Pregnant And Breastfeeding Support Thread

[Maia&Lia]

Hi ladies,
I'm not sure why I stopped getting messages that new posts were on this thread. I just decided to jump on to update everyone and found all these other messages that I was completely unaware of. I don't get it...hmm?

Anyway, we've been on an extremely rocky road over the past few weeks. Maia got RSV (not sure if I mentioned that earlier) and had a few appointments with her pediatrician. We watched as her weight dropped and dropped. She had been in the 50th percentile for weight and as of her last appointment was down in the 7th. Scary stuff. I know it is all because my milk supply is decreasing rapidly. Anyway, I had to just bite the bullet and stop nursing her so that she would accept a bottle of formula. I cannot explain how heartbreaking it all was to me. After about 30 hours of refusing to eat more than 4 oz of formula, she finally gave in to the bottle. She has now been taking it without hesitation and has gained back much of her lost weight.

I have not reintroduced breastfeeding to her...primarily for fear of her refusing the bottle again and being back at square one. I'm really hopeful that we can at least have one breastfeeding session a day since it seems that I am producing enough for one full feed. Do any of you ladies have advice on how I should go about doing that? Maybe I should post a separate message on the forum?

Anyway, I apologize for not posting the info you guys asked for...but like I said, I had no idea you had posted anything. I'll do my best to re-read the messages and respond asap. We've just moved and between the move, the pregnancy, the illnesses and the weaning...I'm pretty beat. I will be back soon though, I promise.

I hope you guys are all feeling well. Talk to you soon!
-Alessia

[GraceKellysmom]

At 10 months old, she would probably understand that the breastfeeding is just for the one feed. Choose the best feed for both of you, it's really up to you. You could choose the morning feed because you have the most milk, or the afternoon feed because that is the one she prefers the most, or the bedtime one because that's the easiest/most enjoyable. (I've made those reasons up, obviously) Sometimes it's nice to hold onto that feed!

You could also do most or all of the feeds from a sippy cup instead of a bottle at this age, if she will take them. Then you don't have to wean from the bottles in a couple months.

[Maia&Lia]

Hey Stacy,
Thanks for the response. We did try the sippy cup but since she had never taken a bottle, she just couldn't figure out that she needed to suck to get the liquid out. She kept biting at the spout as if she were a gerbil trying to get water out of those metal thingies they use. It was pretty comical to say the least. Anyway, we're already talking about when to wean from the bottle since I understand it gets much harder after 12 months of age. We'll see how things progress with the sippy or regular cup in the meantime.

I do think I will try to reintroduce a nursing session tomorrow. I've been suffering with a plugged milk duct almost every other day because those darn breast pumps just don't do the job. Hopefully the transitioning between breast and bottle will not be too tramatic and we can both enjoy the relationship once again. I really miss nursing her

Anyway, I'm off to bed. I hope you ladies are all doing well!
-Alessia

[JacobMarksMummy]

Poor you Alessia! Dont beat your self up about nursing, you've given Maia 10 great months of nutrition and your milk supply dwindling is nothing that could have been forseen or stopped. I hope she gets back on track soon as that speacil time together is so precious.  I have to admit I've been given DS a beaker of cows milk to drink with his breakfats since I got pg as my supply took a dip too. It seems to have balanced out now and I just have enough for Jacob to have one feed in the morning and another in the afternoon then the evening. I was going to use formula but as DS is 11 months I spoke to my HV and we agreed as he'd had no adverse reaction to dairy and there was no family hisorty of allergies he'd be fine on cows milk. The age for giving it as a drink over here is 12months so he isnt far off. I'm still interested in that info if you get chance. Hope the rest of you are fine 

[charliegirl]

Just a general info link for anyone looking for an alternative to cows milk based formula. I heard about this from a friend of mine but never used it. The list of ingredients look quite alarming but again haven't seen the ingredients on cows milk formula. http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/frameset/detail/606173.html

Had a dodgy week of feeling queasy but that seems to have passed. Interestingly I was so much more thirsty around that time. Now I drink less but try to remember to drink more - think it helped a lot in digestive areas  . Still pretty tired and taking daytime naps with my ds (thank goodness for those!).

Think I have hardly any milk for him - used to hear a few gulps but not any more. Not that he seems concerned about it. He still keeps wanting the 'feed times' - although at this stage I will be quite happy for him to wean.

Spend proportionally more and more time with my jeans top button undone - will have to think about maternity wear soon, or hope the warm weather comes early so I can put on a skirt or dress .

Take care all

Charlie

[CaedensMama]

I have noticed that Caeden seems to be wanting to nurse more lately - not sure if its my supply or a growth spurt or his teething or all 3!

I am wanting to drop one of his 2 night feeds - you think he is ready? When was your young ones ready to go all night? he is nursing at DF about 9 and again about 3:30 - I want to drop the 3:30 - though some nights its easier to just nurse and put him back to bed then be up with him every 30-60 minutes from 3 on - though I think he is "capable" of going all night - its just a matter of working thru the nights till he is used to it -

Any advice? 

[Maia&Lia]

So, some great news from our end. I nursed Maia this morning and then supplemented with a bottle (which she willingly took). She was in a MUCH better mood afterward...less clingy, fewer meltdowns (which have been quite frequent lately with her being sick, etc.) and she took a GREAT nap. My husband and I have decided that this is not coincidence and that she really was so happy to nurse again.

