Feeling obsolete!

czaja125

Went to the pedi last Friday for DD 6mo check up. Dr said we should bump up her solid food intake to 3x a day, still giving her prune juice 1x a day and no more middle of the night feedings. 

With all of this stuff going on, I feel like I'm never nursing DD. I feel useless. How do people still nurse up to 1 year? With a low supply anyway, I feel like I'm going to dry up before I even get to my goal. 

Anyone else feel this way? 

fabbate13

I always nurse before solids.

JJ1973

It is definitely an adjustment. We just weaned most night feedings (it was becoming a bad habit, so we're down to one at 10pm) and also upped solids to three times per day these past couple weeks (LO is 8 months). First off, I wouldn't rush with the solids. As long as LO is getting exposed to them, there is no pressure to feed tons of solids at 6 months. Breastmilk should still be the main source of nutrition (and it is better nutrition at this point). It should not replace breastfeeding (just supplement). Also, your LO should be consuming the same amount as she did before - just consolidated into daytime hours. Just because you're weaning night feedings doesn't mean your LO no longer needs that nutrition. So, nurse away during the day. Also, I've added a pumping session in the evenings to keep my supply up during that longer stretch. I nurse in the AM, pump three times at work (I work full time), nurse when we get home, then I also pump at around 8pm, and do a dream feed at 10. I haven't had any issues with supply and LO seems happy. Good luck!

Mt2G1012

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

czaja125

heatherm818:

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

I definitely nurse before solids as well but unless its the morning, nothing really happens because of a next to nothing supply.  

Mt2G1012

czaja125:

heatherm818:

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

I definitely nurse before solids as well but unless its the morning, nothing really happens because of a next to nothing supply.  

I'm sorry   I'm sure you have tried everything, but fenugreek, more milk tea, power pumping help at all? 

And don't feel obsolete, you still feed her, take care of her, love her, etc.  Just because you aren't BF as much doesn't make you any less important in her life.

SuperThat1006

heatherm818:

czaja125:

heatherm818:

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

I definitely nurse before solids as well but unless its the morning, nothing really happens because of a next to nothing supply.  

I'm sorry   I'm sure you have tried everything, but fenugreek, more milk tea, power pumping help at all? 

And don't feel obsolete, you still feed her, take care of her, love her, etc.  Just because you aren't BF as much doesn't make you any less important in her life.

Make sure you are eating enough protein, drinking enough water and try the MM tea. I have been doing that for about a week and I'm seeing an improvement.

JhawkCE

It's tough,  the babysitter gives him a bottle (pumped BM) after his meal/before his nap and I nurse him before and after his evening meal.  I also still nurse him at night. 

czaja125

heatherm818:

czaja125:

heatherm818:

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

I definitely nurse before solids as well but unless its the morning, nothing really happens because of a next to nothing supply.  

I'm sorry   I'm sure you have tried everything, but fenugreek, more milk tea, power pumping help at all? 

And don't feel obsolete, you still feed her, take care of her, love her, etc.  Just because you aren't BF as much doesn't make you any less important in her life.

Oh man, I drank MM tea, taken fenugreek, and have tried pumping. They will work anywhere from a week to a month and then my supply just dwindles down. On top of that, I eat oatmeal every.single.day. I supplement with formula so it's not like I'm starving my child. I just miss the closeness.   

czaja125

ChrissieW3:

heatherm818:

czaja125:

heatherm818:

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

I definitely nurse before solids as well but unless its the morning, nothing really happens because of a next to nothing supply.  

I'm sorry   I'm sure you have tried everything, but fenugreek, more milk tea, power pumping help at all? 

And don't feel obsolete, you still feed her, take care of her, love her, etc.  Just because you aren't BF as much doesn't make you any less important in her life.

Make sure you are eating enough protein, drinking enough water and try the MM tea. I have been doing that for about a week and I'm seeing an improvement.

I know I need to eat more protein but I do partake in the rest. You actually just decided dinner for me Chrissie! Thanks! 

Mt2G1012

czaja125:

heatherm818:

czaja125:

heatherm818:

Until about1 year, solids are for fun/practice.  BM or formula is the main source of nutrition until then.  You do not replace a nursing session with solids. Nurse, then 1- 1 1/2 hours later do the solid meal.

I definitely nurse before solids as well but unless its the morning, nothing really happens because of a next to nothing supply.  

I'm sorry   I'm sure you have tried everything, but fenugreek, more milk tea, power pumping help at all? 

And don't feel obsolete, you still feed her, take care of her, love her, etc.  Just because you aren't BF as much doesn't make you any less important in her life.

Oh man, I drank MM tea, taken fenugreek, and have tried pumping. They will work anywhere from a week to a month and then my supply just dwindles down. On top of that, I eat oatmeal every.single.day. I supplement with formula so it's not like I'm starving my child. I just miss the closeness.   

I understand this.  I would be very devastated if I wasn't BF anymore.  I look forward to coming home from work and BF'ing DD.  So I'll leave it at: I'm sorry

InLovewSB

:-(

I don't know what to say. Why is your doctor pushing solids so much if you want to BF? My doc says it's perfectly fine to hold off on solids altogether as long as E is nursing well. As it is, we do feed her some solids, but mostly I still nurse her. 

Hmm... you don't have to follow your doctor's advice on this issue if you feel that your child is getting adequate nutrition from BFing. You could continue just giving as much solids as you want until you're ready to wean. There is alot of literature on the topic of EBFing to and past 1 year old.

JDO

I get where you're coming from, and while the others are right that solids are just for practice it's a strange feeling when your baby starts wanting food instead of milk. W had just nursed before I made my lunch today, but he kept staring at me and started getting fussy while I was eating. Talking/singing/playing didn't cheer him up, and when I picked him up he reached for my sandwich. I got him a frozen banana to snack on, and he cheered right up. I got the feeling that I'm just not enough for him anymore. He really likes different tastes and he likes to feed himself independently. It does make me feel a little sad and obsolete.