amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Startastic · 02-26-2008, 05:40 PM

I breastfed my oldest for 6 years with no problems. now with my second I have had one problem after another. I considered myself to be a boobnazi in the past so it's still a shock for me that I am using formula. I am still working on BFing DS is 6months today. I am still grasping on to the though it might just click one day and he will be able to transfer milk better.

it's hard being told just to give up by other or being told to keep nursing and my supply will go up when it won't since ds isn't able to nurse properly.

PeytonsMom · 02-26-2008, 08:41 PM

I wish I had some advice for you....everything I'm reading says nursing is more about the bond than the nourishment - I'm sure that's no consolation though....hugs mama.....

Gypsylily · 03-03-2008, 06:17 PM

I just wanted to offer you a hug. I am SOOO sorry. It isn't fair that moms with babies with great latches and who will probably produce enough milk walk out of the hospital with bottles and never try even ONCE to nurse....when other mamas try so hard and can't make it work very well.

You might want to PM Liba or search her old posts. She had quite an ordeal with her son.

Amphitrite · 03-03-2008, 08:19 PM

I agree with Amina about searching Liba's posts and/or contacting her.

Personally, I nursed DS until 4m (went back to work, I was single) with no problems at all - Mom gave him my pumped milk until I dried up around 7m.
5 years later, dd would nurse, then act like Linda Blair's Exorcist! When she was 3 weeks old I broke down and started bawling, trying to keep nursing - she just kept throwing up. Little did I know it was probably a dairy allergy, but at 8w and after trying unsuccessfully with cow's milk formula, she went on to be my soy baby.

Not sure if that helps any, but I still tear up thinking about the missed nursing with her - she's almost 5yo now. I just didn't want to read and not say anything.

bubbles · 03-03-2008, 08:51 PM

I was not able to exclusive bf my second child and I did my first. It was absolutely devastating for me. It was supply issue (I suspect now it was thyroid but didn't know enough at the time to push the issue w/ my dr) and our latch was never good (despite tons of effort and crying on both our part). The one thing I wish I had done was seek out donor milk. I wasn't comfortable at the time (beyond a few close friends who tried for me) but would work much harder to do that if I had the problem again. I am not having anymore children so I won't face that issue.
I wish you the very best and want you to know that you are awesome for working so hard for your baby and the bfing relationship. It takes a lot of strength to work through the issues, especially when they go on for a long time. I hope that you eventually settle into a peaceful relationship. By 6 months I had started him on solids (thinking it was better than so much formula) and we were able to eliminate formula all together.

Kerrilynn62000 · 03-08-2008, 11:20 PM

Was he checked for tongue tie?

Startastic · 03-12-2008, 11:59 AM

I've checked everything it could be. I was fishing for anything that could give me an answer. his dad is tongue tied but lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it Max wasn't. he did have a lip tie that was clipped. he has upper airway issues that cause him to have trouble nursing an with taking a bottle

I still nurse Max I have a plugged duct to prove it. he does get some milk from me but not nearly enough. I BFE for the first 10 weeks and looking back I did it in vain since Max looked so sickly and thin. now he is a mostly happy chunky baby.....

I'll add more to this in another post I have to take care of Max

danadee75 · 03-27-2008, 10:27 PM

I don't have any fantastic advise, but I just wanted to send my emotional support your way. I have a 7mo that I bf currently and a 3 1/2 year old that I bf for 19 mo. I had a completely horrible time getting my 1st to nurse. I would never have been able to get it if I hadn't found a great lactation consultant. I never knew how much of our feelings of being a good mother were attached to nursing. I felt like such a failure even though I was doing everything I could possibly do. I just want you to know that you are a good mom and that you are doing the very best that you are able to do.

LuAnn · 04-17-2008, 02:33 PM

I know this is a couple months old or so, but I never come here...

ds1 was FF I pumped for 4 weeks but had problems the whole time and could not make enough for him, even with help, I completely dried up

Evan has had no problems being bf for 7m now with no formula