What have we been up to lately?
We've started the process of potty training Kylie. I put her on the toilet yesterday, just like we have numerous times before and she went! YES!!!!! We layed on the praise THICK and she earned some m&.m's by doing that. We are still in the beginning stages but so far she's doing great... she went 6-7 times today! So she's been running around the house without a diaper lately while we get the process down.
Kipton is doing his job by being a great baby. I've been feeding him right before bedtime and he gets up about twice a night. Kylie's doing so much better with him. He's such a cutie! We are so blessed to have him with us. Jared found out that we would have received $1700 more in our tax return if he had been born three weeks earlier! Oh well :).
Unfortunately I've been frustrated with the breastfeeding the last week or two. Around week five it seemed like everything went downhill. Things had been going so great before, so I'm not happy with how the last two weeks have gone. It seems like no matter what I do my supply just isn't increasing. I would spend a good hour nursing him and then he'd still act as if he was starving after so we'd top him off with an ounce to so of formula. After a few days of this I decided to pump a bit to see what was going on. I'll pump for an hour and barely get one ounce of milk. Since he'll eat about three ounces at a feeding that's a problem. So I took a two day break from nursing, just pumping to see if that would help increase things. Big mistake. Now I wish I would have just gotten a supplemental nursing system. I swear that pump has been my downfall and I want to throw it off the side of a cliff. So now I'm STILL not getting more than an ounce at one pumping session and I've got a baby that wants nothing to do with nursing anymore... he just thrashes at me. No wonder. When I'm pumping it's like I'm practically willing the droplets out. So I'm still pumping, but it literally takes me three different sessions (2.5-3 hours) to get enough for one feeding. It's ridiculous.
Its like the endless downward cycle. If I could get my supply up to snuff I'm pretty sure I could get him to nurse again. But I need him to nurse in order to get my supply going better. That probably wouldn't have solved my problems completely knowing what I know now. But pumping hasn't been kind to me. Not happy about that.
So that's been my life lately.
8 comments:
I know I am a stranger but really it works.
Try More Milk by Mothers love....here is the link http://www.motherlove.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MHC&Category_Code=00006
I used it with three of mine. Even after having serve stomatch flu and being really dehydrated and having nothing left my milk supply came back! Don't give up!
Take this for what is worth. This is just my experience and maybe it will help you. But if you are sick of advice just ignore.
I have nursed all 3 of my babies. I was able to pump tons of milk until 6 weeks. Then it was like it was all gone. My pediatrician told me this was normal. Many people are not able to pump after awhile. Your body starts to regulate and doesn't make a lot of extra. You probably still have milk and will have enough to feed your baby. Give him a little extra if you feel like you need to but keep him nursing.
I have noticed that my babies go through this multiples times. I have thought they were starving too. I never did figure it out but it could have been something I ate, or just a colicky stage. It lasted a week or two and then they would go back to being content.
I am no pro. Nursing is hard. There is never an for sure answer. It is hard because you can't tell how much they are really eating. I have told Travis multiple times that I wish they were see through so I could see just how much was coming out...LOL.
Good luck.
Your baby is adorable!
OK unsolicited advise from a SIL, but here's my two cents. First, DON'T GIVE UP!! We all want to for the first few months, but you'll be so glad you didn't. Second, I'm not a big fan of substituting formula especially when you're trying to get it down. For one, Babies always drink more from a bottle, and second it doesn't allow your body to naturally adjust like it should which get's frustrating. And the only time I pump in the first months was to relieve pressure when my milk was coming in. Babies go through growth spurts where all they want to do is eat, but that's how your body adjusts to the supply and demand factor.
Well there you go!!
Kipton is so cute! I think he looks a lot like you.
I had to return to work for a little while after Abigail was born, so I pumped, but then when I had the summer off, she didn't want to nurse anymore (she preferred the bottle). So it may sound aweful, but I made up a bottle of formula and kept in the the fridge. And anytime she wouldn't nurse, I would give her the cold formula. After a day, she was happy to nurse. And as I'm sure you heard/read/and other commenters have said, your body will adjust to his demand. Jane ate every hour on the hour at about 2.5 weeks for a week (when we took her to the doctor she had gained 3 pounds in the three weeks since birth!)) Got to love those growth spurts! Jane is at it again, she is 11 months and This last couple of weeks she wakes up in the middle of the night STARVING and will voraciously nurse (where she hasn't woken up for a while now). I keep meaning to put her on the scale to see how much she has grown.
Good luck. Have you asked for blessing?
Tamara, CONGRATULATIONS on the potty training!! I hope it continues to go well!
As for nursing, I know you'll do what's best for you and your baby. YOU'RE A WONDERFUL MOTHER, so trust your own intincts!
Hey, I have been having the same problem. I bought a cheap pump and couldn't get anything. My aunt works at the hospital and got me a nice one last week and it has made a huge difference. She also told me about some herbs that help to increase your supply, but I haven't tried them yet. They are Fenegreek and Blessed Thistle. I love your pictures!
You guys sound like pros with the potty training- I get frustrated, big time! I had a rough go with Logan and nursing- and he's my fourth!! I really liked an herbal tea called "Mother's Milk." I agree with the crew- don't give up! Make sure you are taking care of yourself- eat well and sleep when you can!
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