**Disclaimer: no boobs are visible in this post....sorry internet creepers. And thanks to Steph for the inspiration to post some nursing pics!
Well I did it. I beat how long I nursed with Drew and I'm quite proud of that. I made it 5.5 with him and we're almost to 6.5 months with Ady. She's a champion nurser and my 'ladies' performed much better this time around. And the best part? We're SO not done!
The problem is supply. When I ended maternity leave I had like 160oz saved in the freezer. Lately she's been eating more than I'm pumping and it's been slowly depleting my stash leaving me with about 75oz or so. At this rate, I'm assuming I'll have to start supplementing with when she's around 8 months old. I've been told by a lot of working moms that this is normal and am taking pills, chugging water and eating oatmeal daily to help, but formula is most likely on our radar in the next few months. And I'm A-Ok with that. No comments about how there's no need to supplement please, I know my body and with running more and watching my calories, my supply has been dwindling. I still plan to nurse her until she's a year old, we just might have to be about half breastmilk/half formula.
Her distraction level has definitely been something we've been working on lately as well. If she hears the TV, my phone, Drew or the any other noise, she pops off and looks around. Per the suggestion of some friends, we've been going to her room and dimming the lights. I hum or talk to her while she's nursing and she doesn't tend to pop off as much. I was also told this is a phase (especially with the solid foods) and that she'll come back to love nursing again soon.
It's amazing how much easier it's been for me the second round. On top of that, I feel it's bonded Ady and I so deeply. Not saying Drew and I weren't bonded, but breastfeeding was just so painful and a struggle with him from the get-go. Sure it sucks that I have to pump 4 times at work everyday, but at least I get to do it in the comfort of my own home!
Did you breastfeed? If so, kudos on however long you made it. If not, kudos on choosing to use formula. Either one is a great choice!
Way to go Mama! Breastfeeding is SO hard! I struggled with my first but finally got in a groove and nursed for 10 months, my 2nd was a preemie and never latched so I pumped for 6 months until other issues arose so we went to formula and now with #3 I am on 6 months of breastfeeding and don't really see an end in sight. She is popping off all the time lately too and I have started singing to her when she does and it seems to be the only thing that gets her back on!
ReplyDeleteI pumped for 10 months with Max and Claire. I always had to supplement though. When they dropped feedings, I still woke up in the middle of the night to pump. I don't think I was knowledgable enough... like didn't realize that when I started running and watching calories, that would decrease supply. I would pump for 30 min. just to get an OUNCE! I will be ready this time!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing awesome! I had no idea what kind of bonding you could get from breastfeeding, but I am so glad I was able to experience it with one of my kids. Good for you for taking pictures too (I have a feeling I will reflect on my post often and it's nice to be able to have that as a way to reminisce).
ReplyDeleteI think it is awesome that you breastfeed. :)
ReplyDeleteYAY! Good for you! I started supplementing after six months with both my beans and had no qualms either, but I'm just so happy it was easier for you this time around! How awesome.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! Being a working mom and continuing to pump/breastfeed is the hardest thing to do. I made it about 4.5 months before Parker was on formula. Pumping at work totally tanked my supply. You're a rock star for lasting this long! Oh and Ady is like the cutest baby I've ever seen (next to my own of course).
ReplyDeleteWay to go, momma! I'm so proud you've made it this far and are going to continue.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a mixed bag of emotions with #2 and breastfeed, and if I'll even try. It was a complete fail with M, and exclusively pumping for 3 months was torturous. I'm hoping we'll luck out like you and Ady and have a totally different experience!
This is amazing! I'm still going strong with exclusively pumping with Raegan. Had a dip in my supply around 4 months, but finally got it back up to the amount she was taking daily. I so wish my girl could breastfeed. (darn cleft palate), But there's always the next baby! :) Raegan get distracted drinking from her bottle too. I can't talk when she's eating. To anyone! Haha Silly girl!
ReplyDeleteAshley
The Mrs. & Co.
So glad it's been easier for you this time around. I thought I was going to have to start supplementing with Alden because my supply didn't seem as great at about 7-8 months. But it ended up getting better actually, and he also got to the point where he didn't take as many bottles during the day so I didn't need to produce as much. It all worked out in the end. Now he nurses at night, and during the day he drinks almond milk.
ReplyDeleteI too had a much better/easier experience with baby #2. Happy for you and her! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I can't wait to nurse again. I loved it but Blakely was pretty easy. Hoping it goes well with the twinks too!
ReplyDeleteGood Job mama! #2 was way better for me than #1 too. I went 4ish mo with #1 and am still bfing my 12mo old. I use Kellymom for my Bfing bible and there is an AWESOME Kellymom Breastfeeding Support group on FB... I am sure you don't want suggestions BUT the one thing to remember is the 1oz/hr rule with BM and bottles. Our milk changes composition as the baby ages so you don't up the ounces like you do with formula. That was HUGE for me to remember especially when I went back to work. I didn't have to try to pump 6+ oz every time I pumped. I would give (and still do!) 3oz bottles every 3 hours and she's a growing weed. You can email me if you have any questions or look up the FB group!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! I breastfed Rosen for 6 months and Saxon for 8. It wasn't always easy, but I'm glad I did it. The bonding is definitely the best :-)
ReplyDeleteYour story is similar to mine! With Drew it was rough and we had to supplement at 3 months (couldn't pump enough once I went back to work) and I totally quit at 6 months. He preferred a bottle any day to nursing. With Anna she never had an ounce of formula and quit nursing at 15 months all on her own. I didn't pump a ton, what saved me was she didn't take much of a bottle while I was at work...but she did prefer to get me up multiple times each night so she could nurse. So looking back...I slept much more with Drew, but got to nurse successfully with Anna. Now with Wyatt he's a champion nurser and since I'm home now, he's only had 5 or 6 bottles and he isn't wild about taking a bottle. I plan to nurse him until he's good and done, especially since he's my last!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! I tried breastfeeding my little one and it didn't work. My body never produced enough milk, he began loosing weight quickly, I was a hormonal, tired, new mommy so we did formula. Looking back I wish I had just supplemented but he is healthy and happy!! Proud of u mama!
ReplyDeleteGood job mama! My daughter went through a similar distraction phase at this age and it really helped when I would give her a toy or book to look at while she was nursing.
ReplyDeleteMY girl completely stopped nursing around 5 months due to a bad ear infection and stubborn ole me continued exclusively pumping for 5 months. We did have to supplement a bit, but you do what you gotta do and what's best for your family. I don't think there is any right or wrong recipe for feeding your baby. Keep up the good work !
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I had a hard time with Trenton, but breastfeeding came easy with Charlotte and Evelyn. They problem was that they were allergic to something in my milk. And with Evelyn, her weight had become such an issue (not that you'd be able to tell now!), that the doctors didn't want to take the time playing around with my diet (I was already off dairy) trying to figure it out. If we ever have a fourth, he/she will probably have an allergy problem too. But I love the bonding experience of breastfeeding, so I don't know if we would go straight to formula or try breastfeeding again. And that is IF we ever decide on a 4th kiddo. Right now we need to work on getting #3 to sleep through the night!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!!! I'm so glad it's going well!
ReplyDeleteI didn't breastfeed my firstborn, but I breastfed my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We were told repeatedly that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed Liam well, due to him having DS, but we made it! He's going to be 18 months next week, and still nurses twice a day!
Awesome for breastfeeding and working! I'm always impressed when women can do that.
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