Last night Arya had her first bottle of formula. We had been trying to decide between Similac Advance (which we had samples of) and Gerber Good Start. We chose to go with Gerber. We also decided to not mix it with milk as we had been planning. I decided if she would take the formula on its own then the milk stash would last longer and there wouldn't be the hassle of mixing them.
When the bottle first went in and she tasted it she let go of it, but opened right back up. Then she drank it all down! SUCCESS!! So for right now she will get one bottle of formula a day. We will increase to two in a few days and keep increasing it every few days until our stash of liquid gold is gone.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Formula
Tonight Arya will have formula for the first time.
I have Myotonic Dystrophy, New Daily Persistent Headaches (NDPH) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). I have been off my medication since April 2010 when we decided to start trying to get pregnant and have remained off of them so that I could provide breastmilk for Arya.
We have not been nursing. Arya was born premature and never quite got the hang of it. We tried hard and had very little success. I have exclusively pumped up until this time. I am still pumping now, but I am weaning myself off the pump.
Two weeks ago, I had what I call "episodes." I have had constant head pain since September 21, 2008. I have "episodes" where the pain is excruciating and debilitating. This episode lasted a week and a half. I was unable to lift/carry Arya. I could barely stand. Bradley had to take off work to care for her. Back in 2010 I was discussing coming off my medicine. My doctor said, "Yes, breastfeeding is best for a baby. But if you get to the point where you can't function it is more important for you to be able to actually care for the baby." Well. we have reached the point where I am unable to care for Arya. So, next week I start medication. And today, we start formula.
The reason we start formula today is to mix it with the milk we have left to ease her into it. I am very torn up- I wanted to give my daughter breastmilk for the first year of her life. When I realized that might not happen my goal was 9 months. Arya will be nine months old a week from tomorrow.
I feel somewhat like I failed. Everyone told me I did an amazing thing for Arya. I don't feel that way. I feel like I fell short. But as many have pointed out- I have to take care of myself to be able to take care of her.
This is a picture of Arya her first time in her highchair a couple months ago, so it is breast milk in that bottle.
I have Myotonic Dystrophy, New Daily Persistent Headaches (NDPH) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). I have been off my medication since April 2010 when we decided to start trying to get pregnant and have remained off of them so that I could provide breastmilk for Arya.
We have not been nursing. Arya was born premature and never quite got the hang of it. We tried hard and had very little success. I have exclusively pumped up until this time. I am still pumping now, but I am weaning myself off the pump.
Two weeks ago, I had what I call "episodes." I have had constant head pain since September 21, 2008. I have "episodes" where the pain is excruciating and debilitating. This episode lasted a week and a half. I was unable to lift/carry Arya. I could barely stand. Bradley had to take off work to care for her. Back in 2010 I was discussing coming off my medicine. My doctor said, "Yes, breastfeeding is best for a baby. But if you get to the point where you can't function it is more important for you to be able to actually care for the baby." Well. we have reached the point where I am unable to care for Arya. So, next week I start medication. And today, we start formula.
The reason we start formula today is to mix it with the milk we have left to ease her into it. I am very torn up- I wanted to give my daughter breastmilk for the first year of her life. When I realized that might not happen my goal was 9 months. Arya will be nine months old a week from tomorrow.
I feel somewhat like I failed. Everyone told me I did an amazing thing for Arya. I don't feel that way. I feel like I fell short. But as many have pointed out- I have to take care of myself to be able to take care of her.
This is a picture of Arya her first time in her highchair a couple months ago, so it is breast milk in that bottle.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day Weekend
Over Labor day weekend, my parents, and my sisters family came to visit. Then on Sunday we had a picnic with two sets of Arya's grandparents, two Uncles, an aunt, and cousins. This weekend was Arya's first time meeting her cousin Ruthanne (my sister's daughter) who is 3 months younger than her; and Elijah (Bradley's brother's son) who is 1 month older than her.
Meeting Ruthanne for the first time. They liked to hold hands. We just had to stop Arya each time she tried to grab Ruthanne's trach.
Grabbing Mommy's hair as always.
Playing with Mommy at the picnic.
Arya with Daddy, Uncle Aaron, and her cousins.
We went for a walk at the picnic. It had cooled down quite a bit, so we bundled up Arya (and Tigger!) in her stroller.
Arya hamming it up for the camera.
Too bad, we didn't get pictures of everything else. We did have some pictures of Arya going swimming with Mommy and Daddy, but I don't know who's camera those are on. There were also group pics of everyone one at the picnic but those were on my moms camera.
We went for a walk at the picnic. It had cooled down quite a bit, so we bundled up Arya (and Tigger!) in her stroller.
Arya hamming it up for the camera.
Too bad, we didn't get pictures of everything else. We did have some pictures of Arya going swimming with Mommy and Daddy, but I don't know who's camera those are on. There were also group pics of everyone one at the picnic but those were on my moms camera.
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