Trial And Error

Mainly error. Yesterday Casey was off so I thought it would be a good idea for me to pump all day (as opposed to breastfeed) to see 1. how much breast milk I am actually making each day and 2. so Casey could practice bottle feeding all day.

Well, it was an eye opener. I did pump all day and did not get much breast milk at all - He was eating 3.5 ounces every 2 - 2.5 hours and I only pumped about 11 ounces all day yesterday. The math did not add up. I know that he is getting enough when I breastfeed him because he is never fussy, he is gaining a lot of weight, and he pees and poops like crazy. The problem is (it will not be a problem until I go back to work) he eats sometimes every hour during the day. He snacks and he likes it.

Yesterday he was more fussy than he has ever been - he was downright miserable a couple of times and very unsettled. And so was I. I think what was happening was he was eating his 3.5 ounces, getting very full, and then waking up starving because his belly was completely empty. Whereas when I feed him every hour he is staying full, therefore not fussy. Cannot remedy that when I go to work, but we will NOT be bottle feeding again until then! We like his sweet temperament and want him to be happy, so, attached to me he will stay until he decides otherwise!

And I mowed the lawn yesterday. It was nice to have the freedom for a couple of hours, but then I spent my time in the shower crying because he was screaming and it hurt my heart. So not worth it - I realized that I need him to breastfeed all day long just as much as he needs it.