We'd love you to pray for Caleb. He is in NICU. He is doing well but needs to grow (born at 3 lb. 6 oz.) and learn to hold his temperature steady. He arrived after a week of pre-eclampsia by C-section because he was footling breach. Fortunately since I was sick for long enough I was able to take some steroid shots that help babies lungs be stronger. His two older brothers were both born a week later than he was and had significant lung issues. I'm recovering fine but have some lingering effects that will probably be with me a few weeks. We are praying that we will both grow in strength at similar speeds so I can do a good job taking care of him once he is home.

We are very fortunate to have a situation where my husband can work from home almost completely full time until things calm down. Having a 14, 11 and 6 year old in the home is extremely helpful, too! Our "spring break" officially started the day I was hospitalized. School will begin again slowly adding one subject at a time as our schedule allows. (The older two could do most of their work on their own but they are running the household for now with only occasional encouragement/suggestions.)

Congratulations on your new baby I will be praying for a quick recovery for both of you.

Congratulations!! And prayer for you and your family as you all adjust to a new little one and for mom to recover

Congratulations!! I will pray for you and the baby

I'll be praying for Caleb and for you. I rejoice in your new little blessing!

Caleb is home! I'm recovering well. Getting to wean off the blood pressure medication.

Hubby is working from home another week or two to be available as needed but we are working hard to get more independent.

My big kids and hubby are amazing at how well they are doing around here! My only 'to do' is Caleb and they love to help with him, too!

This next paragraph is really only for ladies to read. Please pray, though!

Pray for supply issues. The Dr. really wants Caleb on complete breast milk but the many complications have helped to keep my supply very low in spite of tons of hard work. We are on about 1/2 and 1/2, all via bottles at this point. Not sure how long I can handle the pumping and/or how long before we'll be ready for a more natural approach, either.

I've had supply issues with my last few babies. I have some tips that you can try. Email me at dmryks@yahoo.com and we can chat about it.

Hugs to you! I hope your milk supply is coming up since you last posted. you mentioned you might consider natural things...Some things to look into are mothers milk tea, fenugreek and blessed thistle. For more info about these, you can go to la leche leauge's website or increasing low milk supply kelly mom ..Goat's milk is a lot gentler than formula and is easier to digest. You can get it in a powder. It smells worse than formula, especially the spit-up!

let us know how it goes.
blessings, Guinever
guinever @ alltel.net if you want to discuss more

Praying for you right now! Keep us posted!

From a NICU nurse and mother of 3...

Good for you that you got the steroids! and better for Caleb!!! 33.5 weekers usually do very well - so relax, pray for God's hand of protection over your baby, the doctors & nurses, and trust in HIM.

As far as your milk supply goes - make sure you get your hands on a 'medical-grade double pump' and try to find some mother's milk tea and/ or 'fenugreek' at your local healthfood store or grocery that has a vitamin and herb isle.

Fenugreek is cheap and harmless.

Take the recommended dose for a week or two, then slowly decrease it a little. The key to know you are taking enough is that your perspiration will smell sweet - like maple syrup. You'll get the best whiff when you pull your clothing over your head at the end of the day. If you stops smelling sweet, then increase the dose until you do.

So you might smell a little like a pancake for a while - it's a small price to pay for more 'liquid gold' for your precious baby.

If you find this doesn't help enough - ask about taking Reglan.

Also important - get involved with a lactation consultant (the hosp. should provide one) and pump as often as you can. Have a blanket or shirt with your baby's scent on it to sniff before pumping. Listening to a recording of him crying may help with let-down of your milk, too.

Hang in there.
Best wishes!

Hi! We are doing really well! Caleb's due date was Friday so we had a family celebration on Saturday. He is about 6 1/2 lbs. and very healthy.

We still are working on supply issues with nursing and haven't figured out how to latch in spite of lactation help. Not sure if we ever will but we are trying some things that fit our family best and seeing what happens.

We've used the hospital grade electric double pump system and the herbs and then tried reglan. Had to stop that after one dose. Best sleeping pill I've ever had! Would have headed into "comatose" if I'd had another dose when it was time. As it was I was too out of it to feed Caleb or pump. Hubby had to feed him.

We are at peace about whatever God does at this point. Very pleased to have a little boy in my arms. I'm learning to enjoy his happy attitude about his bottle if that is what is going to be the best for him. Can't starve the poor guy just because of mommy's (extreme) supply issues. Two teaspoons every 2-3 hours isn't enough for even the smallest preemie let alone a big 6 1/2 lb. growing boy. Relationship is more important than how he is fed and we definitely have a CLOSE little relationship forming!

One of my twins just couldn't nurse effectively and I had to pump for him. (Now, mind you, I latch babies on for a living - so if I couldn't get him latched - it wasn't humanly possible - LOL) I used to stand over him and weep because I missed nursing him and felt like I was treating him unfairly compared to his twin (who was the poster child for breastfeeding). My husband just looked at me and shook his head. LOL

Good thing you have such a great attitude about it. A healthy baby is the most important thing. best wishes to you and yours.

Thanks for your note! I've had folks who really don't understand how badly I wanted to nurse who assumed I just wasn't trying hard enough. If they only knew all we were dealing with and how hard I've tried!

It was encouraging to hear your story about your twins! I know it was hard for you to go through, but I'm sure it helps you be more humble and encouraging for moms who are struggling.

Shawna

It is definitely the relationship that counts. I nursed all six of my kids but with #3 it was never that successful and he weaned in favor of a bottle at 9 months (and probably should have sooner). #6 nursed the longest and was nearly 2 before he weaned. I had no less of a relationship with #3 than with #6. They are now 19 and 13 respectively and the quality of relationship still holds true. Breast-feeding is great but being MOMMY is the BEST!

I'm glad Caleb is doing well and may God bless your family!

Leeann

I agree! My first two kids were bottle fed totally b/c no one in my family had ever nursed, and then my next two were breast fed til age 2. I am just as close to the older two as I am to the youngers. I loved breastfeeding, but I agree it is being Mommy that is key!