I like big butts and I cannot lie...
Unfortunately, Jay's rear end is not a big butt. And none of his other parts are getting big either. He's still not putting on weight like he should and hasn't regained his birth weight yet. In a normal baby, the fact that he's still below birth weight at 2 weeks old wouldn't be a huge problem. But in a baby whose body is healing from major surgery, he needs more calories than he's getting for his body to recover.
So we are starting a two part approach - part one is adding powdered formula to the breastmilk he's already getting to add some calories. But part two is the fun stuff ... baby torture to keep him awake during feedings! My mom always says "Never wake a sleeping baby." Unfortunately, we're gonna have to wake him up if he's going to chunk up. We've already tried the easy approaches including mid-feeding diaper changes and frequent burping/position changes to try & keep him alert. Now we're moving on to the big guns - cold washcloths, naked feeding and toe tickling. Don't YOU want to sit there naked, shivering, and being tickled while you try to eat your breakfast?! Let the fun begin!
In other news, Jay went to his first party yesterday to celebrate Easter with his Raleigh extended family. He behaved like a champ! He didn't seem to care that we passed him from one person to another all afternoon/evening, and he happily sat in his carseat while we ate our Easter dinner. He made flirty eyes at all the ladies who would look his way. He's gonna be a party animal.
Posted at 05:50PM Mar 24, 2008 by Jen Foster in General | Comments[4]
Even in the late hours and early morning we are all thinking of you little Jay! Keep eating and getting stronger everyday! Keep singing "Food, glorious food" little buddy! (Did we already use the "Just eat it" song?) Well anyways just do it little buddy and gain that weight. It's a Perry tradition: eat, watch basketball, sleep, eat, watch basketball sleep! Why break tradition when it has done so well for all of our figures! We can't wait to see you for the graduation on Mother's Day! Blessings and prayers to all!
Posted by robin on March 25, 2008 at 12:04 AM EDT #
We too had issues trying to keep P awake long enough to eat. When bottle feeding, we would try to hold him away from us (put a pillow in our lap and put P on the pillow) so he would not feel our body heat and fall back asleep. We would also rub circles with our thumb in the palm of his hand and mess with his ears. Hang in there! It gets so much better!!!
Posted by Bethany Watkins on March 25, 2008 at 09:03 AM EDT #
Go, Baby Jay. We are praying for you. TT knew that you would be on your best behavior. When I come over, make sure that you act all sweet then too, okay? No cutting up on TT. Maybe he'll push me back for all the times I pushed him :)
Posted by Theresa on March 25, 2008 at 10:01 AM EDT #
to all of you so close by, we are keeping up on all that you share and have all of you in our thoughts and prayers. This little boy, sent from God, will be a fighter and will learn to eat -----it is very much harder for all of you as he tries to let you know what he needs. Please feel free to call on us at 3115 hines as we are not far away. I am here all days that you see my van and Helen and Malcolm are here nights. Reach out as needed. All of us love all of you Charlotte
Posted by charlotte Heath on March 25, 2008 at 10:59 AM EDT #