Breastfeeding Update: It Is Still Tough ;)
I went back and read previous posts the other day and wondered if any of them needed a follow up. The one that really jumped out at me was my "Lactation Struggles: Who Says Breastfeeding Is Always Easy?" post from Oct 7, 2013. I am giving an update because I think breast feeding is not talked about enough. When I was looking for advice I felt like the only places I could turn were lactation support groups or web pages but they were a bit overwheming with their "Nurse your baby until they start school" stories. I believe in breastfeeding but disagree, respectfully, with that way of nursing. (Also, can you imagine? You would never stop nursing a baby! Holy cow - my nipples would be SCREAMING after like 10 years of nursing non-stop! And what happens if you have kids that overlap? OUCH - my breasts are hurting just thinking about it.)
So how is breastfeeding going today? Eh. That's all I have to say. It is a constant struggle, kills my patience and my milk production is about 60% of what Livie actually needs to be full. So it is frustrating, to say the least. I know, I know - it is fine to have to use formula (and I really do believe that!) but it still stinks that I am not able to provide enough milk. I will get over it one day but for now, it stinks ;)
On a good note, Livie is finally latching effectively, which is awesome!, so we are able to nurse 3 times a day out of 5 feedings.
- 6:30am or so Livie wakes up and Russell feeds her breast milk (60%) and formula (40%)
- 10:30am - Nursing for 30-40 mins followed by a supplementation of formula
- 2:30am - Nursing for 30-40 mins followed by supplementation of formula
- 6:30pm - Russell wakes Livie and feeds her breast milk (60%) and formula (40%)
- 10:30p - Nursing for approx 20 mins (she likes to fall asleep during this feeding) followed by 2+ oz of formula
We assume she is taking in anywhere between 5-7 oz per feeding total.
My newest nursing challenge is doing it in public...... I am TERRIFIED, which is also ridiculous I know. I bought a Bebe Au Lait cover (the one with the wire so you can see your baby's face) last Friday. When girl friends were here a few weeks back I fed her twice with them (there is power in numbers so I was less scared). Since then I have fed her 3 times in the car. I was going to give Barnes and Noble a try but they did not have a single chair in the place, not one! When did that happen?! I actually feel pretty ok with the nursing cover so am planning on using it in public a few times :D Just need to decide where those places will be.
http://www.bebeaulait.com
By nursing while away from the house it has allowed Russell and I necessary escapes from the daily crazy. I don't feel confined to the house and am therefore less crabby. Russell is happy because I am less snappy towards him. All around it has been totally worth it! And supposedly the more I do it the easier it becomes. Jury's still out on that one.
Because of this new freedom I will keep trying and figure out how to make it work. I am also hopeful that by nursing away from the house I may be able to hold on the supply I have a bit longer.
My current goal, based on the time it takes per feeding (at least 1 hour usually) and my dwindling patience for my supply, is keeping her on the 60%+ breast milk diet until at least 6 months (January 29, 2014). Perhaps once I meet that goal I will be able to push it a bit further. I would love to do it through 1 year old but we'll see how my supply does when I go back to work.
So at the end of 3 months I have learned: Formula is just fine for my baby's development; I can effectively nurse my baby; I believe that there is a benefit to giving a baby breast milk but am ok with myself when my production is low; Nursing in public is totally doable!; & I am much stronger and more patient that I ever thought I was :) When I just reread that sentence I realized how far I have come. I am actually kind of proud of myself. Every day is a new journey and a new chance for learning.
BE HAPPY. LAUGH. ENJOY CHAOS.
So how is breastfeeding going today? Eh. That's all I have to say. It is a constant struggle, kills my patience and my milk production is about 60% of what Livie actually needs to be full. So it is frustrating, to say the least. I know, I know - it is fine to have to use formula (and I really do believe that!) but it still stinks that I am not able to provide enough milk. I will get over it one day but for now, it stinks ;)
On a good note, Livie is finally latching effectively, which is awesome!, so we are able to nurse 3 times a day out of 5 feedings.
- 6:30am or so Livie wakes up and Russell feeds her breast milk (60%) and formula (40%)
- 10:30am - Nursing for 30-40 mins followed by a supplementation of formula
- 2:30am - Nursing for 30-40 mins followed by supplementation of formula
- 6:30pm - Russell wakes Livie and feeds her breast milk (60%) and formula (40%)
- 10:30p - Nursing for approx 20 mins (she likes to fall asleep during this feeding) followed by 2+ oz of formula
We assume she is taking in anywhere between 5-7 oz per feeding total.
(I love this picture of her! She loves holding her own bottle, haha!)
http://www.bebeaulait.com
By nursing while away from the house it has allowed Russell and I necessary escapes from the daily crazy. I don't feel confined to the house and am therefore less crabby. Russell is happy because I am less snappy towards him. All around it has been totally worth it! And supposedly the more I do it the easier it becomes. Jury's still out on that one.
Because of this new freedom I will keep trying and figure out how to make it work. I am also hopeful that by nursing away from the house I may be able to hold on the supply I have a bit longer.
My current goal, based on the time it takes per feeding (at least 1 hour usually) and my dwindling patience for my supply, is keeping her on the 60%+ breast milk diet until at least 6 months (January 29, 2014). Perhaps once I meet that goal I will be able to push it a bit further. I would love to do it through 1 year old but we'll see how my supply does when I go back to work.
So at the end of 3 months I have learned: Formula is just fine for my baby's development; I can effectively nurse my baby; I believe that there is a benefit to giving a baby breast milk but am ok with myself when my production is low; Nursing in public is totally doable!; & I am much stronger and more patient that I ever thought I was :) When I just reread that sentence I realized how far I have come. I am actually kind of proud of myself. Every day is a new journey and a new chance for learning.
BE HAPPY. LAUGH. ENJOY CHAOS.
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