After so many people left such wonderfully supportive comments on this post, I really should have given a status update long ago. Sorry!
The short story is that, yes, I have been able to breast feed Michael. He needs to take two bottles a day, which contain expressed breast milk with some turbo charged preemie formula mixed in, because our pediatrician still wants him to have some extra calories. I only pump after one of the bottle feedings, which means we'll eventually have to supplement with the super formula mixed with water instead of breast milk. I do not think this is the end of the world. Our nursing sessions are far from perfect, mostly because Michael will not nurse unless I use a nipple shield, but we are in a much better place than we were in two months ago. Will he ever learn to nurse without the nipple shield? The pediatrician thinks no, but I am still trying to decide how hard I'm willing to work to make it happen.
(Is Blogger having photo issues for anyone else? I was going to include a rather hilarious picture of what Michael looks like after he nurses and is all satisfied but Blogger isn't cooperating. You'll have to use your imaginations.)
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4 comments:
I'm glad to hear the update. I was wondering what happened. Good for you. My son always used the nipple shield, but he started getting tired of breastfeeding (mostly due to lack of milk from me) at 4 months. But I decided I would use the nipple shield if that's what it took, and it did. Keep trying though, he's still young.
Oooh I've been wondering! So glad things are better. Sadly, I haven't been able to nurse Theo in over a month and have been pumping like a mad woman to MAYBE get him oz (and that's over the course of a few DAYS). My milk supply is gone. Today was his last breast milk bottle and it makes me sadder than I ever thought possible. Congrats to you for keeping at it. And he's getting so big so you know it's helping! (the picture of Michale in my head is super cute--hope you can post it sometime!)
(That was supposed to say FOUR ounces)
I think any mom who continues to breastfeed despite struggles deserves lots and lots of kudos!
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