I am struggling with breastfeeding right now and I so don't want it to end. Even typing that it might end brings me to tears.
Before Tuesday, I was doing GREAT, having the best nursing ever with baby #3, compared to #1 and #2. I had plenty of milk, he was gaining weight rapidly, he was my Chunky Monkey.
This past Tuesday, I had the dreaded FLU and was laid flat out on my back for 24 hours, barely eating anything and struggling to drink fluids of any kind. I continued to nurse baby through the day and finally had to give in to giving him a bottle of breast milk in the evening. My milk supply was done with for the day and he was screaming bloody murder.
By Wednesday morning (this is yesterday), the flu was gone, I was back to eating again and drinking TONS of water. I drank 160 oz of water in one day alone. I nursed Baby Mo all day but it seemed like he was never satisfied. I nursed and nursed and nursed but I DID NOT give him a bottle. I know all about supply and demand in regards to breastfeeding, but still, my mommy heart was worried that he wasn't getting enough. He fights me at the breast, arching his back and swatting me with his small little hand, like he is angry that it's not coming out faster. I am hardly feeling "letdown" these past few days.
Although I am back to eating and drinking like normal, I have still lost 3.5 pounds in 48 hours time.
I am struggling with not stressing out about all of it and letting nature take it's course, to trust that my body will respond to his needs over a few days time.
BUT IT IS SO HARD. AND I WANT TO CRY.
If you have ever breastfed your baby and have experienced similar circumstances (overcoming an illness and returning your milk supply back to its' original "quantity"), could you please leave me a comment? Maybe give me some tips on what I can do or some words of encouragement? Or if you know someone in the blogosphere that has gone through this, maybe point me their way?
FYI- With kids #1 and #2, it was at 4 months with both of them that my milk supply headed south, never to be recovered. I held on to nursing to 5 months with Sam, and with Sophie, I nursed her at "night/early morning only" until 7 months.
Baby Mo is 4 months this week.
I want this to last longer with #3, my last child.
Now, I am a stupid, sobbing mess. Please forgive me.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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20 comments:
I only pumped but I did get sick when I was pumping. I remember I flipped out worrying but I continued to pump at all my normal times. I would say it took about a week and it came back. I did notice though that when I started my period back again around 5 months my milk went down. It would go down the week I had my period and then return to normal for the other three weeks of the month.
I know it is hard. When I was forced to stop in December I had such mixed emotions about it.
Oh and I have to tell you this...it is rumored that my b-day present in 9 days is BlogHer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have not experienced this, but would echo the thoughts of the person above. Nurse as often as possible, and if baby won't nurse, pump to keep your supply up. I'll say a prayer for you.
This happened to me a little bit when I got the dreaded mastitis. But we were able to work through it. I am sorry I don't have any advice but I do pray that it resolves itself in the next for days. Sending prayers for you to be able to continue! : )
You poor thing. I'm with Midwest Mommy ... I think it'll come back up but it won't be instantaneous. I'd keep pumping in between feedings to try to draw up your supply.
I had low milk supply with my son and had to give him formula. I just kept stubbornly giving him as much breast milk as I possibly could and gave him formula when necessary. At 15 months, he weighed 33 lbs ... so I must have been doing something right! ;-) My point is, if you have to give him formula to keep him going, don't feel like a failure. Whatever breast milk you can give him is a success even if you have to give him formula, as well. If you give him more breastmilk than formula, he'll still get benefits of breastmilk.
Hang in there!
Lisa, Don't give up!! As I am typing this, I'm nursing my 9mo old Emma. Keep nursing and if you can just lay with him in bed with you and let him nurse on demand. As you may have read on my site, I struggle with supply and try to nurse as often as I can when I am with her. If he naps, try and pump a little after you put him down to boost supply.It may take a few days to get back where you were. Also, try drinking mothers milk tea (can be found at healthfood stores and GNC's). I also use More Milk Plus. I buy it at a healfood store, but you can search their website for locations near you. www.motherlove.com
Most importantly, relax. The stress only adds to the problem (I need to learn to take my own advice).
feel free to email me directly if you want spbray@comcast.net
First thing you need to do is calm down. I know that is easier said than done, but your stress really effects your milk supply.
