the world of bottles

On Saturday, we decided that in order to get Saro to drink from the bottle, we would have to give him only the bottle. So, just like that, we are no longer breastfeeding the boys. It has been a difficult transition for us, but we are doing our best.

Saro has gotten used to the bottle and drinks when he feels like it. But if he doesn't want it, good luck - you will not be able to get him to drink no matter how hard you try (and we TRY!). If he isn't putting up a fight, he can even finish his bottle in 20-30 minutes... lightning speed compared to his brother...

Ari just doesn't like to eat from the bottle (which is weird since he used to be the one that didn't mind the bottle)... Every single bottle is forced. He cries, wimpers, whines... I've got a list of tricks i try like singing "Itsy bitsy spider" (boy am i getting sick of that song), talking to him soothingly, negotiating with him, standing and/or walking with him, putting him in the swing to distract him (and rest my tired arms), giving him a rattle to shake, etc etc. It always takes us the full hour to feed him but we do manage to get him to drink most of his bottle that way... most of the time...

The hardest part is that i have to feed them both (obviously) but there is no easy way to do it. I have turned my sisters' lives upside down as they have come over to help me out with one feeding each this week. But when i'm alone, i basically have to stagger their feedings which leads to a very crappy day. One baby will be eating while the other is still sleeping (if i'm lucky) or awake and playing on his own (hopefully not crying). Then i switch. Since they take so long to eat, i barely get to play with them which means they don't get to do a lot of the important stuff like practicing tummy time, sitting, standing, etc etc. I just put them somewhere where they won't cry like the bouncy seat...

i am hoping they will get faster and more interested in the bottle over time. I have to remind myself that we've only been doing this for less than a week and that the boys are adjusting very well for such a short period of time. I hope that we see major improvements in their growth at the appointment next week; that is the only thing that keeps me calm when i'm ready to boil over.

so our world has completely changed in the last week which has made me pretty emotional. We no longer have time or freedom to go out (ironic as i always thought the bottle would give me more freedom) so we have been home bodies all week. But, many have told me that just when you think you've figured it all out (with the babies), something will inevitably change and make you figure it all out again. I guess it was time for a new challenge!

off to go prepare some bottles...
arda