thinking about weaning - need advice

carmeng · October 2011

I'm seriously considering weaning A off breastmilk. I'm beyong tired these days and it's not getting easier. Pumping is exhausting and I feel like I don't give my 100% to her because I spend most of her awake time pumping. Although I try and schedule my pumping around when she's sleeping, it just doesn't happen that way.

To top it off the 1st AF pp started today, it tanked my supply and I'm dead tired.

Anyway, I'm rambling and I just don't know what to do. I really wanted to do this at least 6 months with a goal of 1 year but here we are at just over 3 months and I feel like I'm done. I'm so torn, sad, and feeling very defeated.

I know I'm the one that needs to make a decision but I could use some advice on how to make it work, how to wean, or how to deal with it. I'd greatly appreciate it.

sewhappy · October 2011

I really can't help with advice on pumping and the time issues that brings up as I am a SAHM. But when my supply tanked from starting the mini pill, I ate lactation cookies and took fenugreek supplements to get it to bounce back. DS was very hungry and I supplemented with formula every few days. After a few weeks, we were back to EBF.

I can only imagine how much work it is to pump everyday. Hopefully you can decide what's best for the both of you and enjoy this time together.

jsugrin · October 2011

If I remember correctly your exclusively pumping right? If so, that is so hard, hard work so my hat is off to you. If BFing is important to you but the stress of EP is driving you insane what about doing a combo of EP and formula? There is nothing that says BM has to be an all of nothing ballgame and if she's already taking a bottle well she may do just fine with a combo.

I had major supply issues and after 3 weeks of starving my first I ended up supplementing, working my ass off to increase my supply with zero success. I would feed and then offer the bottle in those initial 3 months but once it was clear my body was not going to produce another drop I gave up the pump and we did some feeding by breast and some by bottle(with formula). With my 2nd I was prepared for the supply issues and sure enough same problem. So he started off with breast milk and formula. While I know it's not a seamless transition for all babies to go back and forth neither of my kids cared a bit.

If doing a combo doesn't work for you and you decide to move onto formula you hold your head high and know that you did your best, you gave her a great dose of immunities at the time she most needed them. If stopping BFing is going to make you a happier, calmer, better rested mama than that is the biggest gift you can give your child.

Celyn · October 2011

I can't recall why you're exclusively pumping. Have you tried working with an LC to get her latched now? If she was tongue tied, her mouth might be big enough now to do it.

love22 · October 2011

I agree with Celyn. It might be worth it to try just BFing now. I had to EP for the first month with my DS and at the time there was an EP check in on the breastfeeding board and I remember quite a few of them eventually started BFing because pumping is such a pain. Also, you could do a combination of formula and BFing. it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Good luck.

melgrady · October 2011

Good luck with your decision. I give you lots of kudos because for me pumping is a pain in the arse and I don't know how you do it full time. Ditto pps on possibly working with a LC and trying to get A to latch.

carmeng · October 2011

Thank you everyone for your support and advice!

I exclusively pump because she rejected my boob and still does. It was really hard on me emotionally so I didn't try hard enough. She would get too worked up when I offered it, etc. These last few weeks have been very challenging in getting her to go to sleep at night. I'm not sure what is going on, so I put her down then go to pump and while I'm in the middle of it she's up screaming and DH can't soothe her so I have to stop what I'm doing to calm her down. I just can't do both. We've also had similar issues during the day when she'll be fussy and I just can't get a pump session in.

T, do you think there's still a chance she may latch? I don't know why she rejects it...I was thinking that it's because (TMI alert) my nipples are large and my skin is not soft, it gets sort of tough sometimes.

I have thought about supplementing but once I go there I'm afraid my supply will suffer even more because I wan't have the need to pump as much.

I tell you - this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I almost feel like I'll need therapy over this.

Mama_v2.0 · October 2011

I would continue for one more week and then decide. I agree to try latching. If I was really wanting to make this work I would even seek out extra help (again) from a lactation cons.

SweetieP · October 2011

I have no advice because I agree that BFing is HARD. My only suggestion is that if you want to try the breast again and are concerned about her not liking the texture, you might try a nipple shield. They come in a variety of sizes and would feel more like a bottle? Good luck!

StefandTodd · October 2011

SweetieP:
I have no advice because I agree that BFing is HARD. My only suggestion is that if you want to try the breast again and are concerned about her not liking the texture, you might try a nipple shield. They come in a variety of sizes and would feel more like a bottle? Good luck!

I was going to suggest a shield too (though I am obviously NOT an expert...at all)...we've been using the shield for 6 weeks now and it can be a pain (compared to BFing without it) but not nearly as much as I'm sure EPing is. By a long shot. If she's taking to the bottle and you think it could really be anything to do with your nipple anatomy, a shield could probably really help out. They sell them at Target. Actually, I have two brand new unopen ones and I'd be willing to give you one if you want to try it out. Would give me a good excuse to finally come see you anyway

We could meet up next week - Tuesday or Thursday or Friday? I could come to you or we could meet for lunch somewhere. Let me know

Thinking of you and hoping you find comfort in whatever you choose to do, C. You're a great mama!

StefandTodd · October 2011

I also just noticed a post (top of the board!) on the BFing board where someone was asking about using a shield for a baby that prefers a bottle nipple to mamas nipples. Looks like there was at least one person who responded already that it worked for. Big hugs, C!!

Want a personalized experience?

thinking about weaning - need advice

Re: thinking about weaning - need advice

Choose Another Board

Search Boards