Pediatrician Appt. -- So upset I cried :(

Hi Ladies.  Leah went for her first pediatrician appt today.  I was so sad because she weighed only 6 lb 10 oz ... down from 7 lb 7 oz.  And I showed them my concern with the diaper because I was worried about some orangish discharge.  Well she was very dehydrated and slightly jaundiced.  

I walked out of there bawling... mom had driven me and I couldnt talk to tell her it wasnt really that bad.  They have me supplementing her with my breastmilk because I apparently am not producing enough.  I feel so awful ... my mom has kept telling me the last few days that I am not producing enough and not resting enough (I'm up all night every night with her) and that I should start supplementing but I didnt' want to because everyone made it sound like exclusive breastmilk was the best thing.  

Anyway, she has to do 1 oz of formula after every feeding.  The jaundice isnt too bad right now so they arent doing anything about it as of now.  

I'm going out to buy a medela single electric right now because I can't afford the double.  I'm hpoing that I can really get my milk going.  I feel so worthless and have the temptation to switch to formula entirely... but I am not going to.  Buying the pump for 150 bucks will keep me going with the breast thing if for no other reason than I am sinking money into it haha.  But the real reason of course is because I know it is what is best for her.  I just feel so helpless and sad.  Hormones arent helping one bit.  I didnt even make it out of that office before I was bawling... I sprinted out... mom was in the lobby with my neice and barely saw me when I said ":mom lets go" so I could get outside and cry.  

[wonderme]

Honey...don't you worry about it one bit.  First off, you are great mother that you were concerned in the first place and aware of a possible issue.  Good for you!  I always say, as a mother our main emotion is guilt...if it's not this, it certainly will be something else!  Trust me.

Now, I did the same with my two dds b/c my milk didn't come in for over 10 days and still wasn't that much...and my girls were HUNGRY!!!  I called my ped and cried on the phone with him.  He told me to relax -- that formula was not poison and I was doing what was best for my little one(s).  I completely switched them after a couple of months b/c I just never produced enough.  My oldest was at about 8 oz at 3-4 months...my mil (who has 4) said she never saw a baby eat so much.

My girls are still great eaters -- veggies, milk, meat, fruit...very healthy and NEITHER is anywhere near overweight.  And, as a topper, my kids have never had an ear infection or anything more than a normal cold/flu...while my sil who exclusively bf for over a year -- all 3 of her kids were plagued by them.

Now, for all of the exclusive bf moms, I am NOT saying NOT to bf.  But rather just don't have all this guilt and low self worth b/c you need to supplement.  The stress will only make it harder to bf.

Good idea to try to get your supply up by pumping and it will give you an idea how much she's eating.  Don't worry about the formula -- you are doing what is best for baby and hopefully once your supply is up, you'll be able to go back to exclusive bf if that's what you want.

Not to worry -- you're doing great!!!

[rubyolivia]

Awww! It will be ok!  Don't blame yourself...look how hard you are trying to do the best thing for Leah!! You could check into renting a hospital grade pump for a month and see how that goes instead of sinking the $$  into your own. That way you won't be stressed about money if that is an issue! And it's totally normal for babies to lose weight like that...I hope they didn't give you too hard of a time for her weight loss! Jaundice is pretty normal, too, I think so I wouldn't sweat that too much either!

Cheer up....things will get better! :)

[lovethebops]

Aww, the first few days/weeks are so tough...I cried so much in the beginning too, about anything....It is all part of the sleep deprivation/new life/hormones...which doesn't make it any easier even knowing what is wrong. Don't feel bad about having to supplement, you have to do what is right for the health of your little girl, and there is nothing wrong w/ that. I don't think I have ever met a mom who didn't struggle w/ breastfeeding her firstborn at some point, including myself..I didn't struggle w/ producing milk, I had plenty...but Nobody told me how tough it really was and I was often emotionally drained after each session...I expected the bonding everyone talked about to come so naturally, but I felt so sad that I did not love breastfeeding as much as I thought I would...I stuck it out for 8 months, and I am glad I did, but it was tough. Do what you can, make sure you eat well, drink lots of water/fluids and keep taking your prenatal vitamin. Hang in there, it is all part of the process...I really didn't get the hang of being a mom for the better part of 6 months, I had a lot of adjusting to do. I'm thinking of you and hoping you feel more like yourself soon, and I'm sure little Leah will be just fine! I know it!~bops

[Van73]

You are not a failure if you can't breastfeed.  Yes Breast Milk is the best because it comes from you but if your baby isn't getting enough, you have to do what's right for the baby.  I dont know you but I can tell how much you love and care for her because you are so broken hearted about this.  You seem like a great mom and dont be so hard on yourself!!!!

