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Monday, October 31, 2011

Update

It feels like it's been forever since I've updated on my mission. Things are going beautifully, she hasn't had any formula since I announced that she was formula free.

We've been going all sorts of places recently, and I have to admit that it is much easier not to have to estimate how many bottles she will need or carry around dirty bottles after they've been used or finding a dirty bottle that had rolled under a seat the week before. There are no more bottle counts before we do dishes and it is amazingly liberating.

I've also been working on building a freezer stash. I managed to freeze two feedings this weekend and it feels so nice to know that I can soon go out on my own without worrying about having enough milk stored away for her. Although I do have to admit that pumping is the last thing that I want to do after a long day.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Formula Free

Yesterday marked the first day of being formula free! It's pretty amazing that we've went from exclusively formula to breast milk only in one month and one day.

Unfortunately, Avery is probably going to have to get some formula this evening. I'm headed out to do some once a month cooking and won't be able to take Avery. Since I don't yet have a freezer stash, it looks like we'll have to supplement if she happens to get hungry while I'm gone.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Avery and I went to our regular La Leche League meeting this morning which definitely boosted my motivation. Once again, I was the only member because it's a new group, but it's so helpful to keep going. Luckily, there was a second leader who attended who is a certified lactation consultant so I scored some extra help! She also brought all sorts of material for local events and even some information about a local baby wearing group at a breastfeeding store (is this baby gold or what?).

In other news, I have a feeling that Avery will be exclusively breastfed pretty soon. I definitely can't wait!

Our Progress

Well, the chart didn't show as much progress as I had hoped but I do have news of a great success that happened over the weekend. Avery only drank 1 4oz bottle last night and I was able to pump almost 3 1/2 ounces after she went to bed. If I can just manage to pump the extra 1/2 ounce, I'll be able to swap out that extra formula for milk.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

We have weight gain!

Yes, that's right! There was some concern at the last appointment with the lactation consultant that Avery was not getting enough to eat therefore not gaining as much as she should. This seriously sounds like I was starving my kid, which I assure you I am not. My husband and I agreed that if she continues to lose weight or not gain like she should, that this would stop because it's so important for her to grow. I was told to hope for 1/2 an ounce of weight gain everyday but it looks like she gained a hearty 0.7 ounces per day. It looks like we're going to be able to stick with this!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Change of Plans

The Mr. and I took Avery camping this weekend. Not only was it a chance to relax for a couple of days, it was an opportunity to nurse her as much as she needed without any distractions. It went really well on Saturday and Sunday was not as good but still very successful.

I also had an idea about my goals as far as breastfeeding and I think that I can show my progress in a better way. I was thinking last night that breastfed babies don't have specific meals (when compared to those who are formula fed) so factoring in how many meals of formula she is no longer having isn't going to work so well. Instead, I figured that I can chart how many ounces she eats every day and then look at our progress for the week. So, every weekend, I'll be adding our progress to the blog with a chart. Hopefully this gives me an idea of how much she is getting from me rather than from formula.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

La Leche Letdown

Last night I went to a different La Leche League meeting in order to hear some new perspectives. Unfortunately, it really wasn't the group for me. I guess I'll just have to keep trying. Hopefully it's not like this at other meetings, but I really felt that they judged women who had drugs during childbirth or used formula. Honestly, I realize that they're not absolutely the best things in the world, but there are millions of things that are much worse. It just seems so sad that these women are spending so much energy on judging others who do things differently rather than focusing the meeting on how they can help women who might need a little extra help. So, I guess I keep looking for a new group.