Losing Weight

[Tiffanoodle]

I am so sad right now. I have very little time to get my bm supply build up or we're going to have to start supplementing Lauren.

When she was born, she was 7#12oz. When we left the hospital, I think she was down to 7#5oz. At her 2 week checkup she was I think 6#14oz. I've been breastfeeding on demand, not really tracking. She has lots of wets and poos every day. She's not growing, though. Today (she's 3w5d) we weighed her on our home scale (weigh self without baby then weigh self holding baby) and she was 6.8 pounds. Not as exact as a baby scale, but basically that means somewhere between 6#12oz. and 6#15oz. (It goes in increments of .2) In any case, that's not good. We had this problem with Cadence at 5 months. After growing fairly steadily all along, she lost a pound in a month and we had to start supplementing. In supplementing, the little I had dried up very quickly and we quit bfing within a week. I was so depressed. I was determined not to let that happen this time.

I've pumped a few ounces, so I'm going to just try to nurse her and give her like an ounce after feedings to ensure that she's getting more in. I'm also afraid to get into the spit up cycle. It's so hard to find that amount that's enough but not too much. I do need to build up my supply quickly, though, or I'm going to run out of the few ounces I've been able to pump. I'm increasing my water intake, eating a whole bunch of oatmeal, continuing to take my Fenugreek, I'm going out to hunt down some Blessed Thistle, and even though I'm sure my nipples are going to feel like they're falling off, I'm going to be feeding or pumping as much as possible.

I'm glad we're aware and getting a handle on this early, but still really upset that I'm not just naturally able to feed my child. My mom said she had supply issues with me, too, but that doesn't make things okay. If we have to put her on formula, it is going to spiral me into a pit of PPD.

[Tulafina]

I'm so sorry Tiff It sounds like you are doing everything you can to help your supply. The only other thing that works like a charm for me is Alfalfa tablets....they boost my supply by ounces in just a week. Lots of hugs,
Julie

[amberdcm]

Mother's Milk tea by traditional medicinals has blessed thisle & fenugreek among other healthy lactation necessities.

I'm breast feeding my little one while pumping for another baby. It's causing me to make a boat load of milk. I don't know if this necessarily could factor into you producing more milk, and I certainly don't want to offer advice that could be counterproductive (so make sure you double check this)...but what if you nursed her on both sides til she was finished, and pumped in consistent sessions in the interim, while she sleeps/isn't showing interest. It would cause your body to think you need more milk, while also allowing you those extra ounces you need to get her weight up. To pump for another/feed my own, I thoroughly nurse my baby on one side while simultaneously pumping on the other. I switch up the sides on the next session.

I don't know how much liquid you're consuming a day, but don't discount the value and necessity of staying well hydrated. I drink over a gallon of water a day, plus a glass or two of juice, as well as two cups of mother's milk tea. I also throw in a hoppy dark beer every other day, which is said to increase production.

How often are you nursing? Once an hour? Once every three? You may want to nurse more often?

Hoping your flood gates open! Keep us posted! <3

[Tiffanoodle]

Thanks for the advice and support. I've tried MM tea in the past. I might attempt to find some again. And the Alfalfa tablets. I'm game for anything.

We've had at least 2 days out of the hospital that we did "nursing days" where she and I spent the day in bed and she just nursed all day while dh took care of the other 3. Unfortunately, in order to have money he has to work so we don't have that option much anymore. Our usual schedule (I'm really having to think here since I can barely remember what day it is let alone when we nurse. lol) is that she nurses on onee or both sides when we wake up in the morning. If dh is home from work, that's a very long, leisurely session. If I have to get up to run the kids (that's only been 1 or 2 days) then it's letting her suck a couple minutes past when she's not swallowing any more, moving her to the other side, repeating, and then getting up. She usually has an awake time for a couple hours, then nurses until she dozes off, I do a diaper change, then nurse on the other side until she falls asleep and she naps for anywhere between 10 minutes (today when middle sister kept waking her up) and 3 hours. Then she gets up, nurses, and it's a toss up. We usually have running to do so she's slung or in a car seat and she will either be awake looking around or sleeping. She nurses in the evening, then usually right before bed. She likes to go down for her long sleep at 11-11:30. (makes me giggle because she was born at 11:27. Wonder if there's any corelation) She sleeps for between 1-5 hours (usually closer to the 1, it's been as long as 5) and then she wakes up and comes in with us for the night. We basically just sleep with my nipple in her mouth most of the night then. If I wake up and realize that my nipple is sore and/or that she's grunting and rooting, we'll flip to the other side and repeat.

