I did a dumb thing. I should have listened to my gut. DH didn't think changing my diet had any effect and the research agrees so I had cake after LO's baptism. Ok, it was 2 pieces. Since then, we've had 2 terrible nights due to her screaming every time she needs to fart, terrible reflux and generally being pissed off. Her stool turned greenish color with what looks like curdled milk in it.
At our 2 month appt today, I had a breakdown. I'm so tired. We were switched to Prevacid instead of Zantac and if that doesn't work I can choose between a colicky baby, switching to milk protein sensitive formula, or trying a total elimination diet. I'm not sure which is worse.
I have been in tears all morning. I can't f-ing feed my baby. I can't sleep. The only good thing was some validation that even EBF babies should be sleeping more than 2-3 hours at 2 months. She has coo'd exactly 3 times, never laughed and doesn't smile every day. She cried more trying to pass gas at 4 am than she did after shots. I can't even read to her because she just cries. We don't do much tummy time because she cries. I can't comfort her most of the time and I now just let her scream for 5-10 minutes or until she's exhausted enough to be rocked. I slept through 2 of her wakings last night, for crying out loud. What kind of mom does that? The monitor is right next to my head. W 1 good day followed by 4 bad ones and I feel like a rotten mother.
Sorry for the vent. I can't admit any of this to my friends or family.
Yellow/ green curd - like "seedy" is normal breastmilk poop....
I did a dumb thing. I should have listened to my gut. DH didn't think changing my diet had any effect and the research agrees so I had cake after LO's baptism. Ok, it was 2 pieces. Since then, we've had 2 terrible nights due to her screaming every time she needs to fart, terrible reflux and generally being pissed off. Her stool turned greenish color with what looks like curdled milk in it.
At our 2 month appt today, I had a breakdown. I'm so tired. We were switched to Prevacid instead of Zantac and if that doesn't work I can choose between a colicky baby, switching to milk protein sensitive formula, or trying a total elimination diet. I'm not sure which is worse.
I have been in tears all morning. I can't f-ing feed my baby. I can't sleep. The only good thing was some validation that even EBF babies should be sleeping more than 2-3 hours at 2 months. She has coo'd exactly 3 times, never laughed and doesn't smile every day. She cried more trying to pass gas at 4 am than she did after shots. I can't even read to her because she just cries. We don't do much tummy time because she cries. I can't comfort her most of the time and I now just let her scream for 5-10 minutes or until she's exhausted enough to be rocked. I slept through 2 of her wakings last night, for crying out loud. What kind of mom does that? The monitor is right next to my head. W 1 good day followed by 4 bad ones and I feel like a rotten mother.
Sorry for the vent. I can't admit any of this to my friends or family.
Yellow/ green curd - like "seedy" is normal breastmilk poop....
First breathe.. Second, babies can pick up on your energy, please just be positive, hold your baby, do skin to skin, trust me babies need their mom to be strong, you are all they have .. Try being positive around her , even when you are exhausted .. They can feel your energy
anyone elses foremilk vs hindmilk look different? my hindmilk is white opaque, looks like skim milk. and my foremilk is more transparent, looks like water mixed with a teeny bit of milk.
anyone elses foremilk vs hindmilk look different? my hindmilk is white opaque, looks like skim milk. and my foremilk is more transparent, looks like water mixed with a teeny bit of milk.
Yes, that is what it should look like... Completely normal
First breathe.. Second, babies can pick up on your energy, please just be positive, hold your baby, do skin to skin, trust me babies need their mom to be strong, you are all they have .. Try being positive around her , even when you are exhausted .. They can feel your energy
I was going to ignore this but this isn't helpful. At all. I have a happy, well adjusted 2 year old, so I've done the normal baby routine. What we're going through is not normal so if your LO sleeps 5+ hours or is happy for more than 15 min a day, you have no idea what my family is dealing with. I have cried more in the last 6 weeks than in the last 6 years. I have had to walk away from this baby more in 1 week than the entire infant period with DS. Don't tell me to just be positive. I've tried skin to skin, baby wearing, cuddling and none of it makes a difference. I'm so far past "just be positive" it doesn't f-ing matter. I slept through her cries twice with the monitor next to my head. Not on purpose. I don't even have a good mommy reflex anymore. And that scares the shit out of me. Being positive as a solution flew out the window weeks ago.
