but I have no desire to be Mrs. Butterworth. Seriously.
Little's feeding issue has resurfaced. ::sighhhhhh:: Actually, it only resolved itself for one day...then it started up again, first with her not finishing her bottles, and now we're back to struggling to get her to eat more than 2 ounces at a feeding. She's almost 5 months old, two ounces just isn't enough. I'm at the end of my rope. (I thought that was nicer than saying that I'm about to flip my shit...but either is absolutely accurate.) I decided I needed more help.
Soooo...one more (frustrated, panicky, exasperated) phone call to the pediatrician later...I have a few new ideas. I went and bought yet, another kind of formula...that makes 4 now in case you're keeping track, cuz I know I am...to try to mix with breast milk in her bottles. And its a milk based formula...because we've tried all of the alternatives and there just aren't any more. The doctor told me that while her eczema is annoying, it isn't life threatening, so if she eats the regular stuff, we should just suck it up and deal with the eczema (more salve, sweet!). Grr. But, here's where it gets interesting...to me at least. Little's doctor suggested that the best thing for us to do is switch her back to all breast milk...which requires me to somehow increase my supply by almost 10 ounces a day. If you've ever breast fed, you know...this is not an easy feat...not something you can snap your fingers and accomplish. So, at the pediatrician's suggestion, I then made a visit to my local health food store, a place that I've never actually been to before, for Fenugreek. No, it's not a sorority, silly, its an herb that supposedly regulates blood sugar levels (mine are fine thank you), but also just happens to increase lactation in some women as a side effect. (I wonder what it does to men...huh.) Now, generally, I'm not a herby (that's like a Treky-except with herbs). I like my FDA approved medications, thank you, but right about now I'd suck on shoe laces if someone told me this feeding strike/refusal/fussiness/pain in my arse would end with Little eating again...so I bought some, and I'm trying it. Reluctantly, maybe even skeptically...I'm trying it.
Here's the deal with Fenugreek...I bought 350 mg capsules...I have to take a minimum of 7 of them per day (gulp!...literally) in order to have any chance of this working. Possible side effects, in addition to lactation apparently, include nausea and diarrhea (umm...what? Geez, Little...do I love you...) and my favorite...smelling like maple syrup. Hee! Is this not the most bizarre side effect you've ever heard of? I mean, I guess its better than smelling like raw sewage or something, but maple syrup? How random. It's a good thing we all like pancakes! Well, I guess I'm not really sure whether Little likes them yet or not. Hmm. Has anyone ever prayed that their child would like pancakes before? No? Well, let me be the first then...
So, I've popped two capsules already today, and I've been told that it will take 3-4 days for me to see a difference in supply if its going to work. I figure that the day I wake up and mistake myself for Dolly Parton when I walk by the mirror, I'll know that my endeavor has been successful. In the meantime, we wait, Hubby and Big and I, breathing deeply, practicing our zen face, playing hot potato with the screaming baby at night...its super!! Please, oh please, God...let the pancake medicine work...
Little's feeding issue has resurfaced. ::sighhhhhh:: Actually, it only resolved itself for one day...then it started up again, first with her not finishing her bottles, and now we're back to struggling to get her to eat more than 2 ounces at a feeding. She's almost 5 months old, two ounces just isn't enough. I'm at the end of my rope. (I thought that was nicer than saying that I'm about to flip my shit...but either is absolutely accurate.) I decided I needed more help.
Soooo...one more (frustrated, panicky, exasperated) phone call to the pediatrician later...I have a few new ideas. I went and bought yet, another kind of formula...that makes 4 now in case you're keeping track, cuz I know I am...to try to mix with breast milk in her bottles. And its a milk based formula...because we've tried all of the alternatives and there just aren't any more. The doctor told me that while her eczema is annoying, it isn't life threatening, so if she eats the regular stuff, we should just suck it up and deal with the eczema (more salve, sweet!). Grr. But, here's where it gets interesting...to me at least. Little's doctor suggested that the best thing for us to do is switch her back to all breast milk...which requires me to somehow increase my supply by almost 10 ounces a day. If you've ever breast fed, you know...this is not an easy feat...not something you can snap your fingers and accomplish. So, at the pediatrician's suggestion, I then made a visit to my local health food store, a place that I've never actually been to before, for Fenugreek. No, it's not a sorority, silly, its an herb that supposedly regulates blood sugar levels (mine are fine thank you), but also just happens to increase lactation in some women as a side effect. (I wonder what it does to men...huh.) Now, generally, I'm not a herby (that's like a Treky-except with herbs). I like my FDA approved medications, thank you, but right about now I'd suck on shoe laces if someone told me this feeding strike/refusal/fussiness/pain in my arse would end with Little eating again...so I bought some, and I'm trying it. Reluctantly, maybe even skeptically...I'm trying it.
Here's the deal with Fenugreek...I bought 350 mg capsules...I have to take a minimum of 7 of them per day (gulp!...literally) in order to have any chance of this working. Possible side effects, in addition to lactation apparently, include nausea and diarrhea (umm...what? Geez, Little...do I love you...) and my favorite...smelling like maple syrup. Hee! Is this not the most bizarre side effect you've ever heard of? I mean, I guess its better than smelling like raw sewage or something, but maple syrup? How random. It's a good thing we all like pancakes! Well, I guess I'm not really sure whether Little likes them yet or not. Hmm. Has anyone ever prayed that their child would like pancakes before? No? Well, let me be the first then...
So, I've popped two capsules already today, and I've been told that it will take 3-4 days for me to see a difference in supply if its going to work. I figure that the day I wake up and mistake myself for Dolly Parton when I walk by the mirror, I'll know that my endeavor has been successful. In the meantime, we wait, Hubby and Big and I, breathing deeply, practicing our zen face, playing hot potato with the screaming baby at night...its super!! Please, oh please, God...let the pancake medicine work...
1 comment:
Oh my, you poor thing.. I'm so sorry little is being difficult.. If it makes you feel better, Emi wants no part of the bottle.. Luckily I only have to give her one every now and then. I hope the herb works for you..
Post a Comment