Breastfeeding & Milk Supply

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mamaScarlett

Active member
<p>I know its hard. Don't get upset or teary though! Instead of feeling sad that you're away from him, feel so proud of what you are doing! You're amazing-you are working at your job, working as a mom and wife at home, and pumping to give your baby the best start he could possibly get-you're holding down 3 jobs right now!
<p>I always found the BF site kellymom.com incredible for BF questions. Check it out. BTW-I did use a lactation consultant and that was the best. If theres anyway you can see one, its definitely worth it.
 
M

Melissa75

Administrator
Christina,

It sounds like you are on top of this. Pumping at night sounds like a great idea and better in the long run than waking a sleeping baby to nurse (that is my unprofessional historically sleep-deprived opinion).

I remember a convenient high-calorie food when I was breastfeeding and starving was muffins. I devoured big cranberry and pumpkin and blueberry muffins in between meals with my first baby. And my third, who was born right before Halloween? Let's just say the bags of Reese's candy that were meant for the neighborhood kids stayed in my car and I ate several packets as I drove 3-4 times a day. I swear I ate good food too (meat, greens, whole grains yada yada) but I needed calories fast in addition to the chicken, rice and spinach. If I'd had my bronchiectasis dx and been on this site, I probably would have bought the carnation drinks people here use.

Anyway, best wishes with everything. I want to say don't give up, but I also want to say that if you do all you can, and need to supplement or stop breastfeeding, make your decision with peace and confidence--THAT is what is most important for you and your baby.
 
M

Melissa75

Administrator
Christina,

It sounds like you are on top of this. Pumping at night sounds like a great idea and better in the long run than waking a sleeping baby to nurse (that is my unprofessional historically sleep-deprived opinion).

I remember a convenient high-calorie food when I was breastfeeding and starving was muffins. I devoured big cranberry and pumpkin and blueberry muffins in between meals with my first baby. And my third, who was born right before Halloween? Let's just say the bags of Reese's candy that were meant for the neighborhood kids stayed in my car and I ate several packets as I drove 3-4 times a day. I swear I ate good food too (meat, greens, whole grains yada yada) but I needed calories fast in addition to the chicken, rice and spinach. If I'd had my bronchiectasis dx and been on this site, I probably would have bought the carnation drinks people here use.

Anyway, best wishes with everything. I want to say don't give up, but I also want to say that if you do all you can, and need to supplement or stop breastfeeding, make your decision with peace and confidence--THAT is what is most important for you and your baby.
 
M

Melissa75

Administrator
Christina,
<br />
<br />It sounds like you are on top of this. Pumping at night sounds like a great idea and better in the long run than waking a sleeping baby to nurse (that is my unprofessional historically sleep-deprived opinion).
<br />
<br />I remember a convenient high-calorie food when I was breastfeeding and starving was muffins. I devoured big cranberry and pumpkin and blueberry muffins in between meals with my first baby. And my third, who was born right before Halloween? Let's just say the bags of Reese's candy that were meant for the neighborhood kids stayed in my car and I ate several packets as I drove 3-4 times a day. I swear I ate good food too (meat, greens, whole grains yada yada) but I needed calories fast in addition to the chicken, rice and spinach. If I'd had my bronchiectasis dx and been on this site, I probably would have bought the carnation drinks people here use.
<br />
<br />Anyway, best wishes with everything. I want to say don't give up, but I also want to say that if you do all you can, and need to supplement or stop breastfeeding, make your decision with peace and confidence--THAT is what is most important for you and your baby.
<br />
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Christina

You have gotten great advice. I just wanted to say that you are doing a great job and keep it up. Even though he is sleeping through the night right now that will probably not last. Babies change all the time. It is my guess that he will start reverse cycling - nursing more at night and taking less during the day. It is very common with nursing babies who can't be with their moms during the day. He has only been at daycare for a week so you are both still adjusting. And don't rule out cosleeping if you haven't been doing it already. With you working full time and him possibly wanting to nurse more at night now you will both get more rest that way. Plus it will give you more bonding time even though you will both be sleeping.

I agree with adding another pumping session. The more often you remove milk from your breasts the more you will make. Maybe try to get him to nurse 1 more time during the evening even if it is only for a few minutes. Any and all stimulation will help your supply. And remember that even though you aren't getting a ton through the pump, babies are MUCH more efficient at getting milk out. If you really get worried about your supply find someone who can weigh him before and after a nursing session to ease your mind.

YOU CAN DO IT!
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Christina

You have gotten great advice. I just wanted to say that you are doing a great job and keep it up. Even though he is sleeping through the night right now that will probably not last. Babies change all the time. It is my guess that he will start reverse cycling - nursing more at night and taking less during the day. It is very common with nursing babies who can't be with their moms during the day. He has only been at daycare for a week so you are both still adjusting. And don't rule out cosleeping if you haven't been doing it already. With you working full time and him possibly wanting to nurse more at night now you will both get more rest that way. Plus it will give you more bonding time even though you will both be sleeping.