And don't tell me her behavior is normal and she just needs time to grow out of it. My pediatrician doesn't think so and she has a medical degree and did her residency at Children's Mercy.
ETA I have enough mom guilt that telling me to be strong and I'm all she has makes me feel worse. I know that. DH and the grandparents are happy to give me a break for an hour and then can't wait to give her back.
First breathe.. Second, babies can pick up on your energy, please just be positive, hold your baby, do skin to skin, trust me babies need their mom to be strong, you are all they have .. Try being positive around her , even when you are exhausted .. They can feel your energy
I was going to ignore this but this isn't helpful. At all. I have a happy, well adjusted 2 year old, so I've done the normal baby routine. What we're going through is not normal so if your LO sleeps 5+ hours or is happy for more than 15 min a day, you have no idea what my family is dealing with. I have cried more in the last 6 weeks than in the last 6 years. I have had to walk away from this baby more in 1 week than the entire infant period with DS. Don't tell me to just be positive. I've tried skin to skin, baby wearing, cuddling and none of it makes a difference. I'm so far past "just be positive" it doesn't f-ing matter. I slept through her cries twice with the monitor next to my head. Not on purpose. I don't even have a good mommy reflex anymore. And that scares the shit out of me. Being positive as a solution flew out the window weeks ago.
And don't tell me her behavior is normal and she just needs time to grow out of it. My pediatrician doesn't think so and she has a medical degree and did her residency at Children's Mercy.
ETA I have enough mom guilt that telling me to be strong and I'm all she has makes me feel worse. I know that. DH and the grandparents are happy to give me a break for an hour and then can't wait to give her back.
It sounds like you've tried a number of things to no avail. And It definitely sounds like you have an exceptionally challenging baby. However, I also think talking with your own doctor about your emotions is warranted at this point.
For all the ladies who feel like, "Breastfeeding will help you loose the baby weight!" was a myth. This article is for you. I think it's pretty spot on for me. I didn't shed the final baby weight from my son until he was 10 months old, which is when I stopped breastfeeding.
I did a dumb thing. I should have listened to my gut. DH didn't think changing my diet had any effect and the research agrees so I had cake after LO's baptism. Ok, it was 2 pieces. Since then, we've had 2 terrible nights due to her screaming every time she needs to fart, terrible reflux and generally being pissed off. Her stool turned greenish color with what looks like curdled milk in it.
At our 2 month appt today, I had a breakdown. I'm so tired. We were switched to Prevacid instead of Zantac and if that doesn't work I can choose between a colicky baby, switching to milk protein sensitive formula, or trying a total elimination diet. I'm not sure which is worse.
I have been in tears all morning. I can't f-ing feed my baby. I can't sleep. The only good thing was some validation that even EBF babies should be sleeping more than 2-3 hours at 2 months. She has coo'd exactly 3 times, never laughed and doesn't smile every day. She cried more trying to pass gas at 4 am than she did after shots. I can't even read to her because she just cries. We don't do much tummy time because she cries. I can't comfort her most of the time and I now just let her scream for 5-10 minutes or until she's exhausted enough to be rocked. I slept through 2 of her wakings last night, for crying out loud. What kind of mom does that? The monitor is right next to my head. W 1 good day followed by 4 bad ones and I feel like a rotten mother.
Sorry for the vent. I can't admit any of this to my friends or family.
Yellow/ green curd - like "seedy" is normal breastmilk poop....
