"....I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~James 10:10~

Monday, September 23, 2013

{Is BREAST best?...}

Personally, I think it just H.U.R.T.S!

Let me preface this post with the following facts about our situation:

1. I'm trying to have a good attitude about breastfeeding...trying hard...
2. It's not fun (but there will be many things I'll do as a parent that might not be FUN but are good for my child.)
3. I don't seem to be producing enough milk???
4. I'm confused over #3
5. It's a great thing to do for your child if you can, no doubt!
6. Pumping hurts way worse than having her on the breast IMO

And on the other hand...

1. I want to do what's best for my child. ALWAYS.
2. I MIGHT actually be making enough milk. Not knowing is the hard part.
3. When Chloe nurses well it feels like a huge success!
4. At least we've gotten in 3 good weeks of breast milk
5. I'm having to pump 8 times a day which is HARD to fit in our day if I manage to take advantage of hours I could be resting.
6.  Thank God for lanolin

Our feeding schedule is very hectic right now. For example, here's yesterday's pumping/feeding log from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. Our goal (per lactation consultant) is to aim for 8 pumpings daily and/or breastfeed on demand as well as supplement with formula to make sure she's getting enough since she lost weight after delivery. The pumpings are supposedly to stimulate production. Chloe's now over her birth weight and eats well. She needs to eat 2.25 oz per feeding-also according to her pediatrician and the lactation consultant.

11 am-pumped 3 oz.
3 pm- pumped 3 oz. (she had a pumped bottle in between while we were at my in-law's house)
4:15 pm- she nursed shortly then seemed content
6:30pm-nursed very well :)
9:15 pm- nursed very well:)
11:00 pm- pumped 1.5 oz
Midnight-gave her a pumped bottle
3 am-nursed well
4:00 am-nursed again
4:45-nursed again
5:00- she was still crying and rooting LOTS so we supplemented with a formula bottle
8:30 am-pumped 3 oz.
Then I finally got a chance to sleep :)

This is just a complicated schedule of feedings, pumpings, and supplementing. I think feeds would be easier and more enjoyable if I could just exclusively breastfeed...maybe then it would be more appealing.

So now I'm stuck in a place between wanting to and trying to have success breastfeeding but  secretly ( well, not so much now:)  longing to switch to formula and give my boobs a break! I'd love to hear from you if you opted to use formula and why OR if you had difficulty breastfeeding but stuck it out with good results. Help this new Mommy out!

Love,
Laura




2 comments:

Jennifer said...

Before getting into details I'll say: IT GETS EASIER!!!!!!! Also, after going through this with 3 kids I've noticed that the hospital lactation consultants give some CRAPPY advice! I had way better luck finding a lactation consultant through the local La Leche League. They have been a God-send! Breastfeeding is supply and demand process so sometimes pumping can throw it off (I'd say that theres not a great chance you're not making enough milk--especially if she's growing!) If she's wetting diapers and pooping, its all good! I'll also say my babies were always RAVENOUS in the first couple of months! No way could they go the recommended 3 hours between feedings! It wa more like eveey hour through parts of the day! With two kids it hurt so bad I thought I'd die! But once you get it right, it literally feels like NOTHING! The last thing I'll say here in this novel of a comment is that you can't go wrong! You love your baby and whatever you fecide will be just fine for her! Breastmilk is awesome and I'll send you some good stuff on why but formula has fed millions of babies who grew up to be healthy grown ups. Maybe you could do both? Formula for bottles and breastmilk when she can eat from you? There are so many ways you can feed her! :) Message me on Facebook if you need to vent or ask questions! I'm a pro at this now! :D -Jen Pfaffl <3

Anna said...

Congrats again on your baby girl!

I started off breastfeeding, but ended up switching to formula. I had some of the issues you mentioned. (Declan wouldn't latch, supply issues, etc.) It was a tough time. I think that if I had, had more support and information (I wish I had done more research!), I could have stuck it out longer and had the special bonding experience I read about.

I plan to be better prepared for the next baby. (if we have more)I hope that I can breastfeed the next one.

The good that came with this experience is that Declan is healthy and happy even though I felt I needed to switch him to formula.

Sometimes things just don't work out. It doesn't make you a bad mother. You have to do what's best for you and your family. Ultimately its your decision.