Separation Anxiety
I left Lily with Andy today for the first time. Andy is a great dad and I knew Lily would do great with him! I went to tutor for an hour and a half, pick up lunch, and run a few errands. At first I was really enjoying some alone time, but mainly just time to be out of the house and in some fresh air. However, the last fifteen minutes of my outing left me with separation anxiety! I missed my little girl so much and worried about her – not worried that Andy couldn’t give her the best care, because he does, but just worried as a new mom worries. I definitely started to panic and needed to get home. All was well when I returned.
Lily has had a few outings… She will get tested again on Monday. I am positive those results will be good and we can get rid of the contraption – I can tell that she is better!
On a downer note: my milk supply is low. Since I didn’t feed her for the first 24-48 hours, I am lagging behind! I am pumping and breatfeeding as much as I can to stimulate my milk production, but I don’t think it is helping much 
Very frustrating! Also, because of her jaundice, it has been of utmost importance that she EATS a lot. This means that I cannot waste much of her energy breastfeeding and must supplement with formula and bottle feeding. It is more important that she eats plenty to rid her jaundice than it is for her to get too tired trying to breastfeed. Kind of in a catch-22 here. One of my breasts actually has good production – I am a bit physically lopsided I guess you could say 
10 days old! She is the best baby. She does not cry much – only when she is getting changed or if I wait too long to feed. She sleeps in 2-3 hour shifts. Beautiful baby!
I am able to sleep on my stomach again – yay! My favorite thing to do during the day now is to shower. Especially if I don’t get as much sleep – a warm shower can work wonders (even just a quick rinse).
Unfortunately, I haven’t had much of an appetite. I drink plenty of water, which is good, but I cannot seem to eat very much during the day. Eating also upsets my stomach.
As Andy said before: one day at a time.
Oh, and I am also becoming an expert at one-handed typing.
October 19th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Keep at it Stacey! My friend used the prescription drug Domperidone, to increase her milk supply, and a natural tincture, fenugreek. Ask you doctor about it if you think you need some extra help. I think the fenugreek makes you smell like maple syrup.. Hahaha.
My friend ended up having enough milk for twins. Good Luck!!! You can do it!
October 19th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Dear Stacey,
I want to encourage you to continue trying the nursing. She’ll get better at it and the benefits for both of you are well worth the effort. As far as the separation anxiety I can still remember the tug when you know you have to get back to the baby. It’s a tug that never goes completely away, just gets modified.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work. I can tell you both are wonderful parents.