James has had his first, and second, doctor visits. We went to the Newborn Outpatient Clinic on Saturday to get his weight and bilirubin levels checked, which is standard procedure for breastfed babies at our hospital. Since our discharge on Thursday, James' weight had dropped almost 7 ounces and his bilirubin level was up to 17. 
This is considered a normal occurance (especially since my milk had JUST come in that morning, on day 3.5), but it required another 2-day checkup on Monday, and it was devastating news to me (especially with my fluctuating hormones). We were sent home with instructions to feed James every 2 hours no matter what. This was difficult, since he is a very calm baby who loves to sleep (especially during the daytime hours), and who falls asleep in my arms even if his daddy or grandparents have managed to wake him for me. We're into a routine for feedings now though: diaper change, umbilical cord care, burping, and stripping down to the diaper. James is getting much better about settling into his feedings quickly and staying awake longer, but it still takes a lot of coaxing from me in the way of talking to him and stroking his neck, and sometimes an extra hand from his daddy to hold his arms down (he ALWAYS has them up at his face)! It all paid off though - at today's appointment his weight was up by almost 3 ounces (in just 2 days!) and his bilirubin levels were back below 13, so they didn't even have to take a blood sample (thank goodness, though it bothers Jay and I a lot more than it bothers James). Next stop is the 2 week weight checkup...
No comments:
Post a Comment