[DollChina]

I am sorry you are feeling down.  My son was born 5lb 10oz.  Needless to say he had lost some more when we went to the 1st appt.  He is now almost 10 months is still in the small side.  He is growing and thriving liske other kids his age.  Try to relax and do what the doc told you.  It's for the best.  It will get better.

[SeeingSpots]

I was told it was perfectly NORMAL for the baby to lose weight from birth to the first pediatrician appt/discharge from hospital.  My son went from birth: 8lbs 4.6oz, down to 7lbs 14oz at his first pediatrician appt.  They say it's because the baby has to learn to feed-- versus being fed via your umbilical cord.  By his next pediatricain appt (1 month later) he was up to 12 lbs 7oz.  Infact, my doctor said that ALL breastfed babies lose some weight initially, but then plump right back up once your milk comes in after a few days.  Are you making sure that you are staying VERY hydrated yourself?  You need to drink TONS of water to produce the breast milk.  I walked around with a big bottle of it and drank even when I wasn't thirsty (by the time you feel "thirsty", it already means you are getting dehydrated).
As for jaundice, if you look that up on the web you'll see it is very common.  Virtually all newborns have some degree of jaundice, but it isn't always noticable.  It's just billirubin (pigment) in the blood, and just builds up until the baby's liver learns to take over.
Try not to continue to stress yourself out over all of this.  Even if you do end up having to suppliment with a little formula, it isn't the end of the world.  Leah will benefit from WHATEVER amount of breast milk you are able to produce!  She's lucky she has a momma that's so concerned!  Good luck!

[cantwait4baby]

Dont feel bad about that - you are a great mother regardless of what you must feed your little one.  I was not given the option to nurse (due to meds they put me on) and if it makes you feel any better about putting out the money for the pump - formula is expensive too :(  Money you are saving on formula for nursing you are using for the pump and hopefully the pump can help you produce more.  Nursing is the best option for your baby but if for some reason you cant formula is 2nd best and my little girl is right on target for everything developmentally.  I wish I could have nursed her but I have grown to be ok with it.  Good Luck !

[Me2mommy2b]

I'm sorry you're feeling this way but your post made me smile b/c I remembered how I cried at EVERYTHING.  No matter what the dr said, I cried b/c I felt I caused it.  Don't worry about the milk production.  It takes some time to establish it.  If you NEED to suppliment, then don't feel bad about it.  Your dd's dehydration is a very important issue to address at this point.  Jaundice will go away very soon and it's VERY common in newborns.  Don't doubt your abilities as a mother, you're doing great..Good luck and keep that chin up.

[RockRose]

SeeingSpots - the reason they look for babies to lose weight in the first couple days is that shows the kidneys are functioning properly.  A baby that doesn't lose any,  just gains,  has improper kidney function.  So a little loss is a good sign.  And with your much bigger baby,  the loss of 6 ounces isn't a big deal especially if your baby wasn't jaundiced or dehydrated.  Nikki's baby lost 13 ounces,  and was jaundiced and very dehydrated.  It's time to act FAST when that happens,  and it's a great thing we have good medical care to spot it and avert further loss.

Nikki - this is such an emotional time.  Good that you found out now that your baby needs extra help,  and good that you care enough to cry about it,  I think we all can understand your pain.  But get that formula going,  get your baby back to health and rehydrated and hopefully your milk supply will increase.  

If not,  there are worse things (and better things!) to come than not being able to breasfeed.

Best wishes.

[newbie2b]

Hey! Your doing just fine. Dont beat yourself up into thinking your a bad mom. I think that is a normal feeling once you have a baby though.  The first 2 months of my daughters life was the hardest thing I ever had to live through. Your not yourself and your hormones are going insane.  :( I feel for you. But we've all gone through it and understand how you feel.  Stay strong and remember that your a great mom. The lack of sleep and hormones are making it very tough for you.  It will pass. Good luck :)

[Cheyenne_08]

I paid 52 bucks a month for my hospital grade pump...a month on one of those might make a HUGE difference, so it might be worth checking into!

Good Luck!!!

