1 Month Checkup

Today was Joanna's one month check-up. I've been looking forward to her appointment for several weeks - I couldn't wait to see what percentile my giant baby would call her own! (she was born in the 95th percentile) We dressed her in one of her finest ensembles and headed to the doctor's office. When we got there, the nurse told us to strip her to her diaper then we headed to the scale. After carefully taking off her bumGenius, she went on the scale.

8lbs 8oz

My mind started racing. "Did that just say 8lbs??" I leaned over and verbalized my mind's question and Jonathan answered, "Let them read it then talk to us.." Then she was measured. I forgot the number because I was so caught up with the 8lbs. Overall the nurse didn't seem worried. She did make a comment about her head size. Thanks, nurse lady.

We went back into the room with the diaper re-attached and bundled her in a handmade blanket from her Grandma. And we waited. And waited. And waited for the longest 10 minutes of my life.

Doc came in and didn't seem concerned until he looked at the chart. He verbalized his surprise at her weight but he was glad to see her height grow so much. Turns out her weight is in the 50th percentile while her height is in the 75th percentile. He said he wasn't overly concerned about her weight because her height was on track. He also said that some babies just lose a lot of water weight.

He asked many questions about her eating habits. I told him she eats usually 1.5-2oz per feeding and I feed her whenever she asks for it, which can be 2-4 hours at a time and 5 hours at night; I never wake her to feed her.  He said I need to start waking her for feedings every 3 hours or give her 4oz every 4-5 hours.  Doc asked if I was supplementing and I let him know that she gets formula about 2-4 times a week when I can't produce enough. He said I should supplement at each feeding for now and come back on Friday for another weight check. And he said we should use Vitamin D supplements, which I had never heard of. He said it's one of the newer trends in pediatrics and it helps in this time of year since Winter babies don't get enough sun. He ended the appointment by saying she looked good.

As soon as he left, I started crying. I felt like a failure. I failed to feed my own child.  Jonathan immediately hugged me, told me I was not a failure, and reminded me of how lucky we are to have guidance from doctors to tell us how to make our child healthy. I love Jonathan so much. I kept crying a little bit more because once I start, the hormones take over and I can't stop easily. Joanna's beautiful big blue eyes stared at me as we put her jacket over her adorable one month appointment outfit and we headed out to pay the nice ladies behind the glass windows.


I still feel a bit defeated but like Jonathan reminded me, I'm so thankful to have guidance on how to make our baby healthier.

Comments

  1. Nope - not a failure! Jonathan is SO right. :D

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  2. ....and so it begins... the mother guilt. Hang in there, rest when you can, and enjoy every minute. Awesome Joanna has Awesome parents. I loved formula as a supplement - ha, whatever it takes! I know she was adorable for her first month appointment, too.

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  3. Don't be discouraged! You're doing great! I was in your very position with Emily and looking back, it was a huge learning experience. Formula is a great supplement... I used it with Emily and the boys! You can do it!

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