Well, it's been quite a week but we seem to be winning a little ground, albeit with some set-backs along the way. Pob hasn't had any formula since 530am yesterday. That is a big win. Supply is up due to some combination of pumping as often as I can and the drugs. It makes me wish a little that I'd waited to take the domperidone until we saw how much my supply increased without it. But I just keep telling myself there's no reason it will do her any harm, and the bonus of breastmilk is worth it. In a few weeks if things keep going ok, I might try decreasing the domperidone dose, just to see. Not sure we'll get through another 36 hours without some use of formula as my supply is lower later in the day, but I'm trying to celebrate these small wins.
The screaming and kicking every time she goes near the breast has also pretty much ceased, due to starting to use nipple shields. I kept looking at her rooting around at the breast, pushing and pulling at it, burrowing her head this way and that, and it just looked like she didn't know how to get a purchase on it. So thanks to you and various real life friends, we decided to give the nipple shields a try. She will now latch on just fine with minimal fussing with the shields, and on the left breast she'll often latch on without. For some reason trying them seemed less of a concession than trying the supplemental nursing system. Our lactation consultant still thinks it would be a good idea, but I'm just not there yet.
Today was another milestone in that for the first time since day 2 or so she settled after a feed without a top up. Just once. Let's hope tomorrow it might even be twice. She's started to feed a bit more frequently - every 3 hours so far today, so rather than trying to pump in between feeds as well, I'm just pumping after each feed. That will still get me to 8 pumps today which I think should be ok.
Pob seems pretty unscarred by all of the drama. She is very alert after some feeds now (thankfully not at night, mostly) and looks very hard at the world around her, often with a puzzled look on her face as if she is contemplating the mysteries of the universe. She sleeps well, we have been thanking our lucky stars for that. She loathes nappy changes or having her clothes taken off or being put on, and howls the place down as we try to talk her through the torture with minimal fuss. She loves being in the bath with me and calms right down as she enters the water - although of course getting out of the water is a cause for much more screaming. When she gets really upset her chin trembles and her eyelashes get wet. Thank goodness she's no longer doing that just because I offer her the boob. She remains, of course, utterly beautiful. We are counting all our lucky stars.
Hooray! You're doing great. I tried a supplemental nursing system and could never quite it it right without having someone help so we did a lot of finger feeds with the tube attached to our finger and let them suck that way. It helps them not get nipple confusion (wasn't an issue for William but it was for Nick, he would forget how to latch after he had a pacifier or a bottle) but it doesn't help build your supply.
I know it took about 10 days for my milk to come in at all and quite a bit longer to really have a good supply.
Posted by: Jenn | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 16:26
She is completely gorgeous...and so much hair!
Posted by: Suz | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 16:45
Suz stole my comment. Hrmph.
She is indeed beautiful, and I'm jealous of all of her lovely hair. P was almost bald except for a fringe of hair at the bottom of her head. We always admired babies with magnificent heads of hair. Still do!
Posted by: MsPrufrock | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 16:48
What a gorgeous girl. I'm very glad to hear the nursing is improving. Hooray!
Posted by: May | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:22
What a great report...and my goodness she is a beautiful baby. Good job!!!
Posted by: M | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:30
She is utterly lovely.
Posted by: daysgoby | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:32
Such a cutie! I'm glad to hear about your progress. Hope all continues to go well.
Posted by: PBfish | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:35
I'm glad things seem to be better :) She's a gorgeous little girl :) Hang in there. You're doing a great job.
Posted by: Sami | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:44
Dear Thalia, I'm so glad that things are going better now, and that your production is increasing. How wonderful that all that hard work is paying off!
She's adorable. What a beautiful mouth!
Posted by: Kath | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:45
You're not kidding, she is gorgeous. Glad to hear feeding is going better.
Posted by: Mary Scarlet | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:56
Thalia, it's wonderful that your persistence is being rewarded. Yay! Your little girl is adorable -- you are lucky indeed.
