Monday, November 28, 2011

the case of the disappearing milk supply

With Theo, I had such an oversupply of milk that I had to pump before I went to bed.  Sometimes after he nursed in the mornings, too.  With Dexter, not the case.  Right at six months, my milk production fell off with Theo and I agonized over it until I found out I was pregnant.  Simple explanation, really.  So we started supplementing with formula and I was able to do that and nurse/use our freezer reserves until he was 8 months old. 

I AM NOT PREGNANT.  So why am I having the same dip in supply now that Dexter is 6 months old?  This coincides with me deciding to make him bigger bottles (an extra 4 oz spread out over 4 bottles) during the week, so I'm failing to even make enough milk for those right now.  Forget having enough left over to freeze.  I do still have frozen milk for him (for now) but I'm having to use it just to fill up the bottles.  Talk about stress.  I have a friend that just nursed twins for a year.  She works full-time too.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but my body doesn't seem to want to feed my babies for much more than six months. 

I'm not giving up.  If it doesn't improve soon, I'll start Fenugreek.  I'm just not excited about it since I've read that it makes you and your baby smell like maple syrup.  Ew?  And I'm also not excited because I know once I start taking it, there's no going back.  I'm afraid if I don't keep taking it in increasing amounts, my supply will just continue to dwindle or dry up.  Anyone have experience with Fenugreek?  Or this 6 month milk mystery?


All I want is to prolong these fleeting, snuggly moments with my baby boy.  He seems to be getting plenty to eat on the weekend so I'm inclined to believe it has more to do with pumping.  Of course pumps are nowhere near as effective as emptying the breasts, so the more he nurses the better off we both are. 

I figured parenting would be stressful, but sheesh.  I didn't know I'd have to measure and agonize over every ounce of breastmilk.  And hey, you want to talk about someone crying over spilled milk?  Yes, that really happens.  The stuff is gold at my house.  We don't waste one drop. 


3 days til surgery consultation.  : (

~C~

2 comments:

  1. You've had a really stressful time lately too. That can affect your supply. Mine dried up at four WEEKS flat. They even tried me on some presciption drug (I think it is for your stomach but a side effect is to stimulate milk supply) but I can't remember the name. Maybe call your OB, they'll know what it is. I can't say as to wether it is the same or not (I had PPD so nothing is the same now as it was then), but I've been formula feeding for almost 8 months and I PROMISE you will still get to snuggle with your baby boy. Evie and I snuggle all the time when she is eating. :) You've got a lot on your plate with the dog bite and the upcoming surgery (praying for y'all!!!) so don't beat yourself up too bad, Mama! You are doing a great job!

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  2. Thanks Sarah. I really appreciate you taking the time to read AND comment! You're the best! :)

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