June 2016 Moms
cdmkruger
member
Struggling with low supply
cdmkruger
member
Im really struggling with low supply and feel PPD lurking. My daughter wasnt gaining weight and doc decided it was time to supplement. I tried feeding on demand for weeks and different things like pumping to boost my supply. Now im stuck with supplementing 3oz after every feeding and im really struggling. The nights do me in the worst. My daughter started falling asleep after i breast fed her at night so i assumed she was full. But she wakes up more frequently and i end up falling asleep feeding her in our bed. Then my hubby gets furious that shes in our bed asleep. I dont rememver the nights anymore between breast feeding for 20 min then bottle feeding for 15 then rocking her till shes asleep enough to go into her crib. I love breast feeding her during the day but all the stress it has put on me is hard. Doc thinks i should take it down to 3 times a day breast feeding but i feel i will loose all of the supply i have if i do that. I never thought i may have a low supply. She gets horrible tummy aches with formula- even the sensitive brands. It kills me inside to see her so uncomfortable. I dont want to give up but part of me feels like i need to focus on my mental health too. Shes always going to be fed. I just wish i could continue to keep that bond
Re: Struggling with low supply
Check out an LC or a local le leche league and good luck!
I finally understand the need for at least 12 weeks of maternity leave (preferably longer) because this is hard!! The sheer amount of time a day spent trying to feed these babies is mind boggling. And if you have a baby who isn't seeming to get enough, it feels like all you are doing is feeding and that is EXHAUSTING! It can create such anger and hostility towards the baby because it is just so damn frustrating (at least that is my personal response to the stress. I would get mad when she was hungry again even when SHE JUST FINISHED EATING 20 MINUTES AGO!)
You are completely supported here. If you want to switch to formula, go girl. Your baby will do great on it. Hopefully you can find one that her tummy likes. Some of the other posters have talked about having luck mixing formula with breast milk and babies having reduced tummy troubles. Or trying many different formulas until they find the one that works best for baby.
It is so important to know that you have tons of choices and you get to pick which one works for you and your family. As long you are making an informed decision and you and baby are happy and healthy, no one else is allowed to give a damn.
With DS2, we got a perfect latch right away and I fed him day and night as much as I could the first few days. He didn't lose as much weight as my oldest did, but his jaundice was worse so we had to supplement. I cried. We're still using the SNS, but it's getting close to being done I think. He's getting mad at my boob for not letting down fast enough and wanting more formula when he's done. I'm on domperidone again and I think I'm producing more milk than I did last time. But I'm grieving because I know quiting the tube and switching fully to bottles is the beginning of the end for our nursing relationship. I absolutely love nursing a and I hoped so much I would produce enough this time. But I didn't, more but still not enough. I tell myself it's not my fault, but it hurts. I don't think I'll ever feel good about it, but I can be happy that my baby is healthy and gaining what he needs. I'm making the best decisions I can to keep him healthy and that is something to feel good about.
Check out le leche league on line. I know Illinois has one. They might be able to help by just taking to you. Also Kellymom.com is an amazing website. And if the hospital is so adament you stick with BF, tell them you need a referral to someone who can help. Shaking my head at a hospital who would give a FTM (or any mom) no support other than "keep doing what you know in your heart isn't working well for you and your baby."
Second, I was in the same boat. Low supply, bad latch and getting frustrated and on the verge of ppd. Once I switched 100% to bottle, I was less stressed and she was less angry. We still do skin to skin during some feedings so we continue to bond, and I'm trying to start relactation but this time it's on my terms so I don't stress out. Do what's best for you and baby, not what they tell you what's best
We called another lactation consultant (#3) who diagnosed her with a posterior tongue tie and high/bubble palate. While DD's latch looked great from the outside, her tongue wasn't moving properly and she wasn't efficiently transferring milk. The LC believed that because she wasn't removing much milk, my body had stopped making enough. She also suspected a mild case of Mammary Hypoplasia for me which only made everything worse since my body doesn't have as many mature milk ducts as it should.
DD's tongue tie was revised and she's latching properly but my supply is still low 2 weeks post revision. I'm taking supplements to try to trick my body into making more milk or glandular tissue, pumping after every nursing session to send the message that need more milk and having her nurse every feeding to keep up stimulation but thus far, Im stuck at about 0.5 oz/hour which just isn't enough. It's a pain to have to breast and bottle feed but every oz of breastmilk is an ounce less of formula and an oz of antibodies and the other stuff that we still can't replicate in formula which makes it worth it to me.
I say all this to let you know that you aren't alone, you aren't the only one struggling. Do what is best for YOU. If that means cutting down to 3 nursing sessions per day for your own sanity, then so be it. You need to be feeling good for your baby to flourish. Creepy internet stranger hugs coming your way.
That's so hard. DS had lip and tongue tie and it cause reflux, gas, and oversupply for me. It's been 3 weeks and only the past few days have I noticed my supply start to regulate better and I can feel his latch is finally starting to improve. I can actually feel his tongue is moving in a wave-like motion rather than the come hither motion it was before. He also had the posterior tongue tie and bubble palette.
Dammit bump lemme finish:
If you really want to BF then take comfort in knowing that even a little gives LO a lot of the goodness that breastfed babies get. No shame in mixing it with formula of you have to. Baby has to eat right? I know mom guilt is so real for so many things and BF is a big one but remember there are tons of moms who say they felt terrible when they had to supplement but then once they realized it's not their fault, they say it was the best option for them.
As far as restarting, a lot of that depends on the baby and if your milk has dried up or not.
Please remember that FED is best!! What your baby needs most is love and to be fed. Focus on your mental health because you being depressed isn't going to help either of you. Some aspects of PPD are unavoidable, but if you can try to stop it I definitely would.
As PP said, BFing is a small part of your bond with your child. Go ahead and supplement and don't feel guilty about it for one second! If you're missing the time, do skin to skin after or during each feeding.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Baby #2 Due 3/7/20
Link https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html
Good luck mama. And keep us posted.