Thank you all so much for your words of sympathy, encouragement, and offers of help and advice. It really does mean a lot! It helps to remember that others have gone through this before. We truly have felt the extra prayers offered on our behalf. THANK YOU!
We took Ganache in on Friday and he gained 6 ounces in two days! I weighed him again this morning on the digital scale my sister-in-law loaned us and he has gained another 4 ounces on top of that. Very good news! The formula not only is helping him to regain his weight but it also flushed out the remainder of the extra bilirubin in his system. His color is back, his cries are stronger, and he is more alert when awake.
A few things we found out:
- He is not tongue tied.
- I am producing enough milk for him but because of the breastmilk jaundice his body isn’t absorbing it like it should.
- He is consuming about twice the amount a baby his size typically does with the supplement of formula.
- He has a higher metabolism than a typical newborn. My mother-in-law went through something very similar with Mr. Ferrero Rocher’s younger brother and he still has a high metabolism as an adult. He eats tons and is skinny as a rail.
We still need to supplement for at least two more weeks – maybe up to four for a couple of reasons. The first is to help Ganache gain back the weight he lost and then some. The second reason is breastmilk jaundice can last anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks so keeping Ganache on formula will continue to keep extra bilirubin from building back up. We’ll slowly reduce the amount of formula after that to see how he does. If the bilirubin starts to increase or Ganache’s weight begins to decrease again then we’ll probably just have to continue to supplement with formula. One thing I am doing to try to avoid that is to build up my milk supply even more to cover for the amount of formula he is used to getting.
The older girls and Mr. Ferrero Rocher have sure enjoyed the one-on-one time with Ganache as they take turns feeding him his bottles of formula. It’s amazing how this little guy has drawn our family, which was close to begin with, even closer together.
About the photos: I finally felt comfortable taking pictures of him today. You can tell he has plumped up a little looking at the photos from the last post.
And I can’t resist baby yawns.
Especially when the yawn is so big the elf hat falls over his eyes.
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I am SO HAPPY to read this good news. He has been on my mind. I’m glad he’s doing well. And these pictures are adorable. Especially the yawns!
So glad he is doing better and that you have been able to combat the problems.
That hat is adorable (and the baby in it) is it crochet? Dh could make me one if it is…. 🙂
(not that I have any babies…but still!)
There is a cool book out called “Balancing Breast and Bottle” by Amy Peterson that helps moms who supplement with choosing a nipple closest to their own to reduce nipple confusion. It doesn’t sound like switching back and forth is a challenge for you, but if you know about the resource, you can share it with other mamas. 🙂
Also a cool resource for those unable or unwilling to use formula is a grass roots organization called Eats on Feets. This group helps hook up babies who need supplementation with mamas who’ve been screened to donate. It’s significantly cheaper and easier than a milk bank. Plus, lots of times you get to meet the donor mamas. How cool is that?! Community at it’s best, I say. So glad Baby G is doing better. 😀
And Hello: High Metabolism? How cool would that be?!?! That’s one lucky baby. At least, he will be as an adult.
He is handsome! I am so glad that he is gaining weight, you both have been in m prayers 🙂
Aimee
Montse, I’m in Reno visiting my IL’s and they mentioned I should catch up on your blog. First of all, congratulations on the new baby! I didn’t even know you were expecting another little one. I’ve been so busy with life of late that I’ve been out of touch with my bloggy friends.
I am so sorry to hear about your little guy’s struggles to gain weight. I’ve had slow gainers with all 3 of my babies even while nursing around the clock, so I totally get the utter stress and panic at having such a beautiful gift from God and being unable to provide for its most basic needs. I’m glad to hear he’s improving and that you have such a great medical support system for him. I hope he continues to grow. If you need information on upping your milk supply while supplementing with formula, or if you eventually need info on weaning off formula/supplementing with breastmilk let me know I have lots of info on the best herbal and medical galactologues & methods–and a pretty delicious & easy recipe for lactation cookies to munch on during those marathon nursing sessions. Hope things continue to look up for you!
