tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post3515558612531762299..comments2014-04-09T17:19:42.312-07:00Comments on Clarissa Eats It All: Why I gave up breast feeding for a day: And don't regret itTara @ Monkey Munchableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05992085888444157464noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post-53649009169121333512014-04-09T17:19:42.312-07:002014-04-09T17:19:42.312-07:00Wow thank you for commenting. I'm glad that yo...Wow thank you for commenting. I'm glad that you could understand where I am coming from. I think there are a lot of women out there struggling with breast feeding and maybe feel ashamed to say something about it. I know I had a lot of guilt with it at first. Luckily, I haven't bled yet (knock on wood) but I have gotten a blood blister on my nipple as well as odd hickies from my pump. Things seem to be on the up swing as far as continuously getting 2-3 oz for a pumping if she hasn't fed first. I'm trying to be good about continuing to take my prenatal vitamins, my mother's milk tea, and staying hydrated with good ole water. I'll definitely give the 5's thing a try. Thanks for the suggestion. Tara @ Monkey Munchableshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992085888444157464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post-9497665237845096022014-04-04T03:32:44.074-07:002014-04-04T03:32:44.074-07:00Thank you so much for sharing your story Jacey! I&...Thank you so much for sharing your story Jacey! I've had issues BF my two as well. The first one had drawn blood on my cracked nipples before she was even 24 hours old, so I can sympathise with you one the pain front. Also the awkwardness of shields and the who supplement/compliment feeding thing. With my first I would nurse (for up to an hour) then top up with formula, then pump 10 minutes (regardless of how much/little came out) each side, then spend up to 30 minutes to wash & sterilise & prep any bottles for the next feed. By which time she was just about ready for another feed. My life felt like one giant feeding 'frenzy'. <br /><br />Number 2 has been a little easier which I put down to less pressure on watching her weight (with #1 I could tell you exactly how much she weighed each week & how much she'd put on, #2 I'm lucky to get in the ball park) and taking fenugreek & blessed thistle supplements on & off.<br /><br />The fact that lactation consultants exist is testament to the struggle that exists with breastfeeding. I assumed everything after giving birth would come naturally, which it really *really* didn't. One thing someone suggested recently to aid with relaxation while feeding it to do the 5s.Think of your 5 senses & then observe 5 things for each. While I sit here feeding my baby, I can hear the fan spinning, the traffic on the road, her rhythmic breathing, my own breath, the dog barking down the street. While I sit here feeding my baby I can feel the pressure of the seat beneath me, her hand against my arm, her feeding motion, my hair tickling my neck, the breeze etc etc<br /><br />Good on you for standing your ground for what suits you & your family!Loving Luncheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14070732707131076929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post-45166651204404248452014-04-02T21:13:48.025-07:002014-04-02T21:13:48.025-07:00Wow ladies! You are a inspirational. Thank you for...Wow ladies! You are a inspirational. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment your experiences. I'm actually pumping by hand. I rented a pump from my hospital but it was only short term. I'm working on getting another! I do continue to pump once nothing comes, something I just started last week and I think it has been very helpful! I was thrilled to get a 3oz pump tonight. Highly unusual for me. Again, you've all been inspirational. Thank you for sharing your experience! Tara @ Monkey Munchableshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992085888444157464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post-12257997449466497492014-04-01T18:03:12.823-07:002014-04-01T18:03:12.823-07:00My best bit of advice...that no one told me...was ...My best bit of advice...that no one told me...was that when pumping, even if you're not seeing any more milk flow into the bottles, just keep doing it for another five to ten minutes if you can. I never saw so much milk as I did once I started doing that. Sometimes I would think I was done since no more milk was coming, then I'd keep pumping and BAM! Like 5 ounces would be in there. The body thinks the baby needs more food, so the more you try to take, the more it will try to produce. Another thing is once she is done nursing, immediately try to pump for a little while. It really helps. You're using an electric pump, right? Double?<br /><br />Hang in there, its hard work, but you can do it!! This is a great post! And I love the way you've worded it. feelingalittlelunchyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675534284999648541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post-86361413514025722722014-04-01T17:23:38.658-07:002014-04-01T17:23:38.658-07:00lowmilksupply.org has great tips and suggestions, ...lowmilksupply.org has great tips and suggestions, and the only one that worked for me was to order the domperidone online from whatever country didn't need a prescription (it's available in the US with a prescription, but it is SO HARD getting most doctors on board since they know nothing on how much and how often to prescribe it, etc.) Fenugreek made me and both my babies sick, so Mother's Milk tea is out for me (as are many curry powder blends!) Reglan (metoclopramide) worked great, but it's only safe short-term, and the second I stopped taking it, my supply plummeted again. I tried long-term anyway, but had neurological side effects (massive fatigue, inability to focus, easily distracted - I would try to read a book and get caught up in the font! Then be too tired to read anyway...) <br /><br />My oldest ended up being primarily formula fed after 3 months, since I had to go back to work, but she liked to nurse after her bottles and at nap and bedtimes, which we did until she was 3. Even that tiny amount of milk (seriously - no squirting during breast exams!) was beneficial though, as she rarely got sick, despite licking things at McDonald's PlayLand! Once I weaned her, she would routinely get sick for weeks at a time!<br /><br />My little one had to be supplemented from birth due to jaundice and failure-to-thrive, but we did the tube while nursing thing for ages. She finally quit me at 6 months, since the bottle was way faster, and she hated nursing anywhere other than in bed, which we rarely had time for with a big sister with a full schedule! She was sick almost non-stop for a year after. <br /><br />So any amount you can give is still beneficial. Just don't check out Foodbabe.com's article on the toxins they put in baby formula. It's scary, especially when it feels like your only option! But both my girls had the side-effects listed for the (illegal) ingredients the USDA turns a blind-eye to. :(Ludicrous Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17808367296847075643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7647340400432391944.post-30301553240564520942014-04-01T17:02:38.856-07:002014-04-01T17:02:38.856-07:00Hi Jacey!! What a great post. No criticisms here!!...Hi Jacey!! What a great post. No criticisms here!! I nursed both of my boys. I was not a big milk producer with them, either. With my first son, I had no problems with latching on or with pain, so nursing him was very pleasurable. With my second son, latching on was not a problem, but nursing him was so painful I cried every time I had to feed him. I could not understand why it wasn't like child #1. There were many times I truly considered quitting nursing him. I can relate to some of your feelings. I did consult a lactation specialist and the LaLeche League, but still couldn't get any relief. I really don't know how I continued to do it, but at about 12 weeks, the pain slowly subsided, and after a while no pain at all. I really am glad I did not give up. I nursed him til he was 14 months and I nursed my first son til he was 16 months. As I said, I was not a big milk producer, so at about 10 weeks, I also had to start supplementing with formula with both boys. Not what I wanted to do, but my ped was concerned with their lack of weight gain, so it was neccessary. I tried to pump, but it just didn't work for me. I would nurse until I was empty and then offer a bottle. Sometimes they took it and sometimes they were full enough without taking the bottle. Even if you end up having to supplement with formula at times, your baby will still get the benefit of the breast milk. So, overall, it worked out for me. I absolutely loved nursing my babies, and I'm glad you decided to stick with it. I hope it all goes well for you.Tracy @The Lucky Lunchboxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105942205852366356noreply@blogger.com