feeding

[Jem75]

OK - 2 months in and I feel like I am ready to give up breastfeeding - but I really want to keep it up for at least 3/4 months - ideally 5 or 6. But I feel like by pm I can not produce enough (last night she slugged 2 oz of pumped milk , then 2 oz of formula bc I just did not have any more to feed her!) ...

Anyone else supplementing?

Any one else over with breast feeding? Or close to?

We were doing so well for a few weeks, why do I feel like we are regressing? My nipples are so sore today!

[AmyC311]

I don't breastfeed anymore...and I kinda feel bad to say this but I like the freedom! Blake eats Similac Alimentum (because she was having issues with other formula and my milk) and she is a perfect baby! I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not but she is never fussy. We also add rice cereal to her formula and that helps her sleep through the night as well as prevent her from spitting up as much. Also it has put some weight on her...which was nice because she is so stinking long (24 1/4 inches!).

Anyways, if you are ready to switch to formula there is no shame in it. I kinda felt guilty when I stopped breastfeeding...but I had to...but even so there isn't anything wrong with stopping now. You have done a great job doing it this long...it is more than a lot of babies get. Just don't let people guilt trip you if you are ready to stop.

[Irish741]

Sorry you ladies are having such a hard time too. I guess we are all cursed in our own way. ;) I have had to supplement a few times during a growth spurt and it was difficult so I feel your pain. I hope things straighten out soon. I just talked to the lactation people again for my issue and I am going to start putting Jack on the breast at least once a day and buy larger flow nipples to see if I can get him use to the firehose of milk coming at him during his feedings...oye.

[ovaz129]

Hey Jem... totally with you.

I DO supplement because I don't produce enough.  I have tried stimulating with pumping and that hasn't helped.  I had a really hard time from the get go though, so I have been working with the lactation consultants from the beginning.  If Leighton gets a bottle (of stored pumped breast milk or formula) I pump.  When I pump, I can only pull 2-3oz.  She eats anywhere from 3-5oz. so I have to supplement that last 2oz. with formula.

Irish... I am jealous.

[evthing4reason]

Oh and are you using soothers???? Carter just loves to suck....we end most feedings with his soother because he would just keep eating and then cry when he was finished and we would think he wanted more when all he wanted was to suck. I know often they say not to give breastfed babies soothers

[evthing4reason]

I am not breastfeeding but I was reading the other day that aound this time the horomnes that were prouducing the milk stop and your body produces accodring to your baby's need. It may feel like you are not producing enough because you stop leaking as much or getting engorged but you only need to supplement formula if the baby is not gaining weight

Having said that I give you guys props....I can not imagine breastfeeding...I don't think I would've survived...I barely survived the first month as it was, and i had quite a few nights of straight sleeps thatnks to DH and my parents took him a few nights

[Jem75]

thanks ladies -

Irish - yes, I called a lactation nurse ...

I can not believe you pump that much! I would take just once pumping 6 oz! I was cursed with these GIANT boobies that won't give enough milk!!

[Irish741]

Hey Jem I am with you. Breastfeeding is a lot more work than I originally thought. I seem to be having the exact opposite issue you are though. I am almost producing too much milk. I can pump 6 ounces every 4 hours. My flow is so forceful that Jack pretty much chokes when he feeds directly from the breast. For the past 3-4 weeks I have been exclusively feeding him pumped breastmilk from a bottle. This has been wonderful since he is less gassy and there is less anxiety on both our parts. However, this situation is really unsustainable. I have to pump every 4 hours and I feed him every 3-4 hours. I am essentially doing double duty. It is rather exhausting. I am planning on consulting the lactation consultants from my delivery hospital to see if they have any words of wisdom for me. If nothing changes though I will probably stop breastfeeding by the end of his 3rd month. If anything improves I will probably only go about 6 months, or at least I will reevaluate the situation then.

I wonder if breastfeeding goes in stages...good for a couple months and difficult for a while. ??? We were doing great the first 5 weeks then everything changed.

Are you able to contact any lactation consultants? They might give you some helpful ideas on how to get things running more smoothly.

[kele1129]

I am not supplementing but for a few days I felt like I wasn't producing enough so I pumoed for 5 minutes per side after each feeding and it built my supply up in no time. I doesn't even matter if you actually get anything from the pumping, it is just to stimulate really.

I personally adore breastfeeding. Today Phin got his first shots and I was so happy to be able to nurse him right after and instead of bringing a crying baby out of the office I carried a smiling snoozy baby. I love that I can comfort him in a way no one else can.