And here's what my little munchkin was up to this past week!
Weight: 12 pounds 2 ounces and 25.5 inches long as of Halloween. His weight has been a tough subject for me this past week. Basically, Ethan is not gaining enough weight...and we need to do something about it. I've gone through a range of emotions...many tied to guilt about returning to work, not giving him enough in his bottle, not allowing him to nurse long enough...the list goes on. Our ped suggested introducing formula, but I'm just not ready for that quite yet. So the game plan is to up his bottles {I have a freezer stash} and nurse more frequently, in the hopes of bumping up my supply. OH and pump more often while at work. Fingers crossed that he puts on weight!
Health: Other than his weight, Ethan is healthy and thriving. He's super alert and social, which is really good to hear.
Sleep: It's about the same as last week. We swaddle him and he wakes up about two times a night. We just got him a new Halo fleece sleepsack and some A+A security blankets. We'll see how he does with those this next week.
Social: We had a blast on Halloween handing out candy and spending time with Ryan's family. Ryan's little cousins are at the perfect age for Halloween and we love seeing them dressed up...of course they adore Baby Ethan too!
Diet: Still 100% breastmilk...upping to 5-6 ounces when we bottle feed. I also found that I need to burp Ethan more often when he nurses...this allows him to nurse longer and be more full I think.
Clothes: Pretty much all 3-6 months!
Baby Gear
Love: Ethan is getting the hang of his jumperoo and really enjoys being in any sort of contraption that allows him to stand and stretch his legs.
Crying: Really only at night and when I burp him mid-nursing. He's not a fan of that but is SO relieved when he lets out a big burp {or toot!}.
Likes: This past week, Ethan was just cracking up when Ryan would go in to tickle/nuzzle his neck. It was really cute to watch him anticipate the tickle attack...he would grab his fists and just scream out with laughter. #love
Postpartum: I'm actually seeing a little more weight loss this past week...I would say I have 10 solid pounds left to lose...but if I lost 5 more, I would be back to a more "comfortable" weight. One day at a time...and of course with the holidays around the corner, I might just be "ok" with my body for the time being!
Milestones: Nothing new this week...but I can't believe how quickly our little guy is "growing up". He prefers to sit {assisted} now and and he's getting so much better with playing with his toys. He loves to take his paci out of his mouth...and sometimes put it back in. And he passes his toys from one hand to the next. His hand eye coordination is progressing every day!
xo natasha
Ethan is seriously so adorable!! :)
ReplyDeleteI voted for you! Good luck!! :)
That high metabolism little Ethan has will be really useful for him one day! In the meantime, you are doing great! He is healthy and thriving...and cute as can be of course. I'm sure in no time, he will catch up with extra bottles. Don't worry girl!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see all of the photos of him in beanies and snow gear!
ReplyDeleteNatasha Ethan is seriously adorable. He has such a cute expression! I'm so sorry that his weight has been worrying you. I'm totally proud of you for coming up with a solution other than automatically assuming he needs formula. I'm confident you'll be able to increase your supply! Don't blame yourself, you are doing such a good job taking care of your little man. I'll be praying for you and that his weight goes up! xoxo
ReplyDeletehe is just so adorable! praying that he will gain some weight for you!
ReplyDeleteHe is so precious. Praying he gains the weight he needs to with the solution you came up with. Don't beat yourself up about it. I had one with severe reflux who was a peanut for quite some time and the other drank 8oz bottles from the get go (she was almost 10 lbs at birth).
ReplyDeleteHe seriously is such a handsome boy!! Ugh I want to squeeze him he's so cute :) good luck with the feedings. I'm sure everything will work out soon and he'll put on weight like a champ!
ReplyDeleteSeriously he is SO stinkin' cute, like I literally tell Cam all the time that when we have a baby I hope is like half as cute and smiley as E! He's just the most adorable little guy :)
ReplyDeleteNatasha you are doing exactly what you need to do (feeding longer, pumping extra). Do not let them talk you into giving him formula. Your milk is exactly what he needs and he is happy and healthy. If he is not loosing weight then don't stress. :0)
ReplyDeleteAlso if you have something rich (like 30 min pre-feed) before he has his bedtime feeding it could help him feel satisfied and sleep longer. I ate frozen yogurt or cheesecake etc. (I didn't have cheesecake every night haha)I even think I heard to eat something with alot of protein?? You could probably google it. *Remember you need to be taking in extra calories because you are burning 500 calories a day just by breastfeeding*
If you have a local breastfeeding clinic I would suggest going there and letting them help you. Mine was awesome and they would know if he is at the proper weight for a breastfed baby. Formula babies and breastfed babies should be looked at differently.
