My Kingdom for a Wetnurse...

[bluesymama]

I posted in Life with a babe also.

Is there some secret to having an oversupply? Are some woman just built to make milk- and others- not so lucky? It has been the same with all 3 of my biological babies. I thought at first with this one things might be different- 'cuz it seemed like I had more milk than ususal....But not so!
My oldest daughter and I have gigs coming up- Toren is going to have to take a bottle- and I have been trying desperately to get something in the freezer, but it doesn't work! If I pump anything into a bottle- it empties my breast and then Toren FLIPS OUT- until we give him what I pumped! So I cannot get any extra, DANG IT@!!!!! I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO USE FORMULA!! Why does this happen to me? I've tried everything- Brewers Yeast- fenugreek until I smell like a pancake- Mothers Milk Tea- Every More Milk concoction on the planet- I eat the lactation cookies- oatmeal every day- tons of water- pumping till I'm blue in the face, It's not fair! Why can't I have too much milk? Where's the pouting smilie!!!!!???

All my babies nurse CONSTANTLY. At least every 20 minutes or so. You'd think that would increase my supply- but no! I pump while Toren sleeps in an attempt to stimulate supply. nothing. With my oldest- I had lactating Mamas around to help! With my second- no such luck and by 7 months old we were giving her the occasional formula bottle for weight- (she wasn't gaining) and so I could start playing shows again. Now here I am again- no Milky sisters around- why can't I just get a few bottles in the freezer? I am so frustrated with my body right now...
James and I have been joking about hiring a hot wetnurse. (BTW- I think ALL wetnurses are hot- just to clarify!!) That would rock. We'd be more entertaining than any reality show! Sounds like a good name for a band- doesn't it? 'Hot Wetnurse..."

ETA: I have worked with the best Lactation Consultants in town for all 3 babes- I baffle them! I have followed their instructions to the letter- to no avail! The latest LC even tried manhandling my boobs herself to see if I was just full of caca and she could get more milk out with her professional hands- and she was amazed by how little she was able to squeeze out. "Oh!" she said. "You really do only have drops- don't you? No wonder he nurses so often..." Grrr....

[kittywitty]

I wish you were close and I would donate my bm.

I have had oversupply issues with my last two babes. I drink a s#(* ton of water and eat like a maniac, but other than that I don't know why I do.

[DucetteMama21842]

*TONS* of water drinking here too...

[*MamaJen*]

I'd totally be your hot wetnurse if you lived here. Sometimes I have fantasies about dozens of hungry babies who will get my boobs empty for once. Grass is always greener, right? But I truly don't mean to sound ungrateful or complain. Oversupply is better than the alternative, even if I do spray Cyrus in the face a few times a day.
There's an interesting thread in breastfeeding about tubular breasts, and by tubular I'm referring to their geometric shape rather than the valley girl lingo. Apparently it's one of the few actual causes of low milk supply.
Hope you and Harmony have a good show. She sounded so lovely and grown up, by the way, when she posted your birth update. Sounds like you did a good job.

[Elsaraw]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

There's an interesting thread in breastfeeding about tubular breasts, and by tubular I'm referring to their geometric shape rather than the valley girl lingo. Apparently it's one of the few actual causes of low milk supply.

This is my last 3 weeks. I had no idea I wouldn't actually produce milk. It's one of the worst feelings in the world not being able to feed your baby. I haven't given him a bottle yet though, I feed him through an sns feeder and he comfort nurses a lot. I just have such guilt that such a little body has to eat such crap.

[VickV]

Originally Posted by Elsaraw

This is my last 3 weeks. I had no idea I wouldn't actually produce milk. It's one of the worst feelings in the world not being able to feed your baby. I haven't given him a bottle yet though, I feed him through an sns feeder and he comfort nurses a lot. I just have such guilt that such a little body has to eat such crap.

I'm sorry Please don't beat yourself up - you're a great momma for doing what needs to be done

[bumblebeej]

You can actually have IGT without the breasts appearing tubular. It's a big old PITA and its not fair at all.

Elsaraw, you are doing your best. Please don't beat yourself up. I have quite a few teary posts in breastfeeding. It's something that is so totally out of your control.

[bluesymama]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

I'd totally be your hot wetnurse if you lived here.

:

There's an interesting thread in breastfeeding about tubular breasts, and by tubular I'm referring to their geometric shape rather than the valley girl lingo. Apparently it's one of the few actual causes of low milk supply.

How could I not have heard of this??? I wonder if this is my issue?

Hope you and Harmony have a good show. She sounded so lovely and grown up, by the way, when she posted your birth update. Sounds like you did a good job.

Thank you! I'm a little worried about doing a show so soon...but I've got to keep rolling for Harmony's sake...she's been such a patient big sister! I'm very proud of her. : She took the downtime while Mommy had a baby to write a bunch of new songs...So my next project is to get her into the studio so she can record them...
On the subject of busy teenagers- my 13 yr old son is working in a natural Indian cuisine restaraunt with his Dad! I'm so excited! he's handling the cash register and cooking in the kitchen- My big boy! :

[bumblebeej]

Serenity, here ya go

http://www.sonic.net/~mollyf/igt/

See what you think.

[pumpkingirl71]

Originally Posted by Elsaraw

This is my last 3 weeks. I had no idea I wouldn't actually produce milk. It's one of the worst feelings in the world not being able to feed your baby. I haven't given him a bottle yet though, I feed him through an sns feeder and he comfort nurses a lot. I just have such guilt that such a little body has to eat such crap.

I am so sorry, I was also unable to breastfeed my son (though for different reasons). It was a horrible loss. But he is a happy, amazing 3 year old now It will get easier to deal with your own emotions about this and you are a GREAT mom!

To the OP, I am sorry you are having these problems. I hope I don't come off as rude, but please try to find comfort in the fact that you have been able to nurse three babies. My baby would not latch and I, like you, did not respond to pumping, herbs, or even hard core drugs.

But speaking of drugs, have you considered Reglan? It didn't work for me, but it does for lots of moms. And it is so much easier to get than the other stuff (domperidone?).