meeggaannw I'm sorry for the bad news But you can't know these things on your own. Supplementing not the end of the world. You can still give him some breastmilk and it's better than none.
Did the lc indicate if the issue is with baby or with your supply or both?
It's me. She said he has a good latch and saw no issue with him. Suggested that I pump which I will try but I don't let down for the pump so I'm not sure if it will really help. I know supplementing isn't a bad thing but I had to with dd and she stopped nursing within 3 weeks. I used the lowest flow nipple possible but she still found the bottle so much easier that she stopped nursing. I'm sad nursing could be done with ds too.
meeggaannw I'm sorry for the bad news But you can't know these things on your own. Supplementing not the end of the world. You can still give him some breastmilk and it's better than none.
Did the lc indicate if the issue is with baby or with your supply or both?
It's me. She said he has a good latch and saw no issue with him. Suggested that I pump which I will try but I don't let down for the pump so I'm not sure if it will really help. I know supplementing isn't a bad thing but I had to with dd and she stopped nursing within 3 weeks. I used the lowest flow nipple possible but she still found the bottle so much easier that she stopped nursing. I'm sad nursing could be done with ds too.
I've had to bottle feed both kids now because of supply issues and (so far) kept both on the breast. We're using the Dr. Brown bottles with level 1 nipples and we do paced bottle feeding.
I do respond to the pump though, so if that was out it would be really tough for me to continue. Are you using a good pump?
And I cried multiple times about it with both kids. So if you are frustrated and sad I've totally been there.
meeggaannw I'm sorry for the bad news But you can't know these things on your own. Supplementing not the end of the world. You can still give him some breastmilk and it's better than none.
Did the lc indicate if the issue is with baby or with your supply or both?
It's me. She said he has a good latch and saw no issue with him. Suggested that I pump which I will try but I don't let down for the pump so I'm not sure if it will really help. I know supplementing isn't a bad thing but I had to with dd and she stopped nursing within 3 weeks. I used the lowest flow nipple possible but she still found the bottle so much easier that she stopped nursing. I'm sad nursing could be done with ds too.
Dr Brown's bottles sell premie nipples that go with them. This is an extra slow flow and might help.
thelittleredm, mom & me yoga followed by a support group sounds like something I'd love to attend. As much as I love my new house, these are some of the things one misses out on living in the middle of nowhere... There is no yoga near me (let alone mommy & me). I have to drive about 45 minutes to take a yoga class (and those logistics don't jive with BFing right now). I also have to drive 45 minutes to get to the weekly new moms group at my hospital...
I agree with weeklyplanner - give Dr Brown's bottles with the preemie nipples a try. Take things one day at a time - you might be more successful with combo feeding this time around!
meeggaannw I'm sorry for the bad news But you can't know these things on your own. Supplementing not the end of the world. You can still give him some breastmilk and it's better than none.
Did the lc indicate if the issue is with baby or with your supply or both?
It's me. She said he has a good latch and saw no issue with him. Suggested that I pump which I will try but I don't let down for the pump so I'm not sure if it will really help. I know supplementing isn't a bad thing but I had to with dd and she stopped nursing within 3 weeks. I used the lowest flow nipple possible but she still found the bottle so much easier that she stopped nursing. I'm sad nursing could be done with ds too.
Another thing that might help, try looking at videos and pics of your kids while hooked up to the pump. That's always helped me let down. And, while this may sound a bit crazy, try a glass of wine or a beer before too. I noticed that whenever I had a small drink I got way more milk. I think I was more relaxed and just enjoying looking at videos of my kid and the milk would flow better. And, lots of boob massaging.
Of course, if you're worried, you could then mix the "wine" milk with non wine milk to dilute it. However, with just one small glass, that milk is fine and doesn't need to be dumped.
It's me. She said he has a good latch and saw no issue with him. Suggested that I pump which I will try but I don't let down for the pump so I'm not sure if it will really help. I know supplementing isn't a bad thing but I had to with dd and she stopped nursing within 3 weeks. I used the lowest flow nipple possible but she still found the bottle so much easier that she stopped nursing. I'm sad nursing could be done with ds too.
Another thing that might help, try looking at videos and pics of your kids while hooked up to the pump. That's always helped me let down. And, while this may sound a bit crazy, try a glass of wine or a beer before too. I noticed that whenever I had a small drink I got way more milk. I think I was more relaxed and just enjoying looking at videos of my kid and the milk would flow better. And, lots of boob massaging.
Of course, if you're worried, you could then mix the "wine" milk with non wine milk to dilute it. However, with just one small glass, that milk is fine and doesn't need to be dumped.
+1 Alcohol peaks in breast milk 1-2 hours after you drink so if you are drinking right before you pump you're good! So says the LC at the breastfeeding class I had to attend before getting discharged yesterday.
judyblume14 & weeklyplanner thank you for the advice, I'll stop by target on my way home from the pedi and pick some preemie nipples up. I used avent bottles with dd but I think a friend gave me some dr. Brown's bottles. When I was pregnant I had decided that if I saw bf wasn't working I would switch to formula without being upset about it but now that it's possible I am so upset about it. This is possibly my last baby and I'm sad at the prospect of losing this bond. I also had a goal of at least 3 months so I'm feeling a bit like a failure ( even though I know I'm not and making sure baby is fed is the most important).