Posted by: Tinker | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 17:57
so glad things are improving!!! and she is such a cutie. She is absolutely adorable. At some point I tried the Mother's Milk, which is some type of organic tea to boost production. I can't be 100% positive it worked, but my boobs seemed huge on the first day I tried it.
http://www.tealand.com/MothersMilk.aspx
Posted by: marie-baguettte | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 18:59
I'm so glad things are looking up.
Posted by: luolin | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 19:54
Oh so pretty! She reminds me of my Julia at that age. Precious! Glad the BFing is getting better...Go Thalia!
Posted by: Lynnette | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 19:57
Sounds like things are on the way up - your post definitely sounds much happier. She is adorable!
Posted by: Betty M | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 20:01
She's beautiful, Thalia! I can definitely see you in her eyes.
I'm glad things are looking up for you...here's hoping things just get better and better.
Posted by: Flicka | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 20:47
Oh my goodness, what a BEAUTIFUL baby! She's just stunning, T. And I'm thrilled for you that the breastfeeding is improving and your hard work is paying off. 36 hours without formula is a huge win!
Posted by: electriclady | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 21:04
OMG, she is beautiful. Just looking at that picture gives me hope.
And I'm so glad the nursing is paying off. Thank God for domperidone. It really really is perfectly safe, and I know lots of women who used it for months and months. Don't try to taper it off until you really are established with nursing and don't need any extra pumping or nipple shields.
Really why bother?
I'm so glad this worked out so well!
Posted by: Aurelia | Sunday, 07 October 2007 at 21:12
Such a perfectly sweet baby. SO pretty. I'm glad things are looking up.
:)
-D.
Posted by: Donnie | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 01:09
She is beautiful! Absolutely.
Posted by: ali | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 01:24
I'm so glad you're all getting the hang of this nursing thing.
Pob is just adorable.
And I'm glad that she sleeps well - that makes a big difference to sanity!
Posted by: Nico | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 02:19
It sounds like you are doing so very well. You have hung in there and kept trying even though things have been really, really hard. I am always amazed at what some moms are willing to do for their children. What a mom! It shouldn't be too hard to wean her off the shields. Once she has a good latch on, you can try taking the shield off and then seeing if you can get her to go back on that side. I am really wondering about inverted nipples in your case... it just sounds very similar to my d in law and the beginning was so hard, but they are doing great now.
The baby? Oh my, I want to eat her with a spoon, or barring that, perhaps just rock with her on my chest and breathe her in. Yikes I miss tiny babies. Great job once again! You are a trooper!
Posted by: Jo in Utah | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 02:51
She is so so beautiful. I'm glad things are going better. I knew they would. Keep up the good work and enjoy her.
Posted by: Jess | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 03:58
Go you! Working through BF issues can be tiring and frustrating, but generally worth it (I'm biased, of course, probably b/c it worked out for me eventually via shields and pumping). Kudos to you for hanging in there and getting to this milestone. She is so adorable and perfect!
Posted by: Tonya | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 05:11
Congratulations Thalia. Pob is beautiful and I'm glad things are improving with breastfeeding. I am very happy for you.
Posted by: portlairge | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 05:47
She is beautiful!
Posted by: My Reality | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 05:58
She is without a doubt utterly stunning :) glad the milk supply is going well, I'll keep in mind that drug should I ever get there myself one day :) X
Posted by: Artblog | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 08:34
Great job Thalia! I'm so glad that all of your hard work is yielding such great results. I hope that things continue to improve, and soon it can just be you, the boob, and pob.
She is radiant, btw.
Posted by: Sara | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 10:37
Great job Thalia! I'm so glad that all of your hard work is yielding such great results. I hope that things continue to improve, and soon it can just be you, the boob, and pob.
She is radiant, btw.
Posted by: Sara | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 10:37
Hooray for the shields!
Thalia, she is beautiful!
Posted by: Sunny Jenny | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 15:03
Thalia, she is gorgeous and very lucky to have you as her mother!
