The new (human) baby thread...

[ebwy2]

for greenfamilyfarms:

when I had Arwyn (16 months ago I think) he had some problems and was taken off to the special care unit. When I got him back we tried and tried to breast feed. he had a good latch, and would spend hours latched on - that should have been my first clue that something wasn't right, but I didn't know any better and no-one there told me better. he was slowly starving because I wasn't making enough milk for him. So we started mixed feeding him, pulling him off me after half an hour and then topping up with formula. So when we were released from hospital I was pumping and feeding, but my supply didn't increase at all and it slowly dwindled down. I think he was about 4 months old when I finally decided enough was enough, I was spending hours with the pumps to get a negligible amount, I kept going until I was getting about 5ml per pumping because I was still clinging to the notion that any amount of breast milk tipped in to his formula was better than none. The guilt when I stopped was awful.

But with hindsight, I should have stopped at least a month sooner, I was missing a lot of the good things about my baby because I felt like a failure for my diminishing supply.

If you wish to stop, stop. And get on with enjoying your baby. You have done what you can, but it gets to a point where you are missing out while struggling with pumps and resenting it. Only YOU can decide when that point is reached. When you do, stop feeling bad about it because it doesn't help and is pointless.

Incidentally, today he's a healthy, happy toddler who's tall for his age (over the 75th centile last time he was weighed and measured - a far cry from the tiny 25th centile baby he was a month after birth)

your period is back because you aren't exclusively breast feeding, it's normal.

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Quote:
Well said!!

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

GFF- hugs. Whatever decision you make will be the best for your family. Right now we're doing great at BF'ing but not sure how it will go once I head back to work. We may be in the same shoes as you are right now.
We will feel guilty about a lot of things in life but try to let the smaller things slide...

 

[Livinzoo]

First and foremost you have to do what is best for you. Breast is best for baby but having a mom emotionally where she needs to be is more important.

If you want to try to get her on the breast, you should be able to, but it takes work. This site has some good advice: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

I hate hearing about nursing relationships hurt by bad advice from doctors. I'm so sorry. He should have at least suggested a SNS (supplemental nursing system) It's like a little tube when she latches on you insert the tube in her mouth, so she gets fed by nursing. That way even though you're supplementing, she's breastfeeding to get it. You'll get the stimulation you need to start producing more milk plus she gets fed and learns where the milk comes from. Here is a good video

It is Dr Jack Newman showing a mom of a 6 week old how to use an SNS. He is wonderful. He has lots of videos that help breastfeeding moms.

I would really recommend a registered Lactation consultant if you want to try to keep breast feeding. They can help to make sure she has a good latch and no tongue tie.

Also there are ways to get donor milk. Are you on Facebook? Look up Eats on Feets they might have something in your area and you might be able to find someone to provide some donor milk. This would be great to use in a SNS or you could use formula in it.

I got my period back at 3 months with exclusive breast feeding and I know another mama that got hers at 6 weeks. It sucks. It seems like those of us that had a hard time getting pregnant get it back sooner.

Beside Fenugreek you can eat oatmeal or lactation cookies (yum).

I have some feelers out to some lactation consultants I know to see if they have any other advice.

If you want to get her on the breast there is still hope, and I'll be happy to help you any way I can. I'm in no way a pro. lol I am still breastfeeding at 10 months and I will say it is great but it isn't for everyone.

 

[rcentner]

Quote:
I felt guilty too, I quit at just short of 6 weeks, and I think you all know how awesome my 1st 6-8 weeks of his life went. I even cried at my 6 week check up when my OB asked me if I was breastfeeding and I said i dont know! and started to cry cause I felt so bad about it. I had just switched to formula 2 days before that appointment.
but let me say that it was the best thing I ever did. The stress of trying to get Shane to eat enough off the breast nearly killed me and definately was not good for him either. So, let the guilt eat you up for a few days (I think I felt guilty for maybe a week) and then you will realize that your baby is fine and you will both be doing better because of it. I will try again with the next baby, but if it goes the same way I will bottle feed right away and just pump instead until I can't take the pumping anymore.
You are doing awesome! Quit worrying about feeding and spend some time actually enjoying you little cuteness!

oh and my OB GYN was VERY supportive of me not breastfeeding cause she had difficulties with her kids too, she said all they really need is 6 weeks.

 

[rcentner]

on a different note....I have some VERY exciting news (for me anyway

) Shane can now eat regular formula!!!!!!

I can finally use the regular similac that has been in my cupboard haunting me. I can spend half the amount of money on formula!!!
He also (accidentally) rolled over for the 1st time...but not since then.

Have an awesome day y'all

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Quote:
That is great news!! I had been thinking about you every time I see that formula on craigslist..

 

[MrsKemmerlin]

Quote:
That's awesome news!

And hooray for the roll over! Even if it was an accident, haha! He'll have it mastered in no time!

 

[MrsKemmerlin]

Last time we went to the Peds office he said that I should get little miss Lylah on a schedule that I can continue through the night instead of letting her stay up all day.. Well, it worked great the first few nights, but last night - I seriously don't think she slept five minutes!

I feel so horrible because I get frustrated with her because I'm running on fumes by the time night time rolls around, but it's not like she knows the difference

We would be perfect if we could figure out this whole sleeping through the night thing. I just can't shake the guilt feeling from being frustrated.

And the exhaustion isn't helping matters much.

 

[Livinzoo]

My babe is almost 11 months and still doesn't sleep through the night. Granted she is still breastfed and that digests quicker than formula. I found that keeping my time awake at night to as short as possible was the key to my sanity. She cosleeps so feeding is rather fast for us and then we both go back to sleep. If you can keep everything that is needed close by than that should help things out. And another thing is get the baby fed before they start screaming and crying. Once they first start stirring is the best time to feed them. Otherwise it can take a while to calm them down. Nap during the day with the little one if you can. It really helps.