Is it gas? My milk? The fact that I'm eating dairy? Is it the purple crying stage? A growth spurt? His personality? The result of a rough and long delivery? What in the world has caused my gorgeous baby boy to cry bloody murder on a regular basis and be incredibly fussy? Did I just win the lottery and get "that baby" who isn't exactly colic but definitely isn't calm.
I'm SO confused how to move forward, do I cut dairy out completely (does what I eat even affect my milk), do I continue to give him gripe water (even though he frequently pukes it out)? What do I do? This mom thing never came with a manual and Edison is his own unique individual, so there really is no clear cut answer here.
So this is what Cam and I have decided to do; I'm taking him to my chiropractor. He's had one adjustment so far and I saw no difference until today. He was almost a completely different baby! I'm excited to see what Fridays adjustment will bring in improving his fussiness! I'm seriously hoping that today wasn't just a fluke.
I'm also currently trying to help Edison understand that my boobs are primarily for milk and eating. I have yet to feel the let down sensation on a daily basis, I can barely ever tell if I'm full of milk and I'm never engorged, like never!
So today I started timing Edison on each boob for 20 minutes a boob during the day feeds. When he falls asleep I've been trying to keep him up to eat and then take him off when the time is up and every time so far he's been a happy guy after a few minutes of crying. And if he starts crying again after a while for milk I've been latching him again for another round that I've timed. I'm doing this because everytime he's on the boob he'll eat for an average of five minutes and fall right asleep with my boob in his mouth and sleep like that for hours while suckling every once in a while. It's been exhausting and I'm not sure what's going on with my milk supply because of it. His poop has also gone completely green which I've learnt is because he's not getting the fatty part of my milk. It all worries me because I know that my milk supply is determined by how much he eats. So if he's not eating much then wouldn't my boobs be making very little?
So I want him to start eating more when latched. I know he can fall asleep other ways cause he's done it before and I do feed him on demand so he'll get milk still whenever he wants it. And I'm not worried about his suckling needs cause he has his soother which he frequently takes, the soothie!
I know that this might not be the way you may feel and I've had a lot of mommy friends say to do what works and don't sweat it. But this decision feels right, at least for now it does. So I'll continue to do it, the chiropractor and timed feedings. Now the question remains if dropping dairy will really make a difference and if what I eat really goes directly to my milk? I just don't know. I'll be asking my doctor for sure on Tuesday. I guess it doesn't hurt to try to see if cutting it out does make a difference. I know it's best for my own sensitive body to rid of it anyways.
I better sleep now, Edison is snoring away!
N.
3 comments:
Is he 5 weeks? Maybe it's a wonder week. Look up wonder weeks if you've not yet!
Oh and I think the green poops will even out too, as your supply evens out. I tried to do everything to avoid green poops but eventually, it just stopped! I guess the milk production normalizes and the fat just comes out more regularly. At least, that makes sense, right? ;)
Hi Nicole,
I found your blog through being a friend of Sharon's.
Welcome to motherhood!!
I just wanted to chime in on the topic of a fussy, gassy baby because my 1.5 year old Son really struggled with that the first 6 months.
I cut dairy out of my diet completely. I would also take a digestive enzyme when I ate to help break anything down.
On days where I would even put a splash of milk in my tea sure enough there was a difference! So I say give it a go and see if you notice an improvement!
The medical community sometimes doesn't believe there is a relation but many studies show there is.
Also, if gripe water isn't working for you, I had the best luck with Ovol.
Oh and about your feeding questions- sounds like you have some good strategies. You shoul find a lactation support group in your area as I have had friends find great success with them. Even if it's just to chat with other Moms about their experiences.
You're right there is no manual an the first few months are overwhelming in good and not so good ways. Follow your heart and your baby will thrive.
Good luck with the fussiness!! My Son rarely slept more than 45 mins in a row for the first 6 months. I was a Mombie. :)
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