Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Go ahead - call me crazy

I'm not going down without a fight. I'm talking about breastfeeding. My supply is low, very low. It couldn't even feed a new born, much less a 5 month old. I've decided that I'm going to pump every 3 hours. I'm going to set my alarm and get up to pump.

It isn't appealing, believe me. Today Natey and I went to Sioux Falls and shopped until we couldn't stand each other any more. We went to 2 supply houses, Once Upon a Child, Target, Old Navy and then Wal-Mart. I'm beat!

I will, however, be waking up every 3 hours to pump.

Go ahead - call me crazy.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think you're crazy. Breastfeeding means a lot to me, so I would do anything possible before I called it quits. I hope it helps, though. And yes, cutting down on calories will probably not help any...Good luck!

Amber said...

I feel for you Kerrie. Some women are milk machines, I, on the other hand am not. I tried my hardest to nurse both girls and my supply dwindled and dwindled. The last time I pumped I got a 1/2 an ounce. Thats when I called it quits.
I think that breastfeeding is a great thing, but don't beat yourself down about it if it's not working for you! You gotta do what works for you!

the boedecker family said...

Good for you!! My sister had the same problem and she gave up right away! Do what you got to do but I will agree with Amber a little...you have given baby Jack a great start!! Good luck!!

Heidi Jo Comes said...

i'll be rooting for you!

Jennie Thompson said...

You're not crazy. You're just a woman on a mission!

Lori said...

I don't think you are crazy either.
You have to do whatever works for you. I hope it works out for you.

Jamie said...

You are not crazy! Nursing is such hard work and requires so much time and energy!! You do what you gotta do!!

By the way....you had a nice picture in the paper last night! :))

Just Mom said...

You're crazy. ;-)

Home Seller said...

Well, as I write this guess what I am doing....pumping! I am still nursing LUke and he will be 8 months on Thursday. I wish someone would have told me how frustrating it is when I started. If it weren't for some of my good friends, I would have thrown in the towel. And, now I will be sad to quit. It is hard work, and I agree, it is not for everyone. And, it is so not worth beating yourself up over that is for sure. I have been a milk machine because I am able to pump 2 times during the work day which has helped. But, now that Luke is eating more and we are mixing it with his cereal, I am starting to feel like I need to pump more as well because I want to keep doing it. I know exactly what you are thinking right now! Hang in there!! I have a feeling I will be weaning him off this summer and I will be sad as I love the closeness and attachment....and if any of you have breastfed, you know what I mean.

Home Seller said...

oh, me again....DRINK LOTS OF WATER! That is what my Dr. told me to help produce more. I really think it helps.

Dawn said...

I am a friend of Kari. I totally understand where you are coming from. My daughter is almost 8 months. When I had her my goals for breastfeeding where to either make it until she got teeth or til she could start eating food. When she was 2 1/2 mos. I had to go back to work. I was never able to get a supply built up, so I knew I was going to have to supplement. I was pumping at work and as the weeks went on it became less and less. The last month of nursing her my supply drasticly nose dived for the worse. I called my doctor cause I had friends tell me that reglan helps build your supply. So I got a script for it. Unfortunetly it didn't work. At her four mos check up I got the okay from my doctor to start feeding her food. Christmas day was my last day I nursed. I cried, it is a very emotional thing, and women that haven't done it have no idea what a gift it is and the bond that it has. Now I am glad my body quit for me cause she is so active and I could not imagine trying to nurse her now. Plus I have gotten use to my body being my own again. But don't get me wrong I wished I could have gone longer.
Keep fighting as long as you can. It is also a health benefit, and every little bit will help him to hopefully stay healthy. GOOD LUCK!

Diana said...

Hang in there Kerrie, I wish you well. I threw in the towel myself. Me too amber kay I too am not milk machine at all. I wish you all the luck in the world. I have heard you really have to commit and pump every two-three hours. Take care!

Nicole said...

I don't think you're crazy...just a mom who deeply loves her children and will do whatever she has to to ensure they are being taken care of in the best possible way!!

Take Fenugreek. Here is some advice from my Mommy online community:

Some mothers have found that the herb, Fenugreek, is helpful for increasing milk supply. It works best when combined with increased frequency of nursing and/or pumping. You can find it at your local health food store or nutrition store. The dosage is 2-4 capsules 3 times a day. Most moms notice an increase in supply after using it 1-3 days. It is safe for your baby. While taking it you may notice that your perspiration and urine smell like maple syrup as Fenugreek is used to give artificial Maple syrup its odor. Some moms report diarrhea while taking it that quickly resolves once they stop taking it. If you suffer from asthma, your symptoms may become worse with the Fenugreek. Dosages higher than the recommended one given above may result in hypoglycemia in some mothers. If pregnant, you should NOT use Fenugreek as it may cause uterine contractions. Many moms use it for a quick boost to their supplies. Others have used it long-term with no problems. Other herbs often recommended for increasing milk supply are Blessed Thistle and Alfalfa. For some mothers a combination of herbs seems to work better than one herb alone. You may use the Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, and Alfalfa in combination if you choose.

And eat lots of oatmeal.

Love and miss ya!

Kari said...

Kerrie- I wish I had some advice for you. I was a milk machine my daughter, and never had to worry about not having enough milk.

As the other Moms have said, the bond that develops while nursing, is like no other. Treasure it while it lasts, but don't stress out too much because that can cause a decrease in supply too!

The most important thing to remember is that whether Jack's milk comes from you or from a bottle, it is the closeness and interaction that is important.