Firsts

[ademurphy]

Hi Debbie,
I am a first time mom (7 weeks yesterday and about 9 lbs. 7 ozs at last weigh in which was last Wed. her birth weight was 6 lbs. 7.8 ozs and we left the hospital at 6.0 lbs.) and a first time poster.

I have lots of questions but will try to ask one at a time.

We are on a pretty good schedule the hours stay the same but the time might change slightly day to day, if that makes sense. Basically our first feeding is about 7 am and then one at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm and then 7 pm. She may or may not eat after the 7 pm feed...but if she does it is at about 10 - 11:30 pm. If she doesn't eat then she wakes up at about 1:30 am - 2:30 am and if she does eat then she wakes up at about 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - then eats again at around 7 am.

This has been pretty consistent for about a two weeks. I guess my first question is to be sure that this sounds like what should be happening - she has plenty of dirty diapers and has been gaining consistently so I am thinking we are doing okay.

She is a good baby, but tends to be cranky in the afternoon/evenings like many babies I am told. She sometimes cries at the breast during the afternoon and evening feeds - Question 2: what are the possible reasons?

I have been taking fenugreek and I have a pump. Question 3: How often should I pump if I am on this sort of schedule?

I will also be going back to work in mid-August, but only 2 days a week so I would like to start saving milk. I will have to travel also on August 13-16, so will need plenty for that.

Thanks in advance for your consulting!
Aimee

[debbie_page]

Hello Aimee,
1. Sounds like a very normal schedule. Her weight sounds perfect.

2. Milk supply is at its lowest in the afternoon and evening, so she may be "looking" for more flow.

3. To start saving up milk, try pumping the opposite breast in the morning while she's feeding. Probably pumping once a day if enough. Go to www.thenewbornbaby.com to check out and order the best book about working and breastfeeding.

[ademurphy]

Thanks!
One last question. She sometimes makes a face like she is gagging and going to vomit, but it is silent and she doesn't spit up. In fact, she rarely spits up and if she does it is a tiny little bit. She may have spit up 8-10 times since birth, if that and it isn't much. Any thoughts? I have a friend and her daughter had something called silent reflux...I am thinking that it isn't this since she isn't crying or in distress, but am still a bit puzzled by her gagging?

[debbie_page]

Perhaps she has some silent reflux but not have any problems with it. Or maybe she just has a hyper gag reflex. I don't see any reason to worry.