I Like 'em Big, I Like 'em Chunky

M, Me & A

Three weeks ago A & M's pediatrician put us on an intense feeding schedule because neither of the girls had gained enough weight. The schedule goes as follows:

1. Both girls nurse for 20 min. (Note:A & M both have a bad case of nipple confusion and will only nurse with the assistance of silicon nipple guards. They're helping us on our way to the goal of nursing pure and simple, but have to be washed and sterilized before every feeding.)
2. Burp both girls.
3. Supplement feed A & M with 2 oz. expressed breastmilk or formula through slow-flow nipples.
4. While supplemental feeding I have to pump any remaining milk I have in order to keep my body producing.
   
5. Burp both girls.
6. Twice a day feed 4 oz. from bottles, 2 oz. of which is Neosure, a high-calorie infant formula.

Keep in mind we have to constantly sterilize nipples, bottles and pumping parts because the cycle repeats every 3 hours. It's been exhausting.

Well, today we had a follow-up weight check and the girls are getting bigger. A weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and M, our tiny NICU baby, weighed 7 lbs. 11.7 oz.!!! Their pediatrician said we can go back to breastfeeding exclusively for the next week and we'll see how they weigh in at their 2 month appointment next week.

I'm excited that the girls have gotten bigger, nervous that they'll lose weight if they're only on breastmilk, worried that my body won't produce enough milk for them, and relieved to have their feeding simplified. Wish us luck an d continued weight gain... for the girls, that is.

M & A