[jjc99]

I'm starting to worry that I won't be able to EBF Vivien for a year, like I want to. The main reason is that I just am not pumping enough at work. And my freezer stash is basically gone. (I might have 10-15ounces - not even a day's worth). (and let's not talk about the 3 oz i defrosted over night and in the morning, it was gone. leak in the bad!)

I might have to start adding formula. Maybe 1 bottle a day? I dunno. She nurses from me fine (most of the time). some days she'll drink all the milk I send with her to the sitter's - usually 13-15oz. Some days she won't drink the last bottle, so sitter keeps it for the next day. When that was going on (mainly last week) it was great for me. I had extra milk! but this week, she's back to drinking it all, and I am lucky to pump 10-12oz.

I admit, sometimes I don't do all 3 pump sessions at work. I just can't always get away to do it. (I hate pumping so much!) and I should pump at night, but I don't always do that, either. Even if I did my night pump every night, it doesn't usally make up enough for the next day...

ETA: (I hit post by accident before I was ready)
She is eating solids/purees a lot more now. She loves her little puffs and fruit in her mesh feeder. so I know the milk intake might go down a little, but not THAT much.

I know it's not the end of the world, but I really really really don't want to give her formula. I need your help on one or any of the following:
1 - help me produce more milk (I do fenugreek off an on. it's "on" right now)
2 - help me NOT give her as much milk, but take what I can pump the day before, and her be ok with that
3 - help me be ok to giver her formula (that'll be the hard one)

FYI, i'd ask the Pedi, but we don't see her for another month...

1. Go talk with your doctor. From my understanding, there is a medication you can take to bump up production. Maybe this could help you out.

2. I'll be honest, if she's hungry she's hungry. She'll want what she wants, so this one is kind've hard.

3. You have EBF this girl 8 months! 8 months! 3/4 of her entire life! That is a major accomplishment!! I had the guilt when we started to really switch at 6 months. We still BF once or twice a day but it's more of a snack or in the middle of the night. Oddly enough, he'll only drink Organic Similac. He truly gags at anything else. Maybe he's got the natural vibe going on? If you tried an Organic formula, maybe that would make you feel a bit better? The Organic aspect totally makes me feel a bit better about it... even though L never had Organic.

Here's the statement from the World Health Organization:
"Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond."
You've already nipped that in the butt plus 2 months!!

[martilynne]

All I can say is, you have made it 8 months! Way to go!!! If I was working full time I don't know if I could do it. I HATE pumping. Luckily I have enough of a stash that I only pump once every couple of weeks. I don't know how some of you ladies pump several times a day! Even if you do end up supplementing she will still be getting mostly breast milk, I don;t think there is anything wrong with that.

[stiritup]

Oh dear I wish I could write mOre but I'm on my phone cuz my ****** F button doesn't work on the laptop. You know how terrible I felt last month when I started weening. It is ok. Formula is not poison like some people make you feel. You've got to do what you've got to do. And it sounds to me like you're making pretty close to enough milk that you only may need to supPlement like 1 bottle every other day. And that is not bad at all - you'd be suprised at the little bit of freedom FF gives you.

However I know that you REALLy wanted to EBF for that entire first year. I'm sure you could easily increase your production with meds but I'm gonna be honest....you will probably need to pump more often than you are now (you know the whole supply & demand thing). But I'm sure it can be done. I just don't know what you want to do in the meantime - between now & dr appt. Maybe you could call them early?

Oh and as far as helping her be ok with what you're making now...I have no idea. But I'm thinking the milk/formula is much more important to her diet than solids are until age 1

[jjc99]

i just want all to know - i know Formula isn't poison or bad or anything like that. I have no problems with mommies who choose or have to FF. I just have/had *my* goal of not using Formula, since I AM able to BF. My milk isn't completely drying up or anything like that. it jsut seems to be not enough.

Maybe I can do Formula every other day, like you said T. And even though I can just suppliment with formula, it feels like I'm thining of stopping and just going to FF. that's not what I'm thinking of doing, it just FEELS like that's what I'm planning. Ugh. whatever.

I do need to pump more. it's just such a huge PIA. UGH!!!!