First breathe.. Second, babies can pick up on your energy, please just be positive, hold your baby, do skin to skin, trust me babies need their mom to be strong, you are all they have .. Try being positive around her , even when you are exhausted .. They can feel your energy
I understand the sentiment here, but I need to say...my husband says this to me ALL THE TIME and it DRIVES ME UP A WALL. Thanks, person who shows up and takes the devil child for ONE HOUR A DAY when you get home from work. Meanwhile I've been dealing with a screaming baby for 8 weeks, mostly alone. Yesterday she was awake from 2pm to 10pm, screaming every second she wasn't eating. When I was told to "stay positive" after a failed bassinet transfer at 8, which was already one hour into the bedtime process (that eventually took 3) I almost asked for a divorce.
Hugs, @sammyk. We also have reflux and started Zantac Tuesday. I also cut dairy. My LO doesn't sound quite as bad as yours, but I feel you. It stinks. I'm told it gets better? I hope that's true.
@dancegurl1118 sorry to hear about yet another plugged duct. How much lecithin are you taking? After DS1 I kept having recurring plugged ducts and have had to take lecithin everyday to keep it from happening. I also didn't wear bras for a long while.
@sammy k I totally feel for you. Sounds like you're at your wits end doing the best you can. So there's this nursing tea I drink that helps with production and it claims to alleviate gas and tummy problems in both mom and baby. It may be a long shot but could be worth trying? I've only seen how it works with producing more milk but my LO doesn't have tummy troubles so I'm not sure how it works in that department. It's called Herb Lore Nursing Tea and I got a 5oz bag for $16 off Amazon. They also have a tincture which is more concentrated but kinda expensive.
First breathe.. Second, babies can pick up on your energy, please just be positive, hold your baby, do skin to skin, trust me babies need their mom to be strong, you are all they have .. Try being positive around her , even when you are exhausted .. They can feel your energy
I was going to ignore this but this isn't helpful. At all. I have a happy, well adjusted 2 year old, so I've done the normal baby routine. What we're going through is not normal so if your LO sleeps 5+ hours or is happy for more than 15 min a day, you have no idea what my family is dealing with. I have cried more in the last 6 weeks than in the last 6 years. I have had to walk away from this baby more in 1 week than the entire infant period with DS. Don't tell me to just be positive. I've tried skin to skin, baby wearing, cuddling and none of it makes a difference. I'm so far past "just be positive" it doesn't f-ing matter. I slept through her cries twice with the monitor next to my head. Not on purpose. I don't even have a good mommy reflex anymore. And that scares the shit out of me. Being positive as a solution flew out the window weeks ago.
And don't tell me her behavior is normal and she just needs time to grow out of it. My pediatrician doesn't think so and she has a medical degree and did her residency at Children's Mercy.
ETA I have enough mom guilt that telling me to be strong and I'm all she has makes me feel worse. I know that. DH and the grandparents are happy to give me a break for an hour and then can't wait to give her back.
I did not mean for it to come off as unsupportive, I'm sorry... Just giving some encouragement to be strong, you are doing a great job, I'm sorry you are having a tough time
ETA - I was not discounting your ped I simply meant this will pass eventually no matter what
LO still is refusing more than 2oz from a bottle (which she chokes the entire time she takes it). After that just refuses by screaming, arching, and pushing away. We've tried all types of bottles. We've tried my husband, me, me next to my husband calming her...nothing. I'm freaking out because I go back to work soon. Not to mention I've had to dump 20+ oz of wasted milk we've heated up and have to toss when she refuses. Ever since this damn mouth tie revision...I really don't know what to do.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
LO still is refusing more than 2oz from a bottle (which she chokes the entire time she takes it). After that just refuses by screaming, arching, and pushing away. We've tried all types of bottles. We've tried my husband, me, me next to my husband calming her...nothing. I'm freaking out because I go back to work soon. Not to mention I've had to dump 20+ oz of wasted milk we've heated up and have to toss when she refuses. Ever since this damn mouth tie revision...I really don't know what to do.
Is she 100% healed already? If not, maybe once she is she'll be more comfortable? Hope so... Keeping her in my thoughts
My little social butterfly has gotten to be so funny while she's eating! Over the last few days, after her initial "OMG FOOD" reaction to when it's time to eat, she'll look up at me and actually come off the boob to smile and talk to me. Then she'll go back to eating and the rest of the feeding session will just alternate between eating and socializing.