I have always produced WAY less from my right than my left, like half the amount. No matter what. I have tried to build up the supply in my right and it's just never happened. So this time I'm focusing on my left. She nurses on my left more often and if I know I want to get more milk in her in a shorter amount of time (which is much of the time) she will go on my left. If I know she's not really hungry but more just tired, I'll put her on my right. She has this tendency to think she's hungry when she's really gassy and she'll eat too much at a time and then spit up. That doesn't help a whole lot with the keeping food in her.

I know I've been lacking in my water drinking the last few days. When dh is working (3 on/3 off) I end up running around like a chicken with my head cut off and I don't take care of myself. I guess even when he is home I have trouble remembering to do that. Today it was 2pm and I was dizzy. I tried to figure out why and then remembered that DUH I hadn't eaten anything all day. I'd drank a huge jug of water, but no food. That doesn't help either. The Fenugreek usually makes me ravenously hungry (it's an appetite stimulant, which is probably why it's becoming impossible for me to take off those last few pounds of pregnancy weight) so that helps me want to eat.

Sorry, I'm totally rambling right now. I can't really talk to anyone about this. My mom was telling me to start supplementing her in the hospital (supportive, right?) and dh is trying to be supportive, but he doesn't understand why I'm so depressed over this. He will do whatever I want. I know he doesn't see it as a failure if I can't nurse. I do, though.

[LisaSedai]

Sorry you are going through this. I had weight issues with DS and the first pedi was pushing formula at us the first well baby appointment. I agree with what pp said about pumping increasing your milk supply. If you have a good mechanical pump you could pump after the baby finishes.

Have you contacted the La Leche people? They can be a really helpful might have some help or suggestions for you.

You have to take good care of yourself first and make sure you are getting enough calories and fluids and rest. Hang in there.

[CorasMama]

are there any older kids/teens in your neighborhood who you could have come be a mother's helper for a couple of hours a day? Preferably during her awake period, so you can offer the breast as constantly as she'll take it.

I know I'm the eleventieth person to say this, but make sure you're getting enough liquid. I'm drinking 4L/day, and I still get dry lips some times (which is my symptom that I'm not drinking enough water).

Would you consider taking domperidone?

If, after all you've done, you still can't exclusively breastfeed, or breastfeed at all, do NOT feel a failure. You're not a mom who just says, "hey, I'm not going to breastfeed because I can't be bothered." You're doing your all, and really, a loving devoted mother who doesn't beat herself up, and is happy, is far more important in the long run than how you fed your child in her first few months. Really. I have a 12-year-old, and I'm here to tell you, I cannot tell by knowing her and her friends, who was breastfed, combo fed, or formula fed. I can tell whose parents are involved and listen to them, and I can tell whose parents put effort into their education, and I can tell whose parents make them feel cherished. And to some degree, I can tell whose parents currently feed them healthy food. But I cannot tell (and if I thought I could, I would be frequently surprised to discover the truth of) who was fed how in the first months of their lives. And parenting really is about the long run.

You're doing great so far. You'll continue to be a great mother. It shows by how hard you're trying now.

[Tiffanoodle]

Thanks again.

