I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle (support needed)

[emnjjsmom]

DD is 14 1/2 months old. 2 weeks ago we suffered from a major stomach bug. Both of us were seriously dehydrated. My milk supply went out the window with that dehydration. I haven't been able to boost it back up. She wont nurse more than 30 seconds at a time except early in the morning. She gets only 8 oz of cow milk a day...but is eating nonstop to make up for my lacking milk supply.

I drink tons of water, drink mother's milk tea until I literally can't gag it down anymore (my tummy is sensitive to fennel and the fenugreek makes me hypoglycemic) I eat a healthy diet high in protein, trying to get her to latch as often as possible.

I just am at the point where I don't feel that nursing is doing either of us any good anymore. I mean, I know that there just isn't anything left anymore, I haven't even had a letdown in weeks. I'm stressed out and tired and she's hungry and not sleeping.

I am trying to blame it on the fact that we both have colds and she's teething and maybe my milk supply will boost after that...but am I kidding myself??

[serenityjewell]

I don't have any answers, but I want to encourage you to try as long as you want to. When my DS won't nurse, I either nurse him side-lying in bed or in a warm bath. He is too comfortable to struggle and usually calms down and eats. Have you tried pumping? Just know that I'm thinking about you and your little one.

[2 in August]

No advice but lots of support as you seek to do what's right for you and your baby.

[mamaknox]

I found the only person that could help me whenever i had a problem with either of my boys was my lactation consultant. If you find someone with many years of experience they have almost seem it all.

Were you or are you taking any medication that could have dropped your milk supply? I have found this site very helpful before. Maybe you can find something on there. http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.ph...tpage&Itemid=1
I also found a warm bath would help to get my son to nurse and while he was sleeping or just waking up. I agree that pumping after each time she has a nibble is a good idea. I think if you push on through this thing it will soon seem like just a blip when you look back on it. Your nt kidding yourself, your milk supply will come back. Best of luck to you both!

[emnjjsmom]

Originally Posted by mamaknox

I found the only person that could help me whenever i had a problem with either of my boys was my lactation consultant. If you find someone with many years of experience they have almost seem it all.

Were you or are you taking any medication that could have dropped your milk supply? I have found this site very helpful before. Maybe you can find something on there. http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.ph...tpage&Itemid=1
I also found a warm bath would help to get my son to nurse and while he was sleeping or just waking up. I agree that pumping after each time she has a nibble is a good idea. I think if you push on through this thing it will soon seem like just a blip when you look back on it. Your nt kidding yourself, your milk supply will come back. Best of luck to you both!

That's a great site, thanks! Warm baths aren't really an option because I have a 2 year old running around, I just can't hide away to take warm baths just to nurse (2 y/o can't have a bath everyday, she has really bad eczema)

Also, I don't have a pump, one of my broke and the other one is missing parts (can't find replacements) I literally have NO money to buy a "cheap" pump or rent one for cheap. I haven't found anyone that will lend me one, pumping just isn't an option right now. I have been putting her to breast constantly, but she doesn't stay on except early in the morning and that is the only good nursing session we get now.

I just feel like I'm *hurting* her more than helping her now by having hardly any milk but not supplementing more, kwim??

Thanks for all the support tho mamas it does help!

[blessedwithboys]

just wanted to mention that my second child cut back around this age...i felt no let downs, and the teeny bit i could actually squeeze out was like toothpaste in thickness. i cried and cried that we were done (ds1 nursed for 24 mos)...well, ds2 will be 5 in may and is still nursing.

some kids do slow down so much you think its over, but it may not be. at 14.5 mos, bm is still very much for nutrition, but even if your lil one takes just a bit each day, you can still keep nursing for quite a while.

[Mizelenius]

I nursed my toddler when I had no milk (due to PG). If both of you would be OK with that (my toddler still liked to nurse), go for it!