Hope that helps!!
Ethan is just so precious!!!! He is beyond adorable!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, he is just the most precious lil thing. Everytime I see your instagram, I have a huge smile on my face. He's the cutest! :)
ReplyDeletexx Lynzy
That striped outfit is soo adorable! His smile is to die for :)
ReplyDeleteHe is one cutie pie!! I love that adorable striped jumpsuit!
ReplyDeletekeep it up! we're going through the same thing here at 18 weeks, she's grown 5 inches since birth, but has only gained 6 lbs. (Rylan is 13 lbs 11.5 oz & 25.5 in). to say we got off to a slow start is an overstatement :( i didn't want to start formula either...so i pump every three hours at work and have been taking fenugreek to help the supply. think of it this way--every time he eats, your body will produce more. i'm making just enough (5oz per pump) so it takes us quite a while to build up any "extras" to add to the freezer stash. frustrating, but it'll get better when you start solids. you can do it!
ReplyDeleteHe is just so precious! I love that little striped outfit!
ReplyDeleteomg your littel boy is just the cutest!
ReplyDeletei found your blog from online shoes and voted for your picture with the boots! :)
happyleeliving.blogspot.com
Oh he is just so cute!!
ReplyDeleteYou two have matching smiles...too cute for words!!
ReplyDeleteNatasha,
ReplyDeleteHe is just adorable AND.. this too will pass :) I used to teach birthing classes, rented breast pumps and did consults on the side .. all while I was employed as a nutritionist for a medical center.
Anyway, [not knowing any details} .. typically, the more you nurse/pump, the more milk you make. I am not one to recommend a strict feeding scheduling that is absolute. Most families do best when they feed their babies on-demand and for as long as baby wants, or needs to. Make sure your calories (including fat) are where they should be ~ otherwise you won't make lots of good/fatty milk that your newborn needs. I used to tell my students to eat 2-3 ounces of protein with each meal plus lots of extra calories to support milk production. You will burn 500 extra calories (or more) daily, while breastfeeding.
It's SO hard to work and be a mom!! Hang in there!
xx
leslie
I so love reading these. Ethan will be so thrilled to have all of this one day. What a cutie. You look awesome and his hat is adorable. Proud of you for doing so awesome with breastfeeding. I remember eating like a crazy woman when I did. Those babies take it all out of us! ;) And of course I am loving his stripes!
ReplyDeleteI had the same issues with my little guy not gaining enough and our pedi was pushing us in the direction of supplementing with formula. I was determined to continue exclusively breastfeeding and just went back to nursing him about every 2-3 hours. It was kind of overwhelming to go back to that, but it was worth it! After a couple of weeks of nursing/pumping as often as possible, he was back on track with his weight and we have been able to make it to the year mark without a drop of formula. He's stayed "long and lean" though--sounds like that might be the case for your little guy! Good luck--you can do it!!
ReplyDeleteEthan is a cutie! How adorable he is wearing that cozy hat. That's a beautiful photo of you and Ethan, Natasha! You both look so happy! Crossing my fingers for you on the contest.
ReplyDeleteAdorable!! What a happy little boy
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel about the baby weight gain struggles! I did have to resort to formula because I was visiting the doc about twice a week. I find that I nurse enough as it is and with an almost 4 year old that requires my attention, sometimes a bottle of formula is quite easier. Specially because now EMS is easily distracted by my son and doesn't seem to want to nurse too long to watch him in action. Having a second child definitely makes it more challenging. After my recent surgery, I had to pump and dump and that was soo sad. I think the anesthesia and surgery also affected my milk supply. Anyway, so glad that Baby E is doing well and that you are losing your baby weight. I also have about 5 more lbs to lose to be in my range and it's been exciting fitting into more of my clothes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie! He is getting so big.
ReplyDeleteI love his little pumpkin costume and that striped onesie... is it Baby Gap? Super cute!
