Milk supply dilema
I have a bit of a dilema that is eating at me. Quick background for those that are new. My son is 8 1/2 months old, and I started pumping exclusively when he was 2 months old (he has reflux, and bottle feeding seemed to help a little, when we could control how fast he was eating and how much per feeding). Anyway, his appetite obviously increased, my supply hasn't. I had to start supplementing when he was 6 months old. I was ok with it because it was only an ounce or two per feeding. Slowly my supply has dropped more, despite pumping more often, drinking lots of water, etc. Up until about a week ago I was still only having to supplement about 2 1/2 oz. per feeding, so it was still totally worth the time it takes to pump for all of his feedings. Well, in the last 2 weeks, I've had a really bad double ear infection and I've been running a fever for several days (actually today I am down to almost normal, but I'm still sick). My supply has taken a huge hit! I'm only able to pump about 3 oz total about every 4 - 5 hours, so he's really getting alot of formula. Don't get me wrong, I have no qualms about formula feeding babies, it is a choice. My choice was to nurse my kids, and I don't think my supply will last until my son's 1st birthday (which was my personal goal...to nurse him the first year). I feel ready to give up because it seems I'm spending alot of time pumping every day, but there's not alot of output and he's getting alot of formula anyway. The other part of me says to keep pumping till he's 1 year, even if I'm only getting an oz. because it's good for him and a little is better than none, plus I make my goal and don't feel guilty for giving up too soon. I am still holding out hope that I will get healthy soon, I will be done with antibiotics tomorrow and maybe my supply will return to normal. I'm also not getting my hopes up because I know that at close to 9 months, it's probably not as easy to build my supply back up as if my son were only a couple of months old. With all of this in mind, I have been looking forward to my son turning one since I started pumping exclusively. It's so much work, and takes up so much time...I don't like it! I really can't wait for the day I can put my pump away for good, but I was hoping to get closer to May. *Sigh*
Anyone else have to give up nursing before YOU were ready?
feeding
With my Daughter Makaylah I had a hard time pumping my periods messed with my milk production I tried everything and kept trying drank every tea and took every pill I could find for milk production and at about 9 months I had gotten Mono and it just took me down so I gave up I was just too tired and sick I couldn't do it anymore I was working 60+ hours a week at my job and the stress just pulled me in.
But I am nursing again this time so far I have not had a period yet to mess with my milk I have more privacy so I can pump more often if needed. SO as long as I don't end up getting sick or Novalee doesn't get sick I think all should go well and hopefully I hit my 1 year mark.
milk
Jessica my hat goes off to you, pumping all the time is such a pain, but I know worth it. When Bailey went in for her one month check her doctor suggest I pump more often and give her more bottles then nurse because of the reflex, so I just started pumping all the time about a week and half ago, to help the reflex (which it has) and to get her on more of a schedule (it has done that too). I was really nervous because I wasnt getting much when I did pump but I am actually getting 3-4 at a time (total) but she eats about 4-5 so I do give her formula at night normally 3-5 oz a day. Hubby feeds her while I pumpat 3 in the morning! I just started taking the fenegreek so hopefully that helps. Have you tried that? I just went for my check up about 2 weeks ago and he told me once I start pumping all the time or more often if my milk supply isnt there to call and they can give me some meds (dont remember the name) but you take 4 a day for a week and he said either it works or it doesnt. Maybe you can check with you OB doctor.
If I can pump for 6 months I will be happy so for you to do it for almost 9 month that is very good. I didnt know how hard it would be. WHenever we go anywhere like family or friends I have to take the pump along. but it will be worth it.
Also, I talked awhile ago about formula parent choice. I asked her doctor (dr. Wykoff at the south bend clinic. great doctor my mom use to work there and she was my doctor when I was little) about the formula and she said there is no difference, that parent choice formula is just the same as the other brands. They do have one that is soy and one called gentle. If you go on there website they will send you a free samply to try. But Enfamil is $26 for a 25oz can and parent choice is $11 for a 25oz can.
You have worked hard!
If you have to stop now, don't feel bad because that was a lot of work pumping when you have two kids to take care of. The other thing is that if you are on the fence, maybe wait until you are completely done with antibiotics and back to normal for a week to make sure your milk production had a chance to recover. You did get through the crucial time though when he was youngest. It was only a few years ago that AAP moved their recommendations from 6 months to 1 year of nursing, so I think that if you made it past the 6 month benchmark that is still good.
I had to give up
I completely understand. I was only able to feed for a month before my body gave up on me. By the end of his first month, I was getting a couple drops. I had to have a c-section to begin with, which I felt my body failed me and then I wasn't able to feed my son the way I wanted to. It really stinks, but he's doing just fine and is healthy and that is what matters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mommy to Jacob
I did everything I could do!
I was not ready at all but I did everything I could do! My son did very well until 3months old but one day he start crying every hour for more milk, for 2days so I call his doctor and he ask me to pump and give the bottle... he took 4oz just like that. I relate so much with you; I pump several months day and night until I was giving about 2oz a day and had to give up even if I did not want at all. You did more then great all this time and have to be happy that he had the best for the first 6 months, don't worry now you have a chance to give him homemade food if you wish and give him again the best you can do for him. I did all my food for my son and now he's 19months and eats everything to salmon and I feel I help there at least a little. I would see one more week and see if your milk comes back but if not dont worry...I think the only thing we can do is do our best in all circumstances for the rest of our life for our childrens.
