Breast Feeding Diaries of Rowan Holt
Single mum Rowan Holt gave birth to son Milo in the birthing pool at Samuel Johnson Hospital on July 22nd at 3.35am weighing 8lbs 10oz. With the support of her mum and Liz from Lichfield Breast Feeding Support Group. She has been Breast feeding. Here, her story continues...
Week 14
Feeding has gone back into his usual routine of every two and a half hours. He still has a
formula feed last thing at night, usually around 7.15pm and in bed for 8pm. He no longer has the dream feeds at 11pm and will wake around 6am. Heaven. He's just discovered he can roll over so our days are more structured around play, feeding and naptime.
Week 15
We went to the breastfeeding support group in Lichfield today to get some information about weaning from the health visitors that also come along to the group. Milo will normally take 8oz from a 9oz bottle so he is definitely ready for something else. I'll have to wait till he's four months until I can give him baby rice. The thought of not feeding him
myself anymore is a bit sad. I've really enjoyed building a bond with him through
breastfeeding.
Week 16
Milo had his first taste of baby rice yesterday. I made it up with breast milk so it doesn't
taste too strange. I don't think he noticed. I made up three teaspoons and he ate the lot.
He had his usual feed after and slept for an hour. He's not a baby that sleeps during
the day. I think he'll have a more settled sleep pattern once weaning is in full swing.
He now goes three hours between feeds and sleeps from 7.45pm – 5.45am. I'm
enjoying the extra sleep. He now weighs 16lbs 6oz. I can't believe how fast the weeks
have gone and he's now ready for solids. I've loved breastfeeding and feel closer to Milo because of it.
Week 17
Milo is now on two meals a day. He has porridge made with breast milk for breakfast
and then vegetable puree mixed with baby rice and breast milk for tea. He will then cluster feed throughout the day, but we now seem to be in more of a routine with
his morning and afternoon naps. He seems more settled at night now too.
Week 18
I spoke too soon. Milo is now waking at least three times a night, any time from 12.30pm
onwards. He's still having two meals a day and breast milk on demand. Thinking about
increasing his food intake during the day, but it could be a growth spurt so I'm not too
sure if more food will be any help anyway. I'll speak to Liz at breastfeeding group
on Thursday.
Week 19
Milo is having a growth spurt and definitely ready for more food. He's now having "lunch"
which consists of either pureed vegetables or if we're out I'll use a jar. He's happy
to take either. I have now replaced his feed before his morning nap with a formula
feed. This seems to settle him more and he's sleeping a bit better but still wakes 2–3
times a night.
Week 20
Christmas Eve and Milo is crawling. He has been pushing himself into the "downward
facing dog" position for weeks. But now he's crawling. He's on three solid meals a
day now and I'm expressing 4oz of milk as a drink for Milo with meals. I'm a little
reluctant to breast feed him more myself, as he's now using me as a pacifier rather
than a source of food.
Week 21
Milo is now more active and is taking a lot more food. He's teething too, so he's chewing
everything that is within reach. We are now in a more structured routine which gives
us lots more play time as he's more active. I'm offering him cooled boiled water,
as a thirst quencher, which he is happy to take.
Week 22
Milo has started waking 2-3 times during the night again. He has breast milk from me and it's usually a 10–15 minute feed, mostly for thirst and not for food. I'm now producing a lot less milk during the day as feeds are replaced with food. It was uncomfortable for a couple of days but now it's fine. I notice I'm fuller when he misses a feed at 3.30am.
Week 24
I have decided to stop breast feeding now. Milo seems to be using it more for comfort than a source of food. I have a good stock of milk in the freezer so he will still get the benefits from the milk. He now only wakes once at midnight, then will sleep through till
6.30am. I'm really pleased that I decided to breastfeed, and with the support of the
breastfeeding group it gave me the confidence to carry on through the hard days.
