Apr 212009
I am tired of blogging about my futile attempts at breastfeeding but I want to keep this damn thing honest and open. What if some new mom stumbles on my blog one day in the future because she’s struggling with BF’ing and finds comfort in my writing? Right. I’m the voice of crappy moms everywhere.
I pump about three or four times a day and each breast gets 0.5 – 1.0 oz per session. It’s depressing.
I try to put Avery on my breast with the nipple shield when she’s hungry but not hysterically starving and she’ll suck for a few minutes and then get frustrated and start screaming. It breaks my heart.
Enough of that. Moving on.
I bought fabric and started making some stretchy swaddling blankets so that we can wrap Avery up tighter since she enjoys being swaddled while sleeping. I also bought and cut my fabric for my ‘Moby‘ wrap but I decided to wash it before trying it out so I haven’t tested it out yet. Hopefully it’ll work. If not I’ll cut it down and she’ll have a gazillion black swaddling blankets or burp cloths. I’ll post pictures and maybe a demo tomorrow on the homemade wrap. I’m excited and hope it works.
props to you.. i only breastfeed my oldest for 6weeks. worst thing ever.. hated it.. cryed alot.. and i vowed never to do it again and i haven’t with scarlet or dexter.. so i give it to you girl..
Breastfeeding is something you have to 100% commit to,most mothers make the mistake of going back and forth between the formula and breast which causes nipple confusion and only frustrates your child when you do try to put them on the breast.Your body also only produces what it needs to everytime you use formula your supply goes down.
I was very committed and am a huge advocate for breastmilk as it is the best choice for your child and took a “do or die” approach and clearly my child’s survival is a must so I did everything in my power to make sure she got what she needed.Not trying to make you feel bad but it does make me sad to hear youre giving up on it and using formula.
I am trying! We actually had success at her last feeding. I had pumped and then about an hour and a half later she was hungry so I thought ‘hey, maybe I’ve got some more milk’ and sure enough I was full again so I put her on and she noshed for about fifteen minutes on each and when she stopped she was actually full and not just frustrated. I didn’t even use the shield this time. Victory!
That’s great!Just remember her stomach is only the size of her fist so even if it seems like she’s not getting a lot she know when she’s had enough,I know when I’ve pumped it seemed like so much hard work just for an ounce. Bottle nipples make for an easier latch so babies will get really frustrated going back and forth.
Yeah I know and my daughter is LAZY. HAHA! I was using a nipple shield so it was more bottle-esque but she didn’t like it and neither did I since it wouldn’t stay in place. I really want this to work so I’m trying to really commit to it. Our success this morning really gave me hope!
Best of luck with breastfeeding and I hope you get through it and learn to enjoy it. But don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t work out and you need to switch to formula. Our grandmothers used breast milk only but they also had ‘wet nurses’ for those who struggled with milk supply or had latching issues. Then everybody switched to formula and went to the extreme with it… and now I feel we went to another extreme with the whole “breast is best” and you must “do or die” otherwise you are a “bad mother” or “you probably didn’t try hard enough” which implies that somehow you must not love your baby as much as those who did. I really believe that each mother needs to make her own decision, because only you know what is best for you and your baby. And your happiness and sanity should definitely be on the top of the list – ‘if mama ain’t happy nobody is’. Best of luck with whatever you decide and I can’t wait to see you home made wrap!
Girl, 1 oz per boob per pumping session is really not bad. Especially since you’ve only been pumping less than a month now. I was only around that output for a good probably two months. I think the most I ever got was 3 oz per boob and that was when he was more like 3 months and I was engorged b/c he slept through a feeding. Keep up the boobin, you’ll get it! It’s worth it.