Breastfeeding has not been an easy adventure for me - I've battled unexplained low supply with both of my daughters, and now I'm dealing with lowered low - supply due to a bout of mastitis! Some of us cannot get any breaks!
I've been nursing with a LactAid since my daughter was about 7 days old, due to the fact that my milk didn't come in abundantly (again), and my baby wasn't satiated or showing diaper output despite non-stop nursing. Though things weren't perfect, and I was still emotionally dealing with the disappointment of low supply with a second baby, we had developed a routine that was working and I was supplementing with between 10- 12 oz. a day, with her gaining steadily for several weeks straight.
Unfortunately, last Thursday, I developed a painful spot in my right breast (the larger producer) and soon after aches, fever of 102, chills, headache, etc. I was in misery for 24 hours, but continued to nurse on both sides, and luckily the fever broke and I was feeling better by Saturday (thankful to avoid antibiotics).
The problem is that my supply is noticeably lowered now, my DD is squirmy agitated and never satiated by nursing (she became used to the flow of the LactAid, and my slow let--down), and I've had to supplement more and more - up to 17 oz. today! I'm so frustrated and scared that my supply won't return - I've read that some women never recover supplies after mastitis, and with mine being so low, I'm especially freaked.
I've been drinking more water, nursing ALL. THE. TIME., eating oatmeal, taking fenugreek, etc., but my supply is still lower. It's only been two days since my fever let up, so maybe we'll still be ok, but I'm soooooo scared that this is permanent.
Any experiences or advice?? I don't want to give up, but am so close due to all the battles I've faced already. It feels like the universe doesn't want me to breastfeed and it's making me so sad.
