Reaching a crossroads with breastfeeding

[emilade]

No, things are not going better yet. Now, besides the supply issue (which seems to be getting smaller every few days), he is gnawing instead of sucking. He gnaws and gets mad and pulls off and gets back on and pulls off again, so on and so forth. I don't know where the heck gnawing has come from, but it hurts. He doesn't do that to his bottle, and he's way too young to be teething already as far as I know. He's not even 2 months.

Part of me wants to try to keep going, but the rest of me thinks this is pretty much heading to an inevitable end. Part of me is at peace with that, the rest feels guilty even when I know I shouldn't feel that way. I would like to at least pump for awhile and give him that, but my body doesn't cooperate like I wish it would. I tried Mother's Milk Tea for two days this last week and it made my tongue crazy itchy, which I'm guessing is a sign of allergy? I don't know, it was uncomfortable.

I'm basically looking at trying to medicate my supply up to a high amount so that I respond better to the pump (I respond well when my supply is at it's highest, after a night without nursing), or throwing in the towel completely and switching to formula full time. I'm hesitant to go the medication route because domperidone is awfully expensive, and I don't even know if it will work for me. But then I think of buying formula all the time.... which would cost more, if I really think about it.




Ugh. This got long. Basically, I have a lot of thinking to do here.

[AddiesMomma]

Just throwing this out there...the Reglan (metoclopramide) I took was like $8 for a 90 day supply. I called my OB and asked if he could call in a prescription for it. They asked how long I planned on BFing and called in a years supply. I didn't even use all of it.

You've done great to make it this far! I know you know this, but don't feel guilty if you decide to go to formula. I remember feeling the same way when I thought I would have to supplement and honestly, I think it was more worrying what people would think than anything else. I had nothing against formula besides the cost.

[Goosey]

Im sorry you are at a crossroads. I was there 2x myself and its not easy to regulate those emotions and get them all in a row(so to speak).

I wish you the best.

[emilade]

See, I have the first-hand experience of raising a formula fed baby. A good experience, at that. She's very healthy, she's only been sick twice in her life so far (given, the two times were total doozies). She's smart, she's ahead on a lot of milestones, and now that we're past infancy, you really wouldn't know whether she was breastfed or not.

So, I think like you, maybe I'm worried about what people think. And I need to try not to be, because no matter what goes through peoples' heads, I know firsthand that everything will be fine either way I go.

[Elaine]

Screw 'em. :twothumbs: If other people aren't happy with what you decide to do that's their problem, not yours. You've gone above and beyond what most mothers would do to breast feed their babies. If you want to switch just do it and piss on everyone else. Happy mommy = Happy baby. Someone will always be pissed at a decision you make regardless what it is. :support:

[Heather]

Ditto! Screw what everyone else thinks. You do what you think is best for you and your baby. ;)

[natalie]

Do whatever you feel is best for both you and your baby.

Although, I will add that domperidone is the bomb. It got me from not lactating at all to producing 30+ ounces a day.

[Farah]

Do what works for you. Don't worry about what people think....if BFing doesn't seem to be working and you've tried all you're able to then do what's next for you. If you aren't quite ready yet, then try some more and see where it leads. No matter what you do you're a great mom and doing the best to make sure your child is properly nourished. :support:

[Ashley]

You absolutely have to do what's best for you. I felt badly that I hadn't tried "hard enough" with Tyler- despite all the other factors at the time. It was crap. Seriously. I have one of each kind of fed baby, and while I loved my nursing experience with Lily, she's the bigger pita :hehe: (Sorry, just trying to make you feel better!). Honestly, do what feels right for you. If the aggravation is wearing you down, and making you miserable, and you're done, then give stop. If you're not ready, keep trying until you are. Either way, you're taking care of your baby. Period. :support:

[emilade]

Although, I will add that domperidone is the bomb. It got me from not lactating at all to producing 30+ ounces a day.

I've heard a lot of good things about it, I guess I'm just nervous because at this point, I can't afford to waste money. but I have never heard of it not working so far.

[diznynurse]

I breast fed DS for 10 weeks and had to supplement as well that entire time, I BF DD for 3 weeks then EP'd for 6months and had to supplement some. With DD I had to pump every 2 hours around the clock to keep my supply up just enough for her to have BM, if I missed a pump my supply went down the next day! For this baby I'm praying my supply will be up from the start because I can not pump that much during the day when I go back to work, if my supply is not up then I'll have to stop pumping and switch to formula at 3months! But you know what as long as I'm giving my baby food, whether it's BM or formula she/he will be healthy and that's all that matters!!!!!

Happy mommy, happy baby!!!!!!

[Bootysaurus]

:hug: You already know what I would say.