Thursday, April 12, 2012
My big boy!
3:04 PM
Baby G's one month well baby appointment was yesterday. If I needed some encouragement to keep breastfeeding, that was it. Baby boy is growing like a weed! Here are his stats:
Birth: 6 pounds, 4 oz, 19 inches
Left hospital 5 pounds, 11 oz
One month: 8 pounds, 11 oz, 21.5 inches!
So he's gained three pounds and grown 2.5 inches in a month! Holy moly!
He's now 25th percentile for his weight and head circumference and 50th percentile for his height.
I never asked for his percentages when he was born because I didn't really want to know. I was discouraged that he was so small, and that it was my body who made him that way. It really upset me that, in my mind anyway, my body didn't nourish him and help him grow. Never mind the fact that I was 6 pounds, 7 oz and 19 inches at birth, and that Jason was 6 pounds, 13 oz and 20 inches.... Mommy brain doesn't take rationalizations into account.
And now the men in my life can stop reading right here. Seriously, Dad, you don't want to read the next sentence.
At least I don't think you care to read about my nipples..
See? I warned you.
Now that G is growing so well, I can feel proud that my body is doing real work for him. Good job, boobies!
Also, I figured out what was going on with me and why I was in so much pain after feeding.
Turns out that the whole world isn't lying, and that some women really don't have pain and really do enjoy breastfeeding. I thought it was a malicious lie to make me feel worse about myself.
Actually, I have a circulation problem called Reynaud's disorder, which typically occurs in fingers and toes, but can occur in breastfeeding women. (Who knew?) The blood flow kind of stops, causing my nipples to constrict. They actually turn colors, to white and blue, and hurt like the dickens. Cold air makes it about a million times worse, and our bedroom is air conditioned at night. Simply getting out of bed, and walking over to G's bassinet almost makes me want to cry. And walking through the freezer aisle at the grocery store?? Torture. Especially since I don't have a human heater husband to cuddle up on in the freezer aisle.
So now that I have that figured out, I know how to fix it. I can take Evening Primrose Oil to treat it, drink less caffeine, and, the simplest approach, I can get a handwarmer or heating pad to keep in bed with me. If those things don't work, there is a prescription I can get from my doctor. With that in mind, I can keep on. Simply knowing that I can fix it, and that it isn't just always going to be there makes it easier.
Birth: 6 pounds, 4 oz, 19 inches
Left hospital 5 pounds, 11 oz
One month: 8 pounds, 11 oz, 21.5 inches!
So he's gained three pounds and grown 2.5 inches in a month! Holy moly!
He's now 25th percentile for his weight and head circumference and 50th percentile for his height.
I never asked for his percentages when he was born because I didn't really want to know. I was discouraged that he was so small, and that it was my body who made him that way. It really upset me that, in my mind anyway, my body didn't nourish him and help him grow. Never mind the fact that I was 6 pounds, 7 oz and 19 inches at birth, and that Jason was 6 pounds, 13 oz and 20 inches.... Mommy brain doesn't take rationalizations into account.
And now the men in my life can stop reading right here. Seriously, Dad, you don't want to read the next sentence.
At least I don't think you care to read about my nipples..
See? I warned you.
Now that G is growing so well, I can feel proud that my body is doing real work for him. Good job, boobies!
Also, I figured out what was going on with me and why I was in so much pain after feeding.
Turns out that the whole world isn't lying, and that some women really don't have pain and really do enjoy breastfeeding. I thought it was a malicious lie to make me feel worse about myself.
Actually, I have a circulation problem called Reynaud's disorder, which typically occurs in fingers and toes, but can occur in breastfeeding women. (Who knew?) The blood flow kind of stops, causing my nipples to constrict. They actually turn colors, to white and blue, and hurt like the dickens. Cold air makes it about a million times worse, and our bedroom is air conditioned at night. Simply getting out of bed, and walking over to G's bassinet almost makes me want to cry. And walking through the freezer aisle at the grocery store?? Torture. Especially since I don't have a human heater husband to cuddle up on in the freezer aisle.
So now that I have that figured out, I know how to fix it. I can take Evening Primrose Oil to treat it, drink less caffeine, and, the simplest approach, I can get a handwarmer or heating pad to keep in bed with me. If those things don't work, there is a prescription I can get from my doctor. With that in mind, I can keep on. Simply knowing that I can fix it, and that it isn't just always going to be there makes it easier.
Labels:BF2,Breastfeeding,Mommyhood
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Yay, G :) There is always something to stress over with kids. If he wasn't "small" then you'd have problems like me with people going on and on about how big babies are doomed to obesity later in life. I still don't understand those people that say breastfeeding is painless and enjoyable though...
ReplyDeleteSometimes just the validation that it's 'not just you' mentally helps. Wow, he's growing so well! Glad the check up went well all around. I nursed both boys to a year, and I wouldn't say it was painless and enjoyable but was grateful for the opportunity to nourish them and enjoy the bond it brought with it.
ReplyDeleteI had that same problem and struggle with breastfeeding only a doctor never told me how to fix it. Wow! I wish I would have known. You are doing great!
ReplyDeleteHe was the same weight and height EXACTLY as Lily when she was born and the same weight when she left the hospital. At one month she weighed 7lbs 1oz! <3 You'll have a big boy in no time! :) Well done mama, well done.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your growing boy, glad breastfeeding is working out for you. I swear it gets better!
ReplyDelete