Some good skin to skin time will help also. Take advantage of having a great neighbor and send the older kids to her house for the day. You and Mr. Baby just snuggle up in your bed with nothing but his diaper on and your undies. Skin to skin contact will help tremendously. Let him initiate breastfeeding.
What are the poops like? Are they still the mustard looking poops? Or have they changed also? This could be a sign of a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. So, let me know on that one.
There are several herbs you can take to help increase your supply also. Email me and we can chat more about it. We'll get your supply back, don't worry. Keep on putting him to the breast as much as possible and drinking lots. Oh yeah, and BREATHE.
I can't help, but I want you know know that I'm here if you need to vent!
You must relax, everything will be fine. I can remember someone saying that when she had difficulties nursing, she would think about the days when the only option was to nurse, no formula, not a lot of milk, etc. It's not going to be easy, but you will get through.
Continue doing what you are doing, it's exactly the right thing to do.
Hi :) Found you through Elaine.
My daughter was born 5 weeks early in October and because she was in the NICU I wasn't able to nurse her right away. I had terrible time establishing my supply!
When we finally got her home I went through the whole nursing constantly on demand thing for a solid week and she was doing exactly what you describe- arching her back and generally miserable. Still, my supply didnt improve. (Why? No idea. Could have been stress I suppose)
The only thing that finally helped me was a combo of the Mothers Milk tea that your other commenter recommended to you, and supplement called Fenugreek. This was suggested by a lactation consultant at the hospital and my OB OK'd it as safe). After a few days it makes you smell like maple syrup! lol. But it did work!
That and I also pumped after each feeding, even if I wasn't getting anything out of the breast. Supposedly it helps to continue stimulating the breast for a longer period of time even when it's empty. (Again, this is coming from the lactation consultant)
It was also suggested I eat as much oatmeal as I could. Seems there are thoughts that this is good for stimulating supply. I don think that's been proven but it sure doesn't hurt to try!
Good luck! I understand your feelings on really wanting to nurse that last baby. I'm in the same position- Vivienne is our last one too and I about made myself crazy "making it happen" for her :) Hope you're able to get back on track! But I agree with your other reader here as well, if you end up having to give her formulas in the end it's not the worst thing in the world. Doesn't mean you're a bad Mom or a failure!
Wow, this is a loooong comment! Soory ;)
~ Keri
((((HUGS)))))) Try not to worry...fenugreek, mother's milk tea, and dark beer! A doc at work's wife is doing that and it seems to be working. I'm sure your illness set back the breast feeding for a little bit, but things will resolve. When my Amanda was 6 weeks old she had to be hospitalized for RSV...she was very ill indeed. My milk literally dried up overnight (stress???) I had to pump to try and get it back. I wish I'd known about the dark beer back then! You'll be ok...and so will baby A..promise..
My third baby came home from the hospital sleeping through the night, and this caused my milk to reduce. I started waking up in the middle of the night and pumping, even when he was asleep, to get my body to produce more for him.
So, calm down, I know it's hard but you are doing everything right! It'll come back!
If you do need to give him a bottle for some reason in the near future, make sure you still atleast pump to empty yourself, so your body produces more.
Come to think of it Lis, together with the dark beer, you could have one of Daddy Mo's special margaritas! That will take the stress off for sure :)
Oh hugs, Lisa!! Poor mommy.
I took Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle when I was nursing and pumping with BJ. As you know, I went back to work when he was 7 weeks, but continued to pump until he was 1 and he never had formula. I credit those 2 herbs and lots of water for keeping my supply going. My lactation consultant recommended them to me and the health food store lady agreed wholeheartedly that they were the best. The Mother's Milk tea has Fenugreek in it, but not enough at all. It does taste nice, though.
