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I would say that if you really want to give it one last shot, you stop supplementing and nurse on demand. Do not pump, it's not the same as the baby being on your breast. I had a very low supply in the beginning and I was also supplementing, my lactation consultant told me to stop and breastfeed baby on demand. At first my baby would nurse for a long time, but after a while my supply regulated and she was actually getting full soley from breastmilk.
Milk supply troublesome breastfeeding problems - help!
I had a very rough start when it came to breast feeding. I was on lots of antibiotics following a traumatic birth. My milk didn't come in for 5 days so the doctors has me start supplementing. I was just focused on my son gaining weight, so I probably didn't brrast feed as much as I should have to ensure supply. My lactation consultant had me nursing for 45 minutes then pumping for 20 afterwards. I did this for a few days, but with no results. It was a really difficult plan to follow, and in the end, I couldn't keep it up and take care of myself and my son. I know it sounds like I gave up, but I was in so much pain from my labor, that I was just unable to cope with all of this successfully.
Once his weight was up, I started exclusively pumping on average 12 times a day. At no point in time have I expressed more than 2 oz. Now, at 5 weeks, I'm still supplementing for him because I don't make enough milk. I've tried big doses of Fenugeek and Mother's Milk, but they haven't worked.
Am I kind of past the point of no return here where this is what my body is making? I feel badly that I messed this up in the beginning. I'm feeling like it's time to throw in the towel on this and just make peace with exclusuveky feeding him formula.
Any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Tr
I cut it off completely at 6 weeks. It was really hard because it felt like I was literally sitting around nursing her all day at first, but it got better! Still nursing her at 7 months..
Je
How old was your baby when you cut out the supplement? My bBy is 9 weeks and today is our first day trying to nurse on demand without formula
Tr
But in the end she was staying full longer and sleeping most of the night. She's 5 months now and I have not had to supplement again.
Do not let anyone tell you you're wrong and not doing the right thing. Do what is best for YOU. No one knows exactly how you feel and it is very hard im a breastfeeding mom too and having problems with my supply. I applaud you whatever decision you decide on, hopefully you will keep trying with breastfeeding but you have to be healthy and happy for baby to be healthy and happy :)
I'm in the same boat, only at 2 weeks I got mastitis and didn't nurse one side for 5 days, only pumped but it was too painful to put my son on, so I started supplementing. I've also tried fenugreek, which made me sick, and reglan with no major results. I'm slowing drying up but I gave it my all and any breastmilk given is good, same for you. I'm doing what I need to for my son, I wish I would have never started supplementing, but you live and learn right? I'm still nursing before most feedings but he's only drinking from me a total of 5-10 minutes both sides and I can tell when it's pretty empty. It sucks because I love them bond, but I'm going back to work in two weeks so I wouldn't be getting much of the bonding anyway. Good luck to you and don't be too hard on yourself.
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