Hi ladies. Today was STS disc 4 again.
I have a confession to make, and I hope no one will think less of me or try to get me to change my mind...but I have to get this out. I am weaning Z...well, going cold turkey really.
I won't be able to pump really as a resident (well, I suppose I could, but it couldn't be a regular schedule and some days impossible since residency is crazy and I don't want to have to worry about constant engorgement from going too long between pumpings...and I'd rather be very efficient with my work during the day and get home to Z quicker instead of taking pumping breaks and getting home later)
So, why cold turkey? When we were househunting a couple weeks ago I tried giving her a bottle and she wouldn't take it. I hadn't given her one since she was 1 week old and we were dealing with jaundice. I tried a few times this past week, both breast milk and formula, had DH give it, but she'd have none of it...so I'd give her the breast. I thought back to my Medicine & Behavior class and remembered the reinforcement concept: Reinforce every time and a behavior sticks quickly; reinforce randomly and a behavior takes forever to stick. I know Z is too young to be coniving or anything, but I think this is just natural...she just won't take a bottle if breast is available.
I don't want to wait too long because I don't want to be engorged the first few days on the job. I don't want to be engorged during the move. I could have waited until after the move but then thought it best to do here in the home and area Z knows best. Yesterday's 5am feed was her last breastfeed. DH gave her a bottle of breastmilk (I only had like 20 oz total stored and he wasted 5 oz when he put some into an improperly put together bottle)
She fought him tooth and nail. The next feeding he tried breastmilk again but they fought so much for so long that the milk went bad. He then gave her some ready to feed Similac and I guess she was hungry enough because she took it! I tried to give her the next bottle but she wouldn't take it from me.
So Dh did all the feedings yesterday. This morning I knew I had to feed her because DH was at work. She took from me! I've given her 2 feedings so far. So, we're over that hump. She's still peeing and pooping and isn't fussy today.
But boy am I engorged! I'm wearing cabbage in a snug sports bra (I smell awful), taking Pseudophed (the good kind you have to ask the pharmacist for and show your drivers license to get), 800 mg Motrin, benadryl at night, and drinking peppermint oil stuff (the kind you bake with...into water...absolutely disgusting...but chasing it with OJ makes the taste go away quickly) Yesterday was terrible pain wise and today is better (I was able to do my weights) but I still look like a post-partum porn star! I just hope they get smaller over the next 2 days because I have to go to Tallahassee on Thursday and give a talk (Grand Rounds) in front of the whole med school!
I definitely can't wear cabbage then.
So Zoey seems happy and I am less depressed today about going to fully formula feeding. I'm cramping and starting to spot though. Figured that would happen. I didn't w/o over the weekend because of the pain...but I barely ate anything either because I was so sad. I'm better now mood wise.
On a happier note, I got my homeowners and auto insurance quotes for Ohio. Only $41/month for the home and my auto will decrease by 60%! It is so costly to live in Florida...so glad we're moving back to the mid-west.
I hope no one hates me about the weaning thing. I keep telling myself that I was fully formula fed before formula had DHA or anything in it, and I turned out okay.
Stephanie, I'm going to take Z to the mall to get pictures with the Easter Bunny either Friday or Saturday (I should be cabbage free then). We'll stop at a friend's house who has a white bunny first and try to get some cute springy 3 month pics. With the move, not only can I not afford professional ones, but we'll have moved before they come in. I'm putting together an Easter basket with books in it now...have the board books but still need a basket.
Lisa, my first day of work (starts with a week of orientation/paperwork/get to know you activities) is June 22nd. We move the 23rd, close the 27th, stuff arrives the 28-30th, go back to Florida for May 16 graduation, and then go back again to be in a friend's wedding June 6th!
Happy anniversary!
Kate glad you had a safe and fun trip.
Hi everyone else
Becky