Breastfeeding

[militarymommy]

I am curious to find out how long you other moms breasftfed...and how do you know when to stop?

I planned on breastfeeding my daughter, but I wasn't producing milk when she was born. I knew it would be a few days before the milk actually came, but I wasn't even producing colostrum. My husband and I are convinced that this precious stuff was wasted away when I was advised to pump my breasts to help induce labor. My daughter was 8days past her due date. She was smaller than we expected, only 6lbs 13oz. Because she wasn getting so little if anything from my breast, and because her discharge weight was 6lbs 4oz, I decided to supplement with formula until my milk came it. Well, it came later that week, but I think it's gone now. When I pump, it takes forever to get a couple of oz. And when she's breastfeeding, she gets so frustrated because the milk just doesn't come out as easily as from a bottle. So she's more on formula now. I read that you should breastfeed exclusively for the first weeks to establish your milk supply. I try to put her on the breast first, and when she gets so frustrated and cries, I give her the bottle. Since I've been bottle feeding more, can I ever establish my milk? She's about 6wks now, and I feel bad that I pretty much quit breastfeeding on her. When I imagined it, I planned on breastfeeding for 3months. How long did you women breastfeed? And when/how/why did you stop?

[TrubearJ]

I supplemented my now four month old in the beginning. The lactation consultant told me to stop supplementing (gradually) so that Trulen could establish my milk supply. She also told me that whatever I supplemented with I would have to pump (1oz of formula means 1oz pumped for ex). That seemed to work well. And make sure you have a good breast pump....I love Medela.
With Trulen, I was breastfeeding full-time until a week ago. He started to fuss at the breast and was not satisfied with what I was giving him. I fed him full-time and gave him an ounce after each feeding as well as giving Tru solids. He still wasn't satisfied so last week I made a hard decision- I decided to just put him on the breast only three times a day. He'll be five months in 10 days, so I'll completely wean him than.

[kfiedler]

I planed one year for both of mine. But my first I did 7 months she was too squirmy, and my second I did for 10 Months he just got to big.

[mama22]

I've got two. I breastfed both until just past a year, mostly because at that point my husband thought it was getting "weird." (My oldest would come off the breast and say "all done!" It freaked him out.) To wean them, I just replaced one breastfeeding session with whole milk (at that age you can wean straight to a cup), maintained for a few days, then dropped one more feeding, continue until all feedings have been dropped. It gives your body time to adjust.

In your situation, since you seem committed to giving it your best shot, I would definitely make a call to a lactation consultant. They give great advice over the phone but you can actually go in to their office too. Most hospitals offer it as a free service. I was able to take a breastfeeding class as part of my birthing classes. In it, the lactation consultant pretty much refuted everything my mom and older sisters had ever told me about breastfeeding. I followed the professional's advice and it worked out beautifully. (I think they have learned alot over the years). You can also check with your local la leche league.

If it doesn't work out for you, don't beat yourself up over it. You are doing the best you can. I don't know how it works, but I have heard of moms who adopt infants breastfeeding them. I imagine there is some type of hormone therapy to produce the milk. If all else fails and you still want to give it a whirl, you could talk to your doctor about that. Just cut yourself some slack and hug that baby before you do anything else!

[Amboq07]

My son is 3 1/2 months old and I have exclusively breastfed him since the day he was born. In the beginning it was really difficult trying to figure out how to do it right and how to get him to latch on good and it was also stressful being the only one that could wake up at night to feed him but in the long run it has really been worth it and I wouldnt change it. I plan on breastfeeding until he is around 5-6 months. Even then I am not looking forward to putting him on formula.

[MommaC]

I wasn't much of a producer either. I also developed mastitis and became severely dehydrated which resulted in my milk supply becoming even lower. I tried the fenugreek...it helped a bit, but I still didn't have enough. My pediatrician told me to quit supplementing cold turkey...I tried, but it was torture listening to my daughter scream in hunger. We decided to bottle-feed, and it's been great. I know breast is best, but the formulas we have now aren't junk. My daughter has been developing just fine--even ahead in some areas. Don't feel guilty if you've got to go to the bottle.

[camcdowell]

I breastfed for 5 1/2 mos. I choose to quit for work. It was great, but don't worry about not being able to. I never wanted to but always heard the "it's so good" so I tried and got lucky that my son took to it. One of my good friends wasn't able to and both her boys are happy and healthy and smart. She has never felt like she missed anything, and if I had not been able to, I know I would not have lost out on any of the love I feel for my son nor would he love me any less!

[ra11en]

I breastfed our daughter for 6 weeks. I had planned on a year, but her digestive system couldn't handle anything I put in my body. I went on the total elimination diet and had gotten to just a grilled chicken breast at every meal, with water. No spices, no dairy of any kind, no veggies (gas), etc. It was so hard! I was producing plenty of milk, she was a champion at latching even with a supplemental bottle at night, but she had a cows milk allergy so I really couldn't take in anything without her suffering. So, at 6 weeks old I had to quit. It was just too difficult on us and I wanted to enjoy being a first time mom! Pediatrician put her on a special formula that made all the difference. She is a happy, healthy, ahead in milestones for her age, at 18mo. Like others have said, you do what you can and you do your best, and don't let it get you down if it doesn't work for you just the way you had planned. You're doing great, I'm sure! No matter what you choose to do, it will work out!