part 3

part 3: the first few days.

we spent the rest of the day with our families, just taking him all in. he slept the entire time and was passed around to be showered with love. he stayed in our room the first night and i finally started to breastfeed on day two. i met with a lactation consultant twice and had a fabulous nurse to help him and me get started. on the second night, we sent him to the nursery to get sleep and while he was there they tested his blood for jaundice. it came back at 11, then after another test, at 12.5, and we were told our pediatrician would let us know what the next steps would be.

on sunday morning, we met with a number of people and it was decided that we would supplement with formula to get him gaining weight, pooping, and clearing out the bilirubin from his body but that instead of another night in the hospital, we’d go home. i was breastfeeding and pumping to try and get my milk in and we all thought this would keep the jaundice from getting worse. we were reassured that all of this (lethargy, difficulty latching/feeding, and jaundice) was common for late preterm babies.

he was discharged with a 7% body weight loss (5lb 8oz). we brought him home and spent the rest of the day being amazed by his sleep, his furrowed brow, and his adorable lips. the first night was less than fun as he did not sleep or stay calm from midnight to 5 am. my nipples were sore from the feeding and pumping and i was tired and frustrated that breastfeeding wasn’t helping to calm him. i was sore and had trouble moving around and i felt like the house was a mess (even though our wonderful families had cleaned, my bags were everywhere and there were/are so many projects left to do.)

on monday we had an appointment with our pediatrician after getting another set of blood work to test his bili levels. they had increased to 16 rather than coming down and we were readmitted to the pediatric floor for photo therapy. it was hard to go back to the hospital, but i knew this was the very best thing for my tiny boy. i continued to breastfeed, pump, and supplement with formula and he spent the day and night tanning in the warm, blue bed. my milk came in (yay, on days 3/4!) and i started my stash.

as they tested periodically, his levels began to drop. by morning he was a 14.5 and they turned the lights off to see how he’d be after 5 hours. finally he was back to 11.1 and our pediatrician was ready to let him go home. i was so thankful for the overnight stay because i had another meeting with a lactation consultant and she spent over an hour working on techniques. we had an amazing feed and i was told i didn’t have to supplement anymore.

we made the trip home again and have been here now for almost 24 hours. my mom is here for the week to help us with anything and everything. i continue to pump after every other daytime feed and he continues to nurse, sleep, pee and poop. he is the sweetest, cutest baby ever. his coos, facial expressions, flailing arms and kicking feet are more adorable than words can describe. i feel so lucky to have him, home and healthy, and even though i thought i wasn’t ready, i am.