[tomel]

Nikki when did you have her? ALL breast fed babies loose a little weight at first. And those first few days of breastfeeding are colustrum, your milk will come in. And when it does you wont need the formula, its just a short term thing. With jaundice it comes out in the poop, so the formula will help her to poop in out. Believe me the jaundice is can be VERY bad if not taken care of, so supplementing with a little formula is worth it. Jaundice (not to scare you) can affect brain development. So DONT feel bad about giving her a little formula.
If your truly concerned about the jaundice tell them you want the billy ruben blanket or light.

[tomel]

Breast Fed babies can loose up to 10% of their body weight.
Remember nurse on demand (not on a schedule)
Your baby isnt on any schedule so give her the boob as often as she will take it.
If your co sleeping with her have your boob there all night so she can have it, she will gain the weight back and she will be fine.
This is my second so I know the drill.
lol

[tiredbuthappy]

i had to supplement formula for about 2 weeks until my milk supply fully met her needs. don't worry about it- if you get a good pump your supply will probably increase quickly. plus, at least she's nursing, which they say helps you increase your supply faster than if just pumping. at 6 weeks, every now and then we give her formula, and she has no problem switching back and forth.
i remember, especially in the first week, the only thing that was very effective in helping me produce more was sleep. it was very stressful, because i couldn't get much. one of the only times i've cried since i've had her was in those early days when my dh took her so i could nap in hopes of getting a bit more milk. i was so overtired, i couldn't fall asleep and just laid there sobbing. even now, i have trouble falling asleep simply because there's someone to watch her or because she happened to fall asleep. it's like my body rebels when it has no control or say over when it can be tired.

i am concerned that you are buying a single pump. even having a double, i feel like it's all i ever do. please consider renting, as the others have suggested. you're right about buy one though- one of the reasons i haven't quit (among many other factors) is that i spent $350 on this darn thing.

[AndiJ78]

Nursing on demand until baby seems satiated and then offering formula would be the way to go. That way you are still stimulating the supply and keep it up and the baby is still getting enough to keep hydrated. My son lost 13 ounces in 3 days and was also jaundiced. I continued nursing round the clock, waking him often to do so and he rebounded well. Now he is huge and thriving like a champ. It takes a lot of dedication and patience. Being a mom is full of sleepless nights and exhaustion ; )

[ImmortalOne]

Hey hun, hang in there.  I know Leah was born around the time that Nadezdha was so I can understand what you are going through.  I cried for days while she was in Special Care (because she had severe jaundice) and I spent 5 days wondering where my milk was at... well I found out where it was on day 6 and day 7 - and I had plenty of it.  I posted here on the forums for a few days about how she wouldn't even nurse correctly.

Oh, just a consideration, instead of paying so much for an electric pump look at the advent one, I love mine (my mom bought it for me) even if it is manual.  The nice thing is that once I let down just one squeeze of the handle and it suctions for a longer period.  Its the only manual pump I think I could ever have liked.

With nursing you do have to stay hydrated, you have to drink so much (I think its more than when we were pregnant!)  and remember that breast feeding means you need 500 more calories a day (good calories) where as when pregnant you only needed 300!  

The most important sign that we are good parents is that we worry we are being good parents.  If we didn't care about how we were doing, then we wouldn't be good parents at all.  The fact that you knew something was up and were able to address it is important!  Be proud of yourself for catching it early!

[RockRose]

Nikki's baby is beyond 10% of weight loss.  

I'm kind of concerned about how many responders are saying this is normal,  just keep breastfeeding,  you're fine.  

Young mothers are SO SUSCEPTIBLE to this kind of thing,  to taking advice other than their doctors,  and Nikki NEEDS to supplement that baby and fast.  Dehydration can go from bad to worse in a very,  very short period of time and it's so easy to fix!!

Nikki,  do what your doctor said,  and later maybe you can wean off the supplementation.  For now,  do it.

(Sorry to come off sharp.  She needs to know that she has to solve this now,  and this isn't all within the normal range.  And that it's an easy fix).

[tatorbug40]

It is hard at first-  at my DD first apt I started to cry when they pricked her heal to get blood to do some test them needed, I felt like the nurse must have thought I was weird-  then I was told she had a heart murmer, not the kind most babies have, one that usually doesn't go away-  my baby was 5 days old and the next day I took her to a cardiologist who did an EKG on her-  I didn't even think they were going to be able to fit all the stickers for the EKG on her she was so little... that night my DH got home from work and I was so exhausted I started crying uncontroably, I think it worried him because I wasn't even able to tell him that she was going to be ok...  anyway-  that is all to say that the emotional part is totally normal!  (at least I like to think it is, so that I feel normal!)

