Last week we welcomed a new member to our family, a beautiful baby girl. Living in the boonies and having a history of speedy deliveries, my biggest concern was that we would not make it to the hospital in time. Thankfully we arrived with an hour to spare before our ten-and-a-half pounder made her grand entrance. Other than being larger than our other kids, she looked just like they did at birth. We were so excited to bring her home to the rest of the family.
A Change in Plans
Because of some complications, we returned to the hospital less than 24 hours after leaving. We expected to get simple advice or directions to deal with the problems our baby girl was having, but instead, the doctor wanted to re-admit her for some more testing, to re-hydrate her with IV fluids, and to treat her jaundice.
Some of the test results led the doctor and neonatologist to suspect a rare and dangerous condition called galactosemia. When there is a suspicion of galactosemia, patients are counselled to immediately stop breastfeeding and giving any milk-based formula. Because the galactose cannot be processed, it becomes toxic and quickly starts to poison the baby. Without making the dietary change, most affected babies dies within weeks of birth. Thankfully, galactosemia is one of the conditions tested for in most newborn screenings.
A nurse ran to the store for soy formula, which we started immediately while waiting for the test results. Never having used formula with my kids, I had no idea how much I should be feeding our little girl. The instructions from the medical staff were vague: feed her as much as you can (she was having trouble gaining weight) without making her spit up (forceful vomiting was part of what landed us in the ER).
We wanted to go home and continue soy formula there while we waited for the galactosemia test results. The doctors wanted us to stay until the baby was gaining weight. They weighed her nightly. Each night I was sure that her weight must have increased because I was diligent about regularly feeding her according to the instructions given to me. Each night, I was disappointed and lost my hope of leaving the hospital the following day.
On the fourth day of our stay, the on-call pediatrician was looking at our baby’s case to figure out why she wasn’t gaining. She was still spitting up a fair amount, which we knew contributed to her problem, but the pediatrician noted something really frustrating. He said that even if she kept down all of her feedings, that still wouldn’t be enough for her to gain weight. We simply were not giving her enough calories for a baby of her size to gain weight.
Setting an Informed Goal
Well, I sure felt dumb. I had set a goal for her to gain weight and spent four days trying to reach that goal. I could see the goal in my mind–walking out of the hospital and bringing our little one home. I failed because I didn’t understand what was necessary to make the goal I had envisioned into a reality. I didn’t have a clear picture of what it would really take.
Had I known the number of ounces of formula she needed each day to maximize her chance at weight gain, I would have done everything to make sure that she ingested at least that much. I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t know what I had to do to get there.
Setting Small Goals
While it is important to set our sights on our end goal, we also need to have a clear understanding of what it is going to take to reach our goal. There are a certain number of steps to the top of the mountain, and we have to walk up each one, or we’ll never reach the summit. Fortunately, most goals in personal finance are naturally tied to a numerical value. For example, we can tell you each month how much debt we have remaining to reach our goals.
Take a look at your financial goals. Are the steps clear? Are you factoring in all the necessary details? If your goal is to be debt-free by a certain date, do you know how much you need to pay off each month in order to reach your goal? Breaking your big goal down into smaller goals will make your goal more attainable.
A Happy Ending
As the doctor was deciding whether or not to keep us a fifth night, he got word that the galactosemia test came back negative. I could resume breastfeeding! We still had the problem of weight gain, but now we could go about it with a feeding method we were accustomed to. They discharged us so we could work on our goal of bulking up our baby from the comfort of our own home!
You’ll Also Enjoy:
So interesting to read… I had a baby 4 months ago and knew I wanted to formula feed (a decision my husband, who is a medical doctor, and I have been so happy with) the nurses were so focused on being ‘baby friendly’ and breast feeding only that they couldn’t tell me how to formula feed. It wasn’t until the shift change that the next nurse informed me that the reason my sweet boy was crying is that I was starving him. He is now the opposite of a fussy baby. I know this isn’t the true topic of the post but I felt a similar frustration.
That is frustrating Christin! I’m glad you got it figured out and that your little guy is happy and growing!
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby! I missed this announcement when it first came out because I was babysitting two of my grandchildren. One of those children was born with a metabolic disorder, a different one that affects the metabolism of protein but one that can also be deadly. My daughter was told that she would live no longer than two years and would never sit up. She definitely has challenges that can be heartbreaking, but this beautiful granddaughter is now 11, mainstreamed in school despite losing her hearing and is on her school’s competitive jump roping team! A miracle! So was the miracle that your daughter was cleared of suspicion of a metabolic disorder.