Call me if you're still up. We can chat. I missed you today. It was a Kerrville day. KWIM?
I don't have any words of wisdom to impart. I only breastfed my first for 4 weeks. After struggling with inverted nipples and her lack of a latch, I stopped. I was depressed and knew I had to start freelance work 4 weeks after she was born. Once I started formula I was so much happier. My only advice go with your instinct...if you need to supplement do it. Your health and well-being is so important.
MO! You know I am an OB nurse and have had extensive training re breastfeeding...I think you are already on the right track mentally, your body just needs to catch up! It'll take a while for your milk supply to return to normal.
I think the #1 thing you can do right now is TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. I KNOW you are stressed with taking care of a passel of kids and being sick and you probably are like me, you often put yourself last. Lady, you've been ill!
Call in any babysitting offers/favors and spend the next few days in bed with Baby Mo. Skin to skin does help, and yes, feed him or pump every 3 hours to continue to stimulate your production. It also helps to pump a bit after feeding as well for increased stimulation. Once again, hard to do with other little ones running around...call in those babysitting favors!
You're doing the right thing by eating and drinking well, continue that! And yes, the fenugreek and blessed thistle may help too.
I had massive food poisoning when Lil Chick was one week old. THAT SUCKED. I understand!
And of course, call in the professionals if you are still nervous and have questions! Usually the hospital you deliver at will take lactation calls, and most lactation RN's I know EAGERLY assist any nursing mother with questions/struggles. And if not the hospital, call La Leche League. They will come TO YOUR HOUSE to help you!
Most of all hugs and prayers from a fellow nursing Mama who loves to nurse :)
It's the middle of the night.
Good gracious I love that baby, so much that it literally takes my breathe away.
Good gracious I love you guys.
Thank you so much for all of your comments- they mean so much to me, especially when you feel overwhelmed and not sure where to turn to for help.
Friday DAY will call for lots of skin-to-skin nursing, eating oatmeal, and maybe a trip to the health food sotrue for some fenugreek and Mother's Milk. I have taken fenugreek when nursing baby #1 but had totally forgotten about it. I'm not sure I can throw some pumping sessions in there- we'll see.
Again, thank you.
Looks like you got lots of good advice and are feeling better. My kids are 12 and 13 now....I nursed each of them a little over a year. RELAXING and taking care of yourself are so key. I didn't know about the fenugreek and others mentioned. Your body will catch up and make the milk....just relax and nurse/pump as much as you can. Pumping always hurt my nipples....there is good cream at the store if you don't already have it called Lansinoh (or something similar). My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I had major supply issues akthough it wasn't through illness. Find your local Le Leche League Leader (LLLL) and call her for support. If things really get bad then go and see a lactation consultant. Both of these resources saved my nursing relationship with my son. For more about my story go to http://boobiefed.com/my-story/
Remember that you can do this even when it's hard. Just try to take one feeding at a time and to talk to a LLLL when you need support.
Despite all the struggles and tears I had feeding my son and the many times I was sure I'd quit he is now aknost 2 years old and we are both still very happily nursing.
Wishing you all the luck in the world.
Like Christy said, Fenugreek is a lifesaver. I took Fenugreek and drank Mother's Milk Tea after returning to work and pumping with my son. My supply was able to maintain enough that he never had so much as a drop of formula.
You CAN do this. It's not irreversible.
I don't have any great words of wisdom, just an encouraging story. When I had the twins and they were in the NICU for a week, I had a hard time getting them to nurse. I pumped and pumped and the neonatololgist even told me, if you don't start nursing them now, they will probably never get the hang of it. I took them home, kept pumping and bottle-feeding them, for the first few months while continuing to try. And WE FINALLY got the hang of it and had success until they were 10 months old.
So basically, I think I am trying to say to not get discouraged and keep at it. ;o)
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