As for the supplimenting-  I was not able to produce enough and I supplimented-  I did good start, my dd is so smart and healthy!  so it doesn't have detrimental (sp?) effects on them if you suppliment, don't feel like you are failing at anything-  it was SO hard for me too-  but after a while I just had to tell myself that the stress of it all was worse for her and me...  anyway-  one nurse told me to drink a Shiner Bock once a day...  I don't think you have it in Chicago (that is where you are, right??) but it is a very hoppy beer...  I think that is what is in it that she told me would help my milk come in better...  ask a nurse about it up there.. I know it sounds crazy, but I have heard it from other people too... maybe that will help!  Hang in there! Once she starts to talk back to you you won't be overly emotional anymore-  until you yell at her for talking back and she crys, then you'll feel bad again!! :)  guess it never ends!!  

You are doing a great job!  

[tomel]

I never told her not to supplement. If you read my post I told her TO supplement to get rid of the jaundice. And yes she is past 10% that WHY they want her to supplement. If it were at the 10% and the baby gained even an ounce or 2 the next day they probably wouldnt be concerned.
BUT becasue she is past that, that is why.

[tomel]

Rockrose-I am not sure where you read anywhere on this post anyone telling her not to supplement, alot of people were telling her NOT TO feel bad about it.

Nikki-DRINK A TON OF WATER AND EAT REALLY GOOD

[tmv]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I told you yesterday that it was normal for the baby to lose weight and the dr's are happy to have the baby up to the birthweight by 2 weeks. Also, she is new at this and so are you. You both are learning together. Getting a pump is a great idea, but getting her to the breast more often-not necessarily length of time (some people let them nurse for 1 1/2 hours when really they are just pacifying themselves for that long). Try to keep her awake by stimulating her with a diaper change or a moist washcloth to the face. She'll get the hang of it, she's so young. Remember, most women give up the first week. It will get easier, trust me. Also, breastfed babies can tolerate dehydration better than bottle fed, also the same for jaundice. They can tolerate a higher number because of being breastfed. Some dr's prefer the formula after breastfeeding with the jaundice bc it supposedly has a better binding with the proteins. This is debatable, other places state breastmilk is the best.
Drink lots and lots of fluids, rest when the baby does. When you pump, just know that it is a different mechanism than the baby nursing, so you may not get much. But it is important to get the stimulation time in. Also, I cannot say this enough, don't stress yourself out over other people giving advice on their way to successful breastfeeding. It can be discouraging to you at this sensitive time to especially hear strict guidelines of do's and don'ts.I know it bothered me with my first. My aunt had great pointers, but would say you have to do this or that.You can get overwhelmed by the advice. There is no right or wrong. Sometimes it just adds unnecessary guilt on you. I hope this isn't too confusing. I wish you were right here in my house with me and I could explain a little better. Best wishes and keep your chin up!

[tmv]

One more comment about the dehydration. My pediatrician had a c-section and her son would literally not latch on to get a single drop for 4 days. I know this seems like an exaggeration, but I was there when it happened so I know it to be true. Once he started to nurse, he didn't want to stop! Also, I have heard of newborn babies,can't think particulars at the moment, but have been found alive after natural disasters. 7 or 8 days later, breastfed babies found alive. Severely dehydrated, but alive. They really do tolerate it better than we think. Please don't be hard on yourself.

[lfb]

I had a similar appt. today.  It was my DD's 2 week check.  She was still down 2 ounces from her birth weight.  I have been concerned that she is seeming satisfied by my milk for the last 3 days.  Today I almost started crying when I heard her weight.  The ped wasn't concerned at all.  He said 2 oz. was close enough to consider her back to her birth weight.  I just told him I feel like she is starving all the time.  He told me some things to do to try to get her to be a more aggresive (aggressive) eater.  I have to take her back on Friday for another weight check.  He said to only let her nurse for 30 miuntes max.  Then, I am to try to hold off on another feeding for 2 hours.  I am also supposed to wake her during the day if she tries to sleep through a feeding.  He thinks she is using me as a pacifier since she wants to nurse for 1.5 hours and still doesn't seem full.  He said it sounds like she is sleeping through alot of the feeding and not eating very aggresively. I had told myself that I would give up if she hadn't gained weight today, but my ped. convinced me to give it until Friday.  I am just so scared that I am starving my baby.  My DS had gained a whole pound by his 2 week checkup and Anna is still not back to her birth weight.  Good luck to everyone.  This is much harder than I ever expected.  

