Us: The baby thows up infamil
Dr.: Its ok, babys spit up
Us: The baby wretches up infamil
Dr.: Its ok, babys spit up
Us: She is gagging and puking
Dr.: Its ok, babys spit up
?? What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Us: We want to breast feed the baby and are having questions and other issues.
Dr.: Here, give the baby this forumla.
Us: Um... We want to breast feed the baby.
Dr.: Here are two cans of Infamil.
Us: The baby pukes infamil
Dr.: Here try nutra
This is getting wacky. Amusing enough, we just talk to the lactation consultant to get our questions answered. The doctor visits thus far have been a disapoinment. Questions we ask are redircted into answers for questions we did not ask. Such as the subtle requests for assistance with breast feeding. Meanwhile the Dr. answers the question: "Which formula should we use?". Very frustrating. Especially to a situation that is frustrating enough because of the complete lack of support with breast feeding.
See, I support my gal as best I know how. When she says she needs or wants to do something I try as best I can to prevent any blockages and make the "something" happen. Like that game Canadians play on ice. The one where you push a heavy round thing then polish the ice in front of the heavy thing with a broom to try to make it go farther. Anyway, early in the pregnancy my gal said she wants to breast feed. I questioned her conviction a few times (risky business) and she stuck to her guns. Therefore I "latched on" and started brushing the ice (pun intended). So... What happens when you get something the broom does not move? Obviously, I use a sledge hammer. (Guy thinking translation here, if it does not move with a small hammer (or brush), get a bigger hammer) Least to say, we have had plenty of "large" objects to make a frustrating path for mom and baby (and hammer) which I will spare details here. However, I am like a pit bull on a rump roast. She said this is what she wants, by golly, I will not stop until she says "WAIT".
One downside to using a big hammer is that it does not change direction very easily. So when my gal says "wait" it takes a minute for me (and the hammer) to pause to verify the new status of "wait" (inertia..newton.. blah). By then I've already bowled over whatever I was supposed to "wait" on. Angry mom is now angry at me. Whoops.
Anyway. Todays Doctor visit was a disapointment that no hammer could move, so time to go lateral. Things are not in despair, despite the lack of support from todays society (Dr's included) with a decision to breastfeed. My mom tells me it was like that in the 70's too. Kim said today (2000's) is actually a much easier time to breast feed as she understands it. Hmmmph. Everybody asks "Why not just use formula". Which dutifully gets answered "Because I want to".
Meanwhile I stick by her original decision and try to help keep the future optimistic with my sledge hammer waiting for the next obstacle to whack out of the way to keep the "heavy object" of breastfeeding moving forward.
four stones, bouncing:
Your best bet is to contact someone through La Leche League and go to their classes or sessions….which are simply groups of women breast feeding or learning about breastfeeding. Support is tough…in the sense that you have many people for it and many people against…not as much middle ground. Until we stop seeing breasts as sexual objects, it won’t be different. You’re a guy…let’s get that movement rolling… :) As for everything else, may I suggest a helmet for the mom and baby? (just in case that sledge hammer gets a mind on its own… :)sis - 30 November '04 - 15:04
The consultant also suggested we supplement with formula (and a bottle) which seems to contradict Le Leche, but we are continuing. She also told us to get some protien bars or powder and some herb supplements that increase prolactin. The theory is that Kim is not producing enough milk. That does not seem logical since Aby has been able to feed for multiple hours and not run out and one breast is obviously larger than the other because of milk production.Nathan - 30 November '04 - 16:55
Suggestion: I think you should make a Christmas list for Aby and Ryan. Things you need for them or that they like, etc. This would be helpful for those of us who don’t know the first thing about shopping for babies/toddlers. Please include size/color specifications and anything you don’t want (i.e. noisy toys). You may know that I’m not big on Christmas, especially the commercialized tradition of gift-giving, but I make an exception for children.tp () - 02 December '04 - 10:00
Noted. A list is actually in the works so stay tuned.Nathan - 02 December '04 - 13:12