Half an ounce

[bdavis337]

Damn. : That's all he's getting from me. A lousy half ounce. I can hand express that much (and just did, b/c he's slept through what should have been his noontime feeding). We nursed for 40 minutes at the IBCLC's office this morning for that half ounce, and he immediately took a 3 oz supplement bottle when we got home. He's only gained 2 oz since we we came home (1 week/7 days = 2 oz weight gain), and while it's still early, he's not yet back to his birthweight.

I've been supp'ing him with a 2 oz bottle 3x daily, and at least once every night, and he's still not really getting enough. The LC suggested I increase his supplement to 3 oz and after every feeding, not just morning/afternoon/evening, buy an electric pump (can't afford that, my friend is still using hers....) and consider asking my OB for a Reglan script if I want to continue. She says Jeffrey has "a picture perfect latch and suck", but he's working really, really hard to get that 1/2 oz, and in the last day or so he's started crying when I put him to the breast. I don't have a letdown of any sort, so unless I express into his mouth to get him started, he just cries and fusses.

He refuses supplement by dropper or cup, he just spits it out, so we have no choice but to use the bottle. And while I had intended to try the SNS/Lactaid option, I'm having a very hard time just fitting the nursing/expressing into the day with my other kids, there's no way I can handle the SNS right now.

I'm going to continue nursing him whenever he roots and wants it, but I see this quickly going the way the other 2 did - done at 3 or 4 weeks. Maybe he'll at least comfort nurse for a few months, I really love having him at the breast.

[jee'smom]

Can you put the formula in the sns and nurse almost everytime? and a bottle the rest of the times. then at least he'll keep nursing. he only needs a little bm to get some antibodies. i'm sorry if this is something you can't do, i really don't know about this stuff. just a suggestion. good luck, honey. i know this was something you really wanted, and i'm proud of you for trying so hard.

also, is there someone in your area that you could borrow their breastpump (try "finding your tribe"). you would just need to buy the part for your breasts.

[bdavis337]

I've got to keep nursing every single time if I want to maintain any kind of supply. I don't even have an sns/lactaid setup right now, although I could get one from the lc I saw today. Maybe I'm overthinking it, and maybe the lactaid WOULD be easier/less time consuming than the bottle AND pumping.

Being post partum is so damn hard for me, I spend at least half of every day tears for the first two months, and most of my stress is over the breastfeeding for the first few weeks. I feel so guilty, and I even find myself thinking I had no right to have children, knowing that I wouldn't be able to give them breastmilk. Gah, I HATE being post partum. Makes this sort of thing so much harder to deal with.

[jee'smom]

[proudhsmommy]

Bethany .... oh honey ... I just want to give you some ((((((hugs))))))

I totally understand with the guilt of not producing enough milk, I was only able to produce an ounce between both breasts with my first. Aizen hasn't taken to the breast and he's bottle fed, while I try to pump (and that's what I am doing atm LOL) and we're supping with formula at night.

I found that one thing that has helped is the nursing tea. I'm not fond of the flavour of it, but since I have been taking it, it has definately increased my supply. I'm using the Lunar Eclipse Nursiing Tea. Maybe you could see if you could get your hands on a nursing tea and see if that works.

Remember that no matter how much you get, that Whatever you are able to give him is HELPING him!!!

/sigh need to unhook myself, Aizen is screaming hehe

Don't give up!!!!

Denise

[Juvysen]

small babies don't have huge tummies... a few ounces is all they take. Their stomachs at birth literally only take a tablespoon. Have you considered asking for help in the breastfeeding forum? My concern is that the more supplementing, the more your supply will diminish Sorry it's going badly for you... keep with it!! You can do this

[Lissybug]

Originally Posted by bdavis337

I've got to keep nursing every single time if I want to maintain any kind of supply. I don't even have an sns/lactaid setup right now, although I could get one from the lc I saw today. Maybe I'm overthinking it, and maybe the lactaid WOULD be easier/less time consuming than the bottle AND pumping.

Being post partum is so damn hard for me, I spend at least half of every day tears for the first two months, and most of my stress is over the breastfeeding for the first few weeks. I feel so guilty, and I even find myself thinking I had no right to have children, knowing that I wouldn't be able to give them breastmilk. Gah, I HATE being post partum. Makes this sort of thing so much harder to deal with.

I wish I had some great insight for you, but I don't have any experience with what you're going through. I just want to send you a hug. You are working SO HARD at this, PLUS taking care of the two older kids- what an awsome mama you are, don't let those PP hormones tell you any differently.

