Breastfeeding may be coming to an end

[Somers Isles]

So Robert is 10 months and a week and I've been breastfeeding/pumping this whole time.  In the beginning I was mostly BFing and just pumping here and there but once I went back to work in September I started mostly pumping.  Now I pump almost all the time and I BF just on weekend mornings when I don't want to get out of bed lol. 

Well my boobs are suddenly deciding to protest.  They are sore as all hell, they're actually kinda swollen, they're cracked/chapped/split, they're calling it quits.  lol.

I'm going to see how much longer I can go (goal is 12 months) but I'm not going to kill myself over it.  I normally pump 3x a day (6am, 3pm, 9pm) but I think I'm going to switch it to just twice (6am and 6pm).  I have a stash but assuming I can't pump enough, my stash may run out in about 4 weeks. 

SO! I have some questions...

1) When my supply runs out... if Robert is 11 months by then I should just supplement with formula for the last month?  Maybe I can just switch to milk?

2) In anticipating of running out, should I be taking steps at some point to transition him to a different liquid (formula or milk)?

3) If I have to supplement with formula... how much do I give?  He takes 5-6 oz of BM each serving and usually has 5 bottles a day.

Thanks!

[fishbulb]

No answers but following! I'm having similar issues with soreness. I think it's because my production is slowing down, especially at night when he wants to nurse the most, and he's working hard to get what little there is in there out. On top of that, he rarely takes his full bottles at daycare so it's like I'm pumping at work for nothing.

[bennieangel]

First, I'm sorry it's coming to an end...if you're sorry it is. Either way Hooray for breastfeeding this long!! Super star status.

Second. We supplement with formula now (& have since 8.5 months) and I'm EP. So I can relate to a lot of this. Including the more sore lately? I don't know what's up with that.

But all that said, if this were me I would supplement with formula once the stash runs out, before 12 months (or I would call my pedi & talk about WCM). Unless your LO is eating a lot of table food by then, and then call your pedi to discuss. But based on the still taking 5 bottles a day, I'd go with formula.

SO, to transition to formula, I would introduce 1-2 bottles a day, while you still have some stash if needed. I would try to offer just straight formula, in a bottle first (same temp as milk) and if he takes it, great! Job well done, and just keep up with a combo of some bottles bm & some formula until you can make sure he doesn't have any gastrointestinal issues & then switch to formula completely once your stash is out. IF he doesn't take the first bottle of formula, I would try again the next day & if he still doesn't then you may need to go through by mixing 3/4 BM & 1/4 formula, and reducing the BM each time or something like that (I'm sure someone here can tell you how they did it - I didn't have to do it this way since T took formula same as bm, without seeming bothered).

We currently give formula in bottles before naps & bedtime, and BM in sippy (cold) with meals, which works really well for us. We plan to do this until just after 12 months when we'll swap the milk in sippy for wcm & try to wean off the formula or however that goes (I have no idea).

I hope this helps? Obv. I'm not an expert...but this is what I would & have done....

[bennieangel]

Oh! And give the same ounces of formula as you do breast milk, at least to start. So T takes 4oz bottles still, and won't eat any more than that. Doesn't matter if its BM or Formula, he is done at 4oz.

[ellabee]

Congrats on making it to 10 months! I don't have any suggestions about switching to formula, but at my 9 m visit for DD our pedi told us around 11.5 months we could start mixing WCM in our bottles. I second bennieangel that you may just want to see how your pedi feels about WCM at 11 months.

Our pedi also said to start offering lukewarm bottles so the transition to cold WCM wasn't as difficult.

Good luck!

[lincbeesmom]

No advice, but congrats on 10 months! Woohooo!

[lazyreader]

J is 10 months. Dr said we can use whole milk. we did a little transition period and now its: whole milk + freezer stash during the day, and boob at wake-up/go-to-sleep
no formula needed.

[Deleted]

1- I would
2- i would start giving him one sippy of milk a day (breakfast?) and up it every few weeks
3- if you do formula do his 5-6 oz and he'll let you know if he wants more

[fish8412]

I don't have any advice but congrats on breastfeeding this long!! I hope your boobs feel better lol

[bandteacher]

I don't think using wcm would be a problem by 11 months. Good luck.

