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February 2016 Moms
Topits
member
Problems pumping & Milk Allergy
Topits
member
Hello mamas! Two part question here about breast pumping and milk allergy. This week has been so draining, and need some support/advice.
1) LO is almost 6 weeks. This past week I started trying to pump (medela freestyle) so that my DH could take over a feeding once in a while so I could finally get some solid sleep. I was starting to get some sleep deprivation induced baby blues. 6 weeks of getting up every 3ish hours to breastfeed was taking a toll. No matter what I do, I cannot get any milk to come out while pumping! I've tried everything. Different size cups, different times a day, pumping while holding my LO... Everything! I know I have letdown, and I know there is milk bc I can put the LO on the same breast I try to pump and he BF like a champ. My LC said that sometimes certain people just can't pump, even if they can BF? Never heard of that. Anyone else just can't pump? I'm going to have to give up BF to return to work if I can't get the pump to work.
2) If pumping wasn't hard enough this week, LO started having blood/mucus in his stool, along with really painful gas and lots of crying after eating. Pediatrician diagnosed him with a cows milk allergy. So basically I have to stick to a strict no dairy, soy, or processed food diet if I want to keep breastfeeding. The dr gave me a special formula (alementum) to use if I wanted, but I'm having total mommy guilt (FTM here). I've made it 2 days with the diet change, but dairy/soy seems to be hiding in so many foods! Anyone successfully BF with a milk allergy? Or is it better for LO to just go to the special formula?
Sorry so long, just figured with the one two punch of pumping problems and milk problems this week, breastfeeding seems more daunting than ever. I'm thinking that a happy mom leads to a happy baby, which makes me lean towards starting the formula. Any stories of similar experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
1) LO is almost 6 weeks. This past week I started trying to pump (medela freestyle) so that my DH could take over a feeding once in a while so I could finally get some solid sleep. I was starting to get some sleep deprivation induced baby blues. 6 weeks of getting up every 3ish hours to breastfeed was taking a toll. No matter what I do, I cannot get any milk to come out while pumping! I've tried everything. Different size cups, different times a day, pumping while holding my LO... Everything! I know I have letdown, and I know there is milk bc I can put the LO on the same breast I try to pump and he BF like a champ. My LC said that sometimes certain people just can't pump, even if they can BF? Never heard of that. Anyone else just can't pump? I'm going to have to give up BF to return to work if I can't get the pump to work.
2) If pumping wasn't hard enough this week, LO started having blood/mucus in his stool, along with really painful gas and lots of crying after eating. Pediatrician diagnosed him with a cows milk allergy. So basically I have to stick to a strict no dairy, soy, or processed food diet if I want to keep breastfeeding. The dr gave me a special formula (alementum) to use if I wanted, but I'm having total mommy guilt (FTM here). I've made it 2 days with the diet change, but dairy/soy seems to be hiding in so many foods! Anyone successfully BF with a milk allergy? Or is it better for LO to just go to the special formula?
Sorry so long, just figured with the one two punch of pumping problems and milk problems this week, breastfeeding seems more daunting than ever. I'm thinking that a happy mom leads to a happy baby, which makes me lean towards starting the formula. Any stories of similar experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Re: Problems pumping & Milk Allergy
2) lots and lots of women BF with allergy babies. That doesn't mean you have to if you don't want to, though, because it certainly makes things more difficult. There used to be a MSPI checkin on the breastfeeding board you msy want to look for. Google "MSPI mom" and you'll find some resources there, too.
that's promising about the allergy, I'll look up the MSPI board now! Didn't know there was an official term for it, so thanks!!!
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2) my LO has dairy sensitivity. I've cut out 95% of dairy and he is not vomiting or having curdled milk spit up anymore and his gas has improved. I had a meal with dairy last week and kiddo was miserable for 24 hours afterward. So, clearly removing the diary has worked well, but it is hard. I'm looking at trying some Paleo recipes because they do not usually use dairy or soy products.
Good luck!
1) my husbands work sent us a random brand breast pump. After giving up on the medela pump, ironically I remembered that we had this random one in the closet. I tried it and it worked like a charm! Turns out the medela had a faulty motor, and when it was on full speed it was only barely pumping. (Didn't know it wasn't full speed, never had experience with pumping before). So if anyone has a pump problem, try out another brand if possible!
2) wish I had the same luck with his dairy/soy allergy but not so much. I was super strict and cut out all dairy, soy and processed foods for 2 weeks. I was doing really well and trying to stay positive, even though it was really hard. One day I think I had accidental dairy in my food from a restaurant, and for the next 12-36 hours LO was in so much pain. It was so frustrating knowing that I was hurting him. It's like a switch just flipped and his gas pains were back and he was screaming after each feeding. So I went out and bought the allumentum formula. I'm currently trying it out for 3 days to see if it makes a difference, while pumping to keep my supply just in case.
personally I have had so much mom guilt with this decision. I was so frustrated at myself and felt like such a failure. But at the end of the day, even with trying so hard to cut out dairy/soy, I don't want to be hurting him. DH is trying to cheer me up with knowing that I tried everything, and if formula helps him, then a happy baby is worth it. But so many tears and stress about it. FTM here, so learning to deal with the punches! (Also had an emergency c section)
@Charlottesmotherseven @ashleyandjody @22snc12 @SgtLou2so glad to read your responses. Thanks so much, glad I'm not alone. Good luck with your situations and keep me posted on how everything goes.