That is wonderful that your granddaughter is doing so well and surpassing everyone’s expectations! Hooray for miracles!
I’m so glad you can return to breastfeeding your new little girl. There’s nothing like the convenience and price! Good luck with her weight gain. Sending you all positive thoughts.
Yes! Breastfeeding is much more convenient for me. Bottle-feeding (and pumping to keep my supply up) was a lot of work!
Congrats on the birth of your daughter!! What a rough start to her life though. It can be so hard when our plans et detrailed or ‘life’ happens. I am glad that you are all home now. My daugther was just under 10lbs and had trouble gaining weight too. I think it is hard for such big babies to gain when in reality they don’t necissarily need to. My daughter is a healthy 19 month old now.
My other three kiddos were all in the 9 pound range and then lost more weight (and were slower to regain it) than doctors liked. Must be something about big babies!
Congratulations! Not going to lie, I may have missed your broader point because I was too distracted by your poor sick baby. Glad to hear everything is back on track!
Thanks Cath! I was probably a little distracted by my baby too! 🙂
How scary for you! I’m so glad it’s worked out. Big babies are hard to keep full! I had two big babies, and I felt like I nursed non-stop for the first several months!
Yes! All my babies were big and seem to want to nurse all day long!
Congrats on your little blessing! I’m praying she gains weight and remains healthy and happy.
Thanks Jess! She’s doing well now!
Congratulations Stephanie! She’s beautiful! So glad that she’s home with you now. I bet that her siblings are full of adoration and cuddles for her.
Thanks Belinda. Yes, her siblings adore her!
Congratulations on the birth of your big little one! I hope things are going better now that you’re home and breastfeeding again. I used to be a NICU nurse and I’m sure this must have been a stressful time for you.
Thanks Bonita! Things are going well now! She’s averaging 2 ounces a day in weight gain now! 🙂
That is one full head of hair! Congrats!!!
Yep! We make hairy blonde kids!
SO glad to hear that you can bring her home! Rest and relax now Mama! You are doing everything right, and I believe that God will bless you for your Faithfulness. She will gain weight, and be healthy.
Thanks Kelly! We are definitely feeling blessed! 🙂
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby daughter! I am so happy she is doing better.
Thank you Lizzy! 🙂
I’m so glad your Little one is going to be OK. She is beautiful and you are awesome. Good luck.
Thanks Mary! 🙂
Congratulations! It is very scary to have your brand new baby in the NICU. Good luck and God Bless!
Thanks Kellie! We are so happy to be home now!
Congratulations! It can be super scary to have a baby who is losing or won’t gain weight. I am so glad that she is doing better. I am also very impressed that you were writing this post in the midst of the situation. Praying for rest and health for your family.
Thank you Sarah. All seems to be well now! We feel so blessed!
Congrats! So happy for you guys! Praying all continues to go well and she gets bigger! 🙂
Thanks Monica! She’s gaining now!
So happy to hear that everything is getting better for you all! And yes, informed goals are so important (and having steps to reach the goal). With anything you need to know what your end goal is, what steps you need to get there, and how the steps impact your progress!
Excellent post (And I can’t even believe you are writing with a newborn Super Mom!), best wishes to all!
Thanks Elise! 🙂
Congratulations on your little girl! It sounds like it was a scary situation (and frustrating that the hospital didn’t give you clearer directions or realize what was going on with the lack of weight gain earlier) but glad to hear it had a happy ending.
We are grateful for a happy ending too! 🙂
Congratulations! What a beautiful blessing! I will keep you guys in my prayers for continued health and weight gain for your new addition.
Thanks Judi! 🙂
Stephanie, I am so glad it worked out! Breastfeeding is not only less expensive, it is the way God intended us to feed our infants and therefore the BEST option whenever medically possible. (in my opinion- not based on actual medical research) You are such an excellent mom, I am so happy for you to be able to share this bond with your newest addition. Sending prayers for health for all the “six figures under” family and virtual hugs for you!
Thank you Virginia! I’m so glad everything is working out.
Congrats on the new edition and glad everything seems to be working out!
Oh what a scary time you had. I feel for you, my granddaughter was born 3 months prem, weighing less than 2lbs and lost weight rapidly. She’s fine now.
Many, many congratulations to your family on your new arrival. May you now have time to get to know her at home.
That’s amazing Holly! I’m glad she’s fine now. Two pounds doesn’t give you very much weight to lose. Scary!
Thanks! We feel so blessed that things are working out fine!