[jtizzay]

You've done amazing. Congrats mama. My doc say wcm is ok at 10.5/11 months. I wouldn't bother with formula personally but check with your doc

[Somers Isles]

Thanks everyone

I have to say, hats off to breastfeeding/pumping mamas.. whether you did it for a day or for a year+.... I must admit, my experience was a unicorn experience. I never had any struggles whatsoever (when it came to breastfeeding... other aspects of child raising and pregnancy recovery is another story lol). It was almost unfair. Now that I am starting to face challenges the first thing that comes to mind is, "holy shit, this sucks!" The pain sucks so bad.

I think I knew it sucked when some of y'all dealt with breastfeeding struggles and were on the fence about stopping. And if you did stop, I totally get it, I'd be right there with ya. And if you didn't quit, wow that's amazing.

The whole concept is just remarkable.

ANYWAY... thanks for the tips! I'm going to call his Dr in the AM and check on WCM in lieu of formula. If they're ok with it, I'm going to go that route.

[Somers Isles]

Soooooo I went to the doctor today and saw a midwife. She prescribed me "IC Triamcinolone 0.5% cream" ...? What struck me is that this is actually the exact cream that I was prescribed back in the day to treat eczema....?

Is thrush something that always occurs with fever/flu like symptoms? Because in that respect I feel completely fine. But I have a lot of the other symptoms, especially now I have the random shooting pain that goes deep into my boob (ow...).

Then I wonder how safe this truly is for breastfeeding... in fact, it says in the paper "It is not known whether this drug passes into breastmilk when applied to the skin. Other medications in this class pass into breast milk when taken by mouth. Consult your doctor before breast feeding." I have to assume it is because obviously she knows I'm breastfeeding but maybe I should get a second opinion? babycaps Don't you have a book that gives more detail?

[bennieangel]

You can call your ped to have them look the drug up too. Thrush doesn't usually have flu like symptoms. If you end up with infected ducts or Mastitis can have flu like symptoms.

[Somers Isles]

Ahhhh interesting! Well... I'll look into the drug more... I'm really hoping something helps because I'm more convinced now it's more than just sore from the pump.

[jtizzay]

Keep us posted

[bennieangel]

It really sounds like a bad case of thrush to me. So I would absolutely treat it ... You could always put the cream on right after pumping or nursing so it's less likely to be ingested at all.

[Deleted]

Congratulations on 10months! That is so wonderful! The other's have given wonderful information regarding transitioning, etc. I nursed each of my children for less time than the previous brother- 10 months, especially with the pumping, is wonderful.

[babycaps]

Hmmm....so the cream you mentioned is only ok in very small doses. I don't know that it's going to really help if it is Thrush. The cream is a steroid and is considered "High Potency". You aren't directly breastfeeding, but I feel like when the book says "do not apply directly on nipple" you shouldn't apply directly to nipple!
So if you are using it, I would wash your breasts very well before each pumping session and I would also recommend talking to your doctor again. IBCLC in my office agrees.

[bennieangel]

Feb 6, 2015 11:01:46 GMT -5 babycaps said:

Hmmm....so the cream you mentioned is only ok in very small doses. I don't know that it's going to really help if it is Thrush. The cream is a steroid and is considered "High Potency". You aren't directly breastfeeding, but I feel like when the book says "do not apply directly on nipple" you shouldn't apply directly to nipple!
So if you are using it, I would wash your breasts very well before each pumping session and I would also recommend talking to your doctor again. IBCLC in my office agrees.

She should be able to just use Lotramin or get an RX for Nyastin right? Wouldn't that be better since those are what most people with Thrush use?

[babycaps]

bennieangel, Yes!

[Somers Isles]

Feb 6, 2015 11:01:46 GMT -5 babycaps said:

Hmmm....so the cream you mentioned is only ok in very small doses. I don't know that it's going to really help if it is Thrush. The cream is a steroid and is considered "High Potency". You aren't directly breastfeeding, but I feel like when the book says "do not apply directly on nipple" you shouldn't apply directly to nipple!
So if you are using it, I would wash your breasts very well before each pumping session and I would also recommend talking to your doctor again. IBCLC in my office agrees.

Thanks!! Now, what's IBCLC?

[bennieangel]

Feb 6, 2015 17:34:37 GMT -5 Somers Isles said:

Feb 6, 2015 11:01:46 GMT -5 babycaps said:

Hmmm....so the cream you mentioned is only ok in very small doses. I don't know that it's going to really help if it is Thrush. The cream is a steroid and is considered "High Potency". You aren't directly breastfeeding, but I feel like when the book says "do not apply directly on nipple" you shouldn't apply directly to nipple!
So if you are using it, I would wash your breasts very well before each pumping session and I would also recommend talking to your doctor again. IBCLC in my office agrees.

