Would you continue breastfeeding?

jessloveschase08 · January 2010

I am seriously about to give up BFing. I have been trying since day one and at the beginning things were going great. I only had to supplement a little the first week due to William haveing jaundice. The first 3 weeks were awesome! And then I don't know what happened. He just started to turn away from the breast and get upset. I tried everything to get him to eat but he'd stop after 5 minutes on each side.

My supply dwindled even though I tried pumping, lactation cookies, and oatmeal (I don't have enough money to spend on Fenugreek or Mother's Milk tea)...

And now I only get about an ounce when I pump and I just want to stop breastfeeding. I feel horrible about it every time I feed him with formula. I don't know what else to do. I have it in my head that he's not going to be healthy if he's FFed (even though I know that's not true)...

What would you do? Would you stop? Thanks for letting me vent.

4realyo · January 2010

its a personal decision that you have to make!

personally, i wouldnt give up. i would think the tea or fenugreek would be cheaper than formula (although i dont know cost of either to be honest)

getnmarried910 · January 2010

Keep trying if you want to see if it will work. Don't let the amount you pump play a roll in this. Is your baby having enough wet and dry diapers? Does he seem satisfied? If so, it's not a problem. Babies are much more efficient than a pump is. When I feed DD, she'll have milk running out of her mouth, but sometimes when I pump I get hardly nothing. Try pumping 5-10 minutes past the last drop of milk. It should make your body think you need more.

I personally would stop supplementing. He knows the bottle is easier, so if you're giving him a bottle, he doesn't have to work as hard. He should get hungry and latch. Supplementing is a big cause for milk supply dropping more. Anytime he's hungry, regardless of how often or how long, try putting him to the breast. If for some reason it doesn't work though, don't beat yourself up about it. He will be healthy and smart regardless.

alybookgirl · January 2010

Mother's Milk tea is $5 in my area (TN). I would not give up, keep at it for as long as you can!

ClaireBennett · January 2010

I would keep at it. Personally, I would stop supplementing. That is a feeding your body doesn't have LO sucking away at the nip for. Which therefore will drop your supply even more, especially if the pump isn't working for you. Take a few days that you know will be rough and let LO suckle as much as necessary to build back up supply.

Also, I second that the fenugreek, etc will probably be cheaper than formula. I hope it gets better for you, I found drinking a LOT of water helped.

Alex17 · January 2010

It's totally up to you.

I have to supplement too due to low supply b/c I had a breast reduction.

Right now he is getting about 50% BM and 50% formula. I have already decided once he is eating so much that I only make enough for 1 to feedings a day I will stop pumping.

To me, it's a lot of work pumping 8-9 times a day for one feeding. So I will stop then.

FWIW, I have tried everything to get my supply up and it just doesn't budge. So I am happy with what I can do and when it gets to be too much or my supply completely sucks I will just stop.

I'm just glad I was able to do it for the first month especially.

Mereou12 · January 2010

4realyo:

its a personal decision that you have to make!

personally, i wouldnt give up. i would think the tea or fenugreek would be cheaper than formula (although i dont know cost of either to be honest)

This!

I've had great success with the Mother's Milk Tea--I had been supplementing with formula in the evenings, but after drinking the tea (2-3 cups a day), no more supplementing. It's $3.99 for 16 packets in the organic section at Publix--much cheaper than formula! Maybe give it a try for a week or two and see how it works. They also have it at drugstore.com at buy one get one 50% off and free shipping.

Fenugreek did nothing for me, FWIW.

FLVintageBride · January 2010

If you are the point where you are constantly stressed out about it, I would give up personally. Having an unhappy, exhausted mother will affect your baby more than switching to formula. It just doesn't work out with some babies. BFing was a big failure with my DD but has gone smoothly so far with my DS. They are both healthy kids.

LarloBlue · January 2010

Mother's Milk Tea is $4.47 at my walmart and $4.99 at Vitamin Shoppe. I had a premie and we still haven't gotten breastfeeding down but there is no way I'm giving up. Have a LC come to your house and help you.

Jerseygirl16 · January 2010

It's a personal decision but I wanted to say that the amount you pump doesn't really matter. I was never able to get much that way and gave up on pumping but not BFing. I'd just keep trying and keep offering him the breast.

BakerMommy · January 2010

Have you talked to an LC? My hospital has a breastfeeding support group lead by a LC that costs $10 and it's really helpful to hear from other moms and the LC.

Like PP said, supplements are cheaper than formula, but an overwhelmed/stressed mom isn't going to produce milk as much, and won't be as good for your baby, so it's really up to you.

pintpo · March 2010

How do you know your supply is low?

Keep going! If you want to do it, you can!

Please go to this site https://www.kellymom.com/

It helped me a ton when I needed it. Trust your body and your baby. There are a ton of ways to increase your supply if it is really low. If its not low then you can just make it better.

And supplements are cheaper than formula!

https://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Lactation-Pack/dp/B001EH7W90

The above is what I used 1 time. The goats rue made more tissue so more milk could hide I used the recommended "dose" of each in a cup of tea. If I had supply problems before I sure don't now.

Good luck, and stay with it!! Smile

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