Adventures in Breastfeeding

Despite his early and eventful entrance into this world, Owen is definitely a laid-back little man. Especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Like his dad, Owen likes to savor his food.

In the hospital, after he was born, the lactation consultants described Owen as a "lazy eater". He likes to fall asleep while he's on the breast. The lactation consultants showed us how to jostle him awake during feedings but sometimes it just didn't work. At two and a half weeks of age (on 1/18), after his bout with jaundice, Owen still hadn't returned to his birth weight. This shocked Sean and I who thought, because Owen spent so long on the boobs, that he was gaining lots of weight! Owen's doctor told us to supplement Owen's diet with pumped breast milk and some formula. And to make sure he is REALLY awake before letting him breastfeed. So the routine has become: breastfeeding for 30-40 minutes, Sean burps while I pump the remainder of the milk, then Sean feeds him the pumped breast milk. Then, if he is still hungry, we give him some formula. After three days of this routine, on 1/21, Owen had returned to his birth weight (7bs, 4oz). After a week, on 1/28, Owen weighed a WHOPPING 8lbs 2 ounces!! The doctor is really excited that he is gaining weight and we are too. It also makes up for the fact that we spend over an hour at each feeding - even at 3am. He is a hungry little man these days as evidenced by his chubby cheeks and belly. Plus, since his belly is satiated, he is in a much more alert and happy mood (except when he has gas and then he grunts until it all comes out).

-Marisa