~~~Low Supply Ladies Check In~~~

SusieQ1982

How is this week going for you?

SusieQ1982

Well, I am still here! I have changed my siggy though because it's clear that I will never be able to EBF my son. I will be lucky if I can continue milk production for as long as I want to pump.

Which may not be much longer! I nearly threw in the towel this past weekend. The stuff I'm taking to make me lactate costs a fortune but when I tried to wean off of it, my supply tanked even further than the usual. So now I am back on it and trying to last another month before giving up. I have too much guilt to quit but I really hate it. I've relaxed my approach a little bit though. Before I used to stress to get 5-6 pumping sessions in daily, now if I don't, I don't. I always get a minimum of three. That's at least one bottle of BM for him anyway, which is better than nothing.

So, for now, I guess I'm still here but I doubt things will ever change for me. It's just how much I can take.

epopp85

My week has been up and down.  I hit a major milestone this week with getting to freeze my first bag of milk!  9ozs stored away.  It's not much, but I'll take it. 

Then I got sick, so naturally my supply tanked for a few days.  It seems to be getting back in order today though and I'm at least back to where I started this time last week.

I'm glad you decided to hang in there.  You're absolutely right, some BM is better than none!

CollieJade

I think we are finally done.   I posted this on my local the other day after the decision to return my hospital grade rental pump. I'm sad, but i'm dealing.  Now I just want to focus on the next stage, and helping others muddle through the emotional roller coaster that is BF.

As this will likely be my last check in, want to say good luck to the rest of you and kudos for working so hard! You are amazing mommies!

deltagirl79

My week has been rough. Every time I start to think we're making some headway or I'm coming to terms with this things get harder. This week AF came and then I got sick. I cried in the shower this morning again. Today my out put has been much less than yesterday. I'm hoping that if I keep drinking my water and tea that my supply will come back to where it was. Right now I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle.

epopp, that is so awesome that you got to freeze a bag!! Congrats! I hope you feel better soon.

CollieJade, you've done so much and you are an inspiration. Enjoy the next phase with your LO!

T_&_A

We all need to quit beating ourself up. There is nothing we can do about it, and it's not like we aren't trying to do anything about it. I'm sorry you are all having such a hard time. I haven't cried about it yet, I've been teary-eyed, but I need to get it out.

The more milk plus doesn't seem to be working. Been taking it religiously since Friday. Plus, I think I'm allergic to it. So I'm done taking it.

I'm going to buy some more blessed thistle/fenugreek/fennel and a friend gave me some tea in herb form (not bagged) and I'm hoping that keeps the little supply I have for a couple more weeks, then I'm going to wean from pumping. I'm still pumping about 2 1/2 ounces the 2 times I pump at work, 1-1/2 ounces in the am and pm after feeding him/before bed.

mrs.moo

I was about to write that I've had a tough week too, but then I noticed how much longer you ladies have been doing this than me and I'm in awe! Such an accomplishment! I was getting more milk this week (one time this week I pumped 3 oz and I was so excited as that's what DS takes each bottle!) which made me happy, but then I got lazy with the pumping. Twice I went 6 hours without pumping all in the name of sleep. I rationalized that more sleep made for a healthier and happier mama, but I still felt guilty in the morning and now I'm mad that my supply is dipping again. I just pumped and only got 1.5 oz..  My goal was to take this all one month at a time so as not to get too discouraged. Well, I've almost made it 1 month. The biggest thing that's keeping me going right now is seeing how much faster DS takes a BM bottle vs a formula one (that and all the money I spent on a pump lol). I really hope one day to be on here writing that I made it to 4 months. Congrats to all of you for making it as far as you have

MilwaukeeMom

I'm getting more frustrated and finally gave LO a formula supplement this week.  I really didn't want to, but I didn't want him to be hungry either!  I'm a little worried, though, because my lactation consultant told me to ease up on the pumping - that she thought I was going overboard and to pump 1 or 2 a day...but it sounds like you guys are pumping a lot more than that.  Should I up the pumping again?  UGH!  I just don't know what to do!

 

 

SusieQ1982

CollieJade- you definitely did a great job for your baby! I know just how you're feeling and it's much harder the bigger they get because they want different things from you and aren't content to sit in the swing or bouncy seat so you have time to pump like they used to. All the best in the future!

Mrs Moo- I hope you won't have to be part of our little group by the time you hit four months! Have you taken anything to boost your supply so maybe you can achieve full production?

MilwaukeeMom- I pump 5-6x daily but I am no longer able to nurse so I have to pump as often as possible. Why does your LC think you're going overboard? As far as I know, you can't pump too often as long as it's less than once an hour (with the exception of power pumping). More pumping should be stimulating more milk.

twirlerbride

I would like to join this as well.  I just posted above.  I am really struggling to get enough for DD. 

mrs.moo

I've been taking Frenugreek and drinking mother's milk tea. It has really helped with my supply and now I'm able to give Alex 2/3 bm (before I was 50/50). I haven't tried the lactation cookies yet, but I'm hoping to try them soon. My biggest concern is that he's going to start eating more soon and I don't know how I'll be able to keep up. Oh well,  I'm really trying to take this one day at a time as each day he gets some bm is a good day. Thanks for the encouragement