My daughter is a late term preemie, born unexpectedly at thirty six weeks, after my membranes ruptured prematurely. Since I wasn't in active labor and the doctors were concerned she or I could develop an infection, they induced me and she came into the world after thirty hours.
She weighed five pounds eight ounces when she was born, and I initially thought she was just petite, and all would be fine. However, she had an episode of apnea shortly after her birth and was taken to the nursery to be observed by the medical staff, who eventually concluded this was due to her prematurity and she just forgot to breathe. I tried breastfeeding her in the nursery that night and once she was able to room with me, we spent hours attempting it there, too.
For whatever reason, maybe my inexperience as a first time mother or her inability to grasp the concept of breathing, swallowing, and suckling, we never really became great at breastfeeding. She had issues latching, and when she did latch successfully she'd fall asleep after a few minutes. We also discovered she had a pretty severe reflux issue, which contributed to her losing a substantial percentage of her weight after birth. The nurses recommended that I supplement her with formula, first through a syringe and then a bottle, or risk having her stay in the hospital after I was discharged, so I did.
At her first pediatricians visit, she was diagnosed with jaundice, which ofcourse made her even more tired and didn't further our breastfeeding cause. It's been two weeks since she was born and even though she's gaining weight, and has almost regained back to her birth weight, I'm really struggling with the breastfeeding issue.
We've attempted breastfeeding again, and even though she's a little more alert and aware now, I just don't think she's latching well enough to get much milk from me. On the rare days she manages to nurse for fifteen minutes or more, she still acts like she's starving when she's done. I've been pumping breastmilk with my manual pump , so she has atleast gotten some of my milk since she was born, but I'm not producing very much and to be honest, I'm just frustrated with the whole thing.
The lactation consultant and her pediatrician do not agree; the consultant told me that it's important I keep breastfeeding her, while her pediatrician said he thought feeding her formula would be fine. (I should mention she's on a special formula for acid reflux, and she keeps this down better than anything else, including my breast milk.)
I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I feel like I'm failing her because I can't provide her with a never ending supply of breastmilk, and I'm pretty disappointed in myself. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to increase my supply, or establish a nursing relationship with her? Is it too late? Did we already miss the boat by feeding her formula. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
She weighed five pounds eight ounces when she was born, and I initially thought she was just petite, and all would be fine. However, she had an episode of apnea shortly after her birth and was taken to the nursery to be observed by the medical staff, who eventually concluded this was due to her prematurity and she just forgot to breathe. I tried breastfeeding her in the nursery that night and once she was able to room with me, we spent hours attempting it there, too.
For whatever reason, maybe my inexperience as a first time mother or her inability to grasp the concept of breathing, swallowing, and suckling, we never really became great at breastfeeding. She had issues latching, and when she did latch successfully she'd fall asleep after a few minutes. We also discovered she had a pretty severe reflux issue, which contributed to her losing a substantial percentage of her weight after birth. The nurses recommended that I supplement her with formula, first through a syringe and then a bottle, or risk having her stay in the hospital after I was discharged, so I did.
At her first pediatricians visit, she was diagnosed with jaundice, which ofcourse made her even more tired and didn't further our breastfeeding cause. It's been two weeks since she was born and even though she's gaining weight, and has almost regained back to her birth weight, I'm really struggling with the breastfeeding issue.
We've attempted breastfeeding again, and even though she's a little more alert and aware now, I just don't think she's latching well enough to get much milk from me. On the rare days she manages to nurse for fifteen minutes or more, she still acts like she's starving when she's done. I've been pumping breastmilk with my manual pump , so she has atleast gotten some of my milk since she was born, but I'm not producing very much and to be honest, I'm just frustrated with the whole thing.
The lactation consultant and her pediatrician do not agree; the consultant told me that it's important I keep breastfeeding her, while her pediatrician said he thought feeding her formula would be fine. (I should mention she's on a special formula for acid reflux, and she keeps this down better than anything else, including my breast milk.)
I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I feel like I'm failing her because I can't provide her with a never ending supply of breastmilk, and I'm pretty disappointed in myself. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to increase my supply, or establish a nursing relationship with her? Is it too late? Did we already miss the boat by feeding her formula. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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