Five Days Old

We had an interesting day today. I was noticing the same "dusking" on Cassie that I saw on Tweety Bird that landed him in the hospital. She had been asleep since her bath the night before with only two feedings, I was concerned. She couldn't wake up. She wouldn't eat because she couldn't stay awake. We called the doctor. They said come and we'll squeeze you in. We got there around 10:30 am.

Guess what? She's fine. She just needed to eat. Needed the energy. Doctor said he heard a faint heart murmur that he didn't remember hearing at the hospital. Not a big deal, just something to watch for again later.

I was having some concerns with our nursing patterns. He hooked me up with a lactation appointment for 1:30 pm. We drove down the street for a quick McDs lunch then back to the building. We had a VERY encouraging lactation appointment. Discovered a better way to latch that Cassie took to immediately. And...I'm making plenty of milk! Woohoo!

When I heard Doctor say we're going to have to supplement, she's not getting enough, I started bawling. I had so much trouble with Tweety Bird and nursing that it tore me to pieces. I had been so encouraged by Cassie's ability and interest in nursing. God knew I needed that. To hear that it was me again, that I wasn't getting her enough, was devastating to me. This was a passion of mine that I really desire to continue and had such high hopes. For the consultation to prove that we were fine and I had enough milk was so very encouraging, I can't describe what a relief I felt.

We left the hospital around 3:00 pm. We made another stop right by the hospital to show off Baby Cassie and pick up some stuff. Then we headed home. As we rounded the bend near our house, I mentioned we should stop at my mom's new office (they moved on Cassie's birth day to be right by our house) and show off Cassie. That is one proud Grandma!!

We finally got home around 4:30 pm. She'd had a long day with only a little nursing. Since she had a great feeding at the hospital, I was determined to make sure the next couple were just as good, also hoping to restore her energy level. Her 5:00 pm feeding was great, just as great as the hospital. She pulled off full. That's a good sign. Her next feeding around 8:00 pm was just as before. She couldn't stay awake. I had pumped some into a bottle the night before, so I gave in and fed that to her since she wouldn't nurse. She handled it well.

After putting her down, I pumped again. Since I had pumped most of my milk out, I was afraid for her next feeding that I wouldn't have any left. For her 8:00 pm feeding, I did have her latch first. I was surprised that she still managed to get some milk. That was encouraging. I did feed her about half of the bottle I pumped. I noticed at this feeding that she was returning to the happy, alert baby I knew. She was awake and alert through the whole feeding, then stayed awake for a good hour after.

Each feeding the rest of the night was awesome. Go co-sleeping! She's in a bassinet right by me. I decided to try the laying down nursing position tonight. What a blessing! We managed a whole night of it. She would wake, cooing and sucking on her hands. I would hear it, pick her up, then lay her in bed next to me, switching sides each time. I was amazed that there in the dark, she would somehow find her way to me and latch on. Amazing...so amazing! She would drink till she fell asleep then I'd put her back in the bassinet. I felt so rested. I didn't have to get out of bed at all. No I take that back, got up once for a bathroom break while Hubby changed her diaper. That is definitely something we'll keep doing. So wonderful.