Today was the twins’ weekly weight check and one-month well-baby appointment. Both have continued to put on weight well. Daniel is up to 8lb14oz, and Rebecca is 6lb9oz. For those keeping track at home, in five weeks they have posted a net gain of 2lb12oz and 2lb1oz, respectively. Not too shabby.
As for percentiles, since parents love to compare their babies to one another, their weights are in the 76th and 15th percentiles (you can guess which is which!). So for two babies who spent the same 36 weeks in the same belly and were born in the same minute, they are awfully different sizes. Oh, and those are their “adjusted” percentiles, taking into account the fact that they were technically 4 weeks premature. So, yes, Rebecca is only bigger than 15% of one-week-olds. Compared to the average five-week-old, she has finally climbed into the first percentile. Whew.
When I expressed to my pediatrician that I’d like to take Rebecca off of the high-calorie formula, she had no problem with that. She’s clearly eating and growing well, and this will allow me to attempt to breastfeed her more, which is a good thing for both of us. For today, I’m attempting to pretty much just breastfeed her on demand, and we’ll see how it goes.
I asked her if she had any ideas about Daniel’s terrible suck, I finally got a new suggestion! She said that, since they were officially premature, I would qualify for a visit from the Early Intervention folks. The thought being that they might set me up with a pediatric occupational therapist who might be able to help out. It may or may not be the answer, but at least it’s something to try. She also gave me a prescription for Señor Fussy-Pants, thinking it’s possible he might have reflux, and that’s what is making him grunt and fuss some of the time. We’ll see if it helps.
Thanks to all those who offered support and suggestions about my breastfeeding woes. As you can tell, I was in quite a state when I wrote that last post. Not only have the suggestions been nice to have more things to try, but the support has helped me to let myself off the hook a bit. I’m backing off a little, and allowing myself to just say I’ll do my best, and it’ll be alright.
In the meantime, we now await the arrival of Grandpa Jack, Abuelita Cha-Cha, and Auntie Desi. Should be a fun weekend!
Glad to hear you’re doing better!!!!!
Also, you deserve a medal for being on your own so soon after the twins’ birth – didn’t your husband go out of town for a few days recently? That’s amazing – for a long period of time after my twins’ birth, I was terrified to be alone with them, fearing that I wouldn’t be able to meet their many and frequent need! (Now that they are 6, their needs are many and frequent also, but of a different nature!)
Aina B.