[AndiJ78]

If your baby seems to doze within 20 minutes of nursing, tickle her feet or anything else to wake her. I would not let her go 2 hours, but rather try to get her to eat more often. I remember my boys being lazy nursers in the beginning, but they did pick up when I picked on them a little. My oldest was 2lbs beyond his birth weight at 10 days and that was nursing round the clock on one side. It seems like they are always latched, but it was the same with all three and it seemed to work for us,

Again, breastfed babies nurse a lot and nurse often. There is no hard and fast rule to tell you how much they are getting in what amount of time. I am one who likes to let them do their own thing, they know far better than any of us ; )

Good luck ladies, it is hard work but very rewarding once they get the hang of it.

[SeeingSpots]

Glad your ped. convinced you to keep going... I thought breast feeding was going to be a lot easier than it was at first too!  It DOES get better-- I promise.
My son was born with a tounge tie (Ankyloglossia) which made breast feeding not only physically difficult for him, but also VERY painful for me.  The pediatrician and nurses wanted me to skip breast feeding and go the bottle/formula route, but we kept at it and my ds and I "learned" each other.  I learned a different position to hold him to make it easier for him to nurse, but I'll admit that I literally would DREAD nursing and would cry from the pain of it at first.  And, yes, he also had some jaundice.  On top of this, I also suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and had to give up my NSAIDS and Enbrel meds to breast feed.  There were days that my joints hurt so much it was hard to hold my ds, but I know in the long run that I made the right decision to just keep going with the breast feeding.  I too worried that I was starving my baby at first, but it all worked out in the end.  Keep going, and (to clarify from my earlier post) OF COURSE follow your doctor's advice!
Also, there are SEVERAL reasons why newborns lose weight (not just kidney function).  Here's an exert from obgyn.net:
Why Do Babies Lose Weight?
There are several theories about why neonates lose weight. The most common theory is that babies are born with extra weight to help with the stress caused by labor and the transition to extrauterine life. Also the extra fat stores are there because mother's mature milk does not come in for 3-5 days.
The use of I.V. fluids in labor causes a large shift of fluid from the mother to the fetus especially when D5W or Lactated Ringer's is used (Keppler). In cases of maternal gestational diabetes, IDDM, or women who have received large amounts of IV fluids in labor, it is important to be aware that the birth weight may be inflated by excessive fluid stores in the infant. The infant's initial weight loss may be greater than 10% maximum due to surplus fluid loss.
Additionally the use of dry heat from radiant warmers and isolettes (incubators) causes insensible fluid loss. Some infants are left to "bake" under radiant warmers or in isolettes for hours after birth, this causes fluid loss and makes the infant lethargic (sleepy). Infants fall asleep and will not suckle if the environmental temperature is above 80° F (Lawrence and Lawrence 238 ).
Giving babies water or formula during the neonatal period can also contribute to weight loss. A study by Glover and Sandilands showed that "Unsupplemented babies lost significantly less weight than babies supplemented with 5% glucose water (165)."

Mother should be reassured that weight loss is normal and baby will be back to his birth weight between two and three weeks of age.
Mothers should be told the infant's hospital discharge weight. If the weight loss is of concern, the baby should have a weight check between three and five days after hospital discharge. If all is well, the baby will have gained weight from hospital discharge weight.

Weight gain in a baby should always be calculated from the LOWEST known weight. Babies should always be weighed naked on the same scale at every pediatric visit. The health care provider should always balance the scale before weighing the baby. Weight gain is only one measurement of growth. Babies also should have length and head circumference measured at each pediatric visit.

[rubyolivia]

I'm with some of the other posters....no one is telling her NOT to supplement! Weight loss IS normal in babies! Yes, Leah has lost a little more than is desiered, but you seem like you're trying to make Nikki feel like c r a p by pointing out repeatedly that there's a problem! I think she is more than aware that there's a problem or she wouldn't be so upset about the appointment today. No need to rub salt in her wounds!! And to make her sound like she's not listening to the doctor and only listening to other posters because she's a "young mom" is not only rude to her, but to myelf as I'm the same age and to all the others on here who are younger than she and I are! She WENT to see the pediatrician and understood what he told her...hence the fact that she's so upset! She came here to vent because she's upset....NOT to be degraded!

