Where have I been? There are two possible answers: 1. nursing, 2. pumping. Things seemed to be going OK with nursing. Then we went back to the lactation consultant last Tuesday for a weight check. Ben had not gained enough … around 2 oz in 6 days. He should have gained between 4 and 6 oz. So It was determined that I am not producing enough. This is likely due to the busy schedule on mother's day weekend and my son's somewhat lazy nursing habits (he falls asleep VERY easily). So it was prescribed to me to engage in “active nursing” with him every 2 hours and follow that up with pumping for 10 minutes. So for the first 20 minutes of every 2 hours, I nurse him … waking, burping and cajoling him into doing his job. Then I pump for 10 minutes after that. He is supplemented with the pumped milk and now eventually we've moved into formula territory. The good news is that he gained weight like a champ, 4.5 oz in 3 days. The bad news is that not including bottle feeding time and the washing of pump pieces I am spending 1/4 of my waking hours on the whole nursing thing. And it is EXHAUSTING.
The worst part is that it doesn't even seem to be doing a lot for my supply. I don't think it's getting worse, but it doesn't seem to be getting better either. And part of that is my lack of dedication. I do pretty well about 80% of the time, but I have not been able to give up running errands or occasionally going out to dinner or ENJOYING MYSELF and so I get lax and then it's really hard to get back on schedule. Not to mention the needs of my kids … sure Ben gets attention while I'm nursing/bottle feeding him, but no one gets attention while I'm pumping and washing pieces and I feel horrible telling Tabby (for the 100th time), “not right now, sweetie, mommy's busy …” Tomorrow I meet with the lactation consultant again. I am happy to work on this a bit more and keep trying to get my supply up, but I cannot be tied to this schedule for a whole lot longer … I have 4 months off to enjoy with my kiddos. The key word there is ENJOY.
Aside from the nursing issues, things are good if a bit hectic (what is it about this time of year???). Ben is looking less like a newborn and more like an infant, much to my chagrin. Tabby is such a little girl these days it almost breaks my heart. She carries on elaborate pretend scenarios and sings about 20 different songs (with varying degrees of completeness/accuracy) and cracks me up daily with the funny things she says. Really, even in 2 hour increments, life is good.
Good luck!
Nursing was such a difficult thing for me. Full of guilt. I am so glad you are keeping to it!
When Andrew came home from the hospital, he did not have the strength to suck until he was full and he too fell asleep. He wasn’t gaining enough weight either. I used this product. It supplemented his intake and gradually he got stronger and I got more milk and I was able to quit using it. http://www.lact-aid.com/
Your doctor may know where you can obtain one locally.
I had the same thing happen with Alec, so I don't envy you one bit right now, Jess. Trying to make him eat as much as he should was practically a full time job. Hang in there. Good luck!
Oh boy. I feel you on this. I did the same thing (nursing followed by pumping every 2 hours) for 6 weeks straight. But this was when Andrew was 6 months old, so I was back in the office! I never got my supply back up, so I ended up exclusively pumping for the next 4 months. He got about half breastmilk and half formula for those 4 months. I don't miss it one single tiny little iota. I hope you find a good rhythm soon!
I wish so much that the nursing didn't have to be so complicated and exhausting for you. Two of my close friends and my SIL had low-supply problems with their kids. They ended up formula feeding after the first month. All kids are healthy, smart and happy… but at the time, they felt SO much guilt. It shouldn't be that way. I hope you find a way that works for you so you really can enjoy this time.
Jackson and I had issues during his first month. The pain was so bad for me that I could only stand to nurse for a full feeding every second or third time. The nursing plus pumping plus cleaning was just about enough to drive me nuts! And I didn't have a toddler to look after at the time. You have my greatest and sincerest sympathy (and/or empathy). Too lazy to look up definitions to determine which is most appropriate.
Ohhh, boy, do I remember those days. Hang in there, Jess. You are an excellent mom. I found that I had a more “lax” attitude about nursing with Meredith, unfortunately, and I feel guilty for that sometimes. Well, I hope that things get better. It's SO hard keeping up with the needs of two children. I do think that it gets easier as they get older, but omg … to think of Ben as more of an infant than a newborn … I'm not ready for that yet, so I can imagine how you must feel! haha
I never got my milk supply up… every… it was a very crappy 1st 4 months of Lore's life… and I will only get 6 weeks off because I don't get any kind of paid maternity leave… so screw it… sorry but I was misarable… I felt like a cow… and Lore did so much better on just formula than breast milk… and was only sick once that first year… so we are just going to do formula here with this one lol…
Why does nursing have to be so hard and so time-consuming? I can completely relate to your struggles, and how awful it feels to tell Tabby you can't play with her because you're with Ben. It does get easier, and I keep telling myself that independance and occupying herself are good for Isabella, but in the meantime, keep doing what you're doing, and take care of yourself. Everything will fall into place.
PS: He is SO freaking cute!
Ugh, I hated pumping soooo much!! I feel your pain. Actually, I don't feel your pain. I only had Jackson, you have another kiddo to deal with. You are an amazing Mama!