Friday, August 22, 2008

Feeling MUCH better - thank you!!

Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts! Bennett is feeling much better today. He still has a little cough and cold, but no where NEAR what it was yesterday!! Phew! I'm SO nervous about him getting sick and landing back in the hospital. Even a fever and he's going back :( Its tough work keeping this kiddo healthy!

All of his bloodwork from yesterday came back normal.

On another note, we went to see a lactation consultant today about our ongoing nursing struggles. Its been a "two steps forward, one step back" ordeal. Once his reflux and thrush issues were under control, he went back to nursing about twice a day, and doing really well. Then all of a sudden, he has been refusing to latch and gets MAD when I try to put him to the breast. Its been SO frustrating for both of us. So, I took a break for a few days, and decided to take him to see the LC. He did the same song and dance for her today. She thinks at this point, since we've tried EVERYTHING, that it may be his personality and he just may not want to nurse. That would realllllllllly suck. She encouraged me to keep gently coaxing him back to nursing. She thinks that maybe once we lose the oxygen and his meds (which irritate him and constipate him) are reduced or discontinued, he'll be more compliant. In the meantime, lots of skin-to-skin contact and cuddling. I NEED him to nurse eventually. Pumping alone isn't enough to stimulate my supply to keep up with his growing demand, and the sheer TIME it takes to pump, prepare bottles, feed him, and clean the bottles, is unreal. I'm going to have to pump while at work anyway, but it would make my life measurably easier if he would nurse while I'm home with him. Besides, I just need him to be a "normal" baby. I absolutely loved nursing Carter, and was really looking forward to having that with Bennett. Not being able to nurse Bennett would be the death of yet another dream with this pregnancy/baby. But I'm not giving up yet!

This is totally off-topic, but I have to share this picture. Ace took this the other morning with his iPhone. The first thing Carter does when he wakes up in the morning is come to my room to see his baby and give him kisses. For all of you who have asked how Carter is adjusting to being a big brother - I think the look of adoration on his face here will answer that:


Thanks for reading! I should have another update next week when Bennett visits the pulminologist - YAY!!!!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear the bloodwork came back normal and that Bennett is feeling better!!! I loved seeing you all yesterday!!! And that pic of you with the boys says 1,000 words- your love for each other is inspiring!

wiebke said...

what a sweet big brother (I'm so jealous, hehe)

GL at the pulm. appt. I hope he can get off his O2 and finds it easier to nurse!

Kim said...

Chantelle, your boys are beautiful! I rarely leave comments but I always read your updates and keep you and your family in my prayers. The picture of Carter and Bennett snuggling up with their mama was truly heartwarming. Take care, all of you!

love, Kim