Feeding, yes again feeding

Wow, how often can one write about food, eating, feeding, being fed, drinking, breastfeeding, milk etc. Apparently many times. Because, and I apologize, I will write about Loki's feeding struggles once again.

Hooray, Loki is fully breastfed. I am very proud of this and hopeful that we will make it through next winter. However, also breastfeeding is not comfortable to Loki. Approximately 1/3 of the time he really enjoys snuggling up, suckling and getting his tummy filled. Unfortunately the remaining 2/3 is drama. Or I should say DRAMA with all capitals. Loki has reflux, or at least that is what we think. Thus, he has a lot of pain and discomfort during most of his feeds. He sees the breast, is excited, opens his mouth, starts suckling and all of a sudden cries, arches his back, kicks his legs etc. This pattern happens again and again and again. He spits up, fortunately not that much, and throughout the day we constantly hear him swallow away whatever just came up. Since we are still on a 10-11 time/day feeding schedule, I spent a lot of time with a grumpy little guy. Finally today I gave up and just gave him a bath instead. More relaxing for both of us.

It is sad and frustrating to see him go through this. Wanting to feed my baby is such a primal and basic feeling. I want him to enjoy food as much as I do and I want him to have a positive association with breastfeeding. Oh, and of course I would like to see him gain weight. He did, but only 2 ounces (60 grams) in 11 days. This made him drop from the 25th to the 5th percentile on the preemie weight chart. This means 95% of preemie boys are larger than he is at this age. That is not good news. If he keeps dropping, and cannot stabilize, a feeding tube will not be out of the question. However, too early to worry.

We are trying a new medicine since Tuesday, but so far no luck. On one of the preemie sites I heard though that Prevacid can take a while to start working. In addition we started with rice cereal right before a breastfeed. The problem here is that Loki starts crying when he sees the bottle (smart guy, recognizes the bottle), refuses to swallow when given with a syringe and is not quite mature enough to get it with a spoon. The idea is great though, the thicker liquid is harder to spit up and the rice cereal will neutralize the stomach acid. I just keep offering it to him several times a day hoping that soon Loki will pick a preferred method and enjoy the new food.

On a happier note, Auntie Emma (my friend) stopped by with yummy, yummy food and a set of good books for Loki, from Finnie, including finger puppets. It was wonderful to see her and Loki was all smiles for her. Little flirt he is!!! (photos follow)