The Breastfeeding Blog Hop is a weekly hop dedicated to exploring the many facets of breastfeeding. Over the past year we have grown a great group of bloggers from all walks of life, each with vastly different experiences who have been supportive of each other in their nursing journey in more way that you can imagine.
We would love it if you would link to us in your posts and commenting really keeps the community going, so show some love! If you are tweeting about the hop, the hashtag #BFBlogHop will make you easy to find.
This hop is hosted by Erin- The Slacker Mom
and co-hosted by Mariah of Happiness Redefined and Lori from The Gnome’s Mom.
We were lucky enough to not endure too many bumps along the way. That being said however, we did have a struggle or two.
When she was born, she latched great right away and made it very clear that she loved to nurse! It helped her sleep, calmed her down, it was a fix all. I was worried about my supply though. Maybe I was naive, probably so, but I didn’t realize my milk didn’t come in until day 6. I thought I just hadn’t noticed it. We had to keep going back to the doctor every day or every other day because she had lost so much weight. She lost over a pound by day 4, and they weren’t happy with that. I couldn’t figure out why, she was eating all of the time! I was exhausted because I felt like that was all we ever did…nurse nurse nurse!!! Don’t get me wrong, I loved being able to just sit and hold her, but I started to wonder if I was doing something wrong.
The doctor suggested I supplement with formula. This brought so many tears for me! She didn’t like it, didn’t want it, and would cry to latch back on to me. I was pumping so often also, but not getting much. I felt so inadequate! I mean, seriously, how can I be a super mom to my little girl if I can’t even make enough to feed her. What was wrong with me???? I sought help because I didn’t want her to end up on formula. I was told by her doctor, feed her, pump, give that to her, then offer her formula, so that was what we did. By the time we were done with all of that, it was practically time to start all over again. I saw a lactation consultant, had the public health nurse come out, everything I could think of. I went to my first La Leche League meeting. I definitely felt like I had the support but felt like the LLL was kind of clique like. I only went that one time, she was maybe 5 weeks old at this time.
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| One of my favorite moments ever! |
Each time I had to hold that bottle of formula to her lips, I bawled. Seriously bawled…..I mean, uncontrollable tears. It was so horrible! I decided to go back to LLL. My initial judgement may have been off, after all, these moms knew each other, so of course I wouldn’t feel right at home the first time. I kept going to every meeting. I realized that I was doing alright. I adjusted to giving her formula every so often but normally, she didn’t take it. I learned that she simply used me as a nook. She was gaining weight, just not as quickly as the doctor liked, but there wasn’t much I could do about that, after all, she ate, seemed full and interacted. She was growing and developing just great, so I finally quit worrying about it.
She is now 17 months old and she still likes to use me as her comfort object. She doesn’t nurse for nutrition anymore, that I am sure of. I’m pregnant and at that point where I am not producing much milk. She can go to sleep without me, but doesn’t enjoy it as much.
For awhile, she was starting to bite as she would fall asleep, but never on purpose. I starting unlatching her just before she fell asleep and we haven’t had this problem. I know we are lucky, but then again, she didn’t get her first tooth until her first birthday.
Now I am that mom at the LLL meetings that has all of the friends there. I am grateful for those women, because without them, I may have not made it.
I will rewrite this post next year, because the new baby will be here and I’m sure we will have our own set of struggles.
What have been your breastfeeding road bumps? Please share with us!
Did you ever try the tea Mother’s Milk? I was a little low too and I drank that twice a day and my boobs exploded!! It was a VERY rough start for me too, but I didn’t quit … article is linked above 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
I didn’t try the tea. I took the Fenugreek, but didn’t really notice a difference.
I’m pregnant, too! My supply dropped around the 16th week and my son night weaned on his own. No milk=no reason to get up! :)He’s still nursing, but barely. I hope every thing goes smoothly with your next little one!
Yay for more pregnant mommies 🙂 My milk lasted a little longer than that, but not much. I think it’s starting to come back now, I’m seeing some little bubbles in the corner of her mouth. She hasn’t taken the lack of milk as a sign, but she sure did express her frustration with me about it.
Thanks, I hope so too, and I hope your pregnancy goes great too!
I had similar issues with my son soon after he was born. All we can do is learn for the next baby, right? Good luck with your new sweet baby!
I agree, I feel like I know what I’m doing this time around, and know I have more support right away this time. I’m sure this baby will bring a whole new set of bumps in the road for me to learn from 🙂
i have a 7 month old and was never able to breastfeed because of medications i was on, it literally tore me up and i still cant get over the fact that i wasnt able to breastfeed. my next child will be though!
I’m so sorry that happened! I remember the tears and pain over having to give her a little formula and how hard that was for me. I am so happy that it worked out for us and can’t imagine if it wouldn’t have worked out.
I hope the next time around things go much easier for your!
The thing I love about this post the most is that your mommy instincts took over and you just kept going. (Both to LLL and with nursing) So many mommies listen too much to the dr’s sometimes and give up so quickly. Proud of you for sticking with it and praying this time goes much smoother for you and baby!
That’s true, I have heard a lot of mommies say they had to stop only to find out later on they could have worked through the issues. Thanks 🙂