A Rough Day

Yesterday was a tough one for poor Hannah Grace. She had her first doctor's appointment, and she's not so pleased with the doctor's orders. She has lost 10% of her body weight (she's down to 6lbs, 2oz), and the doctor was very concerned. She has to be at her birth weight by next Monday, so we have started a vigorous eating routine to get her there. The information I got at the hospital isn't what our pediatrician recommends, so we've had to make some changes. And I must say, they are working so very well for us. Nights were incredibly tough before. Hannah would wake at least once an hour rooting around like she was hungry. I'd feed and feed her only for her to wake 45 minutes later for another meal. I knew in my heart that she was truly hungry and that it wasn't something she was learning - I cry, so mommy holds me. She had this horrible screaming cry that told me she was desperate, and it broke my heart. Well, it turns out that I am just not producing milk with enough calories for her to gain weight like she needs to, so I'm having to supplement with formula. She was slightly jaundiced when she was born, and it's gotten worse, so she needs to eat enough to flush her system. She also is supposed to sit in the sun (filtered through the window inside) because it melts the toxins so she can get rid of them. She is doing so, so much better. She is eating like a champ every three hours, and her personality has completely changed. I haven't heard that desperate cry since we started the supplementing, and she is sleeping very soundly. She did not wake up once on her own last night. I had to wake her every three hours for the first time. It was heaven to have uninterrupted sleep (at least for a couple hours at a time). I had really not been doing well on what little sleep I was getting each night, so I think this change has worked miracles in me too. It's such a learning process, and the pediatrician really gave me the confidence to trust my gut when it comes to my baby girl. So please pray that Hannah will chunk up in time for her two week birthday! It's time to see some chub on this tiny girl. =) We go back to the doctor tomorrow for some follow-up work, but the doctor is very pleased with the progress she's already made just in 24 hours. I'll keep you posted!