Comments on: Baby’s First Food: Breast Milk (Part 3) http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/ Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:08:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Heather http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-19869 Heather Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:31:40 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-19869 Your story is soooo similar to mine - with 3 of my 4 babies. It's so awful to go for that first checkup and see that despite your hard work and pain that the baby is not gaining. Some of the most stressful times of my life. Like you, each time, I learned better how to handle it, and started pumping earlier. And I am happy to say that each time after 4-6 weeks, my supply finally increased and I was able to wean them off of the formula without any trouble - even when all three were terrible latchers initially - and exclusively breastfeed. One daugher didn't latch properly AT ALL until she was 3 weeks old. Anyway, my point is just to offer encouragement, and to let people know that judicious use of formuala is literally a lifesaver, and can even SUPPORT breastfeeding. I am very pro-breastfeeding, but at the same time, I get aggravated by fanatics who refuse to consider that formula use can be helpful. Your story is soooo similar to mine – with 3 of my 4 babies. It’s so awful to go for that first checkup and see that despite your hard work and pain that the baby is not gaining. Some of the most stressful times of my life. Like you, each time, I learned better how to handle it, and started pumping earlier. And I am happy to say that each time after 4-6 weeks, my supply finally increased and I was able to wean them off of the formula without any trouble – even when all three were terrible latchers initially – and exclusively breastfeed. One daugher didn’t latch properly AT ALL until she was 3 weeks old. Anyway, my point is just to offer encouragement, and to let people know that judicious use of formuala is literally a lifesaver, and can even SUPPORT breastfeeding. I am very pro-breastfeeding, but at the same time, I get aggravated by fanatics who refuse to consider that formula use can be helpful.

]]> By: Shannon http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-18151 Shannon Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:03:32 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-18151 Bless you for sharing your struggles. I have 3 children, ages 4, 6, and 8 now. Our middle daughter is adopted from China. We had our youngest almost exactly one year after stepping off the plane with our second. Each transition had its own set of struggles and joys. It all seems like a blur now. With both babies I started out breastfeeding, working through various issues, pumping, almost no sleep, etc. and dealing with all the guilt that came from considering formula. My wise mother, who had me late in life and is from an older generation, told me from the beginning, "Honey, if you can nurse, then do it, but if not, then give that baby a bottle, and he'll be just fine." After weeks of giving it my best shot, we swapped to formula for both babies. They, along with their adopted sister who was never breastfed, are happy, healthy children. And it's a joy to see them interact together - laughing, bickering, and all! So do what's best for you and your family, let go of the guilt and enjoy those exhausting, precious newborn days. Oh, and don't be afraid to ask friends for help! :) Praying for you, Shannon Bless you for sharing your struggles.

I have 3 children, ages 4, 6, and 8 now. Our middle daughter is adopted from China. We had our youngest almost exactly one year after stepping off the plane with our second. Each transition had its own set of struggles and joys. It all seems like a blur now.

With both babies I started out breastfeeding, working through various issues, pumping, almost no sleep, etc. and dealing with all the guilt that came from considering formula. My wise mother, who had me late in life and is from an older generation, told me from the beginning, “Honey, if you can nurse, then do it, but if not, then give that baby a bottle, and he’ll be just fine.” After weeks of giving it my best shot, we swapped to formula for both babies. They, along with their adopted sister who was never breastfed, are happy, healthy children. And it’s a joy to see them interact together – laughing, bickering, and all!

So do what’s best for you and your family, let go of the guilt and enjoy those exhausting, precious newborn days. Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask friends for help! :)

Praying for you,
Shannon

]]> By: Erika http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-15069 Erika Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:03:00 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-15069 My boys are 14 months apart and now that the oldest is 2.5 and the youngest is 16 months, life is fun now with them. I will tell you though. With my first I was against anything but breastfeeding. When my son didn't have a dirty diaper for several days we knew we had to do something. I also tried the herbs, the pumping, the drinking water every chance I had, but I just couldn't produce enough so instead of giving our kids formula we actually gave them goat's milk which was recommended to us by the LC because it is closer to breastmilk then formula. The goat's milk was a life saver. The kids have been healthy and even to this day I still have them drinking it and whenever I see a runny nose I push the goat milk because whatever it all has in it boosts their immune systems. Just know that if you are unable to breastfeed that you are not a failure. I just needed someone to tell me that a few times and my life became a little simpler. It may be hard now but once the kids start interacting with each other, it is the most precious thing to watch(fighting over toys and all) Take care of your little ones! My boys are 14 months apart and now that the oldest is 2.5 and the youngest is 16 months, life is fun now with them. I will tell you though. With my first I was against anything but breastfeeding. When my son didn’t have a dirty diaper for several days we knew we had to do something. I also tried the herbs, the pumping, the drinking water every chance I had, but I just couldn’t produce enough so instead of giving our kids formula we actually gave them goat’s milk which was recommended to us by the LC because it is closer to breastmilk then formula. The goat’s milk was a life saver. The kids have been healthy and even to this day I still have them drinking it and whenever I see a runny nose I push the goat milk because whatever it all has in it boosts their immune systems. Just know that if you are unable to breastfeed that you are not a failure. I just needed someone to tell me that a few times and my life became a little simpler. It may be hard now but once the kids start interacting with each other, it is the most precious thing to watch(fighting over toys and all) Take care of your little ones!

