Post-Partum Question and Breastfeeding issue!! advice needed

[crystalm]

I had a baby on December 1st, and the day after we returned home from the hospital, we had to take her to the pediatrician because she hadn't had any wet diapers in 24 hours. The pediatrician admitted her to the hospital and she had to be hooked up to an IV to get fluids because she was dehydrated. I wasn't producing enough milk for her. I was so upset I couldn't stop crying! I felt like I took her home and broke her. They had me pumping and feeding her whenever I could and I was only producing 4-8 cc's/ml's. They were also supplimenting her with formula while I pumped. The lactation lady at the hospital said that there was a prescription medication that can help you produce more milk but I cant take it because I have a history of depression. She had me try this herbal medication Fenugreek. When they sent me home they said to feed her and then pump, when I do that I get only 2 or 3 cc's of milk. This morning I didn't feed her and just pumped and got 15- 20 cc's which still is not much because 30 cc's is an ounce and she is eating about 2 ounces of formula. I know I am never going to be able to satisfy her with my milk and that really upsets me because I wanted to give her the best, she is my first baby and it took forever to get pregnant, I had to take Clomid and a sugar medicine to get pregnant, so she was very well planned and thought of and I wanted her to have the best. So, I tear up every time I talk or think about the breastfeeding. I also sometimes feel empty. I guess because I carried her for 39 weeks and now she is not a part of me anymore-anyone else experience anything like this? Also, the lactation lady did not know I had PCOS and when I told her she said that could be why I am not producing enough milk. She said that alot of women with PCOS cant breastfeed or have to supplement with formula. Does anyone have any advice or had any similar experiences?

Thanks,
Crystal

[Sherri]

Crystal, don't give up, it sounds like your milk supply is starting to increase. Babies tend drink more formula than breastmilk b/c they are able to absorb more nutrients from breastmilk and digest it more efficiently.

We had trouble in the beginning, too, and as my milk was starting to come in, we had to syringe-feed her pumped breastmilk in addition to nursing her. (With a special nursing syringe our ped gave us and told us how to use, so she wouldn't develop a preference for a faster-flowing bottle). At first she started prefering the syringe-feeding. The lactation consultant then told us to limit her to an ounce through the syringe, and then she had to nurse for the rest of the feeding, and that helped get her used to bfing and helped build my milk supply. (Of course, check anything with your L.C. or ped to make sure she gets enough). Keep checking in with a lactation consultant (SO worth the initial expense!). The first couple of weeks are very emotional and difficult, but it gets so much easier!

[wecova]

I wouldn't let it bother you so terribly much. Not having enough breast milk is not going to make you a terrible mother!!!!! SO, first off, don't buy into that at all. NONSENSE!

Secondly, there are many, many reasons why you may not produce. My friend is an LDR nurse, and she couldn't even produce more than you due to a slight breast abnormality. What did she do? She got over herself first, because it was her 3rd, and was determined to make it work. Secondly, she got a syringe system set up, where a "line" was put in the baby's mouth, while she breastfed. It was connected to a bottle with formula, or early on a syringe. Honestly, the breast milk was very minimal the entire time, but whatever she produced the baby got, and also got the benefit of the calories/oz. from the formula. I'll have to ask her if it was a special formula or just whatever. It helped her feel better, get to bond with the baby the way other bf babies do, and it was great all around. EXCEPT: It was somewhat inconvenient out and about. She made it work, though!

After hearing I had PCOS, she kinda sarcastically wondered how I had breastmilk at all myself. Call it "lucky" but some PCOS women don't produce any milk, as she well knew being an LDR nurse. I had way too much and leaked all the time with the first, and then ironically didn't have enough at around 4 months with ds, nursed to 13 months with dd, and here I am pg again. NO guarantee I'll even have breastmilk any time!!

Don't despair. Realize that our bodies are out of our control, in many situations. Both neighbors who recently couldn't nurse took it differently. One was so distraught over it, but finally got over it after the first 3-4 weeks, which I'm imagining is where you are at now. The other took it with a grain of salt.

Hope you can see past the nursing and enjoy what God gave you regardless of circumstances!! Thank God for formula or thousands of women would need wetnurses (as my great grandma used to do!!!!!).

Blessings,
Weeee

[texasred1]

When Mason was born he had jaundice and wasn't gaining weight at first. In fact he lost weight. I completely understand where you're coming from with your feelings on this. Everybody around me was kinda like "just throw in the towel and feed him formula" "you were a formula fed baby and you're just fine". I got it from all ends, my parents, pedi, dh. I was determined to bf. I have no idea if Mason was actually getting enough milk or not, he had plenty of wet diapers, but still not gaining any weight.

