Am I running out of milk?

[Sharondp]

Sweety - I've just seen this, and as you know I can't offer you any advice - just wanted to send you some big ((((HUGS)))).
Leo is having major SA right now, so if you think it might be that and need to chat - you know where I am! 

[Aly Mac]

Hi, just wanted to send some hugs. I've never fed for that long so i really don't have any advice, sorry. But it looks to me like its just a comfort thing too and what Katie has suggested sounds like it might be worth a try.

Does she ask for milk?

Kate x

only in the morning kate normally. though all today...

thanks Sharon and Michelle....xx

Katie, i'm thinkikng maybe it's time, but if' it's SA stopping now may not be the best time - maybe after this spell.

[lisi's mum]

would you be happy to go with what SHE wants then or is that too much of a step backwards?

[MJMom]

Big hugs Aly - That does sound a wee bit like Marina right before we weaned.  When we started the weaning process she got VERY clingy.  I was fortunate to have a business trip where she had the milk from a bottle and then when I came back, we continued the bottles and she was able to make that transition. 

What we did start doing right before the trip and reinforced it after was to start the morning with cuddles.  She would still grab at my chest, I would offer her a bottle and she would still grab.  After the trip, she didn't seem so insistent.  She would grab a bit, but then settle in for the milk, and we would just cuddle more.  We also cuddle a lot right before bed.  Basically the two times that we would BF.  We probably cuddle 15-20 min both in the am & pm.  About the time that we would BF.  We also would do it randomly through the day before too.  When we cuddle she is in a pretty close position to BF'ing, but that she is slightly seated upright rather than right on the breast.  But she is pretty darn close to that breast.  It was intentional at first, but now is habit.

Of course, Marina was much younger through all of that than Lily is now.  Hope that helps!

[deckchariot]

Aly, I don't know if this helps or not, but this morning when I was giving Abby her sippy cup of milk, she pulled up my shirt and just wanted to stroke my breast while she drank from her cup.  So if there's a  way to figure out how to offer the comfort factor without the hour long nursing session (I cannot imagine what that must do for soreness!), that might be the key.....don't know if she'd take a sippy with the breast accessible or if that's just  too much....

[Aly Mac]

Katie, I feel if I go with what she wants, then we would be going backwards.  Maybe that's just in my mind and she would be fine.  I don't know...will have to think on that one. I guess that's the conflict,hey?

Michelle and Alissa, thanks for sharing your experience. It certainly gives me some ideas, and will be trying them out. 

this morning she wanted more after 20mins, and distracting did help, with dh.  will see how the day goes.  She is really clingy even with him this morning when he left, so it really looks like the SA angle.

will keep you all posted.  thanks for the advice.

xx

[lyndsy_p]

Aly...everyone is soo bang on with the SA...but I have a slightly different angle.

Are you feeling guilty? Even a little bit?

She may be picking up on a little guilt, and really pushing it because she can sense your apprehension. I know you were trying to limit her morning BF when this happened, maybe you are giving her mixed signals. Our LO's are sooooo perceptive to our emotions. Really tied to BFing.

You know when Graesha has a bit of a spill (falls) and I gasp, she always cries. If I just watch and ask if she's okay, she will go on about her business. Maybe the same goes for AM BF session for you guys kwim? Just a thought.

Hugs, hugs, hugs my love. I know this is rough on you.

Lyndsy

[Aly Mac]

Thanks Lyndsy.  I do feel bad as when I tell her that there is no milk til morning (when she was asking in the afternooon) she put her head in her hands and cried! was very sad.   They are very smart these little people. 

Today was ok - there was no asking for milk, other than in the morning after she was finished, but as I said in previous post, she was distracted ok.  I've been sick all day so we had a day at home doing nothing (cold and wet too) and really spent every minute with her.  she did fuss when I left the room, but I guess we have to ride the SA out.

As much as I feel sad about finishing bf, this at least has me preparing in my mind for it - if that makes sense.  I don't want to be overly emotional and taken by surprise (yeh, who am I kidding) so I need to prepare myself.  After this bout of SA I think I will wean the morning feed (the last....) but will need dh I think - he's great, but so not a morning person, esp now it's winter.  At least I'm getting my head (and heart) around it.

As I'm sick she has gone out to dinner with daddy (my nieces' bday dinner) so I am at home resting - cant' remember the last time I was at home at night by myself!!! (she will be fine with daddy, as if he's home, he is the flavour of the month!)

[lisi's mum]

Aly, a {{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you and get better soon. Enjoy your peaceful evening! Weaning that last feed was so hard, I was in tears but we soon found other ways and times for our cuddles. Infact Lisi still comes into bed and cuddles for a few minutes when we wake in the morning, I love it.

She's fascinated by Norah drinking, but when I offer her some she looks at me with mild disgust and tells me that milk's for babies. *sigh* how times have changed!

[deckchariot]

well said Lyndz - Abby picks up on my guilt issues too.....

that Lilly is a smart girl Aly and she adores her mommy and her mommy's milk.  I know dh helped with weaning the night feed, so I'm guessing you're right that you'll need him in the am too.

get some rest and feel better - with the SA and you being sick, now is not the time to stress over weaning!