Where you at? I love you guys! I have a low supply but still work my butt off to get more. I am going on five months. I have to supplement with formula, but I'm not giving up!
It depresses me when I see people talk about being able to pump 9 ounces AFTER they already breastfed. Times like those I think why don't my boobs work? Am I flawed?
Re: Those with Low Milk Supply
i have the same issue, LO is 2 weeks old and it os so frustrating to not be able to just BF
With DS had major low supply and like you had to work my butt off. I ended up going until 16 months. This time with DD, I dont have low supply but I can only make exactly what she needs and that is on weeks that AF is not coming. Otherwise I have to go into my stash.
Just wanted to say that you are doing so good .
We just had to start supplementing this weekend, but i'm not giving up!
I figure any BM I can give her is better than nothing and I feel ok knowing i've tried just about everything to get my supply up with no luck!
Keep up the good work ladies!
I've basically been supplementing with breastmilk since week 2. His weight dropped so much due to low supply that he spent 5 days in the NICU with jaundice, so I now really need that peace of mind from seeing a bottle drained. Proof that he's eaten enough.
I pump 20 minutes per side and average 2 ounces total. And he's eating 4+ ounces at a time. It's insanely frustrating. But I've made it to 9 weeks, although I think about quitting almost every day. I figure some breastmilk is better than none, and that's also what the LCs tell me every week.
I was having a little luck with domperidone (sometimes up to 3 oz!) but it made me way too drowsy. I'm back at work half-time already and would nod off at my desk. Not an option.
I can relate to the "flawed" feeling. It's pretty depressing. Even more all the people who insist that you're just not trying hard enough or you just need a different LC and everything will magically turn around.
We had to supplement with formula after each nursing session for most of the first month of LOs life. Now we've been able to drop the formula while I am home - but I have really no freezer stash (less than 30 oz). I am gone from 5am to 9pm and feed LO before I leave and when I get back. While I am gone I am only able to pump 2-3 times. I usually get 3oz the first 2 times I pump and sometimes up to 2oz if I can pump a third time (I'm a nurse).
Having a hands free bra helps, I have a Medela PISA and I can do compressions/massage while pumping, and also get some charting done. So it helps. I take fenugreek, More Milk Special Blend, and drink TONS of water. LO eats every 1 1/2-2 hrs I am gone (with an occasional few hour nap)... and generally takes 3oz each time. So she'll eat roughly 27 oz while I'm gone. I pumped 6 yesterday
But I know she gets 100% BM when we are together, and gets some when we are apart... so I just tell myself it's whats best for her.
I don't pump at home because she eats every 1 1/2-2hrs and I just get so stressed because I don't get more than 1 1/2-2oz at home after nursing.
Oh - and FWIW my LC told me the smaller (21mm) flanges would pinch, but I knew the regular ones seemed large. I figured for $15 it was worth knowing one way or another. It helped - pumping is SO MUCH more comfortable now. I'm glad I didn't listen to her. So if you think you might need to size up/down - it's worth it to know if you can afford it!