I agree with adding another pumping session. The more often you remove milk from your breasts the more you will make. Maybe try to get him to nurse 1 more time during the evening even if it is only for a few minutes. Any and all stimulation will help your supply. And remember that even though you aren't getting a ton through the pump, babies are MUCH more efficient at getting milk out. If you really get worried about your supply find someone who can weigh him before and after a nursing session to ease your mind.

YOU CAN DO IT!
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Christina
<br />
<br />You have gotten great advice. I just wanted to say that you are doing a great job and keep it up. Even though he is sleeping through the night right now that will probably not last. Babies change all the time. It is my guess that he will start reverse cycling - nursing more at night and taking less during the day. It is very common with nursing babies who can't be with their moms during the day. He has only been at daycare for a week so you are both still adjusting. And don't rule out cosleeping if you haven't been doing it already. With you working full time and him possibly wanting to nurse more at night now you will both get more rest that way. Plus it will give you more bonding time even though you will both be sleeping.
<br />
<br />I agree with adding another pumping session. The more often you remove milk from your breasts the more you will make. Maybe try to get him to nurse 1 more time during the evening even if it is only for a few minutes. Any and all stimulation will help your supply. And remember that even though you aren't getting a ton through the pump, babies are MUCH more efficient at getting milk out. If you really get worried about your supply find someone who can weigh him before and after a nursing session to ease your mind.
<br />
<br />YOU CAN DO IT!
 
P

point

New member
Thank you ladies, so much. He, at least for the meantime, seems to have become particular to a bottle (He is in daycare). When he has nursed the last couple of days, it seems more for contact and less for food. He nuzzles more than eats. I was seeing a lactation consultant for yeast (both William & I). I started using nipple shields for horribly chewed nipples and continued (and wasn't told to use them for only a short period) using them for about 5 weeks. So, I think that added to my milk supply issue. I am no longer using them as of 2 weeks ago, but am now having trouble getting William to want to latch and then if he does, to actually eat. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I am considering my local LaLeche, but now that I am back to work and the first 3 months have been such an uphill battle, I am at a crossroads. I found our lactation consultants helpful and not helpful at the same time.

At any rate, seriously, thank you for the helpful advice and support. It makes me teary and it is helpful. Thanks.
 
P

point

New member
Thank you ladies, so much. He, at least for the meantime, seems to have become particular to a bottle (He is in daycare). When he has nursed the last couple of days, it seems more for contact and less for food. He nuzzles more than eats. I was seeing a lactation consultant for yeast (both William & I). I started using nipple shields for horribly chewed nipples and continued (and wasn't told to use them for only a short period) using them for about 5 weeks. So, I think that added to my milk supply issue. I am no longer using them as of 2 weeks ago, but am now having trouble getting William to want to latch and then if he does, to actually eat. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I am considering my local LaLeche, but now that I am back to work and the first 3 months have been such an uphill battle, I am at a crossroads. I found our lactation consultants helpful and not helpful at the same time.

At any rate, seriously, thank you for the helpful advice and support. It makes me teary and it is helpful. Thanks.
 
P

point

New member
Thank you ladies, so much. He, at least for the meantime, seems to have become particular to a bottle (He is in daycare). When he has nursed the last couple of days, it seems more for contact and less for food. He nuzzles more than eats. I was seeing a lactation consultant for yeast (both William & I). I started using nipple shields for horribly chewed nipples and continued (and wasn't told to use them for only a short period) using them for about 5 weeks. So, I think that added to my milk supply issue. I am no longer using them as of 2 weeks ago, but am now having trouble getting William to want to latch and then if he does, to actually eat. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I am considering my local LaLeche, but now that I am back to work and the first 3 months have been such an uphill battle, I am at a crossroads. I found our lactation consultants helpful and not helpful at the same time.
<br />
<br />At any rate, seriously, thank you for the helpful advice and support. It makes me teary and it is helpful. Thanks.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Stick with it. You've both been through a lot of change lately. You'll look back and be glad your perservered through this rough patch. Have you tried talking with him about it? He needs to nurse...that's where the bottle milk is coming from. In order for you to "do it all" you need his help. Be persistant. It will get easier.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Stick with it. You've both been through a lot of change lately. You'll look back and be glad your perservered through this rough patch. Have you tried talking with him about it? He needs to nurse...that's where the bottle milk is coming from. In order for you to "do it all" you need his help. Be persistant. It will get easier.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Stick with it. You've both been through a lot of change lately. You'll look back and be glad your perservered through this rough patch. Have you tried talking with him about it? He needs to nurse...that's where the bottle milk is coming from. In order for you to "do it all" you need his help. Be persistant. It will get easier.
 
