The Village

With all of our kids, it's always been clear to us how true the saying "It takes a village" really is.  Josephine has reminded us of that in so many ways.  I've said all long that Josephine's quick and surprising arrival has really showed us the generosity of people.  One of these ways is through feeding her.

From the get-go, Josephine had trouble with formula.  The hospital staff tried multiple before putting her on a super gentle (and stinky and expensive...) formula that she seemed to tolerate just ok.  Once we got her home, we stuck with that formula and while she tolerated it ok, we were so thankful when some friends offered us their surplus of breastmilk.  The difference was amazing.  We were able to give her at least 50% breastmilk in every bottle.  We had multiple friends give us substantial donations and other friends and family who gave us whatever extra they had.  That sacrifice of giving us their hard-earned milk has not gone unnoticed.

After a few weeks, we started to run low on breastmilk.  We were having to increase her formula and she was starting to vomit it all back up on us again.  If we gave her a bottle of straight formula, it all came back up within minutes.  Even with her reflux meds, it really hurt when she spit it all back up.

As we were starting to run low, a friend approached me at church, said she had extra milk in her freezer and asked if we'd be interested in it (she didn't know we relied on breastmilk donations for Josie).  I thanked her profusely and she brought over a bunch of milk.  The next week, that milk ran out and as I used my last bag, I said a quick prayer, asking God to either let Josie tolerate formula the next day or have some breastmilk donated from someone.

That evening, a neighbor of ours (whose daughter is 3 days older than Josie) messaged and asked if we would be interested in their extra milk.  I literally cried, what a beautiful answer to my prayer.

Since then, the donations have continued.  Both from my friend and neighbor and another lady who gave us 1,000 oz.  The donations have been steady enough that we've been able to give Josie just 1/3 of her milk through formula.  This seems to be the perfect ratio for her.  She tolerates it well and we could do straight breastmilk at this point because we have enough, but I'm afraid that if I do have to supplement with formula down the road that she won't take it because it definitely has a much stronger taste than the breastmilk.  We've had so many people give us sample cans of formula that we actually haven't purchased any formula either (until this week).

I am so very thankful for each and every person that has helped feed our sweet girl.  It seems like such a small thing, milk for a baby, and yet, it has been filled with such generosity and sacrifice on the part of so many women for our girl!  We feel so good giving her such high quality food at such a young age, we're grateful for every ounce and believe me, not a single drop has gone to waste!  This village we're surrounded by is filled by generous people and we are blown away by it all!  I never realized that simply feeding my baby would be a lesson in God's love.  But God can never be outdone in Generosity and Josephine has taught me that lesson all over again!