Working + Breastfeeding + general Stress - looking for support!

[julia.north]

Hi Ladies.

I kind of just need someone to "virtually hold my hand".
The last two weeks have been quite rough.
I am working full time, still breastfeeding in the mornings and evenings (during the weekends in the afternoons as well) and pumping at night. Last week we moved to a new flat. The moving process was very stressful for the family, especially my DH and I. We were fighting a lot about stupid things (probably typical for the moving process). Well, the problem is that my milk supply suddenly dropped dramatically. for the past couple of days, I haven't been able to BF, as there's no let down and LO gets very upset and as a consequence refuses to nurse.
I am trying to pump to bring supply up but it is tough and I am scared that when I go back to work on Monday I will not find time to pump.
I really do not want to quit BFing, especially not this way, and I really hope it will get better soon. I have already read a ton on bringing supply up and I know its probably a normal reaction to all the stress but still I am feeling very sad about it...

Anyone who's gone through a similar situation?

 

[Shiv52]

Hugs and love xxx

We'd a very rough start to BFing with my DD3 and what I can tell you is stress and worry definitely affected my supply and my let down.  My advice is to try as much as you can to relax during a feed. I found myself worrying I wouldn't get a let down and all those stress hormones were working over time.

Let LO attempt to feed as much as possible and skin to skin really helped too. Especially just chilling in bed.

What age is your LO? Any sign of your period returning? That can cause a drop in supply for some people.

Holding your hand. You'll get this sorted xxx

[~*Nicole*~]

I was going to suggest the same. Lots of skin to skin, relaxing as much as possible and make sure to eat and drink to keep yourself healthy and hydrated. If LO is frustrated you can try to manually expel a little bit of milk and rub it on your nipple so that when he latches on he can taste it and encourage LO to suck a bit more? I did use fenugreek, drinking water and eating oatmeal when my son was a baby during a brief supply drop. It did help.

[*Ali*]

I see from your previous posts that your LO is around 10/11mo now.

Stress can cause problems with let down so try to relax. A bath or few minutes of meditation might help.

Also could LO be teething? That can stop them wanting to BF for a time too.

[julia.north]

Thank you so much ladies!
This helped.

LO is almost 11 months.
I actually came around with a cold on top of everything.
But it has been getting a bit better.

We took baths together every night then I read him stories until he almost fell asleep.
Half asleep, he didn't mind suckling for 10min until I finally had a let down.
Now my supply is going up a bit, at least I can get 50 - 100 ml when expressing. Five days ago, I got zero.

My DH has also been very supportive and promised not to fight with me anymore so that I can relax and BF.

Gosh sometimes life is just a struggle isn't it!
But it is good to know that you've been there as well...

I am also eating oatmeal now and drinking nursing teas.
Can feel the general exhaustion of the last couple of months though.

If I can reach my goal of BFing until he is one year old I will be so glad.
Wish me luck!

[*Ali*]

Good luck!

[zissi]

hi there,

you will absolutely get there, he is almost 11 months. I had major BF issues with my second daughter due to tongue tie and my goal was to feed 1 year too and then she turned 1 year and I kept going. she is 14 months now and loves her boobie! good luck!

[Shiv52]

So glad things are looking up. Keep up the hard work. Well done you xxx

[julia.north]

Ladies,

thank you so much again!
Lo is now almost 13 months. Still BFing!
Seriously, without this forum, I wouldn't have gotten this far.
Some of you may remember my posts from when he was 3 months old and when we were going through a major nursing strike. I was so close to quit! And this time at 11 months, also very close to quitting. But I am still on it! And we are about to hit 13 month mark!
At least in the mornings and evenings, and that works out well. Now I will just continue to see how it flows and wait for self-weaning, but it is perfect as it is now.
So to any moms who are reading this going through similar phases - stick with it, it is worth it! And it does get better

Thanks again!

[*Ali*]

Thanks for the update. So happy for you guys!

[Shiv52]

I'm delighted for you. Well done for sticking with it xxxx

[katkniep]

Julia hi!
Does your LO still BF during the night? I'm going back to work when he's 14 months and am starting to worry that i will be a zombie if it carries on!

*Waving over from Bielefeld*

[julia.north]

Hi Katkniep!

Sorry for the late reply!
My LO hasn't been BFing during the night since he was about 5 months old. We did a DF at 11pm and stopped that when he was 11 months old. So I only BF in the mornings (7:30 am before work) and in the evening (07:30pm before bedtime).
Does your LO wake you regulargly to BF?

Best
Julia