The babies have been all over the place when it comes to sleeping through the night. There were about 4 consecutive days where all three slept from 8:30 PM to 6 AM. (FYI, skipping the middle of the night pump is what led to engorgement, mastitis, and a decrease in supply that I'm still struggling to rebuild.) Then there were multiple nights where someone (most often Amelia) was literally up every single hour. Amelia most often sleeps in a swing, James in his crib, and Maddie in the pack-n-play in our bedroom. All three eat once in the middle of the night, but that time varies. James and Maddie are naturally awake between 7:30 and 8 AM, and Amelia tends to be a half hour behind them.
eating habits:
All three babies are taking 5 oz bottles 6 times per day. Much like sleeping, it's been a struggle to find a new routine. They seem to be settling into a pattern of eating approximately every 3.5 hours during the day. The times vary depending on when they had their middle of the night feed and when they wake up. Feeding times are somewhere around 7:30/8:00 AM, 11:00/11:30 AM, 2:30/3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00/8:30 PM, and anywhere between 2-5 AM.
After providing nothing but breastmilk for 4.5 months, I have had to supplement with two 12 oz cans of Enfamil powder formula just in the last 2.5 weeks. In an effort to put on weight, half of Maddie's breastmilk bottles are fortified with a scoop of formula. I give James and Amelia whatever pumped milk I have, then top off with formula.
We have not introduced any solids yet, though they show signs of readiness. James is never immediately content after drinking his milk. They all have excellent head control and increased appetite. They are always gnawing on their fists or whatever objects they put in their mouths. And they have recently started watching our forks move from plate to mouth and appear quite curious while we eat.
milestones:
James-excellent head control, rolls from tummy to back, sleeps six consecutive hours, babbles, laughs, sucks hand, loves to put weight on his legs and be in standing position, doubled birth weight
Amelia-keeps head and upper body up for extended periods of time, sleeps six consecutive hours, coos, grabs and pulls at things (especially my hair), doubled birth weight
Madeline-babbles constantly, smiles/interacts with people, sleeps 6-8 consecutive hours, sucks on hands and toys, lifts head and upper body for brief periods of time
challenges:
-Maddie went almost three weeks without taking her Prevacid. Her reflux peaked, and I'm sure she lost weight. When we finally got her to a doctor at 4.5 months, she weighed a mere 9 lbs. We were given Similac Alimentum to supplement with, but Maddie refused to eat it. We are having success with breastmilk.fortified with Enfamil AR.
-Having to supplement with formula is emotionally draining
victories:
-We finally have a pediatrician! We still don't have corrected insurance cards, but we once again have access to prescription medicine, vaccinations, and medical advice whenever needed.
special notes:
-Our quad stroller is assembled and ready for use.
-The babies more or less slept through their first Thanksgiving.
-We had a Christmas photo shoot at a portrait studio. It resulted in mediocre photos.
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