If only I lived in Canada and could be off from work the whole first year, this woulnd't be a problem! Or If I was rich and could be a SAHM. (not saying SAHMs are rich...but in my fantasy world, I'd have to be rich to be a SAHM)

Originally Posted by niclis

3. You have EBF this girl 8 months! 8 months! 3/4 of her entire life!

Ummmm... yeah. Obviously I did a little too much accounting too early this morning. This is what happens when you fight with Quickbooks at 7am. My math skills went to hell. What I meant was 3/4 of your goal

[stiritup]

Originally Posted by jjc99

Maybe I can do Formula every other day, like you said T. And even though I can just suppliment with formula, it feels like I'm thining of stopping and just going to FF. that's not what I'm thinking of doing, it just FEELS like that's what I'm planning. Ugh. whatever.

I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same way when I started supplementing the twins - like it was the means to an end & I had the worst guilt ever because of it (mixed with PPD). But I supplemented Knox 1 bottle / day for like 6 weeks before I made the decision to start weening. But that was my decision, not because he liked the formula any better or that the supplementing affected my supply at all.

[BabyLover]

Just want to give hugs and say that you are a GREAT Mama.

[angeleyes04]

First off *HUGS* you have done an awesome job keeping her boob fed for 8 months! I know it was so important to you. If you end up having to give her formula, it isn't the end of the world... as long as she is happy/healthy that is all that matters.

Here are my suggestions:

Drink your water. I exclusively pump (they never nursed) for the twins. Some days I have enough to feed both all boob milk, some days I don't. It all depends. I do notice a huge dip in my supply if I don't drink enough though. On a "good" day, I chug over 100 ounces. That makes me 60+ ounces of milk for the girls. I also have no freezer stash so everything I pump they drink. I can't commit myself to drinking that much every day (I get sick of it), so on the days that I don't drink enough (or make enough because of it), I supplement the girls with some formula. I mix it with their boob milk and they take it just fine. Maybe try mixing an ounce or two of formula in her bottles for a few days just to get ahead of the game?

-You need to pump at work. How many times do you pump while you are there? I have to pump at LEAST 6 times a day to get a decent supply of milk and to stay a day ahead of the girls. It sucks and is a huge PITA, but the more you pump, the more milk you make. I have noticed that the type of pump you have can make a difference too. What kind of pump do you have? I have a Medela Pump In Style and we also rent a Lactina from the hospital. I stopped using the PIS because the Lactina extracts more milk and is more efficient. Would you consider renting a pump from your hospital? Our rental fee is pretty reasonable (cheaper than formula) so this way works for us.

-Try Fenugreek. You'll need to take 3 capsules at least 3-4 times a day to boost your milk production. Once you and your pee start smelling like an IHOP, you have done your job. It worked slick for me and I still take it every now and then for a little "boost". But like I said before, you'll have to pump more in order to make more.

If you decide you want to do formula... no worries! I understand that you'll feel guilty (what mom doesn't?), but please don't beat yourself up about it. You done the best you could for Viv and that is all that counts! And there is nothing wrong with doing 1/2 boob milk, 1/2 formula, or whatever. *HUGS*

[mom2myJo's]

You have done a great job of feeding Viv BM for 8 months! I lost my milk supply with Joseph when he was 4.5 months old. I went from having milk to not having milk in one weeks time. I was so depressed over it that I cried and began to smoke full time again. I felt like I failed him somehow. In the light of it all, it made me realize that no matter how much I plan for my kids, that things may not work out like I envisioned and I had to learn to live with that. My son loves me anyway despite having formula most of his infancy. I am glad though that you are not letting your ego get in the way. I have seen where people think that they can BF even though they don't have enough and refuse to supplement and it having drastic consequences.

In order to increase supply, you are going to have to increase demand. I would recommend pumping after Viv has eaten at the breast for about 10-15 minutes for one letdown to occur. We never truly empty our breasts. I would also not miss any sessions while you are working and like you stated, adding a night session may help as well. I know you hate the pump...I am not a huge fan of the pump either.

You can talk to your doctor, but most doctors, at least out here , only prescribe the meds during the first initial 12 week period of milk production. If fenugreek isn't enough then I would try things like Mother's Milk Tea. I also had luck with "lactation blend" capsules.

I ate one serving of old fashioned rolled oats every day. ( not the instant kind) Yes it got tiring but it worked. I also drank a beer every night after her dinner feed. The yeast helps with production.

Drink, drink drink....water ...I had to drink 100 oz a day to maintain a good supply.

