2 Weeks Old

Ada's two week appointment went well . . . and then it didn't. But before we get into all of that, our little lady is growing like a weed. Her personality is becoming more complex (and -- sigh -- cranky). And she's as gorgeous as ever.

Still, the last two weeks have been a blur of diapers, laundry, feedings, family, and not-enough sleep.

First, at Ada's appointment we learned that she now weighs 7 lbs, 5 ounces. A whopping 13 ounce gain in 9 days. Sounds like a lot -- right? The doctor commented that she's going to be huge if this rate continues. He also sort of chuckled, so I don't know if he was just being kind of funny or what. In other words, it was a good/bad thing to hear. Of course, now I'm all worried that she's gaining too much weight.

As the appointment went on, we talked about our concern that she's spitting up after most every feeding. He was quick to prescribe some drops to help with her apparent reflux. And then he brought up the possibility that we're over-feeding her. He then suggested that she should be able to get 1 ounce from each breast every five minutes -- so we, in his opinion, should restrict her eating to around 10-15 minutes. Give her a pacifier if she's wanting to suck more.

I smiled and nodded (because he was pretty keen on this idea, and proceeded to do a whole calories in/calories out analysis) -- but inside my head, I was screaming because this advice contradicts e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g I've ever read about feeding on demand.

So, I called our lactation consultant. And she said her weight is awesome. Keep doing what we're doing. She also gave us a bunch of other suggestions to help with her spitting up, since it seems like Ada is a happy spitter. Before we got off the phone, she said: "You're doing a great job!"


Of course, I want to believe the advice of the lactation consultant. She specializes in feeding. But now it's confusing because I don't know what suggestions to follow. I don't know if we should switch pediatricians. I don't know, in general, what to do.

I guess that's what parenting is all about. The not knowing. The going with your gut. But I'm happy to report that Ada -- though she's still doing it sometimes -- has responded well so far to elevation after she eats, better burping, etc. I don't think we'll need to fill that prescription. I'm still worried I'm over-feeding her, though.

Fingers crossed it all works out. I've read breastfed babies tend to gain wait more quickly and then level off.


The other item of note is Ada's crankiness level. (Note: Stephen's thank-god-she-stopped-crying-for-two-minutes face.) It's increased 1,000-fold since she was born. We're just living day by day. I don't think it's colic . . . but there are certainly times when she's inconsolable. We change her, feed her, play with her, rock her, etc. Nothing works.

We're thinking about offering a -- GASP -- pacifier, but would prefer to wait until four weeks, when we also are thinking of introducing a bottle for the first time. Any breastfeeding moms have experience with either of these things?

I'd write more, but Ada is now almost three weeks old. Expect another post about her development sometime soon-ish. Including one on our current sleep situation. It's been crazy trying to figure it all out -- that's for sure.

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