Thanks!! Now, what's IBCLC?

I am guessing.... Independent Board Certified Lactation Consultant....

[babycaps]

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It's the gold standard of LC.
Have you asked AmyG?

[Deleted]

Ok so I need more data to really help.
I see a few things that are of interest.
You are only pumping three times a day?
And going longer than 8 hours between pumps over night? Most moms struggle with supply if they don't pump at least as often as baby eats. Going longer than 8 hours also seems to be a time that signals your body to make less overall milk since you have an older baby who is taking in solids. However if it's dropping too fast you may want to try adding on a cluster/power pumping schedule for a few days

Many moms find a supply drop at about 9-10 mos which usually coincides with baby beginning to take on more solids. Some just start to send baby the ant of milk they pump only and offer more solids. As the weaning process begins and goes on naturally your milk oz total for the day begind to lower so baby might grsfuslly go down from that 25 oz a day tosube 30 or even lower as they approach a year of age. The milk tends to become a big more concentrated in nutrients per oz during the weaning process.

But baby is eating 5 ish oz bottles five times a day?
are you or were you getting 25 oz in three pumps a day? Cause that would be amazing to maintain that amt of oz with only three pumps.

How long do you pump? What kind of pump and when is the last time you changed your pump membranes? Do you pump on a low setting or fairly high? Have you checked the fit if the flanges to be sure they aren't rubbing? Friction of flanges/horns can make pumping very painful and a hole on membrane can lower pump effectiveness. Pumping for too long or with too high of suction can cause swollen tissues within the breast so milk can't come out and make it breasts swollen and sore over time

The creme you were prescribed is a corticosteroid. They are often used for um swelling and pain or inflammation.

It would not be prescribed if it were suspected to be thrush. Thrush you'd want an anti fungal. Thrush pain feels like glass going out if your nipples usually with extra pink shiny itchy and flakey nipples.

If it were mastitis usually it would come with hard very painful breasts often with a hard lump/clog in the breast. This is a breast infection with temperature and you might feel like you were hit by a truck like you have the flu.

And of course have you had a return of your period. That can lower supply. A magnesium calcium supplement can help with the supply dip from your period.

[Somers Isles]

I was pumping 3x a day successfully (6am, 3pm, 9pm... 20-25 min per session) and getting 25ish oz grand total. Now, because of the pain, I'm just pumping 2x (6am & 7pm... 20-25 min per session) and I get 16-20 oz. LO typically takes 5 bottles of 5ish oz. I have a decent stash (about 40 5.5oz bags).

I've been doing the 3x for a few months now and it's been doing very well. Suddenly it started to hurt wicked bad. Red, puffy, dry, cracked, flakey, bleeding, ouch. I pump on the lowest possible setting, super clean parts (soaked, scrubbed, steamed). New membranes. The funnels may be a bit small? I use the biggest medela ones (36mm??) and after 10 min they swell and start to rub but it's never bothered me.

The pain was so sudden. That's why I went down to 2x a day for pumping. I thought my boobs just needed a break but it's not getting better... Definitely worse.

Im nervous about the cream. I EP except on the occasional weekend morning when I'm sleepy and nurse him in bed because I want to keep sleeping lol. So I washed off the cream and went back to lanolin. I guess Ill call my OB to double check? I mean if he's nursing... And theres cream residue? And if I pump, the residue will end up in the bottle. I pumped and dumped today and last night because of the cream.... Will continue until I'm super sure it's safe.

[Somers Isles]

Also, No flu like symptoms. Also can't say it feels like glass... But it hurts like hell. I've been getting the occasional mild shooting pain deep in each boob. Like lightning. Ugh. At least we're almost at a year (7 weeks left!!) and pedi said I can switch to wcm at 11 months if need be.

Thanks for any insight @amyg !

[Deleted]

I'll look up the creme in dr hales book but I believe it has a pretty short half life. A quick ck on my drugs app days it's moderately safe L3. Pretty sure minimal enters milk from being absorbed thru skin tissue. and not much should get into milk from the skin when pumping if you wipe it off so I wouldn't pump and dump.

I would see about an LC or dr ck for thrush. You'd probably get nystatin prescribed. You can do a trial of Monistst creme or even just diluted vinegar rinse of nips. If you get a lot of relief if you try that them def get something for thrush. Thrush cdn move into the ducts and make them very painful. If you suspect thrush sterilize everything that touches milk nips or baby's mouth. Also ck baby's mouth for extra white patches with very red underneath