Giving up the magic

ewilliams1127

My DS is 5 months and I've been back to work since he was 3.5 months. Long story short I stopped pumping at work three weeks ago. So I only BF nights and my days off. My supply is almost non-existent and I nurse mainly because I'm not ready to give up the mommy magic. If I pump I barely get 3oz from both sides so I know I'm not giving him enough so I've been supplementing with my frozen stash. I guess my question is when is it time to throw in the towel and stop nursing for comfort? I don't want my DS to rely soley on nursing as a coping method but I'm afraid to wean him before its time.  

TIA!  

AkashaBLCSPC

I completely understand where you're coming from. When I stopped nursing my oldest son, I became very depressed, and I couldn't wait to start with my second son. I say, keep nursing when you're home, and pumping when you're at work. Also, talk to your doctor about supplements you can take to help boost your milk supply. Another thing that may help is eating oatmeal. Also, nurse frequently.

Good luck. 

rosiemomma

Don't throw in the towel! If you stopped pumping regularly and pump randomly your body doesn't make the 'extra' milk, and truly 3 oz is a great output and a bit above normal sounds like you have a good milk supply.

My suggestion is to just nurse when you are with baby and only offer the supplements while you are physically separated. Give yourself a 'nurse-in' when you have a couple days off... just hang out and relax and nurse...nurse...nurse. 

If you like the 'mommy-magic' you can hold on to it as long as YOU like, don't give up because baby gets formula, comfort nursing and getting any momma milk is beneficial to baby.

more on the benefits of comfort nursing:

https://thebabybond.com/ComfortNursing.html 

jlsimon56

If I am understanding your post correctly - you are ok with stopping, am I correct?  It sounds to me like you are ok with it.  

You can choose to nurse only when you are with your LO and on weekends, and supplement bottles with formula.  Your body will respond to that schedule.  

Two things:

1.  3oz is really good.  Well wait, is that per session or per day?  Per session...that is more than I get, haha!  Per day....yeah that is kind of low.   

2.  There's nothing wrong with comfort nursing.  But you have to want to do it, too.

Good luck with your decisions. 

pitterpatter129

I agree with pp.  I never pumped more than 4 oz MAX per pumping session.  Baby gets a lot more nursing than a pump ever will.  Especially if you've quit pumping regularly, then your body might just not respond as well to the pump - it doesn't mean you don't have enough milk for the baby to nurse.