]]> By: Heidi http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14561 Heidi Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:37:39 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14561 Well, I'm a mom to 6. My first 3 were all 14 months apart and life then was such a blur... I just remember being so tired. I stopped being so hard on myself and learned to do the same thing.. I breastfed when I could, always pumped to supplement and even still had to supplement a little formula. Don't let anyone tell you you aren't doing the best job ever... You are doing awesome. Having a happy YOU is the most important, then happy kids and husband is last!!! Do whatever it takes to keep your baby happy and healthy!!! Good luck to you with your 2 little ones.... Well, I’m a mom to 6. My first 3 were all 14 months apart and life then was such a blur… I just remember being so tired. I stopped being so hard on myself and learned to do the same thing.. I breastfed when I could, always pumped to supplement and even still had to supplement a little formula. Don’t let anyone tell you you aren’t doing the best job ever… You are doing awesome. Having a happy YOU is the most important, then happy kids and husband is last!!! Do whatever it takes to keep your baby happy and healthy!!! Good luck to you with your 2 little ones….

]]> By: Laurel http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14114 Laurel Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:32:20 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14114 Amy-I know your struggle. The introduction of formula wasn't easy for us either. It took a blend of breastmilk and formula over a long period of time, slowly increasing the ratio of formula, before she would accept straight formula. They certainly prefer the good stuff! This time I'll definitely supplement earlier...and without guilt! Amy-I know your struggle. The introduction of formula wasn’t easy for us either. It took a blend of breastmilk and formula over a long period of time, slowly increasing the ratio of formula, before she would accept straight formula. They certainly prefer the good stuff! This time I’ll definitely supplement earlier…and without guilt!

]]> By: Amy http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14077 Amy Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:17:38 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14077 You're lucky that your first child accepted formula at 10 months. By 9 months or so my daughter's intake greatly exceeded my output. I had a frozen stash that was making up the difference. When it was gone at around 10 months, I tried to supplement (with much guilt just like everyone else) with formula. She refused it. She wouldn't take it straight up. I tried blending it with my breastmilk. She wouldn't touch it. She certainly thought that breastmilk was yummier than icky formula. The lesson I took away from the experience was that a breastfeeding mother should introduce formula early so that baby will accept it if she knows that she will be supplementing sometime in the future. You’re lucky that your first child accepted formula at 10 months. By 9 months or so my daughter’s intake greatly exceeded my output. I had a frozen stash that was making up the difference. When it was gone at around 10 months, I tried to supplement (with much guilt just like everyone else) with formula. She refused it. She wouldn’t take it straight up. I tried blending it with my breastmilk. She wouldn’t touch it. She certainly thought that breastmilk was yummier than icky formula.

The lesson I took away from the experience was that a breastfeeding mother should introduce formula early so that baby will accept it if she knows that she will be supplementing sometime in the future.

]]> By: Amy http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14076 Amy Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:04:47 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14076 Nursing while lying down was my favorite nursing position for nighttime feedings. My daughter would nurse for half an hour on a side and fall asleep. DH would get mad at me because I also fell asleep, but those let-down hormones are quite strong. It's normal to fall asleep while nursing. Don't beat yourself up about falling asleep. I don't see anything wrong with mom fitting in a few minutes of sleep while baby is nursing. Nursing while lying down was my favorite nursing position for nighttime feedings. My daughter would nurse for half an hour on a side and fall asleep. DH would get mad at me because I also fell asleep, but those let-down hormones are quite strong. It’s normal to fall asleep while nursing. Don’t beat yourself up about falling asleep. I don’t see anything wrong with mom fitting in a few minutes of sleep while baby is nursing.

]]> By: Lorie http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14075 Lorie Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:32:48 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14075 I recently got The Ultimate Baby Wrap, which looks a lot like the Moby Wrap but it was on sale at Babies R Us. I can't wait to give it a try. If you want a light work out you might try http://chicks-n-chickens.com/. I recently got The Ultimate Baby Wrap, which looks a lot like the Moby Wrap but it was on sale at Babies R Us. I can’t wait to give it a try. If you want a light work out you might try http://chicks-n-chickens.com/.

]]> By: tricia http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14065 tricia Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:24:32 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14065 Wow. Barney? You must have been desperate! (JK) Wow. Barney? You must have been desperate! (JK)

]]> By: tricia http://onceamonthmom.com/babys-first-food-breast-milk-part-3/#comment-14064 tricia Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:22:52 +0000 http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=5232#comment-14064 Best of luck with number two. Definitely don't feel guilty. Just read through the post comments to see all of the others that have shared your guilt. Best of luck with number two. Definitely don’t feel guilty. Just read through the post comments to see all of the others that have shared your guilt.

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