A myriad of issues...

[Critter]

DS is 9 1/2 weeks.
My supply in my right breast has dipped considerably.  I think it's due to being back on the pill.  Only on it for 2 weeks, though.  I'm going to stop the pill, I'm taking Fenugreek, drinking Mother's Milk Tea, and I'm trying to pump the right side when I can after feedings.  It's hard with a 3 year old, too.

I've thought about starting to wean, but I've got such mixed emotions about it because I've worked so hard to get where we are.

So, I've decided to just try to take one day at a time and give one bottle of EBM a day.  That way, when we do have to transition to formula, it will be easier.  He used to take a bottle with no problems, but he hasn't had one for about 3 weeks.  Last night when he woke up at 3 am, DH tried to give him one and he refused it for almost an hour!  He was definitely hungry, but he wanted me and not the bottle

I'm new at BF.  DS1 was formula fed. Any tips??  Will my milk come back in on the right?  When there's milk there, he does fine, but he's manipulated his latch due to decreased milk and it's hard to get him to latch properly again, thus perpetuating the cycle of low supply.

[PaulsMom]

((hugs))  it's not always easy to establish breastfeeding.  I've heard that starting the bc pill before breast feeding is fully established can decrease supply so you may be doing the right thing by stopping. 

In terms of ensuring that your supply on your right side is good, you can always do a yield by weighing your lo before your feed and just after you feed.  You can then calculate how much he got.  I've done this when I was seen by a lacation consultant.  Feeding from both sides isn't an issue either so you may find that your left side is bigger than your right.

To increase supply, pumping is the right thing to do - it's just such a pain to do and takes time away from you lo.  Take one day at a time and you will get through it.  I've also heard that taking the herbal supplements can increase supply.  I was taking Domperidone which helped me substantiallly (40 mg 3 times per day). I don't know if you can get it in all countries (I'm in Canada) but you can ask your doctor or a lactation consultant if it is used where you are.  Also, try to correct his latch. It's hard to do but if he seems calm but is latch is off, it's worth a shot.

As for offering a bottle, keep on trying.  You may have to try different bottles and/or nipples.

I hope this helps!

[A pair of Charlies]

Hi

As post above, I would keep trying. Take it one day at a time, don't get too stressed (easy for me to say, I know).

A bit of info that might help with reintroducing the bottle, getting your supply up and incentive for more BFg (if you want to, that is  :

 * http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64926.0
 * http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65905.0
 * http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=124914.0

As for supply, when mine dipped I found that I got results with:
 * pumping about an hour before or after each feed and a long stint at night
 * eating like a woolly mammoth: the real winner was porridge. Rolled oats, milk, vanilla essence, pinch of ground cloves, cinnamon and berries (make it purple or pink - just makes it nice). Oh, and a lorry load of sugar (I hated porridge). I hate loads of stodge food, drank a pint of water at each feed, plus drinks throughout the day
 * skin on skin feeds: I still do this since increased, at least once a day. DS responds well to a skin on skin feed in bed. He hops all over the place; feeding, playing, swapping boobs when he fancies a change, playing, hopping back on to the other. It helps keep him engaged. His breast preference switches every few days...he feeds from one side more than the other.

Oh, and one of my breasts always seems bigger / to produce more than the other. Has done since he was about 6 months. No idea why. So I pump the smaller one first and last always.

HTH

Charlotte

[A pair of Charlies]

Ooohhh, just found this link which might help! http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/lopsided.html

Could he be feeding with a funny latch because something is bothering him, a pain or something?

[Critter]

Thanks girls :-)
I think I've fixed his latch on the right.  I was holding him too low, so I raised him up a little higher and that seems to have helped.

I do want to continue BF but I just want my husband to be able to feed him once a day.  I think it's important bonding time for them.  This weekend he's done MUCH better with the bottle! 

I was thinking that my supply had come back up but it seems to have dipped again.  The poor monkey has reflux, so he's eating more often and taking less at each feed.  I hope his meds take effect SOON!

So, now I just need to make sure my supply stays up and I think we're ok.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Sounds like you've got a good plan, so I'll just add some more {{hugs}}.

[Critter]

AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He has been so fussy!!!!  We doubled his Prevacid to twice a day and now my pedi wants me to cut out dairy...the next step is to stop nursing and go to Alimentum/Nutramigen formula.  That stuff is soooo expensive!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Oh, man!  That sucks!  I know there have been some moms who found cutting out dairy to be really effective though - it can take a week or more to notice a difference for some babies though.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it helps SOON!

[Critter]

I think the Prevacid has kicked in.  I had a completely different baby today.  Of course, I also hovered over him to make absolutely certain there was no over-stimulation or any chance that he'd get over-tired.

I'm still going to stay away from milk, cream, etc for 2 weeks to see what it does.  And, I think (gasp!!!) that my coffee may have effected him, too!  Say it ain't so!

[A pair of Charlies]

Aaaaahhhhhh caffeine. Sadly for me there seems to be a direct correlation between me having a couple of cups of proper coffee or tea and DS becoming a crazed nightmare.  Just giddy and hard to settle, then OT.

I'm not saying it is so; just that I gave up caffeine because I believed it so for us. It could, of-course, be a coincidence.

(So says the former coffee junkie  )

[Critter]

I had half regular/half decaf this morning and he's been ok today.  I really think that the prevacid is kicking in...

I've tried to give up coffee and it's just not worth it.  I only have 1 cup a day...it's not like I drink it all day long, but man.....that one cup is necessary.

[A pair of Charlies]

I might try a real coffee tomorrow... you're giving me faith.

But then if it went okay I'd be caff'd all day long... 

[Critter]

Just have one...you can do it!!!  Switch to decaf if you need more.