Update.

[rivka]

My fever is back, which might have something to do with why I was having such an impossibly hard time coping last night. It's weird, because in all other respects the mastitis has improved dramatically - the lump has almost disappeared. I'm going to the midwife tomorrow to get checked out. Possibly whatever organism is involved in the infection is resistant to my antibiotic.

Alex seems to be doing all right on the new regimen. She's eating well, and is satisfied for longer between feeds - only once today did she want to eat again when less than two hours had gone by. She's sleeping more between feeds, too. Holding her upright during feeding and for 30 minutes afterward has really decreased the spitting up and the back arching, although there was a long period this afternoon when she was fussy and miserable and really seemed to be in pain.

Tomorrow we'll take her back to the lactation clinic for a re-weigh. Then we're supposed to call the pediatrician to discuss our next steps. I don't know where we'll go from here.

I want to thank everyone who commented on my previous post. I badly needed that support, and your kindness and encouragement brought frequent tears to my eyes. Thank you.

Comments

[ratphooey.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry your fever is back, but you don't need to be feverish to be having a hard time coping. You're the mom of a new baby! It can be hard to brush your teeth, let alone deal with physical and emotional pain, and the stress of breastfeeding challenges.

Be kind to yourself, okay? You deserve it.

[saoba.livejournal.com]

Gah. Yes, I think that having an infection, being on meds and running a fever might very well be cutting into your daily supply of Cope. Aside from the fact that, frankly, even in a perfect world being the parent of a newborn is in the top ten list of Things It Makes Me Tired Just To Think About.

I cannot begin to tell you how much having met your estimable midwives is helping me not worry too much about you. So I won't even try, except to say that it relieves my mind to know they are taking care of you, because they are Mighty and they rock.

I'm holding a Good Thought for Miss Alex, but I figure you knew that.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything great to say, but I am thinking of you guys and in my opinion you're all doing a fine job. I hope the mastitis goes completely away very soon.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I'm glad things are getting better.

B

[therealjae.livejournal.com]

So very unfair that the infection is being this hard to shake!

Thinking of you.

-J

Glad Alex is improving

[ailbhe]

From a probably inane lay point of view, perhaps the fever is improving because your body is fighting the bug harder, rather than giving in to it? People often seem to get very sick just before much better.

As to what you'll do next - I know what you'll do next. You'll do whatever is best for Alex, because you're like that. And if that means supplementing with formula, or sleeping with her upright on your chest for a week, or giving her antacids, or changing your diet to de-acid your milk, or even following my nephew's anti-reflux regime though I hope not, then that's what you'll do.

*hug*

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I think all new mothers have a hard time coping, fever or no. You're doing a good job, even if it can be hard to see that at times.

[purplepaisley.livejournal.com]

Early motherhood is a demanding new job and an engrossing new lover all in one. It is all consuming. Exhaustion, awe, fear, inadequacy, ecstacy, bliss, apprehension, self-doubt, generalized overwhelmedness: par for the course. Add fever and worry, and no wonder your coping ability is strained! You'll make it. Anyone who is loved by therealjae is made of Very Fine Stuff.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

hooray for Alex, and good to hear that the lump has almost gone.

perceval

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

I'd teleport you more Spoons if I could.

Here's hoping things come good for you & baby shortly.

[fairoriana.livejournal.com]

I hope both you and Alex continue to improve!

Wishes

[tendyl.livejournal.com]

I wish there was a way to send you some Cope. But I've not figured it out yet, so I'll say I think you're doing a great job as a new mommy and will send healing thoughts your way.

[roozle.livejournal.com]

Just catching up on all this...
I'm so sorry you and Alex are having feeding difficulties; I'm thinking of you, and hoping for a speedy improvement for everyone and everything.

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

I'm glad things are going better, and hope the fever goes away soon. (Hey, fever! Leave my friend rivka alone!