A little update leading to a prayer request...

Lydia at 3 Months

Height: 23 inches
Head Circumference: 15 inches
Weight: 9 lbs. 7and 3/4 oz.

Tuesday Lydia and I headed to the pediatrician's for a weight check. At her 2 month well baby visit she had crossed several percentages, and was tracking at 25% for most of her measurements. Dr. D, her pediatrician, was not overly concerned because both of Lydia's sisters had fallen into a similiar growth pattern, but at 6 months (Grace) or 4 months (Ella), not 2 months. He was most concerned about her head circumference. So, Dr. D asked us to come back this month just to keep an eye on her growth. Unfortunately, the results are less than desirable. While she did increase in her height and head circumference measurements, her weight decreased. I was shocked to see the scale, as she had been just over 10 lbs. last month!

Dr. D ruled out malabsorption and "failure to thrive" and concluded that we needed to add more calories to Lydia's diet. To do that, he decreed that I must start her on formula, at least 10-15 oz. per day. This was incredibly upsetting to me, as a solely breastfeeding momma. Our beloved pediatrician, who has been part of our lives since Day 1 of each of our girls' lives tried to make me feel better about the situation by reminding me that lots of children do "just fine" on formula, and "at least it's not 100 years ago, when we'd have to find a wet nurse for you." Seriously.

He did also acknowledge that I was upset. (DUH!) And I still think he's a great pediatrician. Just maybe not so breastfeeding friendly when he's concerned about his patient's growth.

Dr. D recommended continuing to breastfeed for about half of Lydia's feedings, and to supplement with formula by skipping an at the breast meal and giving her a bottle instead. I am concerned that my milk supply is low- and that skipping feedings will make it even worse. Since the 2 month check up I've tried adding another feeding, but Lydia just fusses and cries and ends up turning away and falling asleep. She's very determined not to eat when she doesn't want to!

So, after this not so little update, I ask for your prayers... please pray for Lydia's growth and our feedings together, as well as strength and energy for me! I am determined to return to solely breastfeeding, but to do so I'll have to increase my milk production. That means resurrecting my love/hate relationship with my pump. I love my daughter, and want to provide the best nutrition for her, but I HATE pumping!