I have 2 Medela PIS. I actually got my second one for $7.50 at a local thrift store (and just use the horns and bottles I already have with it). Today I spent quite a bit of time with them. This last time dh looked at me and said "doesn't that hurt?" I just kind of said "ya think?"

I had the LC come in to my room every day that I was in the hospital. I told them about my past supply issues and asked if they had any suggestions. They gave me some handouts, but it's all the same stuff. Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle, oatmeal, etc. I have some herbs on order and I'm really hoping to make it til they get here. I drank at least 2.5 gallons of water today. I didn't even realize how much I was drinking. I have a 48 ounce jug that I filled 3 times and drank some that I had left over from overnight too. I'm going to keep making sure I get enough water in. I know that I've been drinking too much soda and not enough water.

My 10yo is fairly helpful when she's around. She will usually help out with the 2yo. She's gone for 3-4 hours a day at activities, though. And running her to those activities, as well as running my 5yo, takes up a lot of what could potentially be "boob time". That's only this week and next, though, then things slow down. I just have to hope I can get some weight on Lauren somehow and then we'll work on routine.

For the day, I fed her about 3 ounces more than I produced (thawed one of my two 3oz bags from the freezer). I have about 6 ounces left in reserves that I can use the next couple days if need be. So, I guess I'm on the clock.

[bananabee]

I am sorry you're going through this! The lactation consultants that were trying to help me get DD to latch on better started freaking out that she was losing weight and that I wasn't producing enough in the first 2 wks. She really had only lost 5 oz since birth, so they really shouldn't have made a big deal, and it just took a little longer for my milk to come in, but two helpful tips they gave me were:

1. pumping should not hurt, and if it does, you've got the wrong size flanges and if you continue you could hurt your supply just from having pain while you pump

2. eating more protein will boost your supply

I don't know if those will help you, but I definitely saw improvements once I followed those tips.

I don't know if those

[NicolleLynne]

Originally Posted by CorasMama

If, after all you've done, you still can't exclusively breastfeed, or breastfeed at all, do NOT feel a failure. You're not a mom who just says, "hey, I'm not going to breastfeed because I can't be bothered." You're doing your all, and really, a loving devoted mother who doesn't beat herself up, and is happy, is far more important in the long run than how you fed your child in her first few months. Really. I have a 12-year-old, and I'm here to tell you, I cannot tell by knowing her and her friends, who was breastfed, combo fed, or formula fed. I can tell whose parents are involved and listen to them, and I can tell whose parents put effort into their education, and I can tell whose parents make them feel cherished. And to some degree, I can tell whose parents currently feed them healthy food. But I cannot tell (and if I thought I could, I would be frequently surprised to discover the truth of) who was fed how in the first months of their lives. And parenting really is about the long run.

You're doing great so far. You'll continue to be a great mother. It shows by how hard you're trying now.

Breastfeeding is wonderful but is by no means a prerequisite for having a healthy, loving relationship with your daughter. She will benefit far more from having a relaxed, peaceful mama than one who is anxious and depressed. Be proud of all you've done and continue to do for her. This precious time goes by so fast... Don't spend it stressed out and unhappy. Best wishes and good luck!!!

[amberdcm]

Tiffanoodle, I was researching increasing milk supply and was floored to learn that too much water can adversely affect milk production, both by (1) decreasing milk supply, and by (2) reducing a woman’s potassium level so that a negative impact occurs to her milk supply.

It seems that "drinking to thirst" plus a little more is the advice that's offered, and that seems to fall numerically around 80 oz a day. Water, teas, and no extra added sugar juices are best. I'd hook yourself up with with that 48oz jug and drink from it twice. I use my Britta pitcher the same way.

(1) "Drinking properly is every bit as important as eating properly. It is important to stay hydrated by drinking to thirst. Do not, however, drink large amounts of fluids with the idea that this will increase your milk supply. It does not work that way and ingesting too much liquid can actually reduce your supply" from the Le Leche League at http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJulAug05p142.html

(2) http://blisstree.com/live/how-much-w...need-to-drink/

Who would've thought, right? I suppose that old adage of moderation as best still holds true.

