Monday, October 5, 2009

Got Boob?

What boy doesn't love boobs? Our little guy wants nothing to do with mine. :( Because of my breast reduction, my milk supply is low, plus my let-down and flow are slow. Will is an impatient eater, so with these factors combined, he wants nothing to do with nursing. It's been a slow progression up to this point, and I saw it coming when I noticed how fidgety he was nursing early on. He'd much rather have the fast flow of the bottle. Last week he completely rejected nursing altogether, and wouldn't even latch on. I was so upset about it. I still am. I've gotten tons of amazing advice from my superhero Lactation Consultant/Nurse at Evergreen, (Jeanne) and more advice from a super supportive message board that I'm a part of called "BFAR" which stands for Breast Feeding After Reduction (surgery). I've gotten him to start up again, mainly by switching up positions, and also not attempting to nurse when he's starving and fussy. I'm still pumping, trying to keep up my supply, and I'm also taking my arsenal of herbs. I've switched a few of the herbs around, adding and deleting some, so hopefully I'll find the right combination.
It's so much harder trying to keep with nursing when I also have Addison to take care of. It's extremely difficult to take the time to put him to the breast the amount of times I really need to so my supply doesn't dwindle. It's also difficult to find time to pump. I moved the pump into the main family room, so I can pump away and still be in the room with Addison & Will. Before I had it in Will's room, so I would have to leave to pump, and who knows what Addison was doing while I was out of sight!
I'm very emotional about not being able to nurse like I did with Addison. It's such a bonding experience, and I loved every minute of it with Addison. It took about 3 months to get into a rhythm with Addison, so I was hoping that maybe it's the same with Will, but he's a much bigger eater than Addison was. Plus, he's just so darn impatient, and he gets reved up so easily.
I'm ok with giving him formula, as long as it's organic and hormone/antibiotic free! It's just so darn expensive, so nursing would be so much cheaper!
I haven't given up yet. I know, I'm super stubborn. Stopping would make life easier, no more pumping, no more sore nipples, no more frustration when he screams at the top of his lungs when I try to make him nurse. But it's worth it to me to keep trying. Will hasn't totally given up on me yet, and I'm not going to give up on him. We'll figure it out, one of these days. :)

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