When I had Hannah I was so gun-ho on breast feeding. It never even crossed my mind that I wouldn't be able to, or that I wouldn't produce enough milk. But that's exactly what happened. We supplemented with formula and I pumped what I could for 6 weeks and when I went back to work I decided that I was done pumping.
This time around I actually prepared for this scenario as I figured it would be a repeat. And it was for the first couple of weeks- I have been pumping and supplementing with formula. Addison has been super, super erpy- lots of burps, lots of spit up. She had been drinking up towards 4 ounces at each feeding.
Then I had a realization 2 days ago- that maybe she's drinking too much, since the feedings tend to take FOREVER, and she starts to play but fuss- making us think she was hungry. What if she was fussy for other reasons, tired, full, needed to burp, wanted to snuggle etc. The last 2 days she's been drinking only 2 ounces at each feeding, and I've been pumping just barely enough to be able to feed her 90% breast milk. In the last 48 hours she has only eaten 4 ounces of formula, everything else has been breast milk.
This has been really important to me. Addison erps less, spits up less, and seems overall less fussy with breast milk- so I'm hoping that perhaps I can sustain this for a bit. I'm on a medication that can help increase ones milk production. And in the heat of the thought decided to give a myth a try. I've heard from many that drinking a beer helped to bring milk production up- so last night I sat and drank a beer.
For those that know me, know that I am not a beer drinker. Maybe back in college (10 + years ago), but I primarily am a wine drinker. Too bad wine doesn't bring milk production up, or I could really get into that myth!
So for now I'm stoked that my daughter's feeding needs are being met by breast milk at this time. I finally feel fulfilled in this area and regardless of how long I pump for or how long it lasts that we are using minimal formula, I will know that I have done the best I can for my little one. I know that I have offered her every thing that I could to give her the best start to her life.
J.
This time around I actually prepared for this scenario as I figured it would be a repeat. And it was for the first couple of weeks- I have been pumping and supplementing with formula. Addison has been super, super erpy- lots of burps, lots of spit up. She had been drinking up towards 4 ounces at each feeding.
Then I had a realization 2 days ago- that maybe she's drinking too much, since the feedings tend to take FOREVER, and she starts to play but fuss- making us think she was hungry. What if she was fussy for other reasons, tired, full, needed to burp, wanted to snuggle etc. The last 2 days she's been drinking only 2 ounces at each feeding, and I've been pumping just barely enough to be able to feed her 90% breast milk. In the last 48 hours she has only eaten 4 ounces of formula, everything else has been breast milk.
This has been really important to me. Addison erps less, spits up less, and seems overall less fussy with breast milk- so I'm hoping that perhaps I can sustain this for a bit. I'm on a medication that can help increase ones milk production. And in the heat of the thought decided to give a myth a try. I've heard from many that drinking a beer helped to bring milk production up- so last night I sat and drank a beer.
For those that know me, know that I am not a beer drinker. Maybe back in college (10 + years ago), but I primarily am a wine drinker. Too bad wine doesn't bring milk production up, or I could really get into that myth!
So for now I'm stoked that my daughter's feeding needs are being met by breast milk at this time. I finally feel fulfilled in this area and regardless of how long I pump for or how long it lasts that we are using minimal formula, I will know that I have done the best I can for my little one. I know that I have offered her every thing that I could to give her the best start to her life.
J.
1 comment:
Big Smile -- you are a wonderful mom. I'm sure Addison is much better off with mom's milk.
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