Engorged

misty  ·  Wed, Aug 19, 2015

This isn’t fun. It’s day 2 of engorgement, and I found myself at my wit’s end with how to deal with it today. Luckily, Michelle and Orna came over and gave me some AMAZING tips. They taught me how to self-express like a pro - Michelle even got my milk to shoot out in a stream, which I was certain was impossible. They taught me how to get the milk flowing so it’s easier for Milo to drink more and lessen the engorgement. They showed me how to hold her so that her drinking is more efficient. I love those ladies. Every time they visit, they are so reassuring and make me feel like I can rise to whatever task is at hand. Today: conquering the engorgement. I can do this!

Milo loves that I have milk now, too. She drinks constantly, sleeps for little spurts in between, and looks fully sated when finished. I think the term most people use is “milk drunk.” I don’t really like that term. But that’s what she is, all day, and I’m glad I can provide that kind of satisfaction for her. We also found out that she is almost back up to her birth weight. She was born at 8lbs 9.8oz, and as of Monday was down to 7lbs 15oz. Well, to everyone’s delight, today she weighed in at a healthy 8lbs 6oz. She gained 7oz in only two days. She’s an eater. I love it.

Debbie arrived today, after some terrible flights and delays yesterday. She held Milo and comforted her when she got fussed. It’s nice to have another mom around to help when Chase and I are uncertain about what to do.

I think the baby blues may be subsiding. I still feel a little sad and disconnected, and I still get annoyed incredibly easily by silly things. I still don’t have an appetite and find it difficult, at times, to find the positive in all of the motherly duties I have to attend to. But it’s getting better. I’m able to smile through it more and more.