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Pooka · 09-09-2009, 09:07 AM

I'm sorry I'm just now getting around to reading this.

When Flintsy was born he weighed 8 lbs... he lost nearly 3 lbs over the course of the next month. At his 18 month check up he still only weighed 18 1/2 lbs. We sorta kidded that he was lazy in those early days. He never seemed hungry and I had to keep waking him up to feed. Then he lost interest all together and the doctors kept telling us that he couldn't lose any more weight... wouldn't tell us what would happen if he did... and it really scared us. They had me pumping and force feeding with little syringes... ounce by ounce. I was very upset and never felt like that was a good solution. In fact... I attribute his small size and lack of interest in food (that is until lately) to this whole early day experience. He wouldn't accept formula or anythin from a bottle and while he would take the boobie... 2 min here and there just wasn't enough.

Finally, desperate... I called Le Leche League and was able to work with a lactation consultant to come up with new avenue to try. I wore him bare chest to bare chest in my wrap all day... I took baths with him... he slept with me and could nurse off and on all night. I cleaned his nose with sailine and used a bulb syrine to clean his nose out waited a few moments then offered him boobie. I kept music on in the room and the lights dim as well... spent a lot of time in bed with him. He has never really been on the charts at all... he might now at almost 2 years be in the 10 percentile... we'll see in a few months. The thing that helped me let go of my fear and concern that he wasn't doing well was the fact that he isn't anemic or vitamin deficient... and while he was a great deal slower to do anything compared to my daughter... now and not quite 2 he seems to be hitting all his developmental marks. I think my finally relaxing helped him to... I'm pretty sure he was picking up on my stress. About 3 weeks ago Flintsy FINALLY decided food was ok... and he put on 2 1/2 lbs in a 2 week period... seriously. I'm curious to see what he doctor says in December.

I can certianly understand your depression... I have been there. I'm glad to hear you will be taking some "Me" time to spend by yourself relaxing... in that time remind yourself that you are an amazing woman who is doing everything in her power for her child.

I guess the best I can offer is to say if he is gaining weight and not losing... that is a really good sign even if it isn't as much as they'd like to see. If you haven't contacted Le leche League I would certianly recomend it... they were very helpful and have a support group as well.

09-09-2009, 09:07 AM	#39
Pooka Your Invisible Rabbit Friend Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Betwixt and Between Posts: 528	I'm sorry I'm just now getting around to reading this. When Flintsy was born he weighed 8 lbs... he lost nearly 3 lbs over the course of the next month. At his 18 month check up he still only weighed 18 1/2 lbs. We sorta kidded that he was lazy in those early days. He never seemed hungry and I had to keep waking him up to feed. Then he lost interest all together and the doctors kept telling us that he couldn't lose any more weight... wouldn't tell us what would happen if he did... and it really scared us. They had me pumping and force feeding with little syringes... ounce by ounce. I was very upset and never felt like that was a good solution. In fact... I attribute his small size and lack of interest in food (that is until lately) to this whole early day experience. He wouldn't accept formula or anythin from a bottle and while he would take the boobie... 2 min here and there just wasn't enough. Finally, desperate... I called Le Leche League and was able to work with a lactation consultant to come up with new avenue to try. I wore him bare chest to bare chest in my wrap all day... I took baths with him... he slept with me and could nurse off and on all night. I cleaned his nose with sailine and used a bulb syrine to clean his nose out waited a few moments then offered him boobie. I kept music on in the room and the lights dim as well... spent a lot of time in bed with him. He has never really been on the charts at all... he might now at almost 2 years be in the 10 percentile... we'll see in a few months. The thing that helped me let go of my fear and concern that he wasn't doing well was the fact that he isn't anemic or vitamin deficient... and while he was a great deal slower to do anything compared to my daughter... now and not quite 2 he seems to be hitting all his developmental marks. I think my finally relaxing helped him to... I'm pretty sure he was picking up on my stress. About 3 weeks ago Flintsy FINALLY decided food was ok... and he put on 2 1/2 lbs in a 2 week period... seriously. I'm curious to see what he doctor says in December. I can certianly understand your depression... I have been there. I'm glad to hear you will be taking some "Me" time to spend by yourself relaxing... in that time remind yourself that you are an amazing woman who is doing everything in her power for her child. I guess the best I can offer is to say if he is gaining weight and not losing... that is a really good sign even if it isn't as much as they'd like to see. If you haven't contacted Le leche League I would certianly recomend it... they were very helpful and have a support group as well.