Samantha – The Challenges
Baby Samantha is 3 weeks old today. I am still learning in taking care of her who requires more tender loving care. Still working out the best schedule for her which includes her milk time, vitamins time and massage time.
I am practising the art of infant massage by using Johnson & Johnson’s guide on “The Importance of Touch…”. The schedule would be at least one time a day but preferably 2 times a day. Massaging fragile little Samantha is like breaking her bones. 🙂
Getting Samantha to swallow her vitamins is a great challenge and can be quite stressful. In a day, she needs to take 6 vitamins.
1. Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2 (liquid – mixture of powder and syrup)
2. Biotin, also known as B complex (tablet – crush into powder form)
3. Vitamin B1 (tablet – crush into powder form)
4. Folic Acid (tablet – crush into powder form)
5. Co-enzyme q10 (soft-gel capsule – squeeze out the oil-soluble)
6. Vitamin E (soft-gel capsule – squeeze out the oil-soluble)
She was also given Polycose (powder to mix with water/EBM) 3-hourly to help her get the calories she needs for growth.
As it is quite taxing for her to take all vitamins at once, I separate them into 3 portions. I need to establish a routine for her vitamins intake too. All the vitamins are so awful you can see from Samantha’s reaction when the mixture reaches her tongue. Some smells awful. My poor baby…
Samantha went for her first follow-up after she was discharged. It seems that she had not gained any weight since she discharged. Because of that, doctor advised to give her EBM instead of direct BF. This is to ensure that she gets the right amount of milk which is for now, 1.5oz every 3 hours. But Samantha tend to fall asleep after taking only 1oz or less. No matter how you agitate her, she won’t suck.
She’s like an owl. During day time, she can sleep for 3 – 4 hours without crying for milk. At night, she cries every hour and using my nipple as her pacifier. BF her is a challenge too. When I started breastfeeding her, it was so difficult to latch her on my breast. As she is smallish, she’s not willing to open her mouth wide unless when she cries out loud.
My other problem is the bottle teat. I think she prefers small and soft teat with slow flow. Any recommendations?
KittyCat says:
Julie – Buy her AVENT’s newborn teats. No nipple confusion and the flow is the best! I know how it is with a sleepy, underweight newborn.
1 oz is OK right if she’s feeding very hour? Keep your breastmilk up by pumping every hour ya. Express until your boobs are empty and you’re fine
Rest and drink water/milk/Milo when you can. No worries, dear, many Mummies to support you here 😀
KittyCat says:
Oops, sorry for saying you should pump every hour! I meant that you’ll need to pump regularly (e.g. every 3 hours) and empty both breasts to keep your milk up if you’re not breastfeeding direct.
My baby girl learned to breastfeed direct at about 2 weeks old but it was still tough coz she would fall asleep after a while and get stuck there. I was really stressed because a) Husband wasn’t around and b) I had work to catch up on.
If you’re on maternity leave and have family support, focus on giving her as much breastmilk as you can. It’s really the best!
Merryn says:
Julie, I’m no expert in BF as I had trouble with Ethan last time. I use Avent’s newborn teats too. Until today I still use Avent but obviously no longer the new born’s… All the best to Samantha.. *hugs*
Kristie says:
Hi Julie, poor sam has to consume so many meds? well as long it’s good for her, no choice ya. Hopefully she’ll gain weight soon 🙂 u have to rest well too ok! God is by your side.
Angela says:
I am using Avent too but i dun think Avent teats is soft….you can try using MAM NB teats, the teats are softer than Avent, but Brandon dun like it last time. Poor baby Samantha, can’t u mix the vitamins with EBM to feed her?
Pet says:
You can try Gerber…. soft teats! Other teats for your references:-
http://babybottles.org.uk/prominent-brands-that-offer-bpa-free-baby-bottles/
MieVee @ MummysReviews.com says:
Thanks for sharing your challenges. It aches my heart too. Will Samantha like spoon / cup / tube feeding? Medela has a good range meant to regent nipple confusion. This way, it s easier to breastfeed as long as possible and help her stay healthy. Keep going and all the best!
lil prince's mum says:
You tried MAM?