Posted by: elizabeth | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 15:22
Oh she is just gorgeous! And kudos to you keeping up the hard work of breastfeeding! I'm glad you're gianing some ground. hope things continue to improve as you all get settled in together! :)
Posted by: Anna | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 15:42
Thanks for the update -- so, so glad things are getting better :) Great job!
And Pob is just so beautiful. Many thanks for sharing her photo! xx
Posted by: Kay/Hanazono | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 15:51
I'm so glad it's going better. I think it's all about finding what works best for you and gorgeous little Pob.
Posted by: fisher queen | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 17:50
I'm glad to hear you're seeing marked progress on the BF front. :-)
She's beautiful.
Posted by: Lut C. | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 19:40
She's absolutely beautiful! So glad to hear things are going so well.
Posted by: Jennifer | Monday, 08 October 2007 at 22:40
Chiming in late to offer my congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter! She is just lovely. Sounds like the breast feeding is taking a turn for the better too. Congrats again, Thalia. Enjoy every second :)
Posted by: fertilityfauxpas | Tuesday, 09 October 2007 at 01:22
You are doing so well! That is awesome news about the increase in supply and the satisfied baby.
She is totally, utterly beautiful!
Posted by: Motel Manager | Tuesday, 09 October 2007 at 01:43
Hugs- keep on keeping on, mama!! You're doing great and she is beautiful.
Ellen
Posted by: fooster | Tuesday, 09 October 2007 at 01:46
She's beautiful, and I'm so thrilled that things are getting better and easier for you, Thalia.
Posted by: serenity | Tuesday, 09 October 2007 at 14:42
she really just takes my breath away, what a gorgeous gorgeous baby. it sounds like you're handling the challenges so well. congratulations on the small victories!
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, 10 October 2007 at 04:19
Yeah, mine aren't so keen on the changing of nappies or undressing either, it makes for ear-splitting moments.
Pob is gorgeous. What a lovely head of hair, too!
Posted by: Helen | Wednesday, 10 October 2007 at 10:22
Oh, she's a beauty. I'm glad things are going better for you!
Posted by: zarqa | Wednesday, 10 October 2007 at 19:45
Felicidadez Thalia!! Tu bebe esta preciosa! Pero eso ya lo sabiamos desde antes ke naciera, con una mama` tan hermosa como tu y un papa` tan guapo como Tommy era de esperarse :) Estoy segura ke esta` linda bendicion ke Dios les ha mandado les traira mucha dicha y felicidad. Te quiero y te admiro mucho!!
Posted by: Nora Calleros | Wednesday, 10 October 2007 at 21:22
Wow, she's gorgeous. I'm glad to hear that things are coming together with the nursing. She really is a beautiful gift.
Posted by: Lindsey | Wednesday, 10 October 2007 at 23:48
She's gorgeous. I remember the cute puzzled look of a newborn, it all must be overwhelming to them, cold bright world, lol. One day at a time with the nursing. It will get better, once she gets a little bigger and has better neck control.
Posted by: Ann | Thursday, 11 October 2007 at 00:57
Did I mention how gorgeous Pob is?
Glad things are moving along well - you must be a fantastic mummy!
Posted by: moo | Thursday, 11 October 2007 at 03:15
She is so sweet. The thought of her crying is sad, but the image of her tiny trembling chin and wet eyelashes is lovely.
Posted by: Ellen K. | Thursday, 11 October 2007 at 21:07
You're doing great and she is beautiful. Congratulations!!
Posted by: fooster | Thursday, 11 October 2007 at 21:19
OMG. She is gorgeous. What a lovely complexion and so very sweet.
Thank you kindly for the good wishes on my blog. I have already begun re-reading your entries from your early days in your first trimester with Pob. I am mostly terrified but sometimes have moments where I believe that everything will work out.
Posted by: Ms. Planner | Friday, 12 October 2007 at 01:10