I really hope this continues. It's made me enjoy breastfeeding so much more than I had been!
@dancegurl1118 my lo doesn't have any tie but she took the bottle a few times at 2/3 weeks old and hasn't taken one since, now at 9 weeks were still trying and nothing... I also will be going back to work in sept probably only 1-2 days but she has to eat somehow ! Hope you find something that works and if you do let me know!
@dancegurl1118 my lo doesn't have any tie but she took the bottle a few times at 2/3 weeks old and hasn't taken one since, now at 9 weeks were still trying and nothing... I also will be going back to work in sept probably only 1-2 days but she has to eat somehow ! Hope you find something that works and if you do let me know!
I kinda wonder if it's not tongue tie related. We had our LOs tie cut and she was healed and eating by the end of the same day. Certainly not weeks, which it has been for you, right @dancegurl1118? Have you tried different nipples or different flows?
@hoodoll82 her breastfeeding has gotten much better. She just refuses a bottle and chews a pacifier now, both which she sucked with no problem before. She took a bottle the day after the revision, and since then...nothing. We tried 3 other kinds and she's using the slowest flow. It's healed. She refuses me to touch her mouth though so I think it might be something related to the pain I caused her. Ughhhh so much stress and so many tears. I'm trying now to just feed her 1oz and then the boob at every feeding. Basically the most annoying thing possible but...such is life. As if I didn't need to question my choice more.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
wondering if anyone else has experienced this before: my LO is breastfed with the occasional bottle of pumped milk once every week or two, ive noticed lately one day my boobs will be full and engorged then the next day they'll be squishy and not full feeling at all. and i dont know whats causing it, they were the same day to day last week. but i have no idea what theyre doing now, on the squishy days LO will not nap for a long period at all and on the full days he will get a good 2 hour nap in at some point. but idk what to do about it. i dont think my diet has changed any, and my LO doesnt use me as a pacifier.
^^^ yes, me too. The only thing I can think of is that I must have eaten more galactogenic foods and drank more water on the days before the engorgement and less before the "flatter " days.
Also, to those of you having really hard times, sending you big Internet hugs. My lo is not difficult so I won't try to know how you feel. The only thing I will offer is maybe investigate cranial sacral therapy as an option. Google it, but it's basically a gentle massage and manipulation of the body. I took my lo early on to help with breastfeeding and because she would only look over one shoulder and not turn her head the other way. This therapy was amazing. She can now turn her head freely and she's also just more happy. She relaxed so much it was visible. It also reduced the frequency of her hiccups. Just make sure to find a practitioner who has experience with newborns. I'm thinking of you mommas!
@dancegurl1118 do you have a picture of your lo lip tie before the clip? I don't seem to have any breastfeeding problems but think she might have a lip tie, or maybe all babies mouths look like that, I don't know.
@dancegurl1118 Have you tried a faster nipple? Maybe she's getting milk from the breast a lot faster now that the tie is fixed and the bottle is just frustrating. Could you also try giving her a dose of Tylenol and then trying the bottle like an hour later, in case her mouth still hurts a bit?
@chardeemacdennis she doesn't even try half the time she just freaks out and arches away from it. She sputters and chokes with the slow flow because she's not latching on the bottle so I definitely can't go to the faster nipple! I have a feeling my flow is very slow I've never sprayed or anything when I let down and I almost never leak...I think she's just annoyed with me and is like "ummm why would I drink this crappy bottle if your boob is right there and I feel all cozy when I breastfeed? Get real lady".
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
@dancegurl1118 Seems that hers is the same but I can move her lip up. Just makes me wonder because sometimes I have random pain while she's eating but it's not thrush, clogged duct, or mastitis. I need to look at another babies mouth! I think she's the same with the bottle.. Took it a few times and then stopped all of a sudden. I was gone 2 times when she was hungry and my fiancé tried the bottle but nope.. She would rather wait for me to get home I guess
@dancegurl1118 I'm sorry your LO is having such a rough time! Ugh I wish I had words of advice, except I hope this passes SOON! When do you go back to work ??