[nikkicole827]

Thank you ladies for all of your advice.  I, of course, took the advice of the pediatrician. And then some.  She was a bit worried that if I gave her too much formula that she wouldnt take my breastmilk but I couldnt help but give her a couple more ounces than what she suggested if she would take it... and she did.  I also got a medela single pump and while I havent got much, it is nice to have an idea of where my milk is... I was only able to get 3 ounces.  I pumped both breasts for 15 mins each and got two ounces and then later pumped both and only got one additional ounce.  My mom is feeding it to her righ tnow.  Mom stayed an extra night to be with us... she is so stressed out too because my 1.5 year old neice is here too and its just so much to handle.  She even cried tonight... i think we are way sleep deprived.  She's wonderful though and I know she loves being able to feed Leah and that it was killing her that she couldnt the past few days lol.  I'm glad to pump some and let her spend some QT with her granddaughter.  There is something about feeding a baby that just makes it beyond a great bonding experience.  

Anyway, thanks again for all of your support.  Id o feel better.  

One point/question if you know: Since we came home and supplemented her, she has had 4, yes FOUR, very very poopy diapers.  The first two were very meconium like and the other two were stinkier and a little more like poo mixed with meconium.  Do you think this is ok/normal?  Guess I will ask the ped. tomorrow morning but you all have lots of experience!

[rubyolivia]

I think that the diapers are probably normal since breastfed babies and formula fed babies tend to have different "poop consistancy" anyhow! lol

Glad you are feeling a little better! :)

[ImmortalOne]

The more that Leah poops and pees the better for her jaundice.  So the more diapers you go through the better!  Remember that if Leah isn't nursing every 2 hours, to pump every 2 hours at the very least (10-15 minutes on each side).  That's what I did while Lilith was in Special Care (for severe Jaundice) and I swear even now she doesn't nurse enough (I feel that I'm always over full)!  I pumped 7oz (with my manual pump in about 20 minutes) AFTER she ate.  I am going to have a whole freezer store of breastmilk soon, I guess that's good because I'll need it for day care in 7-9 weeks (*cry* I don't want to go back!)

Hang in there and for Leah, remember to wake her up every 3-4 hours to feed her, even if she's too tired (Jaundice will make her sleepy).  It's rough, but its well worth it.

And girl, drink!  Drink!  Drink!

[mommy2aj]

i went through the same thing w/my first. at 4 days old i had already noticed he was getting smaller. then ds would cry and fight while bf. i decided to pump and measure how much ds was eating...huge mistake!! i never realized my milk had not come in (i was a 1st timer so it was ALL greek to me). after pumping i had about a tablespoon of cloudy liquid, i later realized this was the colostrum. i called the drs office on a fri night and when the dr called back i broke down crying, i told them i thought he was starving. dr sched ds to come in on sat am. ds was 7lbs when born and at 4 days old he was 6.3lbs. i broke down crying right there and told them my baby was withering away. hormones!!! this was the beginning of the guilt and tears for me. dr told me to supplement also and i expressed concern over my ds color. for my peace of mind dr sent us to hosp to let them put ds under the bili lights. after i came home i surfed the net and found out that many infants that are bf can have slight jaundice. especially if moms milk has not come in. just know you are not alone. alot of us have gone through similar experiences. i was rewarded when my ds looked at me and gave me his 1st real smile, 7wks.

[tmv]

Wow! 2 ounces is great for pumping this soon! Your baby gets more than that when she nurses, so it looks like your on your way and milk has come in well. Keep up nursing every couple hours and your supply will be awesome. Really, so great for just the first week. Stimulation is far more important than the number of ounces that you pump out. Super job!

[Crritter]

You poor thing.  Babies do lose some weight in the beginning and jaundice is really common.  Both of my boys were jaundiced.  My second baby they almost didn't let us leave the hospital because of his numbers and it was a Saturday.  The oncall pediatrician did let us go and we spent the entire next week going in for weight and blood checks.  He pulled out fine, was just above the danger zone the first day and then the numbers went down.  He also went from 8 lbs. 13 oz. to 8 lbs. at 4 days old.  He reacted to the formulas and my milk.  It's hard, but just keep it up and baby will be fine.  The first few weeks are tough, but your baby sounds fine.  Good luck.