dropping milk supply

[harleyquinn]

This may be it guys...this may be the end of breastfeeding for me. It's not because Itty bit isn't trying...we both are trying so hard.

I started feeling pretty bad over the past month and over the weekend it got REALLY bad. I thought I was in a nasty crohns flare and because of it I went to a bland diet (soup, popcicles, toast, crackers and jello) my supplydropped drastically that night. I sa my GI yest, determined i have overlapping conditions (crohns and uc or crohns colitis idk I'm confused there has never been a straight answer) got some steriods and had a bunch if stuff scheduled...today I get a call i have the nastiest digestive infection you can have and everything cancelled and stop the 'roids and start on a new med. Great, fine, dandy - exceptI was on that med in the hospital andit makes me sooo sick!

My supply has dropped, I'm no longer get Ing engorged especially during the night when Ittybit sleeps, she nurses and while she nurses usually when iI'd normally let down she starts crying because I'm not letting down and she nurses before bed (normally she'd be good the whole night) and wakes up in the middle needing to nurse again.

[rbl]

Look on the bright side, you made it this long! That is a great accomplishment. Don't be too hard on yourself.

[Courtniko]

You did an amazing job getting this far! It is hard, and sad if you do have to stop, I totally get that and I am sorry about that. Big hugs!!!

[mrsnorris]

You're awesome for making it so long with everything else you've got going on! I hope you can make it work if it's what you want, but if not, ff may actually take off some stress. Could you try continuing to bf and supplement? Maybe your supply will come back?

[eena1242]

I'm really sorry. I hope you start to feeling better. And itty bit (I love that you call her that) will still be fed, and healthy, and happy. You are an amazing mom and no disease can alter that!

[bobloblaw]

No matter what happens to your supply, your health and ability to care for LO is of utmost importance. It's really hard to breastfeed so making it this long is amazing. Making it this long with Crohn's is incredible. Take care of yourself and don't beat yourself up. You are awesome.

[puffandstuff]

You are doing a great job! I hope you get better soon, you have been through a lot. If you both enjoy it, you can do both.

[HazyGrey]

Can you talk to a lactation consultant?

[cdseno]

You've done a great job making it this long with so much going on. Don't be hard on yourself if you have to stop for your health c

[sweetpies]

I hope the new treatment helps you to feel better, and be proud that you nursed for this long.

[weeklyplanner]

Like a PP suggested, maybe you can continue to nurse and supplement after each feeding? That way you are still stimulating your body and getting the emotional connection, but LO is being offered additional milk to make up for your dip.

If you choose to stop, you should be proud of all you have done. It's not easy...especially when sick. Hope you are feeling better soon!

[harleyquinn]

Thank you all for your kind words. I've been nursing as much as possible, even after she eats solids to still stimulate milk and I've also been trying to eat higher calorie foods when I'm not feeling like total shit. I notice after a higher calorie food Itty bit seems more satisfied and her suck is much better.

on the flip side I'm fighting with my insurance company about the new meds i need...i have to fight them about all my meds. They are flat out just saying no. I'm so tired and frustrated and in pain...why can't the insurance company just give me a freaking break for once!?

[Deleted]

You've done an amazing job. 6 months is a big accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself.

[wandsandwine]

You are so amazing for getting this far! You are a great mom!

[bonvoyage]

Congrats for getting this far! I know how tough it is! I've drained my freezer stash quickly due to big supply drop from illness and will likely start supplementing next week, so I'm totally feeling the same way right now. At LO's 6mo check up last Friday, the pedi stressed to me that the benefits of BM vs. FF diminish drastically from 6mo on, which is why the APA sets its recommendation at 6mo...so IMHO getting this far is the biggest accomplishment & milestone! I hope you find comfort in that! :-D