Questions with a side of whining

[Violet2]

Ack. I'm feeling defeated today with regards to bfing.

I've struggled with supply all along. Currently I nurse DD three times a day and pump just enough for DD at work.

I see posts about this mythical thing, the freezer stash and sigh. I don't have a freezer stash. There's never any extra.

I recently had the stomach flu (threw up for about 15 hours) and stupidly became dehydrated as I didn't realize I'd absorb anything by continously sipping water no matter how much I threw up. My supply has taken a hit. Sometimes I think it's rebounding, but I am coming up short on most of my pumping sessions at work. I have to really push it to get the milk I need. The max I can pump in a day is 14oz. Sometimes it takes me 5 sessions to get it, sometimes 7. Sometimes it takes me two days to pump enough for one day.

Then I see posts from women who get 5 oz per pumping session or even, per breast! Amazing! Sooooo has not happened to me.

The ped tells me I'll have to supplement with formula as my supply isn't going to keep up with DD as she grows (but I thought bfing babes ate a fixed amount up 'til 6 months?). The ped also told me I will start to get less and less from the pump which, man, that is depressing (is this really true?).

Supplementing is not the worst thing in the world, but I just wish things were working out better. I'm willing to keep going b/c I defintely saw the benefit of bfing with the stomach flu, DD fared much better than DH and I, but I sometimes worry I'm just going to dry up and won't even be able to pump even one bottle out or won't have anything for her when she's nursing.

If it were up to me I'd bf for a year, but I not sure I get a choice.

It's just never easy and I'm feeling down today.

Thanks for listening.

V

[katheek77]

s We've had supply issues from the beginning.

Have you tried fenugreek, oatmeal, mother's milk tea, etc to get your supply back up? Try pumping *after* nursing your daughter, even if you don't get anything...Your body will think you need more. If you can squeeze in a pump in the middle of the night, that's great, because that's when your body produces the most milk.

As for supply taking a hit...I've been EP'ing for 18+ months now. We had supply issues from the beginning, but, my supply stayed pretty constant for a little over a year - then there were some issues w/a new job, a miscarriage, etc., and my supply took a hit...but it's been SLOWLY increasing from the low since then.

Can you take a weekend to try to pump and nurse pretty much round the clock? Some people have success with 10minutes pump, 10 minutes break, 10 minutes pump...take a half hour break, repeat. Honestly, I'd try to get your DD to nurse more often since babies are more efficient than pumps. Offer every hour or so, and then, if she doesn't want, pump pump pump!

As to your ped - your body responds to the stimulus it gets...if your DD increases her nursing, and you increase your pumping, your body will increase production.

And, if you can't keep your supply all the way, *some* is ALWAYS better than none...I have tubular breasts, and we've supp'd from the beginning, but I will never doubt that the *some* my daughter got has helped her immensely.

[dani76]

Do you nurse her on demand when you are home with her? I'm surprised that she's only nursing 3 times a day. Maybe try the extra nursing and it will build up your supply?

[puddle]

I agree with the pp--try a nursing vacation if you can. Spend a weekend doing nothing but laying around with your baby skin to skin, nursing as much as you can get her to. It can do wonders for your supply! As long as you are still nursing, you will still have some milk, so you CAN make your goal as long as you don't give up! Hang in there--you're doing a great job for your dd!

[JustVanessa]

I agree with a pp. 3 times a day doesn't seem like much for a 3 month old. Ds nursed every hour until he was 6 months old.
Try nursing more...as much as dd will take.

[cjanelles]

My dd is almost 8 months old, and we nurse a lot more than 3 times a day...probably closer to 6-8 times a day, honestly...and she's eating some solids.

I can see a drop in my supply if we go for a day with infrequent nursing. So, I try to make up for it by nursing as much as possible in the following week.

I agree with the pp who recommend nursing on demand when you're home in the evenings and on the weekends.

Also, if you can pump twice at work...or every two hours, even, take a pumping break, that will also help.

[Violet2]

Sorry, I meant I nurse her 3x/day when working--the rest of the day she eats from a bottle at daycare.

I bf 2x before work and 1x when I get home after which she's dead asleep. Ideally I'd like to bf one more time at night but she's just out.

I offer a lot and have even bf dd in the car at daycare, but she's stuck in a routine. Even if she wakes up in the middle of hte night to nurse, I still only get her to eat for 2 sessions before we leave the house. Even if, technically, she should have a third.

I do all the herbs etc...

I pump in the mornings after she eats all 7 days. I pump every 2 hours at work.

I'm working on a nurse-in today.

Thanks for the support.

[MaryJaneLouise]

to you Violet. Sometimes it's just so hard. Especially when you WOH, supply problems are just hard.

Have you thought about trying domperidone? I'll try to bump the FAQ about it. Many of us have had some good success with it. I hear you on the jealousy part about how much other people can pump too :.

[eli janine]

I haven't ever had much luck with pumping, although I've got a fine supply for nursing, and I was so happy to stop pumping once my DS turned one. One thing that helped a lot was the breast compression and breast massage techniques that are in the pumping section of kellymom. A lot of good tips there. Drink A LOT of water, too (which if you're doing the herbs etc, I'm sure you've already thought of, but I just had to say it...I had to drink about 2 1/2 liters of water each day in order to get anything from the pump!) Good luck!

[MaryJaneLouise]

One other point I'd like to make. Just because you have trouble pumping enough for daycare, you CAN keep up your bfing relationgship. Just do like you are doing, nursing as much as possible when together, and you WILL do just fine. I had low supply from day 1, bad latch, reflux, TWINS and lots of other difficulties, and we are still going strong at almost three! (Sometimes too strong : ).