Bye-bye, mama's milk

Tonight, Oscar said good-bye to nursing. I think that the fact that it barely fazed him is a sign that he was more than ready. He was sad and protested a little. I told him I was sad, too, but that it was hurting me and that it was time to say bye-bye to "mama's milk," as he called it. I told him I'd still hold him and love on him and sing to him at bed time, but that mama's milk was going away. We've been talking about it for weeks and weeks now (as I've gradually weaned him), and he's known it's been coming.

So. I think that is that. I'm a little bit sad, but also relieved at this point. We'll see how tomorrow night goes!

2-month checkup

Oscar's two-month checkup was Wednesday and he's doing great. He weighed in at 12 lbs. 11 oz. (54th percentile); his length is 23.5 inches (51st percentile) and his head measures 41 cm/16.2" (56th percentile).

We're going to submit a stool sample next week because there is still a little bit of blood in his stool despite my dairy-free diet. His pediatrician isn't concerned because he's so healthy and happy otherwise, but she wants to make sure there's not anything else unusual going on.

We're foregoing his immunizations for now and will likely stick to an alternative vaccine schedule suggested by the pediatrician. We made the decision after discussing the issue with friends, coworkers, nurses, Oscar's pediatrician and lactation consultants. The main factors in our decision are that Oscar's exclusively breastfed and therefor has a more robust immune system than formula-fed babies and that he won't be exposed to many other kids because he's not in daycare, church, etc.

Bleb: Adventures in breast feeding

A bleb? Yep, that's what they told me I have.

I consulted about the small, white bump on my nipple at the B.A.B.I.E.S. breast feeding support group today and the diagnosis was bleb.

At least I haven't had cracked or bleeding nipples (knock on wood)!

Bottle feeding update

We're still trying to get Oscar to eat a full meal of breast milk from a bottle. We skipped a few days of trying and are now back at it. He ate a little bit yesterday, and we're going to try again this afternoon.

Diflucan, Nystatin and vinegar, oh my!

I'm happy to report that after more than a month of treatment, I appear to be thrush-free.

Fortunately, Oscar's symptoms cleared up after a day of treatment (Nystatin), back on May 13. I started Diflucan the same day (pills). After two weeks and no change in my symptoms, I started an increased dosage, plus Nystatin topically four times a day. Early on, I also started taking acidophilus and Vitamin B6, both recommended by the midwives, and using a vinegar rinse on my breasts after each feeding/pumping, recommended by Mary at the breast feeding support group I attend weekly in Silverton.

Finally, I can say that breast feeding no longer causes me pain and anxiety. I don't have the intermittent deep tissue pain nearly as frequently as I'd been having it and my nipples aren't plagued by the constant (when not nursing) pins-and-needles/burning/stinging sensation.

Whew. It was a very long haul and not without tears and frustration. One of the things that saved us (I say us because this affected Adam and Oscar, too) is the B.A.B.I.E.S. Clinic in Silverton (affiliated with Silverton Hospital). The support, encouragement and information we received there was a life-saver. Of course, another thing that got me through this is Adam's support and encouragement.

Up next: introducing the bottle to the little man.