Over the last week or so I've noticed my milk seems to be slowing down a lot. Not sure how this happened because when it first came in I felt like a cow. Now, it seems every time Sadie is eating she gets frustrated after her usual 10 minutes on each side so then I'm forced to supplement with pumped milk or formula. Lucky for me she eats it all! I'm thinking this is my body's way of saying you've done your time, now GIVE UP ALREADY!
Why is it so hard to quit? Am I addicted to the game? I guess there are things I would miss like not having to heat up bottles or deal with bottles at all. Oh, and the biggest thing I would miss would be my newly beloved boobs (no pun intended). I am already beginning to see what they will look like when there's no milk in them and let me tell you it's not pretty. Do flat, pancakes sound exciting to anyone...NOT ME!
So I guess the question remains...do I continue my career as a milk maid or do I embrace my potentially sagging boobs and call it quits for good? Thoughts?
Hi Katie! Jen Hayman sent me the link to your blog and I am so happy she did. I know I already stalk you on facebook (how can I resit? Sadie is a doll!) but I would love to leave comments and offer any advice I may have if it helps.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all - congratulations on Sadie. She is beautiful and I love all of her hair. Chloe is still as bald as baby's butt (pun intended) but we still love her :)
I am only a few months ahead of you in the new mommy world but I can offer you some sympathy on the whole breastfeeding front.
1. Don't feel guilty. Everyone will tell you that and you'll still feel guilty. If your milk is slowing down that means you're body is done. Everyone says that the more you nurse the more milk you'll produce but I think that's a load of baby poop. My milk started to slow down at 3 months and then totally dried up by 5 months. I was determined to nurse Chloe to one year but realized that was totally unrealistic when I discovered that I wanted a life outside the confines of my nursing pillow and timer. I set mini-goals (nurse until 6 weeks, then 2 months, then 3, then 6) and felt much more successful when I hit those mini goals and didn't feel like a total failure if I didn't. The bottom line is - nurse as long as you both enjoy it. Key word is BOTH...if you're not digging it - quit and be happy with your decision. Medically, the crucial time is the frist 6 weeks. That's when then most immune system benefits take place so don't stress that she's not getting all she needs if you quit nursing now. Millions of people (myself included) were never nursed and we all managed to turn out just fine :)
2. Motherhood is the most difficult, terrifying, and exhausting thing I have ever done in my life but of course the most rewarding (ring the cliche bell now). I love every second of it but am dying for more sleep and energy. Chloe sleeps through the night now (only took 4 months) but I have found that you will never sleep soundly again. But as you said, the second you see that smiling face (just wait till she laughs) it makes the zombie-like state you'll live in for the next 18 years worth it. Wait till "mom brain" sets in and you forget things for no apparent reason.
Congratulations again and please let me know if you need any help. I'll offer advice if you want it and give it to you straight. Sadie is beautiful and I am certain you are doing and amazing job as her mama!
I know I'm your brother so this may be a little weird. But I will speak for Michael and say STOP breast feeding. No one wants pancakes unless they have chocolate chips and are doused with syrup!
ReplyDelete-Uncle Sugie
Hey Katie, It's Nate's friend Jill from AZ. I love that you started the blog! Congrats on Sadie! I breastfed my first and am currently breastfeeding my second. And I can tell you that the first few months with your first child is HARD WORK!! On top of everything else motherhood hands you, the last thing you want to do is feel guilty about feeding. If you can get your milk regulated (I had to eat steel cut oats for breakfast and take alfafa pills from Whole Foods to keep my milk up production), you will find breastfeeding convenient(especially in the middle of the night). But you do have to sacrifice a little freedom. If Sadie is doing great with supplementing you might just want to keep both up until you really feel ready to do just formula. You milk slowing down is normal (you can't look like you have porn star boobs forever). Bottom line: do what pleases both you and baby and don't feel guilty about it!
ReplyDeletePS - Dear Nate: Seth says he loves my pancakes!
PPS - Ooh, I just remembered another "perk" for breastfeeding; you get to eat whatever you want in massive amounts and still lose weight!!
Hi! I just starting reading your blog so I'm a little late to the game. BUT, that having been said, I'd like to weigh in. Milk production may slow down, but the number of calories per ounce of breastmilk increases as time goes by (as your daughter gets older). So, bottom line, don't let anyone tell you (especially the older folks) try to convince you that you're not making enough milk. Love the blog!
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