9.05.2012

Schedule

Finally almost asleep.

At Mr. Theodore's two-month check-up he weighed in on the small side.
On the really, really small side.

I answered all the questions...
How often was he feeding, how long?
Is he sleeping, fussy, spitting up?

Mr. Theodore has always been a lazy eater.
Slow to latch, nodding off every few minutes, sleeping for long stretches.
Letting him dictate the schedule was obviously not working.

I cried in the parking lot.
Called a lactation nurse and cried on the phone with her.
Then we made a plan.

The plan was simple.
Increase feedings which should increase his weight.
If that didn't work, then we would have to dig deeper...
check his latch, how much he was taking in and so on.

The new schedule:
Theodore eats every two hours - around the clock...
with one stretch up to four hours at night.

This is a forced feeding.
I wake him up and keep him up  - making him angry - he latches better when angry.
Even resorting to taking an ice pack and touching it to his baby toes.

5am baby toes

Five days later and we were back for a weight check.
He needed to gain at least 2 ounces.

He weighed in... 9 ounces heavier.
Over half a pound!

With the weight gain, I could now let him sleep longer at night.
However, Mr. Theodore loves his new schedule.

8:00 pm 10:00 pm, midnight, 3:30 am, 6:00 am, 8:00 am...
It is almost the exact schedule from his newborn days.

SO, he is happy but I am really tired.
Eventually, I know he will start to stretch things out...
but until then I am rocking the coffee and under eye concealer.

Black and White Wednesday

12 comments:

Sandra Kohlmann said...

Great job mama! Don't fret about crying. My gals never latched, so I had to pump and bottle feed. My husband and I used to have to get up every 2-3 hours and feed from a bottle. Then he'd go back to bed and I would sit alone to pump. I would cry, and cry, but I knew I was giving my daughters the best I could. Motherhood is hard, whether the first, second, or tenth time around.

Caitlin MidAtlantic said...

Ooch, that is a rough schedule. But glad he is gaining!

EMily said...

Yay for weight gain! I'm sure that schedule won't last too long! Good luck until then!

Brandi said...

Oh, I remember doing something like this with my son, too. And fighting to get those stretches of sleep back! Good luck. It will all even out. Love those little baby toes!

Kate @ Daffodils said...

Glad he is gaining, but o man, I feel for you having to revert back to a newborn feeding schedule. Hopefully he will get back on track soon!

Bees_Circus said...

So glad your new schedule is working for him!! Oh I adore baby toes! Xxx

Bridget Larsen said...

aah those cute new feet, so chubby and cuddly, rest up
Bridget #12

Carri said...

Yay for weight gain!!! booo for crazy middle of the night schedule :(

Seeing Each Day said...

Yay for your little one!!! Sympathy for you though - hoping you can gain more sleep time soon. Sorry also that you had that stress over the last little while.

Heidi said...

It's the toughest job you'll ever love, right? Right? :) You are a wonder, my friend. I love seeing your family blossom right before our eyes. Hugs and kisses to you and the babes.

Lish @ Imprintalish said...

Yikes...I can remember those days, we would strip of Grayson's onsie, put a cold cloth on his belly or back...he was an awful breast feeder, always falling asleep. Luckily he was a big enough boy that it was ok, but so frustrating! Hang in there :)

Kaeley said...

Sounds like mommy needs a nap!! The photos are adorable. I always love baby feet pictures...