Turning a Corner...

Thank you to everyone who has sent us congratulations on our new arrival. She is such a blessing and a joy.
The last few days have been quite a challenge. She has been almost impossible to feed. She sleeps all the time and does not wake on her own to eat. We have to wake her, but many times we are unable to or unable to keep her awake long enough to eat. We have met with a lactation consultant several times and tried all advise to no avail. Today was quite a busy day between a morning consultation at the hospital with the lactation specialist, a visit to her pediatrician, and another visit to the lactation office. She has only lost 6 ounces, down to 5 lbs 10 ounces, and maintained that weight since leaving the hospital. So, she isn't starving, but it has been a monumental task to keep her fed that much. Anyway, today I and her doctor believe she has turned a corner. She actually cried to let me know she was hungry! She more than cried. She squalled! It was the most joyful sound - and then she actually ate for almost 10 minutes! She also did reasonably well at this evening's feeding even though I did have to wake her up. The doctor and the lactation consultant both feel that now that my milk is in, she will continue to do better. I feel such a sense of relief and feel as though I too have turned a corner. Instead of feeling a constant overwhelming anxiety, I know find myself not knowing what to do because she has been fed and I now have two hours until the next feeding. I don't have to spend the next hour and a half trying to get her to eat only to start all over again in thirty minutes. It's like I have actual free time to do stuff like you know sleep. :) AND for the first time since she was born I have been flooded with joy at her arrival and how incredibly blessed we are to have her. I can actually enjoy her being here and it is just such a wonderful feeling.