Baby Brother is 2 Months Old!

The last week was probably the most difficult of my time as a mother.  Last weekend, I noticed that Baby Brother was feeding constantly.  I also noticed that my milk supply seemed to be a little low.  So I called a lactation consultant for help.  We had seen her once before when Baby Brother was only 9 days old, so she was familiar with our feeding history.  Baby Brother was born with a tight frenulum, which is more commonly referred to as "tongue-tied."  It occurs when the tiny piece of tissue that runs between the tongue and the bottom of the mouth is so tight or short that it restricts the tongue's movement.  It is quite common in infants and can make it extremely difficult for the baby to get enough milk, as well as cause speech problems or delays for toddlers. 

K was a little tongue-tied at birth, but not to the extent of Baby Brother.  We noticed his tongue right away, and the pediatrician, as well as the lactation consultant in the hospital recommended that we have his tongue clipped.  We did so when he was less than 2 days old.  He gained weight like a champ the first month.  But when the lactation consultant came to visit this time, we noticed that his weight-gain had slowed quite a bit.  She recommended two things: (1) that I pump 7 or 8 times a day (practically impossible with a newborn and a 3-year old, but I will do my best!); and (2) that we take Baby Brother to see a pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialist to see if his tongue needs to be clipped further since he still has restricted movement of his tongue. 

Patrick had to leave town, but the next day, I took Baby Brother, and K in tow, to see the same pediatric ENT that put K's tubes in her ears to help with the chronic ear infections a few years ago.  He is amazing and we love him!  Not only is he the best pediatric ENT in Southern California, but he does extensive, charitable work in impoverished countries, and also uses acupuncture to assist the babies and children he treats to cope with the pain.  For example, no anesthetic is used when they clip a frenulum, so the acupuncture helps (it can't hurt!). 

While K was safely in the waiting room watching Dora, the Explorer on TV, poor Baby Brother had his tongue clipped, again, 3 times!  As well as the tissue between his upper lip and gum, which was also extremely tight.  It was the saddest thing I've ever seen to have watch my poor little baby have this done (while I held him!).  But that wasn't even the hardest part.

As a result of the procedure, Baby Brother went on a nursing strike for a day or two and just had the hardest time.  He was so upset, and in so much pain.  As I'm sure you can imagine, when your baby refuses to eat, and it is in so much pain, it is extremely stressful and just breaks your heart.  With Patrick out of town, I would have been all on my own.  But I am so happy that my Mom and Aunt Pat were here to help me with week.  I could not have made it through this ordeal without them!!!

Each day, Baby Brother gets a little bit better with nursing.  Luckily, he has been able to take a bottle a little easier, so we have feeding him that way, too.  It's almost like starting over again, as if he was just born.  But I know that breastfeeding is the best thing for him, so we are bound and determined to make it work.  Hopefully, he will start gaining weight quickly again and we can put all of this behind us!

We took Baby Brother to the doctor today for his 2-Month check up, and is first round of shots.  He weighs 10 lbs. .5 oz. (4.54%) and is 23 in. long (42.7%).  He is only 3 1/2 oz. bigger than K when she was born!  He's a little bean, but he's long and lean!  Although he started smiling the first day, he really started smiling socially at us at 5 weeks.  It's so precious to see his big, beautiful smile!  And it makes us so very happy!  And he's a really happy and mellow baby (with the exception of the last week!).  He's really strong and gets better every day with his neck and head-control.  He is still waking up 2, 3, or sometimes 4 times a night to eat, but that's ok with me as long as he's gaining weight!  Here are some pictures of our beautiful boy and his wonderful big sister!