Extreme Evy is Nursing Exclusively

Evy has had a busy week. Sbe had several doctor appointments and her one social event this season, the family Christmas party. At the party Evy met her cousin Shayla, who is two months younger and twice her size. It was fun to compare the two. For the most part Evy is about a month behind Shayla developmentally, but Evy is the first of the two to roll over. It is nice to have someone in Shayla's mom Sara to talk to about newborn baby stuff. It is also nice that for the most part Evy is a normal newborn. She is so normal that the pediatrician has given his permission to not supplement her breast milk anymore. This means that Evy is free to nurse exclusively. I cannot believe we finally made it to this point. Five months ago when I was waking up at 2 am to pump breast milk for a baby who was not able to digest it, I thought this day would never come. Two months ago when I was waking up at 2 am to drive to the hospital to try and nurse a baby who had no desire to latch on, I thought this day would never come. And two weeks ago when I was waking up at 2 am to go upstairs and warm a bottle for a screaming infant, I thought this day would never come. But come it did.

Needless to say because of the difficulty in keeping your milk and teaching a preemie to latch most preemies never make it to this point. Some even consider it yet another miracle. I don't know one way or another. I do know I was bound and determined to do what was best for Evelyn right from the start and pumping breast milk was what I could do. I have also been blessed with a great mentor and teacher in Evy's Grandma Clausen. She was the one who rented the hospital grade breast pump and she never once believed that a preemie could not learn to nurse. Also, my niece Becky, a great nurser herself, inspired me and planted the thought of the breast milk pie in my head, which made me laugh when times were tough. Also, I can't forget the great nurses and lactation specalist in the NICU. It was amazing but every time I came in and declaired I was going to stop trying to nurse the lactation specailist would show up for a pep talk. Lastly, I must thank Evelyn for being the most totally awesome preemie in the world. She continues to amaze me each day. She greedily slurps up as much milk and she can take in, gives a burp and goes back for more. Gotta love a kid who knows what she likes.

For anyone out there about to give up on nursing, please give it one more try. Search for teacher, mentors, specialists, and inspirations in your own life.

OK enough preaching. My baby just woke up and she is licking her lips. Gotta go nurse!