Jen
Hooray! I am so glad to hear that he is gaining weight. My thoughts have been with you. It’s amazing to me how our blogs connect us to people we’ve never met and otherwise would never meet. You are amazing! I hope things continue to get better.
I love that elf hat!
He looks like some of your other children. I love to pick out his nose or her eyes; don’t you?
Such joyful news! Love the pictures, and yes, baby yawns are the best!
That is ONE SWEET LITTLE MAN! I love the elf hat shots …all of them are so precious!
Yay! What wonderful news! May the weight gain continue! The portraits are just beautiful! How awesome it must be to know how to do that and be able to photograph your own babies as much as you like. 🙂
Cute as a button, that boy is!!!
My daughter makes cookies that contain all sorts of breastmilk enhancing ingredients — brewers yeast, flax seed, etc…. If you’d like the recipe let me know and I’ll have her send it your way 🙂
So so very glad to hear he is doing better! The pictures are precious. I can imagine the emotional roller coaster and I’m glad you have so much love and support to help you through it. It is a beautiful thing, the way a baby brings the family even closer together. I hope things continue to go well and that you keep those darling pictures coming! (love the one of your daughter and husband holding him in your previous post)
Thanks for sharing your families great news. He’s really very sweet. I truly hope you didn’t feel like you had to justify supplementing his feedings to the public. What a child needs is what he/ she needs. I am sort of passionate about this, as one of mine wouldn’t/ couldn’t breast feed and I got a whole lot of incriminating looks and comments. As mothers, we do what is right for our children. End of story. I hope I didn’t offend by offering my view.
I’m glad things are going so well. Babies in baskets is a win-win!!
I am s happy that he is doing well. I know from personal experiences how worried you were. Prayers were made and answered.
Priceless pictures!
Blessings to you!
I’m so happy he’s doing better! I know as a mom it’s so hard to not have the answers, but it’s great that the rest of the family has had this bonding time. You’re still in our prayers!
What a cute little one!! And wonderful pictures!
Oh, I’m so happy that he’s doing so much better!!
I’m glad that you know what you know. I think it’s reassuring.
yeah for chubby cheeks!!
So glad to hear he is gaining weight & doing better!! Gotta love watching all those little arms and legs (and dont forget the cheeks) fill out & become even more kissable (if that is possible)!! Makes you so glad for those “mothers instincts” that Heavenly Father gives us!! I love all the pictures he is such a beautiful baby ~ love the elf hat being “yawned” over his eyes, what a priceless picture!!
Glad that you found out how to help him! Best to you as you continue to work the feeding out.
Good News! Paryers on you and your family that this good trend continues.
Cant stop thinking about you! Glad the baby is okay! Been praying for you and your family. All my love! Shannon
So happy that your little guy is doing better!!! We are praying for him and for your family.
So glad he’s doing better. I too LOVE baby yawns, thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.
Isn’t it the most wonderful feeling to see those numbers on the scale go up…well at least in relation to babies. LOL
So happy to hear that he is gaining weight back. Good job, Mom.
So glad he’s doing better. 🙂 When you have a little one that struggles you realize more than ever that every moment of our lives is a miracle. I have some kids with high metabolism, but they did okay with just breast milk. The only one who struggled to gain weight was my one with heart defects. The fact that he’s gaining weight is a fabulous sign. My little one was born at 8 pounds and was only 11 pounds at 8 months. Heart defects can make it hard for babies to gain weight because their little bodies are trying so hard to maintain appropriate Oxygen levels and their hearts often beat faster. Think . . . my heart beats faster so while I’m resting my heart thinks I’m running. Sometimes murmurs can go undected for months or even lifetimes without an echocardiogram. Sometimes the defects don’t affect a person, it’s when they do that intervention is usually sought. Hopefully he’ll plump up and be fine and healthy, but if not, it would be worth checking.
So glad he’s doing better! I love the hat.
lovely to see he’s chunking up so quickly .))