WARNING: This may be too much information for some.... especially those of the male gender.

Last Tuesday I took him in for his 8 week check up and I was concerned because he was not gaining weight. During his prior doctor's visit (at 5 weeks old) he was still VERY jaundice, and the doctor had us start supplementing 2 oz. of formula after each feeding. His jaundice went away quickly, and I continued supplementing because the stress/supplementing/me not taking care of myself/lack of time to pump/etc. had made my milk supply dwindle. When he was weighed at the doctors office last Tuesday, he was only 3 oz. over birthweight (7 lbs. 11 oz.). At 8 weeks old, that is considered Failure to Thrive. We were admitted to St. Francis immediately. While in the hospital I worked with a lactation consultant and dietitian and he was able to gain 14 ounces in 2 days. Because of his stellar progress and faithful prayer, we were discharged a day early. So you're probably wondering why he was so little? It's a combination of many things that had a domino effect. His jaundice caused slow growth in the beginning. He doesn't have a strong suck, so he wasn't getting as much as my milk as he led us to believe. A breast shield aided in decreasing my supply. He is lactose intolerant and was spitting up the majority of my milk, and I wasn't feeding him enough formula to make up for what he wasn't getting. He is allergic to milk-based and soy formula, I could continue to go on....

Bottom line: although it was awful to be in the hospital for 2 nights, but we were able to get him the help and undivided attention we needed to get him thriving. In six days he has gained one pound 3 ounces, and is eating like a champ. I have almost completely stopped breastfeeding (hold your judgement) and he takes 4 oz. of Nutramigen every 2-3 hours around the clock. He is already showing signs of physical and cognitive growth, and will be caught up with others in his age group in no time.

Thank you to all our friends of family who visited, called, fed us, and prayed. WE ARE SO GREATFUL!!!