I'm hopeful we'll keep in at least 1 session a day with a supplemental bottle afterward and then if things continue to go well, we'll introduce a second nursing session a day. I'm so excited. It is better than nothing, right!

Anyway, as much as I want to post info for you ladies from the book...my unpacked house is calling my name. I really have a ton of stuff to do before Maia wakes from her nap. I'll definitely try to post from the book later. What specifically are you most interested in knowing so I can have the resources pulled out before posting??

-Alessia

[Maia&Lia]

Oh and I almost forgot...
Jennifer, I noticed too that Maia was nursing more frequently, especially at night. It ended up being a supply issue for us. My suggestion would be to keep an eye on weight gain, etc before you cut out a night feeding (just to be sure that the feed isn't necessary at this point during your pregnancy). If weight and diapers seem okay, I'd maybe try to offer a bottle for that 3:30 feed. Maia never wanted a bottle so that was definitely a deterent to waking up for a feed. Some people also recommend a sippy cup. We've resorted to just cuddling her instead of offering any food (now that she is getting formula for each feed) and she just started to sleep through the night.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes!
-Alessia

[CaedensMama]

Any thoughts on being able to tell if the supply is staying okay?
I am not noticing anythin differnt, just concerned to watch that my supply stays up for Caeden.

As for the bottle - we haven't used one so he won't take one now and if I offer the sippy he thinks I am crazy for trying it instead of just givinghim the breast! I think I am going to try pushing him a little later and waiting till he wakes the 2nd time and see how that goes - I am a little concerned to be dropping a feed when I am worried about loosing supply in the coming weeks.

He weight gain has been slow but steady - dr is not concerned at all - he is a little over 16 pounds at 9 months - so that is kinda tiny but he is healthy and again the dr says he is fine.
 

[JacobMarksMummy]

Jennifer, I'd definatly try and push him with a sippy even if its just in case. Allthough I havnt actaully dropped any of Jacobs feed I found the peace of mind I got from being able to give a little extra just in case invaluable. It must be harder for you as my LO is slightly older. If he has lots of wet nappies and is gaining weight however slowly I wouldnt be too concerned. Only if he lost weight which is pretty unlikely if he is still eating regually. Do your boobs feel any less full? I could only tell because my right breast felt a little lighter adn Jacob would feed for less time (like 2mins less) off it. Hope things get on an even keel for you 

[CaedensMama]

He will do a sippy cup during the day - so we do that often - its the nights he won't take a sippy!
 Diapers seem to have stayed the same and breats feel about the same. He seems to feed pretty normal length of time. I am trying to let him nurse though when he wants to keep up the supply. And it seems to help him sleep better thru the night when he has nursed well during the day.
Right now we are at when he gets up in the morning, before nap and after naps and a couple times in the evening before bed (and when he gets hurt!) - it works for us and as he doesn't go to sleep nursing, just nurses before he gets into bed I am thinking it is okay for now.
I am also working on doing 3-4 meals a day and make sure he is getting enough solids.
Thanks!

[Terri McN]

Hello all,

First time posting ever.

I am 7 weeks pregnant with my 2nd.  Major surprise because #1 was in-vitro baby after 11 years of trying unsuccessfully. ( #1 is 8.5 months old and is taking sippy cup quite well)  Now I get pregnant while breastfeeding.  Doctor has advised me to stop ASAP but reading all of these postings has lead me to believe it did not have to be this drastic.  I just stopped cold.  My breasts are unbelievably sore and I am having M/S all day.  Any suggestions?  It has been 36 hours since I stopped.

Thanks in advance.

Terri McN

[GraceKellysmom]

Terri, what do YOU want to do? If you want to keep going, then do. If you want to stop, you could try pumping off the hardness just for a little relief. My circumstances were different, but when I did wean, I was engorged painfully for only a few days and then just partially painfully for about a week. You could also just try weaning all but one feed, or whatever feels the best for you and your dc. Best of luck with your pregnancy and congratulations!! I love the age gap, it has been a blast at 17.5 months apart, a lot of work, but so worth it.

[JacobMarksMummy]

Congratulations Terri!

I'd definatly have a think as to what you'd like to do. If your pg is normal then there isnt any medical reason that you must stop BF. I had one of my doctors look alarmed and tell me I stop straight away when I told her I was PG and BF and another not even bat an eyelid about. The medical advise you recieve is all personal preference of your practicioner.  As Stacey says you could just cut down on the amount of feeds you are nursing her a day. If you do decide to quit then she is also correct saying you could pump but only just enough to be relieved you need to give your body the message that the milk isnt required anymore. If you resume then my best advise is to eat small things every hour or so, I cant believe the amount of food I'm having to eat at the moment but it helps keep the ms at bay too. Drink as much as you can and try (I say try) and have a nap in the afternoon as this really seems to help alot of women with thier supply which can sometimes become an issue when PG.

Dont make any rash descisions or do anything you might regret later 

[CaedensMama]

I would agree too - what do you want to do?

If you want to continue nursing, then continue - switch dr's if you can. Check out the LaLeche League website for great help and support too - they have a preg and breastfeeding board.

It is perfectly safe and done by many with a normal preg (and though the last one was hard to concieve) there shouldn't be a reason that this one won't be a normal preg! Maybe get another dr's opinion if you are still concerned.

And CONGRATS on the new little one!