BF: Throwing in the towel

mjcleve

I think it's time to give up.  I've been trying for 3 weeks to get my supply back up and it just doesn't seem to be working.  Fenugreek, water, more healthy eating, a lot of pumping and a lot of nursing.  I'm worn out.  I'm sad and don't want to quit bfing yet, but I think this is the end of the road for us.

beachlovinbride

Someone on here gave me the advice of fatty foods for a wk, junkfood that type of thing and your supply would go up.  I did fenugreek, oatmeal and a wks worth of yummy fattening foods and I havent had supply issues since. 

just my two cents.  I know how you feel.  I was there too...

littleittybitty

Be proud that you made it this far! Over 5 months is such a great feat! I will be lucky if I manage to make it that far with this shit that I have been going through.

CEO1197

Dude, you made it to six months, that's awesome, IMO!  I  understand being sad about it, but you made it so far, you should be really proud.

PhilsWife07

I totally understand your disappointment. I just went through the same thing myself. Congrats on making it this far!

mjcleve

Thanks girls.  I am definitely proud that we made it to 6 months.  I just can't believe how hard it is thinking about weaning.  I never thought I'd be this "addicted" to breastfeeding...my initial goal was just 3 months.

GabbyG

Are you throwing in the towel completely or just exclusively? Just wondering because of course you can continue with 1-2 feedings a day in addition to formula for a long time. But I am sure you have thought of that. Good luck with the transition!

mjcleve

GabbyG:

Are you throwing in the towel completely or just exclusively? Just wondering because of course you can continue with 1-2 feedings a day in addition to formula for a long time. But I am sure you have thought of that. Good luck with the transition!

I think I'm going to make it last for as long as I can.  He's been getting half bm / half formula bottles at daycare.  Today I had to nurse him and then give him a bottle of formula afterwards (my freezer stash is gone) and of course pump but I was getting less than 1/2 oz while pumping.  I definitely don't want to give up bfing at night!  I don't know what I would do without that bond. 

shannon patterson

I am glad that you posted this this thread mjcleve.  My supply is going down and just tonight I started crying thinking about not BF anymore   If I formula feed DS and then pump, I only get 2oz (no wonder he has been hungry and fussy lately--no milk!)

I know how you feel!  I am going to try to just pump and bottle feed DS (and use formula at times--i have used all my freezer stash too).  Glad to know that I am not alone....

KittenGator

Aww, I'm sorry. I hope the fatty foods idea works for you! I've also heard beer works.

*hugs*?

Pelusa214

I threw in my towel over a month ago...it's really hard & I'm so sorry you have to stop.  I think it's just not fair for those of us who want to continue & can't.  I still cry if I let myself think about it.  I really still miss it so much. 

My supply had gotten so low that I was in the same boat - I would nurse her & then she would down 3-5 oz of formula immediately afterwards.  On top of that I was on a dairy-free diet because of her milk protein allergy & I just couldn't let her go hungry anymore & couldn't waste away on that diet just to have to give her a bottle after every nursing anyway.  I had to go cold turkey because I couldn't handle it emotionally.  For weeks after, I thought about trying to relactate, but I couldn't put the two of us through the stress we were under while BFing.  I wouldn't recommend cold turkey by the way.  It's very painful physically and emotionally.

People don't seem to understand that the reason I was/am upset is not because I feel guilty.  I have no guilt about doing what I need to to feed my baby.  It's because I wasn't ready to quit, and honestly, I don't think DD was either.  It hurt me so bad when she would bury her head in my chest wanting to nurse & I couldn't.  I cried every day for weeks after.  People would say that I could bond with her just as much by holding her close with the bottle (MIL) or that it didn't mean I wouldn't be able to BF for longer with the next baby (mom).  Those comments just made things worse, because bottle feeding is not even close to the same, and my next baby won't be DD.  I still get really pissed off at people who choose not to BF when they can perfectly easily do so.  It just doesn't seem fair.  I still haven't been able to bring myself to throw away my whole freezer stash (it's no good because it's from before I cut out dairy).

It really sucks, and I hope that it is as easy as possible for you.  Savor the moments you have now...I still remember the last time I nursed DD very clearly because I knew it would be the last time.  I think it's just one of those tough mommy decisions that we'll carry for the rest of our lives, knowing that it was something we had to do but being sad about it all the same.

KellyG6279

did you stop bfing/pumping for a bit for your supply to go down? just curious

HNLchick

I'm sooooo sorry you are going through this, I'm having serious issues too.  I can't tell you whether to continue or give up because I'm grappling with that battle too.  I will share what is helping me out:  My LC said use goats rue in conjunction with your fenugreek, and use the EXTRACTS not the pill forms they are much more concentrated.  There is even an extract of mothers milk tea out there.  They suggested to find it at whole foods but I haven't had any luck.  Also I don't know how much fenugreek you are taking but my LC said 9-15 capsules,610mg, per day way more than the bottle says.  Also I'm eating Oatmeal and Japanese seaweed called Wakame.  The seaweed is a suggestion from my Japanese mother in law who says all japanese (and korean) women swear by it.  I'll tell you what, I think the seaweed is helping the most, I eat a bowl of miso soup loaded with the seaweed for bfast and lunch.  Wierd I know, but aren't we at the point where we'll try anything??  Big hugs, and I hope things ease up for you.

nick&nikki

I am in the same mental state as you are, but my son is 3 months. I go back to school at the end of january to finish up my masters and I just don't have the will to keep going. He will be 4.5 months at that point, but I have hit the wall. I think that going as long as you have is great and you should not feel bad for thinking of stopping.