Um
I’m nursing Henry and it doesn’t hurt. Is this for real? Will it last?
Increasing Milk Supply
I’ve been pumping like crazy since last night, averaging about 2 oz per session. I managed to only have to supplement with formula once so far. I also discovered the trick to making him sleep after his 1am feed. Always use pumped milk. The past week I’ve given him formula at that time and he refused to sleep until he nursed, keeping us up until almost 4 am. He fell asleep right after eating last night!
I’ve been doing a lot of research on exclusive pumping and boosting my milk supply and so far I’ve found a few great links that I’d like to share.
Mother-2-Mother’s guide to exclusive pumping
Recipes for lactation cookies from Dr.Momma (I’m going to make these tomorrow!)
Baby Center’s exclusive pumping group
KellyMom’s exclusive pumping resources (there are links here for boosting supply when pumping too)
I would also like to thank the awesome ladies who replied to my last few posts, I haven’t had time to reblog each one with a response but your advice and support is very appreciated!
“Exclusive” Pumping
It’s starting to become pretty obvious to me that until Henry’s latch and tongue tie gets fixed, (assuming it can be fixed) nursing more than once a day is no longer an option for me. Every time I nurse, he does more and more damage and it has even become painful to pump on one side as a result. The reality is I need to pump more often. WAY more. I keep feeling like my supply is dwindling but I’m really only pumping maybe 4-5 times a day. I tried Fenugreek and the mother’s milk tea, both made me violently ill, I’ve been eating oatmeal like crazy and drinking tonnes of water. I’m not sure if my milk is salvageable 7 weeks postpartum but I sure am going to try. Right now I’m getting maybe 10oz in total on a good day.
This means I need to be pumping every 2-3 hours. In fact, I should be pumping right now. It means less sleep, less ability to go out of the house for longer than a few hours at a time and having to deal with a fussy baby who really doesn’t like bottles to begin with.
It also means that now, even more so than before, my life is revolving around feeding my baby. But hey, that’s the way motherhood goes sometimes.
Tongue Tied
We went to see another lactation consultant today to work on his latch and determine if I actually have thrush or not. She had a look at his mouth and said she’s pretty sure he has a bit of a tongue tie which may be causing the pain. This is a bit of a revelation considering how long we’ve been struggling with breastfeeding. I’m going to call my doctor on Monday to get a referral to see an ENT specialist. I’m hoping if he needs it clipped it will happen before we go to see my parents in September.
In other news, little buddy is 9lbs 7oz! Holy crap! I can’t believe he was only 5lbs just 7 weeks ago.
I envy women who can breastfeed easily in public. I have such a hard time, not with the modesty of flashing my tits to strangers, but the logistics of holding Henry and latching him with minimal support. If I’m not sitting in a chair with good back support and if I don’t have my nursing pillow, it’s a constant struggle to hold him up and maintain a decent latch that doesn’t cause me pain. Maybe I just don’t have the arm muscles yet? I managed to use my diaper bag to support him in the football hold while waiting for my appointment today, that worked out pretty well, but there isn’t always room.
I need tips, ladies!
Thanks for the support!
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Don’t feel bad. I am now taking the pill version of Motherlove and Fenugreek to add to the liquid version of Motherlove I was already taking. This is tough stuff and it can consume your life. Formula feeding is not failing your son or being a bad mom.❤
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I’m at 50/50 formula and breast milk. I can tell my supply is fluctuating and ultimately waning. I tell myself to take it in increments. We made it to 2 months, we’ll try to make it to 4, then 6. He’ll be fine no matter what. Yours will be too :)
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I totally feel you! I couldn’t feel Eliot anymore. I went from pumping 4oz (2oz from each boob) to only producing 1oz. I couldn’t do it. I drank the teas and did every thing else I read and nothing. We’re not horrible moms. We’re awesome. We know what’s best for our…
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Ezra and I struggled with thrush for a month and I just got so down on myself it was effecting my ppd. I decided to supplement and ended up switching to formula altogether. Ezra is a happy, healthy baby and I’m doing what’s best for the both of us
I am really grateful to have awesome followers who are supportive. That’s why I love tumblr, it’s nice to talk to other moms who understand and have been through the same stuff.
Lunch time in the wrap.
You guys
I’ve managed to exclusively breastfeed for 3 days straight! I can’t believe it. I nearly gave up so many times. It’s still going to be difficult but now that Henry and I are both accustomed to it, is getting easier and easier.
I feel for all the mums out there who are still having issues. Breastfeeding is a lot harder than most people think.
Monday
We got through an entire night without having to resort to giving Henry a bottle! I was surprised because SOMEONE was being a fussy bum all night and refused to sleep in his bassinet. The only way he would sleep was if I brought him into bed with me. I did manage to feed him lying down once too. Not sure how much he ate because I pretty much slept through the whole thing, hah. I’m feeling pretty haggard today but can’t have my usual morning nap while he’s sleeping because I need to make myself presentable. We are getting pictures done at 1:00pm today. Mostly ones of Henry but she does a few of the whole family too. Which means I need to pluck my eyebrows, fix my hair and put on makeup for the first time in a month. Yeesh. Let’s hope Mr. Fussy Bum sleeps long enough for me to get all that accomplished!
I still haven’t managed to stop with the formula supplementing. I’ll admit, it’s mostly been when I’m exhausted, my nipples are killing me and he’s already breastfed for over an hour but wakes up 10 mins later, still hungry, or he wakes up so hungry he fusses and and cried for 20 mins while refusing the latch. What, can I say, it’s exhausting. Most of the time if he gets a bottle it will be milk that I’ve pumped, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. The more he’s at the boob, the more my supply will increase, I just need to keep telling myself that.