[pilllowhead]

Sorry if you've tried this but is there any way la leche league could help? I would try to get hold of them in your area as well.
you are doing a GREAT job right now, well done for your perseverance

[bdavis337]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

small babies don't have huge tummies... a few ounces is all they take. Their stomachs at birth literally only take a tablespoon. Have you considered asking for help in the breastfeeding forum? My concern is that the more supplementing, the more your supply will diminish Sorry it's going badly for you... keep with it!! You can do this

Right. The problem with being a BFAR mama is that my supply is diminishing. He can't empty my breasts, so they make less milk as time goes by. No matter how much he nurses, I have a finite supply that grows smaller on a daily basis. Supplementing is absolutely necessary, b/c otherwise he's not getting enough to eat.

[Juvysen]

I'm so sorry What's BFAR?

[bdavis337]

It stands for Breast Feeding After Reduction, and it applies to any mama trying to breasfteed her baby after she's had a reductive mammoplasty (breast reduction). Every reduction is different, but what they all have in common is the potential for loss of milk glands and "ductwork" that carries the milk from the breast to the baby's mouth. In some cases, milk glands are lost so Mama produces less milk than she normally would. In others, the ductwork is cut or lost, meaning that any milk produced is stuck in the breast. In others, both issues. Regardless, it's hard to come up with a full supply that can feed Baby.

[jessjgh1]

You are doing wonderful momma... hang in there and do what feels right and take all the support you can get from those willing.

Jessica

[manitobamama]

Bethany,
I have had you in my thoughts all day! I don't have much to offer other than something I read on MDC I think on the july ddc but not sure. I read something about not being able to measure how much babe is actually getting on the boob since they get more than you can pump. I would suggest sending Dr. Jack Newman an email. I trained with him and he is amazing and perhaps he could offer some advice. Although I'm sure you are adviced out but it may be worth asking him for his opinion.

Hugs to you mama! I struggled with my dd2 and only nursed till 3 months. I am sending you hugs and breastfeeding vibes!

[ColoradoMama]

Hi. I'm crashing your ddc for a moment. I just wanted to add my two cents. You're doing a fabulous job, and even if your baby just gets a few weeks of bm you are getting him off to a good start. There is something you can try if you haven't already - it's called breast compressions. It could be worth a shot. You can ask your IBCLC to explain them to you or call a local LLL leader. (I'd be glad to try and explain it through a PM if you're not familiar if you want.) Good luck. I'm sorry this has been so hard for you. Also, I wanted to mention that even if you are only getting 1/2 ounce by pump - your baby is probably getting at least a little more than that. Babies can get more milk out than pumps can.

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by bdavis337

It stands for Breast Feeding After Reduction, and it applies to any mama trying to breasfteed her baby after she's had a reductive mammoplasty (breast reduction). Every reduction is different, but what they all have in common is the potential for loss of milk glands and "ductwork" that carries the milk from the breast to the baby's mouth. In some cases, milk glands are lost so Mama produces less milk than she normally would. In others, the ductwork is cut or lost, meaning that any milk produced is stuck in the breast. In others, both issues. Regardless, it's hard to come up with a full supply that can feed Baby.

Ah, that makes more sense. It's awesome that you're giving him as much as you can, though! Every little bit counts, right?

[wheatie]

i was hoping it'd go differently for you this time. be proud of yourself for continuing, however long that may be.

[bdavis337]

I'm really just going to have to stop. The stress of it is just incredible, and it seems to get moreso with each child I have. He's beginning to prefer the bottle, of course, and has twice rejected me today when I couldn't get things started fast enough (I have to do breast compressions to get the milk flowing).

He's still comfort nursing, but not really swallowing or sucking much on his own. He took TONS of formula yesterday, all offered in 2 and 3 oz increments. I'm still expressing by hand, and I'll continue to do so until the well runs dry, probably about a week or so. I'll also continue to offer the breast, and to let him use me for comfort nursing, perhaps he'll continue to get a bit of something good that way.

Turns out that the IV Reglan I got last week DID make my milk come in, but the IV Benadryl coupled with the diuretics for my blood pressure (prescribed ERRONEOUSLY according to my ob.....that's another post for another time...) have probably seriously put a damper on my milk production, at least, that's what the IBCLC commented yesterday.

[Lissybug]

I've been thinking of you. i don't know how you're feeling about stopping, but it seems like all that stress can't be any good for you. and perhaps you can better enjoy J's brief newborn stage if you're not so stressed. I'm sure it's not an easy choice.

[luckydog]

:

Bethany!!!!

[newmommaamy]

Bethany,
You are doing a great job! Any breast milk is good for your little one, but your love is much more important.