Ganbatte!!!
YS says:
Hi Julie, my baby didn’t like Avent teat and I also don’t think that Avent’s teat is soft. After struggling for a month, I changed to Pigeon Peristaltic and my baby accepted it. If you are already using Avent, you just have to buy the Peristaltic teat as it match with Avent’s bottle. I will continue to pray for Baby Samantha. God will heal her! Cheers!
2ma says:
this is really challenging!! but, i am sure you can do it!!!!!!! take care julie!!!
Ann says:
Actually in my experience Avent teats arent soft at all. I use Pigeon but heard MAM is the ‘leader’ in the market now. Heard also that Dr Brown bottle and teats are really good and help reduce colic.
Remember to take care of yourself too and eat well and take your own vitamins so that your BM is RICH in fat and nutrients.
Will continue to pray for you and Samantha. In all things pray. Our God is a God of miracles. And He will work a miracle in Samantha.
Charmaine says:
Baby massages are a great way to bond with little ones. I loved my baby massage sessions with my youngest girl, she will always smile during our sessions. Such a wonderful bonding time. Enjoy… Hope baby Sam goes stronger each day.
yugene says:
My sister having problem with her baby during the transition period (breastfeed n formula), the a collegue suggest that buy the size of teat that she can take!! How she know how long or how big she can take? She taking the size of her daughter finger cos she like to suck her fingers!! 🙂 End up she buy normal bottle and left the Avent and MAM bottles in the cabinet!!! You need to try a few before u get the right one for her!!
Continue for breastfeeding if u can, be it direct breastfeed or pump out!! Little Samantha Need it Very much especially her condition!!
Well, its not easy to take the vitamins especially so many types!! Remember your tone of sound need to be cheerful so that little samantha will ‘feel’ the same when she taking it!!
Please get someone to help to do other household work, then you can rest more!!! You take good care and will pray for little Samantha!! “-)
andrewjune says:
julie,
hv you checked with the doc if you can mix the medicines/vitamins in her milk? if he/she gives you the green light, by all means, mix them in her milk and feed it to her…it makes a lot easier!
rachael tends to hv difficluties even now to take her medicines (at times!) so most of times, we mix them into her milk and of course must make sure she finishes it…
but you hv gotta make sure the medicines/vitamins can be mixed with milk and of course, wont spoiled by the warm water…
and most of the times, when there’s medicine/vitamins, i always gv her less 1oz water…to make sure she finishes all of it!
with both of your love and caring ways, i’m sure samantha will be all fine 🙂
huisia says:
Can try Tommee Tippee, their teats are more softer than Avent’s teat. I had bought few brands of bottle ever since Jem was born, and finally settled with Tommee Tippee.
Can mix the vitamins in her milk? Maybe this is more easier to feed her..
May God bless little Samantha abundantly.
Aunty Next Door says:
Bought your Medela breast pump already. Let me know your fullmoon plan and if I should bring them for you or how.
debbie says:
Poor little Samantha. How about Dr Brown one?? It’s has soft teat compared to Avent.
rachel says:
I’m glad that Sam is out of the hospital. How are you coping Julie? is it getting better and more to a routine?
Philip was on NUK brand since birth till now.
I am more burden about her health and hope God heals her completely. Do take care and hope to see you soon.
Sylvia says:
Hi Julie,
Congrats on your newborn, Baby Samantha. I’m so sorry to hear all troubles that you and Baby Sam have to go through. It’s good thing that you have our Mighty God to help you and her in every second. Be strong and hope to see you soon!
Joanne Tiew says:
Julie, congrats for your new born bb girl. And Samantha, welcome to the world.
Samantha is a strong baby and mommy too. I know it is a challenge for taking care a new born but it will not be a forever thing, she will be getting better soon. Therefore, please take good care of yourself and no matter how, you need to take some rest.
yvy says:
i would say go for teats for newborns coz u dont really want a fast flow for newborns.
Marie says:
Julie, You are such a strong mama. With the grace and love from God, Baby Sam will be in safe hands. Take care of yourself, baby Sam need you the most. I will keep the 2 of you in my prayers.