First breathe.. Second, babies can pick up on your energy, please just be positive, hold your baby, do skin to skin, trust me babies need their mom to be strong, you are all they have .. Try being positive around her , even when you are exhausted .. They can feel your energy
I was going to ignore this but this isn't helpful. At all. I have a happy, well adjusted 2 year old, so I've done the normal baby routine. What we're going through is not normal so if your LO sleeps 5+ hours or is happy for more than 15 min a day, you have no idea what my family is dealing with. I have cried more in the last 6 weeks than in the last 6 years. I have had to walk away from this baby more in 1 week than the entire infant period with DS. Don't tell me to just be positive. I've tried skin to skin, baby wearing, cuddling and none of it makes a difference. I'm so far past "just be positive" it doesn't f-ing matter. I slept through her cries twice with the monitor next to my head. Not on purpose. I don't even have a good mommy reflex anymore. And that scares the shit out of me. Being positive as a solution flew out the window weeks ago.
And don't tell me her behavior is normal and she just needs time to grow out of it. My pediatrician doesn't think so and she has a medical degree and did her residency at Children's Mercy.
ETA I have enough mom guilt that telling me to be strong and I'm all she has makes me feel worse. I know that. DH and the grandparents are happy to give me a break for an hour and then can't wait to give her back.
It sounds like you've tried a number of things to no avail. And It definitely sounds like you have an exceptionally challenging baby. However, I also think talking with your own doctor about your emotions is warranted at this point.
Yes, I wanted to say this but being my previous post was taken the wrong way and I genuinely apologize for that.. But I think you should speak to your doc about the stress you are going through. Tell them exactly what you said on these posts.. If anything you could get a bit of help during this difficult time. Good luck
So, breastfeeding didn't work out for my LO and I. Frankly, the nurse in the hospital basically pushed formula on me instead of working to fix the problem (he was tired all the time and wouldn't stay up to feed, amongst other factors such as my controlling need to know how much LO was eating). Any who, I have been exclusively pumping which has been going very well for me. I rarely have to supplement with formula which I only give him when we are out and about for convenience.
I go back to work in about a month and don't plan on pumping at work. A few people, including my OB and pedi suggested pumping in the morning and night to still be able to give LO breast milk without the hassle of pumping throughout the day.
That all sounds good, in theory. I thought I would try to reduce pumps now to prepare for cutting down to only 2 pumps, thinking it would make life easier. I usually pump every 4 hours so I stretched it to 6. Initially my supply was great. I pumped enough to give LO 2 bottles and never really had to supplement, but then my supply dropped terribly. From 8 oz to 2 oz, tops. I thought I was ready to wean off the pump, but all of these hormones had me immediately change my mind and regret my choice. The thought of not doing it made me feel like less of a mom, from some crazy reason, although I know it's absurd. I actually cried.
Now I'm sitting here, power pumping, drinking gallons of water, and my lactation smoothie praying that I haven't totally messed everything up. How will pumping 2 times a day ever work?
@kendalrw you poor thing! I hate making those choices. I hope you're not chained to the pump for too long!
Thanks! I spent most of my days cursing the pump and wishing I didn't have to, but then the chance comes and I just can't do it. Maybe I'll figure it out of of these days! (:
So LO only took one breast last night. I woke up at six to a huge throbbing boob. I couldn't take it anymore I had to grab her for a dream feed. I even managed to get her to go back down in her crib! Success!!
Another big win for me was that she only had 1 1/2 oz of formula right before bed yesterday so my supply is finally up to where it should be! All my lactation smoothies, extra water and nut consumption have been working. Yay!!
I secretly like giving her formula before bed. She sleeps for longer periods of time. I hold no guilt over that at all.
I haven't been reading this thread because selfishly, your ladies' advice had gotten me into a good place with feeding my babe. I just got caught up on the last several pages.
