We were happy to see that Emerson was still taking bottle feedings today! And they even upped his calories from 22 to 24 to try to fatten him up.
He was sound asleep until his 5pm feeding. The daytime nurse, Debbie, was going to work with me on using a supplemental nursing system at Emerson's 5pm feeding. My milk supply still isn't really coming in after meeting with the lactation consultant the other day, and the supplemental nursing system can help trigger hormonal changes to enhance milk production.
Basically they put milk/formula in a bottle and there is a tube attached to it. The bottle hangs near my shoulder and the tube is taped, falling down by my nipple. So Emerson would latch on to my breast as well as the tube. As he sucks, the formula/milk will come through the tube. This should stimulate my milk production, and also help him practice his suck. We weren't having much luck with him latching on, so Joi came in to help out. We ended up using a nipple shield with the supplemental nursing system. A nipple shield is a flexible silicon nipple that is worn over the nipple. There are holes at the top that allows the milk to flow through.
It definitely helped, he latched on much easier with the nipple shield. Both nurses were so helpful, guiding me on how to hold Emerson, how to help him latch on, what signs to look for to confirm he's sucking, taking a rest, or if he's fallen asleep, how to get him to start sucking again, and when he may need to be burped. Once Emerson did latch on it looked like he couldn't breathe, his face is so smashed in there! Joi reassured me that he can before I could even ask. LOL Both nurses said his suck was strong and he was doing great. It took a little while and coaxing, but he was doing awesome! He ended up taking all but 4cc! So proud of him! And really appreciate both Debbie and Joi and their guidance. They were so encouraging!
I also picked up some Fenugreek supplements to help with my milk production. That was something the lactation consultant suggested the other day. It should increase the milk supply and as long as Im nursing or pumping every 2-3 hours, I can slowly wean off it. So its not something Ill have to take for a long period. Funny thing - it makes your urine and sweat smell like maple syrup. LOL But something has to give soon! Or not. Id love for my milk supply to increase, but it is completely OK if it doesn't increase. Its not like I'm the only one it has happened to. At least I know I've given it my best shot!
Emerson does seem to still be having a little bit of an issue with pooping. He seems to go 24 hours between poops. Maybe it's the vitamins? I'll have to ask the nurses for more tips on how to soothe him if that happens when we are home.
I thought that Emerson would have been all tuckered out after all that activity, but he took his full 8pm feeding to! He was wide awake through the feeding, and even after the feeding. :) Next up was my favorite time of the night - rocking and cuddling with Emerson. <3 Although it does make it hard to leave!
Notes from MyPreemieApp:
September 27, 2013 – Today Emerson Robert Goulet is 2 weeks and 6 days old and weighs 3 lbs 11 ozs. The nurses taking care of Emerson Robert Goulet are Christi, Debbie and Nicole.
We made progress. Feedings: Calories were increased from 22 to 24
Melissa is feeling Hopeful.
Melissa is grateful for: Debbie and Joi working with me on nursing!
He was sound asleep until his 5pm feeding. The daytime nurse, Debbie, was going to work with me on using a supplemental nursing system at Emerson's 5pm feeding. My milk supply still isn't really coming in after meeting with the lactation consultant the other day, and the supplemental nursing system can help trigger hormonal changes to enhance milk production.
Basically they put milk/formula in a bottle and there is a tube attached to it. The bottle hangs near my shoulder and the tube is taped, falling down by my nipple. So Emerson would latch on to my breast as well as the tube. As he sucks, the formula/milk will come through the tube. This should stimulate my milk production, and also help him practice his suck. We weren't having much luck with him latching on, so Joi came in to help out. We ended up using a nipple shield with the supplemental nursing system. A nipple shield is a flexible silicon nipple that is worn over the nipple. There are holes at the top that allows the milk to flow through.
It definitely helped, he latched on much easier with the nipple shield. Both nurses were so helpful, guiding me on how to hold Emerson, how to help him latch on, what signs to look for to confirm he's sucking, taking a rest, or if he's fallen asleep, how to get him to start sucking again, and when he may need to be burped. Once Emerson did latch on it looked like he couldn't breathe, his face is so smashed in there! Joi reassured me that he can before I could even ask. LOL Both nurses said his suck was strong and he was doing great. It took a little while and coaxing, but he was doing awesome! He ended up taking all but 4cc! So proud of him! And really appreciate both Debbie and Joi and their guidance. They were so encouraging!
I also picked up some Fenugreek supplements to help with my milk production. That was something the lactation consultant suggested the other day. It should increase the milk supply and as long as Im nursing or pumping every 2-3 hours, I can slowly wean off it. So its not something Ill have to take for a long period. Funny thing - it makes your urine and sweat smell like maple syrup. LOL But something has to give soon! Or not. Id love for my milk supply to increase, but it is completely OK if it doesn't increase. Its not like I'm the only one it has happened to. At least I know I've given it my best shot!
Emerson does seem to still be having a little bit of an issue with pooping. He seems to go 24 hours between poops. Maybe it's the vitamins? I'll have to ask the nurses for more tips on how to soothe him if that happens when we are home.
I thought that Emerson would have been all tuckered out after all that activity, but he took his full 8pm feeding to! He was wide awake through the feeding, and even after the feeding. :) Next up was my favorite time of the night - rocking and cuddling with Emerson. <3 Although it does make it hard to leave!
Notes from MyPreemieApp:
September 27, 2013 – Today Emerson Robert Goulet is 2 weeks and 6 days old and weighs 3 lbs 11 ozs. The nurses taking care of Emerson Robert Goulet are Christi, Debbie and Nicole.
We made progress. Feedings: Calories were increased from 22 to 24
Melissa is feeling Hopeful.
Melissa is grateful for: Debbie and Joi working with me on nursing!
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