s him that changes his schedule! There aren’t a lot of fun things to do in the middle of the night.
I never woke mine up, I strictly nursed on demand. If she (my 3rd baby) was hungry, she would let me know. I didn’t follow a schedule or anything either. He may also be nursing for comfort and not just hunger–they do that too. Good luck and congratulations. They grow fast and he’ll be one before you know it.
I was just reading your abuot me section and I think it’s cute because my husband and I were married in May of 2003 and had our daughter in december of 2007. Watch that baby closely becuase the years FLY by even if the days drag slowly. Congratulations!
Sounds like you’re doing great! Nice to know another person who is going through all this at the same time. It can only get better, right? At least you know he’s getting a lot and gaining nicely! Good luck!! Mama’s milk is best!!
Stacys last blog post..101th post! We’re home!!
Oh congratulations!! Jonathan is so cute!! I did the same thing with the pacifier – didn’t want to go there, but couldn’t take it anymore! It didn’t effect our nursing at all, and he rejected the paci at about 7 or 8 months, so we haven’t had to deal with pacifier addiction. Anyway, congrats again!! Can’t wait to read your birth story.