Lately I have been having what I thought was trouble with my supply. I had to take DD to the pediatrician on July 10 and she was 11 lb 3 oz and then for a follow up July 27 where she ended up being 11 lb 3 oz again. The doctor was very concerned and asked me to count oz DD was getting to eat every day and supplement the rest for 2 days and then bring her back in to check weight. Sure enough she gained 13 oz in 2 days. I was able to pump enough both days to get 22 oz and do only 10 oz formula. It’s incredibly hard to pump that much with this wiggly child but I was determined for as much of it to be breast milk as possible.

The pediatrician told me I would probably just need to supplement or switch fully to formula because some women just don’t make enough milk. I refused to accept that since I was so close to the amount she needs. I met with the lactation consultant on Monday who told me that in a 25 minute feeding session my daughter had only taken in 40 ml. I was in shock! How could that be possible when I can pump 3 oz in one 10 minute session? I was told the combination of the nipple shield not allowing enough stimulation and my DD not being able to latch properly to feed had made her a lazy feeder. Meaning she was just taking in enough to feel satisfied that she was no longer hungry and stopping. The consultant told me that since my DD was almost 6 months my odds of breaking her from the shield were incredibly low and I would need to pump at least 5 times a day to get my supply up and feed her properly. Well guys... I am not one to give in so easily. I came home and spent the rest of the day trying to get my girl to feed without the shield and guess what?! She was hesitant but after only 1 day she can latch with no shield!

So don’t let people discourage you on your breastfeeding journey! I have had so many people tell me I waited too long to break her of the shield and wouldn’t be able to do it or that I should just formula feed and make things easier. Well breastfeeding my girl means a lot to me and I think if you have the will to do it you can! Still supplementing until my supply goes up a bit but I think we will be back on track in no time and NIPPLE SHIELD FREE!

**No judgement on moms who don’t want to breastfeed it’s just something very personal to me. I feel really strongly about doing it. Both my nieces are formula fed and there’s nothing wrong with that.**