You Gotta Roll With It

So our little Z-boy has had eating issues from day 1. He came out with too rapid breathing and a lot of gunk in his tummy and lungs that had to be siphoned out. Ultimately he had to spend a few hours in the NICU and we missed that magical immediately post-birth breastfeeding time you hear so much about during your pregnancy. When he finally came downstairs with us, he didn't want to nurse at all. No one was worried until all nursing efforts for the first 24+ hours failed and then the lactation consultant advised us to give him formula.

This is where I've been learning to roll with things. I'd wanted to exclusively breastfeed but my baby wasn't eating. I had a lactation consultant or nurse in my hospital room at every feeding trying to get Z to latch and it just wasn't happening. My baby was crying and screaming every time he came to the breast and it was terrible. So, I pumped, Joe fed him formula and we tried to hang in there.

When my milk came in Z finally latched with shields and I thought we had turned the corner. Alas, no. Z sucks at sucking. (PUN INTENDED! HA!) His weight kept dropping in spite of trying to breastfeed every two hours, which meant we were having to take him to the pediatrician every two days to get checked. Finally, on Thursday, it came to the point where Z had lost nearly a pound and we were advised to give him formula again - 2 oz every 2 hours. Again, my breastfeeding dreams crashed around me and it was back to the pump wit' ye! I felt disappointed but the important thing was making sure our baby is healthy, so formula it was.

ANNNNNNNNNNNNND

SUCCESS!

After 2 days of formula feeding with a bit of bonus nursing, Z's weight shot up.

He is the champion! Woot!

So now we have been giving the doctor's blessing to see whatever works for us. Bottles? Breastmilk? Formula? Probably all of the above until we're sure Z is getting enough to eat and still gaining. Chubby cheeks win!