The pedi suggested I pump exclusively and feed him that and supplement with formula. I just knew there had to be a better way. So I called up the local lc who put me on a very similar routine to the one you're doing. I would WITHOUT FAIL have to bf Mason every 2 hours, at least for a total of 30 minutes (15 min/per side) then go pump for 15 minutes and feed him whatever I pumped. I pumped initially so that when the bf session was over I could then just pop a bottle in his mouth. I usually had about 2 ounces to give him, but not at first. The first time I went to pump there was probably just enough in those little bottles to get them dirty. It was HARD because not only was I tired but I had a jaundice baby that fell asleep at EVERY feeding. I kept taking Mason back to the lc to get weighed every other day. I did this schedule around the clock 24/7 for a week. Mason gained a pound and the dr. was more than thrilled, she had hoped for half of that.

Also to make my dh happy (he thought I was starving our son) I supplemented a bottle of formula every evening. It was a 4 oz bottle, it was these little individual servings the pedi gave us.

Crystal, hang in there, and try (believe me I know this is hard) to relax. Make sure you are staying hydrated. Drink a glass of water before you pump. Mess around with the setting on the pump until you find one that works for you. A glass of wine (or half) won't hurt either, it'll relax you. Just remember to what's best for you. Don't worry about bottles and nipple confusion, it'll all sort itself out. I tried numerous bottles and bf was hard (and painful) in the begining, but now no problem and Mason eats like a champ and is gaining weight just as easily as his momma can.

Please update us and let us know how your doing. Hang in there momma you're doing a great job!

[texasred1]

Oh, and my lc told me to take fenugreek too. I have been ever since. I also eat oatmeal which I hear is supposed to help, if nothing else maybe it'll lower my cholesterol .

Remember your body knows the difference between a pump and baby, and a baby's sucking will do a better job of empting the breast. so your baby is probably getting more than you pump.

[Sherri]

I would WITHOUT FAIL have to bf Mason every 2 hours, at least for a total of 30 minutes (15 min/per side) then go pump for 15 minutes and feed him whatever I pumped. I pumped initially so that when the bf session was over I could then just pop a bottle in his mouth.

I had to do the same thing, but every 3 hours. But what the LC recommended is that my partner do the bottle/syringe feeding so I could use that time to rest!

And as far as the emotions, yes, definitely I can relate. I'll never forget how it felt to have my 3-day-old daughter crying while I tried to nurse her b/c she needed my milk before it came in. She got all red faced, pulled her arm back and actually punched my breast in frustration! I thought, "My baby hates me!" Lots of tears, all around. It was a real low point. But it did get better....

[katiepcoo]

Crystal,

Congratuations! I had my baby the day after you had yours. He wasn't eating at all at first but then he started taking bottle and breast and was able to come home with me after 4 days (c-section). Things went OK but stressful for a day or two but then I could get him to latch on at all and when he finally got on he would push right off. It was the weekend and there was no help available for me.

I got a pump and started pumping milk and giving him formula when I didn't have enough milk. I had to stop trying to nurse him because I was making my self sick with anxiety. I was trying to recover from surgery, was anemic and in pain. To make it worse, I could stand the sight of the baby; just looking at him made me nauseated; I had a non-stop headache; and had to choke down food b/c I had no appetite. I decided that there is nothing on earth that is worth making me feel so horrible about my baby.

I saw a LC today and she agreed that pumping is probably the best option for me. I am pumping every 2 hours but am only getting 1/2 oz out of each side. I'm not sure what is going to happen and I keep thinking that maybe if I had stuck with trying to BF him I would have more milk and then I feel guilty but I am trying really hard not to. I always wanted to BF but it just isn't going to work for me this time around.

Sorry that this is so long. Whatever happens with your milk it will be OK.

[cvalentine]

Hang in there momma! My supply was really low in the beginning, but it grew after a few weeks. It just took a LOT of pumping. I promise it gets a lot easier! And if you have to supplement, then supplement! Some bm is better than none! I almost threw in the towel w/ Emma in the beginning. She couldn't latch on, I had very little help, and they had to take her to the NICU because she had an infection. She was screaming because she was starving and I felt completely helpless. I let them supplement her and I am so glad I did. She was able to feel full, and all the colostrum I pumped out, and later milk, they just added to her bottles.