Victory!

Here at the Smith household we have achieved greatness, and let me explain.  Nine days ago, Mason and I went to the Dr to get Mason registered, weighed, and measured.  He measured 24inches and weighed 9 lbs 8 oz and was at the bottom of the chart according to his age and height.  So I was told that I had to get him to gain 4 oz in 4 days, to come back the following Monday to get weighed again.

At the time I was using a shield to nurse, it was given to me in the hospital by the lactation specialist, I didn't know I was nursing "wrong" but I did feel by using the shield the bond was unnatural. Also, we had Mason on a pretty good schedule, where he was eating every 3 hrs and sleeping about 6hrs a night. I was told to forget everything we had worked for and to feed him every 2 hrs, including the night time, pump after every feeding, and to get rid of the shield.

I knew it was going to be hard, but I also knew that it would be worth it in the end, especially if he gained back the weight he lost, and I could reconnect with him without the shield.

Monday, March 28, Mason and I went to the dr to get weighed... Unbelievable! he now weighs 10 lbs 4 oz, he gained 12 oz in 9 days!! :) Yeah! they were so happy and so blown away by the progress, not to mention he looks so much better, healthier, his color is great.

The best thing about our Victory, is the bond that I feel with Mason, it feels natural now, he is happier, cooing, smiling, and giggling now and more often.  I feel more patient and loving toward him, my husband, and with myself. And now, we're able to get him back on a schedule, feeding him about 10x during the daylight hours, and maybe once a night (or early hours of the morning).  Also, we introduced the bottle, wonderful! now I don't HAVE to get up in the night to feed him, I can roll over and ask Jeff to do it for me! Victorious!!