ReplyDeleteTry not to put too much pressure on yourself. Working and breastfeeding is so tough. If you do end up having to give him some formula, it won't be the end of the world. He will be just fine! You are doing a great job. Congrats on the weight loss too, I know that feels great! :)
Ah Natasha...he is so so cute. I can't believe he's 19 weeks already! :) Mila was gaining very much either I remember. We started giving her rice cereal around 4 months - mixed with breast milk. It did help a little...but frankly she's just a little person. Haha. Keep us posted on his weight gain, it can be nerveracking but don't blame yourself! Some babies just gain faster, others slower. You are doing great! :)
ReplyDeleteahh i love these posts. he is just the cutest little thing and the pictures of you and him each week are brilliant. i love your colour coordinated outfits :) xx
ReplyDeleteHe's so darling!!
ReplyDeleteI love these updates. I have to tell you I have learned so much from following your pregnancy. I love your honesty and your tips. I am not a Mom yet but I already have some of your suggested items bookmarked for when I do!
ReplyDeleteHe is so beautiful! Congrats
Ethan, you are so stinking cute! We're supplementing with formula and I've been adding a bit of rice cereal to Mac's bottles every now and then. I'm not sure either's been making much of a difference, but it took me a LONG time to be ok with that. Guilt, guilt, guilt. If you decide to go that route, try not to be too hard on yourself. :) Easier said than done, right?
ReplyDeleteAck! He's so precious!
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, if he's gaining at all, he's doing fine! We started Eliza (who's like 2 weeks older than Ethan) on solids so that might help your boy put on some weight? I say keep on nursing, just start food. Our pediatrician told us we can start at 4 months. Much earlier than with did with Avery. Things always change! You look great, he looks great and happy... I think BF is agreeing with both of you.
ReplyDeleteBaby Ethan is getting so big!! Good luck with the weight problem! Landon had jaundice so bad after we left the hospital so I was sort of pushed to supplement with formula- hardest decision ever and the guilt a new mom feels is unreal so I feel your pain momma
ReplyDeleteOh he is so sweet!! Don't beat yourself up about the weight. He seems to be thriving! Maybe a small supplement would work, but at least he would still be getting most of your milk and you've given him nothing but your milk since birth...that's something to be proud of! :)
ReplyDeleteMy sister n law, her baby Thomas is 3 months older then matthew. Matthew is 3 months and weighs 13 lbs or maybe more, not sure till his 4 month checkup. But thomas just turned 6 months and he weighs 13 lbs too. She is SOOOOO strict about using breastmilk & is super paraniod because one time she had to go to the hospital unexpedetadly for a week with one of her other kids and had to use formula so she keeps TONS of breastmilk in the freezer. ANYWAY, the ped. told her to introduce formula because he isn't gaining enough, but the ped. told her it was because she was feeding him when he seemed hungry & not strictly on a 2-3 house time frame. Not saying thats your case, but the only reason Matthew is so big I blame the formula!! Formula stinks so bad :( hopefully you don't have to use it. Jody was so upset she had to!! It's totally not your fault though, lots of breast fed babies sometimes don't get enough. I LOVE THAT HAT. so stylish :) I have 15 lbs to loose still :( Sad none of my jeans fit, its hard to go work out with a baby :(
ReplyDeleteMy little gal takes her soother out all of the time too and then gets made when its not in her mouth. Silly girl. Ethan is precious as ever xo
ReplyDeleteHe is absolutely adorable! It's so fun getting to see him grow over these last few weeks. And you my friend look amazing! Everything will work out great with breastfeeding - do not worry about it one bit!
ReplyDeleteI voted for you - it looks close! Good luck =)
He is so adorable! I mean, heart melting, cheeks needing pinched, adorable. I love him. Congrats on such a sweet, lovable little dude!
ReplyDeleteAdorable striped onesie! Where did you find that??
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! It's by Tea Collection...you can find the brand at Nordstrom as well as other retailers.
DeleteHe just keeps getting cuter!! I am so sorry to hear about his weight, breastfeeding is hard enough alone! I bet with extra feedings and uping his bottles he will do great!! But if you end up having to supplement too it will be okay! You are such a great mama and I love watching your little guy grow!! Take care!! Xoxo!
ReplyDeleteHoly moly. That knit hat!! :)
ReplyDeleteBaby Ethan week is shown on the post here. Have a look at it
ReplyDeleteHair Removal