Is it still natural when you need drugs to get milk?

[Electra375]

BF is natural, it is best, but is it still natural and safe when you need a ton of Domperidone for just drops of bm? And still have to supplement all feedings?

Or when your thyroid dysfunction is to blame for the lack of milk and it takes so so long to get thyroid medication right. Breastmilk just was not happening for me this time around and the only link I can find is my out of wack system, it's my thryoid and my other hormone levels -- all shot.

I'm done. My body can't handle the stress any more, my baby is 8 mo old. My thyroid dysfunction started me down this path of low milk supply. I'm on thyroid meds without much improvement. I went on Domperidone and it worked until I ran out and then my supply did not come back again.

When nature does not work, how then is breastfeeding natural? I just beg the question. On another thread it was spoken of that breastfeeding is natural and therefore it is the only way to feed a child -- but when it isn't natural, then what philospophy do you take?

We encountered so many obstacles this time - from my thryoid to severe protein intolernaces Dairy, Corn, Gluten, Soy, and on... The weight loss, the lack of appetite in my baby, his now slow to develop gross motor skills...

I think I've gone above and beyond, yet it is still really difficult to wrap my head around the fact there just is no milk left in me.

[Slabobbin]

Oh honey, I feel you. I had low supply due to PCOS. I was on Domperidone, Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle...I can't even remember all of the meds I was on! I do remember that at one point, I was taking upwards of 30 pills a day!

I didn't necessarly want to bf because it was "natural" though...I mean that wasn't my big reason. But I can't really tell you exactly what my big reason was. I just know that it was important to me. Then it became important to my baby and so I continued, despite how hard it was. And I feel you, it is a major PITA to both nurse AND supplement at every feeding!

Does you babe seem to enjoy nursing?

I'm not sure that I have any advice, I just wanted to let you know that you aren't along.

[Ruthla]

The question of what's "natural" or "not natural" is separate from the question of "what are your personal limits"? You don't have to do everything "as natural as possible"- you can only do your own personal best. Nobody but you can say whether or not you've reached the point where you've done all that you can reasonably do to make breastmilk and it's time to stop trying.

I know how important BF was to me when my kids were 8mo, and I can only imagine what it must be like to not have been able to do that. I probably would have felt like a failure as a woman.

I don't think you're a failure as a woman or a person or a mother. It's OK to grieve the loss of the BF relationship, and to be miserably dissapointed that it's not working out. And please remember that all the work you've done in the past few months was worth it!

[sanguine_speed]

I just wanted to offer hugs and support. I'm in those shoes now, but without knowing why (domeridone, blessed thistle, fenugreek, oatmeal, pumping after every feed and getting up at night more times than baby to pump...all in the hopes of increasing my supply). I hadn't thought of thyroid.
I know how hard it is mama...we still supplement every feed and it's soooo frustrating. I keep thinking one day it will get better but we're going on three months now.

[miche28]

Nature doesn't always work - let's be honest, there were babies who didn't make it because they didn't have adequate formulas in prior generations. And it stinks that you're one of those people to whom nature has thrown a curve ball - you've moved mountains to feed your child the best way you know how.

I think a lot of times nature gets steamrollered by the way we treat birth and baby-rearing generally and that's why a lot of interventions are needed. But even without that and even with all the interventions we've got, each mother needs to weigh the benefits of nursing against the cost that it exacts from her. If you're here and you've been through what you have, you know what the benefits of nursing are and obviously are giving it everything you've got.

Please don't let anyone second guess your choice if you decide that it's enough - either way, please know that you have support here.

[MaryJaneLouise]

To me, it really doesn't matter if it's "natural" or not. My babes were conceived with IVF; they were born via cesarean section; I needed domperidone to boost my low supply, and formula to supplement otherwise. All very "unnatural". All not my first choice. But the best for my family, IMHO.

Another for you. It IS hard, I would imagine, to not know why your bfing system doesn't work. At least I knew why / what was going on.

[Electra375]

I think it is super hard b/c my first had problems nursing, my 2nd was work and sucessful, my 3rd was a hba2c and bfing was soooo easy and awesome from the first moment of life and then comes hba2c #2 and nursing does not come easy, the birth itself left me really messed up and sort of depressed about my down there situation. His tongue had to be clipped, my milk came in at day 10, not day 2 or 3. I won't continue with the story, it's just been too much and with all the demands of 3 other children, I've neglected them to care for him -- so not fair and they know it. I've neglected my dh as well and felt anger toward him when he needed me and I needed to pump.

B/c my 1st was FF and I so never wanted to own a bottle in my home, it's been just difficult. After my 1st I sold all my pregnancy clothing, nursing bras, etc b/c I was NEVER going to go through h-ll again. Obviously I got over that somewhat.

I was done having children w #3, it was so perfect. And now it's not.

[CathMac]

Electra375,
I've been following your story on and off and --as with so many other moms on these boards-- I am amazed and awed at the lengths you are willing to go to. I know it's hard on you and your family but DC4's long term health is important to all of you. You did the best you could for DC1, DC2, and DC3 and now you are doing the best you can for DC4.

Having said that only you, with input from DH, can do the risk and cost benefit analysis of continuing.

As someone else pointed out, the question of what is "natural" is separate from whether you've reached your limit or not. Although I can see where the first question would play into the second one somewhat.

In my humble opinion, I would rather my baby had breastmilk with the help of herbs and even some prescriptions as long as they are BF'ing compatible, as opposed to formula which I have come to think of as a highly processed/manufactured food.

However, as a Working and Pumping mom that understands why a WOHM with an 11 hour day and just one baby might have to supplement I can certainly understand if you just don't have it in you anymore.

Whatever you do, however, I would certainly encourage you to co-sleep so DC4 can get as much milk as possible overnight.

Good luck and please keep us posted.
~Cath