Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Ooh... Did She Just Say the "F" Word?

For weeks, nay, months, I've been having milk supply issues due mostly to the fact that Natalie is constantly on the go. She's never been a really hearty nurser, mainly when she's tired or in the middle of the night. I've been keeping up good with my pumping at work, but slacking off at home. Now that she's not nursing hardly at all at home, it's really catching up to me. She's still taking approximately 16 ounces at daycare, plus eating two meals of solids there. She shouldn't be that hungry! My daycare provider says she has a huge appetite during the day and screams when it's time to eat.

At home on the weekends, she doesn't nurse much - certainly not the equivalent of 16 ounces, and does ok on her solids. She seems filled and contented. I just can't figure how she's eating so much during the week! In the evenings, she's not all that interested in dinner, and doesn't nurse until LATE evening, sometimes midnight. I try to nurse her when I get home and throughout the evening. She'll take a few drinks then wiggles away to play.

I started taking Domperidone a few months ago and stopped taking it once my supply came back up. Lately I started taking it agin when my period returned last month and stopped once my supply rebounded to a sufficient level. Now it's in the toilet again. It seems like my supply is slowly stepping down - it will decrease and I'll get it back up to an acceptable level where it will plateau for a bit, only to decrease some more.

Now the situation is getting dire. I'm pumping maybe 8 ounces a day. I tried pumping this morning after all night of not nursing (she slept from midnight through morning). I got 1-1/2 ounces per breast.

I'm defeated (and deflated). I've been fighting this for months and the stress has gotten worse and worse. We're so close to 12 months and being able to start her on whole milk...

I'm starting to think I need to think about getting some formula to feed her these last 3 months.

*sigh*

8 comments:

LucieP said... Best Blogger Tips

your blog is great! Mind if I add it to my blog list?!

http://lucieps-place.blogspot.com/

luciep819@gmail.com

Raising Baby Bee said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi lucie! thanks for visiting!!

Christy said... Best Blogger Tips

Look back fondly on all of that special time together nursing her. You've almost made past the 8 month mark, wow, 8 months!

I know how hard this is, I've been there, it's not fun.

Look at everything else you're able to do for her, the homemade food for one! Chin up! :)

Lauren said... Best Blogger Tips

I can imagine that it is very stressful being a working, pumping mother. You have to constantly make sure that you have enough milk for Nati while she's at daycare. Pumping, working, mothering 3 children and taking care of your husband and the household is a tremendous responsibility. You've worked really hard to breastfeed and you've made it this far, so give yourself a pat on the back!

I'm cheering for you as you approach the homestretch!

Raising Baby Bee said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the support ladies. I'm sorry to be so down and complaining, I don't mean to be. I'm trying to take it day by day, but I'm getting so discouraged.

Lauren said... Best Blogger Tips

You're welcome. Don't be sorry- you're being honest and real. I encourage you to stick with it because it's worth it in the end. You've almost met your goal!!! Get back in the saddle, girlie! :)

Raising Baby Bee said... Best Blogger Tips

I actually did pretty good pumping this morning... and Daycare cut back on her bottles/food yesterday so she was hungrier last night. we'll see what happens.

Lauren said... Best Blogger Tips

Good deal!