@dancegurl1118 and @Sammy K I'm so sorry for the stresses you're going through. Sounds beyond difficult, and I admire the perseverance you both have in finding solutions for your babies. Sammy K, especially, I don't think your "good mama" responses are gone at all. If so, you would have given up. It sounds like you were dealt a super difficult hand, and have a tough road. I will be thinking of you and hoping you find a solution that brings LO comfort and you, peace. Sending big creepy Internet hugs
@lovethatcolosun That's awesome! I'm jealous of you ladies that can dream feed.
First, thank you for all of the support. I do really appreciate it. And @HayesRN13 I apologize. I over reacted, I was just in a really bad mindset.
So on the reflux side, we're still waiting for the Prilosec to kick in. It takes 3-4 days and we're on day 4. On the GI end, I think the elimination diet is making a difference. DH has noticed a huge difference too, and said she even pooped this morning without screaming. She still had painful gas last night, so I'm going to give it another day or 2 before reintroducing foods. We're getting more probiotics, too. We had stopped for a while.
With all of this change, she has been much happier. Yesterday she started "talking" and we hadn't really had any non-angry sounds from her. She's smiling and playing more, too. She's been sleeping 4-5 hours for the first stretch at night, which is a big improvement. I still wish it were a bit longer or that the second and third feedings were a little longer, but it's improvement and I'll take it.
This diet is so boring I've been dreaming about food and it's only been 4 days! The up side is I have lost weight, my supply is good and I've learned I really like lamb. The down side is I miss food. And coffee.
@lovethatcolosun That's awesome! I'm jealous of you ladies that can dream feed.
First, thank you for all of the support. I do really appreciate it. And @HayesRN13 I apologize. I over reacted, I was just in a really bad mindset.
So on the reflux side, we're still waiting for the Prilosec to kick in. It takes 3-4 days and we're on day 4. On the GI end, I think the elimination diet is making a difference. DH has noticed a huge difference too, and said she even pooped this morning without screaming. She still had painful gas last night, so I'm going to give it another day or 2 before reintroducing foods. We're getting more probiotics, too. We had stopped for a while.
With all of this change, she has been much happier. Yesterday she started "talking" and we hadn't really had any non-angry sounds from her. She's smiling and playing more, too. She's been sleeping 4-5 hours for the first stretch at night, which is a big improvement. I still wish it were a bit longer or that the second and third feedings were a little longer, but it's improvement and I'll take it.
This diet is so boring I've been dreaming about food and it's only been 4 days! The up side is I have lost weight, my supply is good and I've learned I really like lamb. The down side is I miss food. And coffee.
That's great you are seeing improvement! Did your doc say why Prilosec over Zantac? I don't really know the difference and I'm curious (we are on Zantac).
I'm glad things are starting to get better, @sammy k!
Anyone else have a LO who is working on finding his or her hands, and keeps trying to suck on their fists during feeding sessions? Mine is and this is causing a lot of frustration during otherwise enjoyable mealtimes.
@hoodoll82 I'm not 100% sure, but I know they work in different ways. The Zantac is more immediate and the Prilosec has to build up in their system. It seems Zantac is the first option and the Prilosec is a stronger treatment, for lack of a better description.
Just a footnote, there must not be a generic version of Prilosec because 1 month cost $40 with insurance and Zantac was $7.
Re: Feeding your LO...tips, concerns, complaints, and accomplishments! 8/3-8/9
And don't tell me her behavior is normal and she just needs time to grow out of it. My pediatrician doesn't think so and she has a medical degree and did her residency at Children's Mercy.
ETA I have enough mom guilt that telling me to be strong and I'm all she has makes me feel worse. I know that. DH and the grandparents are happy to give me a break for an hour and then can't wait to give her back.
https://www.popsugar.com/moms/How-Breastfeeding-Can-Make-You-Gain-Weight-37837572
Hugs, @sammyk. We also have reflux and started Zantac Tuesday. I also cut dairy. My LO doesn't sound quite as bad as yours, but I feel you. It stinks. I'm told it gets better? I hope that's true.
