well, looks like we are doing both....

aubie96

formula and BM.  I have been eating oatmeal, on the viatmins for over a week now and it's just not helping that much.  So I will continue to give her both until I completely run out.  Plus she's biting with her tooth and that is NOT fun. I try to latch off, tell her no biting and latch back on but she continues to do it.  ugh.  I'm sad but I know I've done well and am almost to my goal.

sdkrlm

There is nothing wrong with that!  You've done awesome thus far!

If you want to try to boost your supply a little... I would pump at night before I went to bed - just to sort of 'overstimulate' the bbs.  Fenugreek did help a little and I would drink a glass or two of mother's milk tea per day (it has fenugreek in it so you could just skip the tea).  I liked it iced and slightly sweetened. 

Whey protein can help (ovaltine) and also using brewer's yeast (sprinkle on foods?) has been known to have production increases - but both of those are high calorie foods and COULD cause you to gain a little weight. 

 

and Dark Beer can/will help boost production.  I went thru  peaks and valley's with my milk supply too.  I would pump 5x a day sometimes to help get enough milk for the next day.  

 Good luck girl!

 

kc0721

I think it's great you made it this far!! 

uagirl

You have done great!  Six months is awesome! 

I've seen my supply dip since coming back to work.  I've been eating oatmeal and started taking More Milk Plus tincture 4x a day.  My LC said the tincture is supposed to work quicker than the pills, but it tastes HORRIBLE.

ameliaandmatt

Congrats on making it this far!

starsmaycollide

You're such a great mom, Katie!

Hope the oatmeal and vitamins will start helping you more , but no matter what-you've done awesome and should be proud of how long you've made it. It's great that she is still getting the breastmilk!

aubie96

Thanks everyone.  I really appreciate it as I did want to go a year if I could but that just isn't going to happen.

I feed her b/f she goes to bed so there really isn't anything to pump at night.  I drink water ALL day and stay hydrated.  I guess I should try that tea but I remember seeing that you need 6k mg of fenugreek a day and that tea barely has any in it.  But I'll try anything.

I have some ovaltine so I could try that but would definitely NOT like to gain weight!!!  I still need to lose some (even though I'm at pre preg weight.  I had some to loose b/f getting pg).

beer - YUCK!!!  but my mom did leave some dark beer at the house, hmmmmmm

I think I've tried it all.  I tried pumping twice at work (as I would pump in the am for her morning bottle) and that didn't help, still got the same amount.  I still BF b/f she goes to bed though (as long as she doesn't bite the bejeesus out of me!!!  LOL  and it's funny b/c I say no biting and she just looks at me for a min and then has a big goofy grin,  ugh that will get ya everytime.)

I'm trying though, that's for sure. 

sdkrlm

remember though - it's not necessarily how much you're pumping that boosts supply, it's how many times you're initiating a let down and "demand" - so you may only get an ounce or two before you go to bed (like i would do this at 10 pm at night), but the boobs will think "oh man, she wants more milk, I need to make some"

 

FutureMrsWagner

You've done great!  6 months is a long time.  Don't be sad.  She's healthy and happy and you are doing what is best for both of you!

aubie96

sdkrlm:

remember though - it's not necessarily how much you're pumping that boosts supply, it's how many times you're initiating a let down and "demand" - so you may only get an ounce or two before you go to bed (like i would do this at 10 pm at night), but the boobs will think "oh man, she wants more milk, I need to make some"

 

very true but I feed her b/f bed which is about 930 so I don't think I'd get anything.  I'll try it though.  You know I'm open minded.

crollin

Great jobm Katie!!!  I have had to supplement with formula since Parker was 5 days old.

Leelee06

You have absolutely done well!  It's a good thing that she is doing well with formula and it won't be a terrible transition.  I'm right there with you.  I didn't try any vitamins, tea, or oatmeal or anything.  I'm just letting it happen and it has gone well so far.  Hasn't been painful. I lurve going to bed when I'm ready and not having to pump first.  Yesterday was the first day since I've been back that I didn't have to pump at work and today I wore a regular bra.  I feel like I am finally getting back to my normal self and daily life.  I really hope weaning goes well for you.  That feeling you're having will get better.  I went through a few days of "mourning" my milk drying up, but then it got better and relief seeped in.  And by relief, I mean I now have more time to do things at home/work and am less stressed and worried, which wasn't good for my supply anyway.  Eli is doing just fine.  There have been a few times that he wants to nurse, but is okay once I give him a bottle.  It is all working out and it will for you too! :-)

aubie96

Leelee06:

You have absolutely done well!  It's a good thing that she is doing well with formula and it won't be a terrible transition.  I'm right there with you.  I didn't try any vitamins, tea, or oatmeal or anything.  I'm just letting it happen and it has gone well so far.  Hasn't been painful. I lurve going to bed when I'm ready and not having to pump first.  Yesterday was the first day since I've been back that I didn't have to pump at work and today I wore a regular bra.  I feel like I am finally getting back to my normal self and daily life.  I really hope weaning goes well for you.  That feeling you're having will get better.  I went through a few days of "mourning" my milk drying up, but then it got better and relief seeped in.  And by relief, I mean I now have more time to do things at home/work and am less stressed and worried, which wasn't good for my supply anyway.  Eli is doing just fine.  There have been a few times that he wants to nurse, but is okay once I give him a bottle.  It is all working out and it will for you too! :-)

 

Thanks Alesha!!!  That all made me feel MUCH better.  I need more time in the day for sure.  I still have SOME supply but not much.  I'm just going to let nature take it's course.

Leelee06

Anytime!  Just for reference, my supply started dipping two weeks ago.  It happened faster than I thought it would.  One session I pumped 10oz and the next 6oz.  Then 5oz.  Saturday I got 3oz and I haven't pumped since then (only nursed for 5 min or so).  I'm very happy with how it is coming to an end b/c I was scared of the weaning process and pain.  Hasn't been bad at all!  You're gonna do great.

 

aubie96

Leelee06:

Anytime!  Just for reference, my supply started dipping two weeks ago.  It happened faster than I thought it would.  One session I pumped 10oz and the next 6oz.  Then 5oz.  Saturday I got 3oz and I haven't pumped since then (only nursed for 5 min or so).  I'm very happy with how it is coming to an end b/c I was scared of the weaning process and pain.  Hasn't been bad at all!  You're gonna do great.

 

Thanks girl.  I haven't had as much of a supply since going to work and her starting solids.  So when I used to get like 5-6oz each time I pump, I'm lucky to get that in a day.  But I'll just keep doing it until it runs out.  I'm sure it will be a LOT easier in my day to not to have to pump.  Plus she isn't as interested in BFing as she pulls off a LOT more and seems to be more comfortable sitting up somewhat with the bottle.