Don't forget the importance of eating/snacking healthfully throughout the day. I, too, have found myself feeling faint a number of times and it made it hard to concentrate or feel on top of my game.

You're doing your all, and really, a loving devoted mother who doesn't beat herself up, and is happy, is far more important in the long run than how you fed your child in her first few months. Really. I have a 12-year-old, and I'm here to tell you, I cannot tell by knowing her and her friends, who was breastfed, combo fed, or formula fed. I can tell whose parents are involved and listen to them, and I can tell whose parents put effort into their education, and I can tell whose parents make them feel cherished. And to some degree, I can tell whose parents currently feed them healthy food. But I cannot tell (and if I thought I could, I would be frequently surprised to discover the truth of) who was fed how in the first months of their lives. And parenting really is about the long run.

As women & moms, we're incredibly hard on each other/ourselves. I love what you have to say corasmom, and I wish this eloquent sentiment was echoed more often throughout all cultures.

[sharr610]

. I had horrid supply issues with DS. After an awful birth experience, I felt like I HAD to get nursing right, but in the end, he had to get 25% of his calories from formula in order to gain. I had LCs, all the herbs, tired round the clock pumping, domperidone...the works. It was so stressful, which in hindsight, wasn't helping things at all. I just empathize so much and wish I had a magic answer for you. I still feel pangs of failure about it sometimes, no matter how "irrational" it may seem to others.

The one thing that I would try to remind myself was something our otherwise worthless Ped at the time told me: The nutrition and antibodies he receives in just a tablespoon of breastmilk is huge and more than lots of babes get. You ARE nursing you r babe and will continue to. Thats what matters.

. Hang in there.

[Tiffanoodle]

That is really interesting about the water. I think I was actually pretty dehydrated the other day, when I drank so much. I only went to the bathroom I think 2 or 3 times the whole day. I never actually stopped being thirsty, just stopped drinking. Yesterday, I drank almost 2 jugs. Hopefully now that I'm hydrated again, that will help.

The pain comes more from letdowns than anything. I get a pins and needles feeling. And when I first start with the pump (or Lauren for that matter) there's a few moments of pain. It goes away as long as I've started the pump on a weaker setting or Lauren's latch is correct.

I'm going to try to make sure I'm getting enough protein. Maybe that's why I've been craving chicken lately.

Yesterday I ended up even for milk. I pretty much just fed her all day. I pumped an ounce while we were watching evening TV, and I had dh feed that to her right before bedtime in addition to her normal feeding.

Thank you for all the continued support. It really helps.

[Burnindinner]

I don't have advice but wanted to offer support. Hang in there, and I am so impressed by your perseverance!

[GoBecGo]

I can tell whose parents are involved and listen to them, and I can tell whose parents put effort into their education, and I can tell whose parents make them feel cherished. And to some degree, I can tell whose parents currently feed them healthy food. But I cannot tell (and if I thought I could, I would be frequently surprised to discover the truth of) who was fed how in the first months of their lives. And parenting really is about the long run.

You should bottle this and sell it!!!

Tiff i had to wean DD1 after a medical issue bombed my milk and it was horrible. We supplemented from 5months and weaned at 7. You've already gotten fabulous advice. I'm assuming her latch is good (only other thing i can think of which would help with supply - a lactation consultant told me that even though pumps are good, a pump is only as good as a poorly latched baby in terms of what they can extract)? I've noticed my LO getting a bit lazy recently (she's gaining, but around 4oz/week, rather than the 6-7 she'd need to be gaining to stay with her curve on the chart) and i sometimes stuff a bit more nipple into the corner of her mouth with my little finger - not fabulous technique, but it works! I can always hear a fresh round of swallowing after she gets a deeper latch

Massive hugs to you. Bless you for being such a lovely mama, for going to such lengths for your babe, and for having the courage to fight a battle you lost once before - i really know how hard that feels.