@sammy k I totally feel for you. Sounds like you're at your wits end doing the best you can. So there's this nursing tea I drink that helps with production and it claims to alleviate gas and tummy problems in both mom and baby. It may be a long shot but could be worth trying? I've only seen how it works with producing more milk but my LO doesn't have tummy troubles so I'm not sure how it works in that department. It's called Herb Lore Nursing Tea and I got a 5oz bag for $16 off Amazon. They also have a tincture which is more concentrated but kinda expensive.
ETA - I was not discounting your ped I simply meant this will pass eventually no matter what
Is she 100% healed already? If not, maybe once she is she'll be more comfortable? Hope so... Keeping her in my thoughts
I really hope this continues. It's made me enjoy breastfeeding so much more than I had been!
my LO is breastfed with the occasional bottle of pumped milk once every week or two, ive noticed lately one day my boobs will be full and engorged then the next day they'll be squishy and not full feeling at all. and i dont know whats causing it, they were the same day to day last week. but i have no idea what theyre doing now, on the squishy days LO will not nap for a long period at all and on the full days he will get a good 2 hour nap in at some point. but idk what to do about it. i dont think my diet has changed any, and my LO doesnt use me as a pacifier.
Did my make up and even had time to blow dry my hair!
I go back to work in about a month and don't plan on pumping at work. A few people, including my OB and pedi suggested pumping in the morning and night to still be able to give LO breast milk without the hassle of pumping throughout the day.
That all sounds good, in theory. I thought I would try to reduce pumps now to prepare for cutting down to only 2 pumps, thinking it would make life easier. I usually pump every 4 hours so I stretched it to 6. Initially my supply was great. I pumped enough to give LO 2 bottles and never really had to supplement, but then my supply dropped terribly. From 8 oz to 2 oz, tops. I thought I was ready to wean off the pump, but all of these hormones had me immediately change my mind and regret my choice. The thought of not doing it made me feel like less of a mom, from some crazy reason, although I know it's absurd. I actually cried.
Now I'm sitting here, power pumping, drinking gallons of water, and my lactation smoothie praying that I haven't totally messed everything up. How will pumping 2 times a day ever work?
The joy of motherhood.
Another big win for me was that she only had 1 1/2 oz of formula right before bed yesterday so my supply is finally up to where it should be! All my lactation smoothies, extra water and nut consumption have been working. Yay!!
I secretly like giving her formula before bed. She sleeps for longer periods of time. I hold no guilt over that at all.
@dancegurl1118 and @Sammy K I'm so sorry for the stresses you're going through. Sounds beyond difficult, and I admire the perseverance you both have in finding solutions for your babies. Sammy K, especially, I don't think your "good mama" responses are gone at all. If so, you would have given up. It sounds like you were dealt a super difficult hand, and have a tough road. I will be thinking of you and hoping you find a solution that brings LO comfort and you, peace. Sending big creepy Internet hugs
First, thank you for all of the support. I do really appreciate it. And @HayesRN13 I apologize. I over reacted, I was just in a really bad mindset.
So on the reflux side, we're still waiting for the Prilosec to kick in. It takes 3-4 days and we're on day 4. On the GI end, I think the elimination diet is making a difference. DH has noticed a huge difference too, and said she even pooped this morning without screaming. She still had painful gas last night, so I'm going to give it another day or 2 before reintroducing foods. We're getting more probiotics, too. We had stopped for a while.
With all of this change, she has been much happier. Yesterday she started "talking" and we hadn't really had any non-angry sounds from her. She's smiling and playing more, too. She's been sleeping 4-5 hours for the first stretch at night, which is a big improvement. I still wish it were a bit longer or that the second and third feedings were a little longer, but it's improvement and I'll take it.
This diet is so boring I've been dreaming about food and it's only been 4 days! The up side is I have lost weight, my supply is good and I've learned I really like lamb. The down side is I miss food. And coffee.
Anyone else have a LO who is working on finding his or her hands, and keeps trying to suck on their fists during feeding sessions? Mine is and this is causing a lot of frustration during otherwise enjoyable mealtimes.
Just a footnote, there must not be a generic version of Prilosec because 1 month cost $40 with insurance and Zantac was $7.