The milk saga continues
I am a bad bad blogger....only finding time to update a couple times a week while I am developing another website, working 3 days a week, having a cold and an infant, but here I am!!
On with the milk saga....While the Reglan is giving me much more milk, she still seems hungry. By hungry I mean that she screams after some feedings and my intuition says hunger.
What should I do? I am considering breaking down and giving her an additional feeding of.....*gasp* formula. I feel so bad, I just want her little belly full. I have this crazy goal of making it 6 months with nothing but breastmilk going in her little tum-tum, but I am starting to feel really guilty about starving the poor dear. Lot's of people give their babe's formula and I have to stop looking at it as the wretched formula of evil and be more realistic. I do have a stock of milk in the freezer, but am trying to save it for our 1 year anniversary trip to Reno that is scheduled to be Goldie-free.....what to do, what to do.......
On with the milk saga....While the Reglan is giving me much more milk, she still seems hungry. By hungry I mean that she screams after some feedings and my intuition says hunger.
What should I do? I am considering breaking down and giving her an additional feeding of.....*gasp* formula. I feel so bad, I just want her little belly full. I have this crazy goal of making it 6 months with nothing but breastmilk going in her little tum-tum, but I am starting to feel really guilty about starving the poor dear. Lot's of people give their babe's formula and I have to stop looking at it as the wretched formula of evil and be more realistic. I do have a stock of milk in the freezer, but am trying to save it for our 1 year anniversary trip to Reno that is scheduled to be Goldie-free.....what to do, what to do.......
posted by Kirsten at
10:34 AM
8 Comments:
A little breastmilk is better than none at all. You've already given Goldie a huge developmental leap by breast-feeding her. Try looking at it this way, the occasional, or even once a day, supplement of formula is going to top her off. So she'll have the best of both worlds--still getting breast milk but also having a chance to be full, too!
It is more degrees than all or nothing. You've done a great job. Stop stressing! She'll be fine, and you'll both be happier if she's not screaming, right?
My thoughts are with you!
Ris
Kirsten, the benefits of breastmilk don't start to tail off until you hit 30 or 40% formula in the daily mix (can't remember which ... works out to 2.5 feeds in 6, anyway). One bottle a day will have NO effect on the immunities and other health / developmental benefits she's getting through your milk, and will fill her up, make her happier, and take the pressure off you. Do it, I say.
And one tip, from my experience with my eldest (who was breastfeed to 12 months, but with one formula feed a day from 4 months onwards) - make it the latish afternoon feed. They are usually ravenous then and all mothers' milk flows slowest / is least abundant in the late arvo.
You have done such an awesome job already nursing her. Do what feels right, and don't regret whatever decision you make. A happy and healthy baby (and mama!) is the most important thing, right?
You've had some good advice in the comments. If you were half way through breast feeding and then stopped and told your babe "no more, even if you are hungry", would this be good? All babies are different and yours may need that little extra. I won't admit to what I had to give to my daughter at 10 weeks, but she was a happier baby for it!
Good Luck!
Margaret - From Tots 2 Teens
From Tots 2 Teens Blogspot
From what I read any breastfeeding is good, so if you're still breastfeeding the majority of the time, Goldie's probably in good shape! The only negative might be producing less milk due to skipping a feeding (not sure, but you might want to pump for the feeding that she skips -- there I go with the pumping again...). Anyway, good luck!
Honestly - Sierra was doing the EXACT same thing - I totally blamed my milk - took Fenugreek, drank insane amounts of water, stopped excercising etc... Turns out she was trying to use the boob to fall asleep and when she didn't fall asleep she would scream bloody murder. A lesson was learned - NEVER doubt the milk! There is enough milk! She may just need to get less milk more often to build up supply (some days I nurse her as many as 12 times! Other days only 5-6). NEVER give formula - that will further decrease the supply! Feed her more often if you have to, get plenty of rest, don't worry about it, sleep with her clothes on your pillow under your nose (trust me it helps). You can do it! Go Kirsten Go!
Check out my blog and go down the link on the bottom right "Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource Website." They helped me induce lactation twice, and are a wealth of information for those who just want to boost their supply.
I'd certainly try those tips first before supplementing. Wouldn't it be fabulous if everything evened out and you never had to resort to that bottle? Definitely worth a try.
Check out their section called "Lactation Boot Camp." The holidays are a great time to really focus on boosting that supply.
ALSO - one of those things doctors never tell you (because they get ZILCH on bfeeding in medical school - a rant for another day): if you DO end up having to supplement, buy a Lact-Aid (I believe the web site is www.lact-aid.net, but you can find it under my "Lactivism" posts somewhere). You are able to give your baby supplemental formula while they're still suckling on your breast. It adds the "extra" WHILE telling your girls to make more! It's magic, yet doctors don't learn about it. Ugh.
GOOD LUCK! Happy Lactating!
ooo
I had major problems right from the start. Took the drugs, did everything 'right' but I'd had a breast reduction at 30. Oopsie.
My babe has been mostly formula and all formula after 4 months. I read all the warnings about sickness and reduced IQ even! Not to worry; my baby is giant, beautiful and signs for TWELVE DIFFERENT THINGS at 16 months. Don't worry, trust your instinct and your baby's instincts....
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