M

mamaScarlett

Active member
Another thought is maybe you could take one day off, like a Friday, and have a breastfeeding reconnect for 3 days. Think of it as giving yourself a mini vaca where its just you and the baby for 3 days (even 2 if thats the best you can do).
Sometimes with BF (or even the dozens of other baby/toddler issues that will come up along the way...tantrums, potty training, teething, etc) I would get so consumed with 'why don't I try this, and this..and what about this?!!?' That I ended up drowning myself. Sometimes you have to STOP, breathe deep and reconnect. Make it about you and baby-that is-no bottles, no nipple shields or pacifiers, no cooking or cleaning, no other responsibilities besides you and little one. Pjs all day, you in bed with hubby helping with food, big blanket on the floor with toys for LO and just vegging and nursing like you did when he was born.
Maybe if you really can focus on that for a few days straight, while relaxing and not rushing around, your body will follow with milk production and baby will relax too. After all he's all thrown off by the new changes going on too.
 
M

mamaScarlett

Active member
Another thought is maybe you could take one day off, like a Friday, and have a breastfeeding reconnect for 3 days. Think of it as giving yourself a mini vaca where its just you and the baby for 3 days (even 2 if thats the best you can do).
Sometimes with BF (or even the dozens of other baby/toddler issues that will come up along the way...tantrums, potty training, teething, etc) I would get so consumed with 'why don't I try this, and this..and what about this?!!?' That I ended up drowning myself. Sometimes you have to STOP, breathe deep and reconnect. Make it about you and baby-that is-no bottles, no nipple shields or pacifiers, no cooking or cleaning, no other responsibilities besides you and little one. Pjs all day, you in bed with hubby helping with food, big blanket on the floor with toys for LO and just vegging and nursing like you did when he was born.
Maybe if you really can focus on that for a few days straight, while relaxing and not rushing around, your body will follow with milk production and baby will relax too. After all he's all thrown off by the new changes going on too.
 
M

mamaScarlett

Active member
<p>Another thought is maybe you could take one day off, like a Friday, and have a breastfeeding reconnect for 3 days. Think of it as giving yourself a mini vaca where its just you and the baby for 3 days (even 2 if thats the best you can do).
<p>Sometimes with BF (or even the dozens of other baby/toddler issues that will come up along the way...tantrums, potty training, teething, etc) I would get so consumed with 'why don't I try this, and this..and what about this?!!?' That I ended up drowning myself. Sometimes you have to STOP, breathe deep and reconnect. Make it about you and baby-that is-no bottles, no nipple shields or pacifiers, no cooking or cleaning, no other responsibilities besides you and little one. Pjs all day, you in bed with hubby helping with food, big blanket on the floor with toys for LO and just vegging and nursing like you did when he was born.
<p>Maybe if you really can focus on that for a few days straight, while relaxing and not rushing around, your body will follow with milk production and baby will relax too. After all he's all thrown off by the new changes going on too.
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
YES YES!! great idea about having a "nursing vacation". I've often seen this as a solution to lots of nursing issues. I think that even if you can't take a day off, have a weekend totally devoted to nursing, relaxing and bonding. I think you would be surprised how well you both responded.

My cousin has a daughter the same age as my son. Exclusive nursing never worked out for her, mostly due to misinformation but she did nurse for comfort till her daughter was over 2. She came to visit when her dd was about 6 months or so and since I was nursing my son exclusively she did a lot of nursing right along side me. After 2 days her daughter was hardly taking anything from the bottles. Of course when they went home they fell back into the same old pattern but it did show her that if she really wanted to she could nurse exclusively.
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
YES YES!! great idea about having a "nursing vacation". I've often seen this as a solution to lots of nursing issues. I think that even if you can't take a day off, have a weekend totally devoted to nursing, relaxing and bonding. I think you would be surprised how well you both responded.

My cousin has a daughter the same age as my son. Exclusive nursing never worked out for her, mostly due to misinformation but she did nurse for comfort till her daughter was over 2. She came to visit when her dd was about 6 months or so and since I was nursing my son exclusively she did a lot of nursing right along side me. After 2 days her daughter was hardly taking anything from the bottles. Of course when they went home they fell back into the same old pattern but it did show her that if she really wanted to she could nurse exclusively.
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
YES YES!! great idea about having a "nursing vacation". I've often seen this as a solution to lots of nursing issues. I think that even if you can't take a day off, have a weekend totally devoted to nursing, relaxing and bonding. I think you would be surprised how well you both responded.
<br />
<br />My cousin has a daughter the same age as my son. Exclusive nursing never worked out for her, mostly due to misinformation but she did nurse for comfort till her daughter was over 2. She came to visit when her dd was about 6 months or so and since I was nursing my son exclusively she did a lot of nursing right along side me. After 2 days her daughter was hardly taking anything from the bottles. Of course when they went home they fell back into the same old pattern but it did show her that if she really wanted to she could nurse exclusively.
 
K

kitomd21

New member
Stress, shields, and a decrease in him nursing all contribute to decreased milk supply. So frustrating - you're such a good mama for pushing through this! I pumped for a year (DD stopped nursing soon after birth due to CF and needing to supplement BM with added calories/formula). I also took fenugreek- it worked well for me but started to give me cramping after months of use (one of the side effects).
 
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