Post by thelittleredm on Feb 1, 2017 11:40:44 GMT -5
judyblume14, Travel times like that suck. I'm kinda nervous because I haven't been to any of these things before but I'm hoping maybe I'll make a couple mom friends. I don't have any, really, and I'm really not the best at making friends so yeah.
Post by heybulldog56 on Feb 1, 2017 11:53:58 GMT -5
meeggaannw, I am in the same situation as you. You have literally written out exactly how I feel as well. I have already started decreasing the number of times I pump and haven't even offered the breast in a few days. I did everything the LC and pedi told me to and nothing was changing. I have been miserable, frustrated, and overall in a bad place. You are doing everything you can and it's so very hard. Please don't feel like a failure. We haven't failed. You know how I know that? Because we are still holding, loving, bonding with, and feeding our babies. I know it's hard to believe that, trust me, I keep going in and out of feeling acceptance and regret. The emotions are exhausting. Just know you aren't alone.
meeggaannw, I am in the same situation as you. You have literally written out exactly how I feel as well. I have already started decreasing the number of times I pump and haven't even offered the breast in a few days. I did everything the LC and pedi told me to and nothing was changing. I have been miserable, frustrated, and overall in a bad place. You are doing everything you can and it's so very hard. Please don't feel like a failure. We haven't failed. You know how I know that? Because we are still holding, loving, bonding with, and feeding our babies. I know it's hard to believe that, trust me, I keep going in and out of feeling acceptance and regret. The emotions are exhausting. Just know you aren't alone.
Thank you, I was actually thinking of you this morning. I wouldn't wish these feelings on anyone but it is nice to know I'm not alone. I know supplementing is going to kill my already low supply but will probably also lower my stress level. With dd I was sad but also relieved at the same time. It's such a crappy feeling, and frustrating to go through it twice.
Post by heybulldog56 on Feb 1, 2017 12:39:16 GMT -5
meeggaannw, oh I know. I had such high hopes for baby #2. I thought it didn't work out last time just because I didn't know enough to be successful. Turns out that's not the case. I must say I do feel relieved but damn it it's hard to fight the feeling that I should have tried more/ harder. And for some weird ass reason, I feel like I've burdened H now that we have to spend money on formula. He already stresses about finances as it is and I feel bad for adding another expense. He has been so supportive and I know he isn't actually worried that buying formula will destroy us (because it won't), but... you know how it goes.
meeggaannw, oh I know. I had such high hopes for baby #2. I thought it didn't work out last time just because I didn't know enough to be successful. Turns out that's not the case. I must say I do feel relieved but damn it it's hard to fight the feeling that I should have tried more/ harder. And for some weird ass reason, I feel like I've burdened H now that we have to spend money on formula. He already stresses about finances as it is and I feel bad for adding another expense. He has been so supportive and I know he isn't actually worried that buying formula will destroy us (because it won't), but... you know how it goes.
I feel like we are lifetwins. Down to worrying about the cost of formula. Thanks for the commiseration.
Post by silvermelody on Feb 1, 2017 14:33:49 GMT -5
If it makes you guys feel better I've spent over $300 on just my LC and the initial chiro appt, so I think formula would have been cheaper. But it's my money since we mostly keep separate finances.
Big hugs to you both. I know those feels. My boobs do eventually get their shit together, that isn't the case for everyone
meeggaannw I can totally commiserate as well. I had high hopes for this one because it started out well. I'm responding ok to the pump now, but I dont know if I will be able to keep up as he gets older. The only reason I'm not freaking out about the cost of formula is because we have a friend who is still getting free samples from her old company and she is passing them on to us.
Well the pedi confirmed, we are supplementing. silvermelody tell me about pace feeding, I want to give bf as much of a chance as possible.
Sorry, I didn't see the tag! But opheliainwaders covered it. There might even be a YouTube video.
I prop N up on my left and hold her head up behind her ears. Control bottle with my right. You want the milk in the nipple to only be halfway up the nipple and the nipple should be horizontal. Nipple should be roughly parallel to the ground. Only tip the bottle up at the very end of the feed to get the last bit
You'll want a bib or burp cloth under their chin, they'll tend to dribble.
PSA - for anyone who has to go back to work, do print out the Paced Feeding info sheets from kellymom and go over them with your daycare people / nanny / babysitter!
I have this...heat rash(?) on my side boob. It's itchy and uncomfortable. I feel like it might have started with minor irritation from right where the bottom of the bra strap connects to the band. I itched the heck out out of it one night in my sleep and now I can't seem to get it to go away. 😩 Sorry of that was tmi.
Post by peaseblossom55 on Feb 2, 2017 21:49:06 GMT -5
Hugs heybulldog56 & meeggaannww I feel the same its so frustrating to have low supply I've tried everything short of reglan or domiperidone and I'm not sure how I feel about that as a next step. I so badly wanted to avoid formula I don't care about the cost but I hate it so so much.
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