Another thing to consider.... when I tried to cut calories and exercise, I found if I went below 1800 cal daily, my supply cut back drastically. Make sure you are eating enough calories so your body doesn't think it is starvation mode because it may affect your production. so that means for me that if I burn 500 cal exercising that I would have to eat 2300 cal to keep my supply up.

I am glad you are willing to do anything to make sure she is fed and healthy. If you do have to include formula , that is ok. You are a great mom and doing the very best you can.

The only thing I can say to help you not give as much milk to her is to not use it to mix your infant cereal with. Maybe you can mix formula in her cereal instead of BM. I usually mix Jocelyn's cereal in water or juice.

[EVY&EGYsMommy]

You have gotten GREAT advice! I was also going to suggest while at home pump for 10 minutes AFTER Viv eats...at first you won't get much but after a few days you WILL. Maybe do this every evening and morning for a week and see how it goes. Like the girls are saying...supply and demand.

Then you HAVE TO PUMP at work.

I understand your goal and wanting to achieve it because I was the same way with my daughter (and now Everett too). I was fortunate to not work the first 8 months of my DD's life and only worked 2 days a week from that point on but I still had this goal of never having to give formula. Like you I had nothing against FF! It is a personal goal like working out 5 days a week or changing your diet or going vegetarian or something...PERSONAL.

Good luck!!!

[jjc99]

thank you all for the love and support! you are all so wonderful!

I do take Fenugreek. I just need to keep it going. I'm on the verge of smelling like IHOP now. I notice a difference when i'm taking it. It's not much, but it's there a tiny bit.

During the work week, i'm pretty good on water. Not 100oz, but at least 64/day. I'm not as good at home. But i'm working on it. Also, when i'm there, I usually pump 3x a day. Sometimes it's only 2 - depends if i get there late or if i have to leave early. Most nights, i pump after I put her to bed.

I forgot I could mix BM with formula. I might try that. Or just one bottle a day or every other day.

As for cereal, we all but gave up that one. I'll mix it with the purees, to thicken it up, but i haven' given her cereal and milk or formula for a while.

And as for calories - I am trying to lose weight via Weight watchers. fortunately, because of my breastfeeding, i get 7 more points a day.

And I'm drinking a beer right now. I don't drink one every night, but i will have one every once in a while.

as for my pump(s) - I have an Ameda Purely Yours double electric pump for home/travel. At work, I am fortunate to have a hospital grade pump to use. So it's nice I only have to take the bottles, flanges, etc and not the actual pump. I was really really lucky - I received my home pump for free from the hospital. It's a part of a new program the hospital started shortly before I had Viv to encourage feeding breast milk for as long as possible. It's great that my stuff works with the pump at work, etc.

Again, thank you all soooo much. i love you all!!!!

[razzledobe]

just wanted to add that I couldnt even make it past 3 months when i went back to work. You're doing amazing!!

[zkat]

Here are my thoughts on this

1. Half a beer at night. The brewers yeast really does help supply. I have to massage and squeeze the girls while I pump to get them fully drained. My supply took a MAJOR hit after the first sick episode. I would pump them dry while massaging, then hit the letdown button on the pump and continue to pump a couple extra minutes.

2. b refuses cereal made with milk, but will eat it made with water and purees. He is also on 3 solids a day at Murials, but still drinks over 30 oz a day (the same he has been on since about 6 weeks). Just this week, I have come to terms with the fact that he is almost 8 months old and I should be giving him more solids/finger foods. He gets some of what we eat for dinner, mashed up.

3. Formula is just another food. No different than giving her a taste of flavor pop or fruits and vegetables. Since it is not her first non-breast milk food, it is no biggie. I seriously thought about weening last night when that first tooth drew blood on my nipple!

[Mjon912]

Aww... Only thing I can suggest is more water... When I felt I wasn't producing enough milk I increased the amount of water I drink a day... I drink anywhere from 3/4 or a gallon to a gallon and 1/4 of water a day... I don't drink anything else... I hope that helps... Good luck

[SavaAngel]

I am the wrong person to ask for help. Around 6 months i noticed a huge difference in my milk supply. I am in an Off period of taking my fenugreek. And forget pumping, I can't pump anything. Katie feeds pretty much whenever she wants cause she is home with me, sometimes that is every 2-3 hours. She also gets 4-6 oz of formula a day - part of that is mixed into her dinner/cereal. I no longer thin her veggies/fruit with it because she prefers them a bit thicker.