[Tiffanoodle]

*sigh* Currently my little one is taking her first 2 ounces of formula from my dh. Throughout the day I gave her the 3 ounces I had saved up and she's still hungry tonight. I had a litle time to pump this afternoon, but got about an ounce which she drank right after she woke up (in addition to the other 3 she had today) and otherwise she was pretty much nursing any other time I could have pumped. I know I'm letting down several times in a nursing, but just not producing enough. I think her extra hunger today is also a result of me not having taken any Percocet for a couple days now.

I got my herbs yesterday, and yesterday and today I've had 64 ounces of mother's milk tea which I also put some alfalfa in. I've been eating oatmeal cookies, not drinking a ton of water, (well, still drinking a ton of water but simply because I'm thirsty and it's the middle of summer) making sure I'm eating, and I have some Domperidone on order. I also found a baby scale for sale on Craigslist. I e-mailed them and I'm really hoping to get a response soon. Our scale read her at 7.8lb today, which is a good gain, but that's just not a reliable method of weighing her.

I told dh he is NOT allowed to let me stop nursing. I have some Enfamil samples that I got in pregnancy (I'm one of those people who likes to get them because I've had to use them every time and it just saves me money). I am going to give her formula as I see that she needs it, but my goal is to not have to buy any. The Dom can take 3 weeks to get here. I'm very hopeful that I can keep up some kind of supply until then and then I will have 300 pills to start with. I have visions of days where I have a stockpile of milk in the freezer and can look back on these days as a distant memory.

[cadejaxellamom]

I'm so sorry, I don't have any advice, just lots of support and cyber hugs!!! You are a fabulous and strong mommy for going through all of this for your LO, she is very lucky!!!!

[CorasMama]

you're in my thoughts and prayers! You really are doing a good job, and you should be very proud of yourself. It will be okay. Formula isn't poison, I promise. Take good care of yourself.

[Tiffanoodle]

Today I took her to the doctor for a weight check. I wanted to get that in now, a week before her 6 week appointment next week. She weighed in at 7#9oz. Not terrific, but a gain nonetheless. We're at 4 ounces of supplementing today, 2 ounces this morning and 2 ounces this afternoon. I'll probably give her another 2 ounces before bed.

I also need to set an alarm tonight, clearly. Last night Lauren went to her bassinette at midnight after a little formula and nursing for quite awhile. I woke up to her fussing at 7:00!!! I can't remember the last time I slept 7 hours in a row without getting up to feed her or go to the bathroom...must have been sometime in March. The night before it was about midnight until 6am. It was really nice to get the sleep, but not good for the supply at all. She only slept like an hour in her carseat yesterday, so it didn't surprise me that she slept. I just know at a month they're really not "supposed" to sleep that long. And with weight gain concerns, I'm going to try to watch it. My dd1 slept 4 hours on her first night of life and was going 8+ hours at night by a month. She was almost 9 pounds at birth and gained steadily, though.

I have noticed that I feel full more often now. And I was leaking like crazy this afternoon. I easily pumped 2 ounces yesterday on the way out of the house, so I'm very optimistic that I will be able to do this. I know formula isn't *bad*, I just also know that for me it's a slippery slope to drying up.

[CorasMama]

yeah, I would set an alarm to wake her up after 3 hours if you can. I'm sure you know this, but you don't want to go more than 3 hours if you're trying to build supply. And if you can't wake her, or she doesn't eat a bunch from both sides, pump afterward. Remind me, what kind of pump do you have?

[CorasMama]

also, in addition to the Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle, how about Goats Rue? I'm taking a mixture of Fenugreek, Goats Rue, Blessed Thistle and Alfalfa, and some extra Fenugreek, and it's really boosted my supply. As far as how much Fenugreek to take, I took more each day until it affected my ... toilet habits, shall we say ... and then backed off from that.