UPDATE! Drying up and need some encourgement

katigox · November 2012

**UPDATE 20th of Nov.** So I am convinced that my hormones dried me up, based on the evidence that right when my supply was drying up, my feet finally started to not be swollen anymore (they've been swollen since month six of pregnancy - so bad, that I was even tested for Pre-E, and had to keep an eye out to make sure it wasn't creeping up my legs . . . but I digress). That, and even though weaning is supposed to be a slow, and sometimes painful process, I am already done: yes, I was done by Day Three, and with very minimal discomfort (I used cold compresses once, and took two ibuprofen the first two days). I feel like my hormones shifted, and my transitional milk never turned into my full milk supply. There was simply nothing in there to wean and cause pain. Sure, I could just be telling myself this to make myself feel better, but it's at least a plausible theory in my mind ;P

Hi everyone!

I have been so busy with my LO that I haven't even posted anything since his birth story ~ much less even lurked around the threads. So I apologize in advance for not getting to know some of you better, before asking for help here, but here it goes:

**I should start by saying that I don't mind formula-fed. All my brothers (adopted) were FF, and so were a niece and nephew, after their mother wasn't able to produce enough milk either. But anyways, onto my scenario.**

I have been pumping since the third day, after my LO had to spend time in the nursery, under those lights for bad jaundice. He was being supplemented with formula, which I didn't mind, because I just wanted him to be healthy and be able to come home with us as soon as possible. Of course, it caused nipple confusion, and though he latches just fine, he never wants more than a few licks. Even the new bottles we got - the nipples had to be changed out to the ones they used at the hospital (he's very picky that way).

So, he drank from the breast for the first three days (but only latched a few times since, before wanting the bottle), and I have been pumping ever since - most times, every three hours, sometimes every two. 24/7. I'm exhausted bc he often sleeps through these times, and I have to wake him up just to eat (he always falls right back asleep). I've been keeping track of my output, and how much he eats (including formula), and he literally is eating double the amount I'm able to give.

The last two days, my supply has been getting less and less - and in the last twelve hours, I've only been able to produce 1/2 an ounce. My breasts don't even hurt . . . and I'm starting to think, that my "transitional milk" is done with - and my full milk is just not coming in.

To be honest, I'm ready to just use the formula. I love my son, and I want to enjoy our naps together, I want to not stress about pumping, only to see over and over again how I'm not making enough. I really am pretty much done here. So finally here are my questions:

1.) If my breasts aren't even hurting, should I still approach with a gradual weaning process? Or should I just cut cold turkey if there's nothing coming out anyway?

2.) If weaning, how long did it take you guys from start to finish, and how did you know when you are done?

3.) And even though I would NEVER judge a woman on her choice of food for her LO, I am hoping that some of you wouldn't mind, reassuring me, that I am not a horrible person/mother for weaning already (I know I said I didn't mind FF, but that doesn't mean that I don't feel bad about it )

race-to-be · November 2012

Please know that you are a good mother and that whatever you decide is what is best for you and your baby.

Ben spent three weeks in the children's hospital, and while we were there we discovered that my milk has a fraction of the calories that it is supposed to. Ben could literally eat 30 ounces a day and not gain anything. Even supplementing with formula only helped a little because he was essentially filling up with water first.

After five weeks of constantly pumping and supplementing, the doctors, my DH and I decided that enough was enough. Ben wasn't happy and wasn't gaining and I was exhausted. I started weaning myself off the epimp from 8 sessions to 5 immediately. After that, I dropped a session every two days and tried to lengthen the time between sensations. It took 10 days to completely wean and I didn't have any pain or discomfort. Even if you don't feel painful or fill, I'd wean gradually to protect yourself. Between the hormOne changes weaning causes your hormone levels to shift and the guilt that I couldn't provide for Ben, I found those days really tough. Be gentle with yourself nd whatever decision you make is the right one.

ellebelle2384 · November 2012

CabbageCabbage:
It sounds like your mind is made up and you're just looking for reassurance. Yes, you're a good mom. Formula fed babies become healthy vibrant children. It's not a curse. If you know you're ready to wean and switch to formula, don't feel guilty.
I haven't ever weaned but I've heard great things about cold green cabbage leaves stuffed in the bra for the pain.

This. Don't feel guilty, it is so tough when they have jaundice in the beginning. I haven't weaned yet but I have also heard good things about cold green cabbage leaves as well as using a tight bra.

katigox · November 2012

race-to-be:
Ben spent three weeks in the children's hospital, and while we were there we discovered that my milk has a fraction of the calories that it is supposed to.

Three weeks! That must have been so scary! They thought my LO might have had to spend an extra day in the hospital, while I went home (thank God his levels were just good enough that that wasn't the case - he just had to have labs done the next day at the pedi's office). But just the thought of it, sent tears to my eyes.

I can't imagine three weeks! I hope he's doing much, much better now

katigox · November 2012

Thank you ladies for the kind, supportive words!

So far, so good though - I've been skipping every other pumping (so down to pumping every six hours), and though my breasts are a little full, I can usually massage them and that's fine. I'm also taking some ibuprofen (just in case for the pain), and using cold compresses for any swelling. I might try the cabbage . . . if I can get over the idea of having cabbage attached to my boob.

katigox · November 2012

BandEddie:

I commend you for even making it a month (or even trying in the first place) with three! I agree that it's harder on us (way harder) than it ever is on them - my LO is an overeater and a comfort sucker, and there's no way I could keep up: now, he's at least satisfied and getting what he needs, versus both us tired and stressed. Gosh forbid he began falling behind bc I couldn't give him everything he needs.

As for how the weaning is going - I think it's reassuring me that there's not much in there at all. I think I'm on Day Three (first two weeks of motherhood totally wipes your brain of a sense of a time, haha) - and I am already down from pumping every three hours, for twenty minutes; to pumping for ten minutes, every twelve hours. I just have a slight discomfort that I can massage out, and the stuff that is coming out, is very watery (barely any white to it at all). It just tells me, that the decision I made was right - there was no way he was getting what he needed with that kind of milk.

There's guilt, and yeah, I cried some ugly tears myself that first day, but he's happy, and healthy, and that's all that matters! I agree, we got to take care of ourselves, or else we are no good for our babies ~ I found your words very reassuring, and thank you for reaching out to me

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