Matt and I are going to the "Inaugural Marine Reach Global Summit 2008" this weekend. In English that means the first conference that everybody's coming to for the organization we work for! Haha. It's at a camp that doesn't have an incredible amount of internet flying around... so I don't know if I'll be able to blog all weekend. Ok - weekend is an understatement - more like Thursday through Tuesday. BUT! Just so you don't flip out, my sister (hopefully) has accepted my request to blog for me. I'll try my best to get her information - which could prove difficult since she's living in NY state, and I'm in NZ. But we'll try! At least she can tell you nothing's wrong. She'll definitely know if something's wrong. On that note. Please pray with us that Joshua starts gaining weight. It really really really bothers me that he's not gaining weight. Just to give you an idea - click on John & Anna Coyle on the sidebar. Austin, their son, is just two days older than Joshua. So it should give you a vague idea of the kind of weight he should be gaining. I'm really irritated that he's still under 7lbs. I can't figure out if I'm not feeding him enough, I'm not producing enough, his suck isn't as good as I think it is, I'm not producing "quality" milk, etc... Can't be sure, but I know for sure that I want him to wow his nurse next week by being over 7lbs. That's my goal. 6oz in a week is not too much to expect. Except that he probably hasn't gained that much in his entire 5 weeks. So please pray with me that he does it. My non-scientific-theory is that if he's bigger, he'll be stronger. You should see his bare bottom - he looks like he's wasting away coz its so skinny. I can see the outlines of his bones. I really don't like that. I don't think he's wasting away, but he should be gaining.
This lil' man's looking pretty comfy huh?
This lil' man's looking pretty comfy huh?
He does look comfy! Here's hoping for the wow for your nurse next week!!! My only, non-professionals, take it or leave it suggestion is to make sure you eat a lot of protein regularly throughout the day. My other two kids had a lot of trouble with weight gain, but Eliza, not so much. I think it is because I am really focusing on regular heavy on the protein meals. So, like I said - my very non professional opinion :)
ReplyDeleteHope you all have a good time over your long-weekend!
-Andrea
Just a suggestion...
ReplyDeleteA friend with triplets pumped a bit first before feedings, that way the babe got the 'good stuff' hind milk quickly. You might consider something like that to get the nice, as my husband jokingly called it, 'coffee cream'.
Just a suggestion. Have a safe trip.
My daughter did that. They labeled her 'failure to thrive'. We whacked her on formula and she porked up real quick.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm de-lurking. *grin* You guys are great, and I think Joshua is just fabulous. My pastor (here in Australia) is from Taumarunui, and one of our guys from the youth group is on one of the YWAM boats, so it's nice to have some more 'EN Zedders' to pray for.
Truly, I find it a wonderful delight to come here every day.
I am praying for Joshua to gain weight! My son did not reach the 7lb mark until he was 2 months old!
ReplyDeleteDo you wake Joshua to make him eat every 3 hours or so? My son was early and in the NICU after birth so all he wanted to do was sleep the first few months we had him home. I had to wake him up and make him eat. I didn't know if that was recommended for Joshua or if he refuses to eat.
I think you are amazing Susie. I pray for Joshua and all of you every day. Thank you for sharing your family with me.
Suzie!! I totally can relate to the weight gain issues. My DD who is now 16 months and 16 lbs. had a really hard time gaining. You might now already, but kellymom.com is a great website with great ideas about increasing weight gain in slow gaining babies. Check it out if you have time. Also on a personal note my first daughter started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks and my milk nearly dried up. At 11 weeks she had only gained 2 oz. This was a long time ago, and I had no idea that could happen. I started feeding her every 2 hours around the clock (sorry!!) and she gained a pound in one week. Some women can let their babies sleep long periods without it affecting their supply, but I was not one of them.
ReplyDeletePraying for you not to be anxious but to find solutions to help Joshua gain well! Feel free to email me if you have any questions... vandruff dot family at gmail dot com.
Have a safe trip. Keeping Joshua in my prayers, specifically for weight gain!
ReplyDeleteSusie - we'll be praying for Joshua to gain weight. I know how important it is to you! We love you guys and are praying every step of the way for ya!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on the weight! My son will be 8 weeks this Sunday and just broke 6 lbs yesterday :-( I was hoping for more!
ReplyDeleteHe was 6 weeks early but other than that has no physical ailments. I ask myself the same questions about whether i'm making enough milk etc. Dr said he needs about 15 oz a day to gain 1 oz per day. so i figure he's getting 2 oz per feeding (i think/hope) so i'm aiming for 8 feedings per day. I'll reweigh him next wed!
go easy on yourself! you're doing the best you can!
Too cute!! He looks so comfortable :)
ReplyDeleteSusie - you're doing a great job! I'll second the idea of pumping a bit before each feeding to get more hindmilk in him. Also - not sure if he's nursing both sides at a sitting or not - but if you can keep him on one side for a longer period instead of switching during a feeding that may help too. Will be praying for you all this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI will add my girls story to the others. She is typical and there was no reason for this but it took her 3 months to gain half a pound over her birth weight. Ultimately she made a turn around and started to gain very well but those were some pretty agonizing three months. I walked around with my heart in my stomach most of the time. Blessings to you and mega fat rolls to Joshua! :)
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