Thank you!
Thanks ladies! I am happy we have come this far, it has not been easy at all. Pumping is so time consuming, and I had mixed feelings every time I pumped. I felt like I was taking time away from my kids, but doing it for my kids (Shawn). I know I've given him the best for the most important time in his life, and formula would carry him through the next few months just fine. I was just hoping to give him the same amount of time I gave Luke. And after going to BUY formula tonight for the first time (we just finished off our sample can of alimentum from our dr.), I also know the other reason I wanted to nurse him to 1 year...Formula is so costly!! Not to mention, Luke seems to be bringing home some wicked germs from school, so I know the little guy could use as much of the good stuff in the mommy milk as possible to keep healthy this winter!
A little bit of good news though. Today my supply seems to be better than the last few days. Today was the first full day without a fever, so maybe over the next week I can build it back up a little.
At this point, my thoughts are this. We are very busy, we have somewhat of a good routine going, including my pumping schedule. I hate to change it all around now to accomodate for extra pumpings trying to build my supply back up. So I'm not going to pump like a mad woman, I just hope my supply naturally bumps up a little so Shawn is getting about 2/3 breastmilk, 1/3 formula. If not, I know I've done good for him for several months, and I gave it my best :)
Thanks for all your encouraging words :)
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
Stress plays a big role in it
Being sick really stresses your body out and then being stressed about your supply makes it worse. I know pumping is a pain, that's pretty much all I could do for Bekka. Once she was well enough to BF she didn't want too she had gotten used to bottle feeding with BM. I had to use the Hospital grade electric pump for 5 months and let me tell you how much of a pain that was. It weighed 20lbs, I weighed it at work one day, lol! I had to carry it to work. I needed the super duty to keep my supply up. When Bekka came home at 4 1/2 months I got extremely stressed out and after a month I dried up. I tried everything and nothing worked. We had enough freezed to keep her going till she was almost a year old but I still felt bad. My body betrayed me when she was born early and it betrayed me when I dried up. Sometimes it's out of your hands but whatever amount you can give them is beneficial.
Melissa
Blessed to be Bekka's Mommy
Our miracle is gonna be Four on February 13th!!
1 lb 5 ozs 13" to 28lbs 36" Time sure flies!
MiraclesMommy
Stories like yours (and Bekkas) makes me realize how lucky I am! Shawn is healthy and happy (well, happy sometimes...he's a cranky little guy), and I've given him a good start. Pumping exclusively for almost 7 months is quite impressive, if I do say so myself. I know alot of women's bodies wouldn't respond to pumping alone for so long, so I have been lucky. :)
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
A Little Late Responding
I am going to say this in case you haven't stopped yet. A friend of mine online gave me these when i was having supply issues. Sadly I didn't get to do them long for supply reasons because my doctor forced me to quit because of my migraines. I hate because ever since my son Osiris has been on formula he hasn't kept hardly anything down on formula. He'll keep the pedilyte down but not the formula go figure. anyways here are some receipes for some oatmeal things. Oatmeal has really been seen in women to increase supply.
I hope they help...
they
really make a difference for me, especially the first one! Good luck.
BAKED OATMEAL
3 Cups Oatmeal
1 Cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Cup milk
2 eggs
1 stick melted butter
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup raisins or nuts or dried fruit, your choice(all are good, but
I
like the mixed dried fruit)
Mix all ingedients and put in 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Great plain or with yogurt, cool whip or ice cream!
CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL BARS
1 Cup margarine, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup choc chips
Mix all ingredients and press and flatten into a 9x13 pan. Bake
20-25 min
at 350.
NEIMAN MARCUS COOKIES
1 cup margarine
12oz chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
4 oz hershey bar grated
2.5 cups oatmeal, blended fine in blender to a powder
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups chopped nuts(optional)
Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix with flour,
oatmeal, salt, baking pwder and baking soda. Add choc chips, hershey
bar
and nuts. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake 10 min at
375.
Not too late
Thanks so much for these oatmeal recipes! Apple crisp with ice cream is one of my favorites, so I think the Baked Oatmeal will be very good!! Also, thanks for posting these in the recipe box!
After I finally started feeling better, surprisingly my supply did increase some! He's getting a little more formula than before (maybe only 2 or 3 oz. a day), but I also cut out one of my pumpings. I seem to get more by pumping less often...like I'm just fuller. It wasn't worth the time it was taking to get 3 oz. while pumping for 20 minutes. If I go 5 or 6 hours in between pumping, I'm getting close to 8 oz pumping the same amount of time. I am determined to keep pumping till 1 year, but I'm becoming less and less motivated!! I'm so burned out on being hooked up to this thing (pumping now as I'm typing). Only 3 more months :)
What kind of formula did you switch to? My son has reflux that has been terrible. Since we've started formula, he's actually done much better. I suppose it could also be his body is maturing too, or a combination of the two. He is still taking the meds for the reflux, but we did go back to the first kind he was on, which isn't near as strong as the Zantac he's been taking. When we started supplementing, we started with alimentum (because of the reflux). He did well on it, but it is so expensive that I decided to try Similac soy instead. He's done great on it, and we are really seeing light at the end of the tunnel with his reflux! The soy formula says right on the package that it helps most babies spit up in 3 days.
Thanks again for the recipes!!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn