Or is it?
First of all, let me start by apologizing for all of the focus I have had on breast feeding lately. It amazes me how much this has taken over my life right now. If you follow me at all, you know that I haven't had the best of luck with breast feeding so far.
It's been 3 weeks and we still don't have anything figured out. I've gotten some really great advice from other bloggers and from friends so I am very grateful for that but we just don't seem to be making any progress. It still hurts when I nurse and he still cries for a bottle after nursing.
If I were able to say that I've given my all and it's just working, then I might be able to let it go but I can't say that yet. So I've decided to dedicate this week to breast feeding. It's going to be my one final push to make it work. I have plan.
More calories/protein - I know I'm not eating enough. I literally just had breakfast at (12:30pm). It's crazy how much you forget about food when you've got a newborn and a toddler to take care of. I probably won't get to eat again until dinner. This certainly does not help my body with producing milk.
So I'm going to try to eat some more food, especially protein. Many people have told me that protein can help keep my little guy full longer so more protein it is. I've made eggs for breakfast (more like lunch) the past two days and I hope to add more protein in other ways as well.
Water - I know I'm not drinking enough water and everyone has said to fill up on water. So I started using my big pink cup that I used while I worked. If I can keep this baby full all day long, I'll be set.
More feeding/pumping - I'm not a fan of pumping but I don't think I'll even have a chance at increasing my supply if I don't start doing it more often. I'm going to try to nurse the little guy for longer periods of time and pump in between each feeding. It's hard to do both of these when I have the toddler running around but I have to try to make it work.
Fenugreek - I started taking fenugreek last week and I'm just going to up the dosage. Someone told me that they started seeing results of 3-6 extra ounces after a week. Here's hoping.
Today is day two of my plan and I'm already a bit discouraged. I see all of these other ladies out there (blog friends and life friends) who have newborns and are rocking on the breast feeding front and it makes me cry to know that I haven't been able to have that kind of success.
My husband doesn't know quite what to do because #1 he's not used to me getting so upset over things #2 he just says if it happens it happens. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with it this time around since I didn't breast feed Ashlyn but I just can't help it.
I really want to make this work. Is all of this stress really worth it? Maybe my body just isn't capable of producing enough. That isn't something I can control but I certainly am trying.
Today my little guy nursed for an hour straight. It was hard. One hour of switching boobs and struggling to keep him latched on. At the end of that hour, I thought for sure he was satisfied but sure enough, after a few minutes, he started crying for more.
While he did get a bottle, he only drank about 2 ounces of it instead of his normal 4 ounces so I guess that can be counted as some kind of progress.
Once again, I apologize for all the boob talk (LOL) but hopefully we will make some progress this week. I really appreciate all of the advice I have been given by everyone and I hope to take some of that advice and put it to good use this week! I guess I'll let you know how it all goes next week.
First of all, let me start by apologizing for all of the focus I have had on breast feeding lately. It amazes me how much this has taken over my life right now. If you follow me at all, you know that I haven't had the best of luck with breast feeding so far.
It's been 3 weeks and we still don't have anything figured out. I've gotten some really great advice from other bloggers and from friends so I am very grateful for that but we just don't seem to be making any progress. It still hurts when I nurse and he still cries for a bottle after nursing.
If I were able to say that I've given my all and it's just working, then I might be able to let it go but I can't say that yet. So I've decided to dedicate this week to breast feeding. It's going to be my one final push to make it work. I have plan.
More calories/protein - I know I'm not eating enough. I literally just had breakfast at (12:30pm). It's crazy how much you forget about food when you've got a newborn and a toddler to take care of. I probably won't get to eat again until dinner. This certainly does not help my body with producing milk.
So I'm going to try to eat some more food, especially protein. Many people have told me that protein can help keep my little guy full longer so more protein it is. I've made eggs for breakfast (more like lunch) the past two days and I hope to add more protein in other ways as well.
Water - I know I'm not drinking enough water and everyone has said to fill up on water. So I started using my big pink cup that I used while I worked. If I can keep this baby full all day long, I'll be set.
Fenugreek - I started taking fenugreek last week and I'm just going to up the dosage. Someone told me that they started seeing results of 3-6 extra ounces after a week. Here's hoping.
Today is day two of my plan and I'm already a bit discouraged. I see all of these other ladies out there (blog friends and life friends) who have newborns and are rocking on the breast feeding front and it makes me cry to know that I haven't been able to have that kind of success.
My husband doesn't know quite what to do because #1 he's not used to me getting so upset over things #2 he just says if it happens it happens. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with it this time around since I didn't breast feed Ashlyn but I just can't help it.
I really want to make this work. Is all of this stress really worth it? Maybe my body just isn't capable of producing enough. That isn't something I can control but I certainly am trying.
Today my little guy nursed for an hour straight. It was hard. One hour of switching boobs and struggling to keep him latched on. At the end of that hour, I thought for sure he was satisfied but sure enough, after a few minutes, he started crying for more.
While he did get a bottle, he only drank about 2 ounces of it instead of his normal 4 ounces so I guess that can be counted as some kind of progress.
Once again, I apologize for all the boob talk (LOL) but hopefully we will make some progress this week. I really appreciate all of the advice I have been given by everyone and I hope to take some of that advice and put it to good use this week! I guess I'll let you know how it all goes next week.
Girl, you have GOT to eat before noon!!! One thing that helped me remember to eat were little snacks like granola bars, protein bars or small bagged snacks. I put them on my bedside table and ate one thing EVERY TIME I nursed. I also put a water bottle there as well. Still to this day, I notice an increase in my milk when I eat a lot the day before. Good luck this week!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the b-feeding, mama. You definitely cant say you're not trying and that really is the most important thing!! :)
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize, this is your life right now!
ReplyDeleteAlso I get the not eating when you need too. I made a comment last weekend in the middle of getting Mackenzie food/drink that this is why I don't eat till 9 when I think I'm going to pass out.
Bloggers blog about what's going on in their life! Don't apologize! Eating and drinking water are so important for the supply! Do you like oatmeal? That is a great source for protein & boosts th supply. Also have you seen the nursing support tea? It tastes like black licorice but it helps too. I would brew it then let it chill. It was more tolerable cold. Have you talked with your doctor about something in your diet that couldbe upsetting his tummy? Especially since he gets upset after you eat?
ReplyDeleteI definitely notice I produce less if I'm skipping meals. That fenugreek is the exact stuff I took and I was taking 6 pills a day (EWWWW). I literally smelt like maple syrup from it.. lol breastfeeding does take over your life when your constantly worrying about your supply, don't feel bad. I hope it starts sorting itself out for you
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