Exclusively pumping and feeling so discouraged

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for all the kind words.

H has stepped it up a ton at home. But he’s still working so we can save his leave for when baby gets home, so there’s still a good amount on me. Which is fine, I know I’ll get severely depressed if all I do is sit around all day.

I decided I’m not going to look at or track my output anymore. It’s so stressful for me to see the amount go down every day, and I can’t control how much my body makes. So instead I’m going to focus on the things I can control, like drinking water and pumping a reasonable amount. If my supply dries up, it dries up.

This is a great plan, OP. I posted above that I also struggled with pumping (in non stressful circumstances) — I highly recommend putting on a tv show or doing something distracting so you’re not constantly watching the pump bottle not fill up. Wishing you and your family all the best. <3

[Anonymous]

This post makes me so mad. Not at you, OP, but at the breastfeeding establishment that puts out so much misinformation that makes moms end up in your situation. Have you heard of insufficient glandular tissue? Or tuberous breast deformity? Please go to fedisbest.org. It is NOT TRUE that all women can breastfeed. About 10% simply do not have enough glandular tissue to EVER meet their baby’s needs. It’s not your fault and there’s nothing you can do to change it. More pumping won’t help. Please read up on it and start feeling good about feeding mostly formula today.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. Breastfeeding can be hard, and it's easy to feel like a failure when things don't go the way you thought they would, especially when you follow all the rules.

I wouldn't buy another supplement. They all seem very scammy. Focus on water and calories. I'm talking a gallon of water a day. Get a big 32 or 64 oz container and set a schedule on when you should be refilling it. Try different foods and see how your body reacts. Oatmeal had the best result for me, and Indian too (but I responded well to fenugreek.)

Are you pumping in the middle of the night? It sucks, but that was another thing that helped me a lot. I tried not to go more than 3 hours without pumping, especially the first 8-10 weeks.

Best of luck, OP, and never beat yourself up over feeding your child. There's formula and there's donor milk. Your baby will be fed, and is lucky to have a momma who loves them so much.

[Anonymous]

^^ and try power pumping instead of 60 solid minutes of pumping. It's a 20 minute pump, 10 minute rest, 10 minute pump, 10 minute rest, 10 minute pump. It helps stimulate cluster feeding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your husband/partner needs to step up more. All you should be doing is cuddling your kids and pumping.

Relax, drink tons of water and smell your baby’s dirty clothes when you pump (weird but it works).

Your supply will increase.

Her supply might not increase. Mine never came in no matter how much I tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for all the kind words.

H has stepped it up a ton at home. But he’s still working so we can save his leave for when baby gets home, so there’s still a good amount on me. Which is fine, I know I’ll get severely depressed if all I do is sit around all day.

I decided I’m not going to look at or track my output anymore. It’s so stressful for me to see the amount go down every day, and I can’t control how much my body makes. So instead I’m going to focus on the things I can control, like drinking water and pumping a reasonable amount. If my supply dries up, it dries up.

Have you tried eating breast milk producing foods? I ate a lot of oatmeal, mixed brewers yeast into smoothies and put it into baked goods, and focused on eating lots of healthy fats, protein, and carbs. I was eating like 2500 calories a day and drinking almost a gallon of water a day. It seems insane but my supply sucked until I started eating enough. I know it sometimes doesn’t since my friend tried it all and her never increased. Her LC said some women just don’t make milk. There is a something called Insufficient Glandular Tissue that can cause it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This post makes me so mad. Not at you, OP, but at the breastfeeding establishment that puts out so much misinformation that makes moms end up in your situation. Have you heard of insufficient glandular tissue? Or tuberous breast deformity? Please go to fedisbest.org. It is NOT TRUE that all women can breastfeed. About 10% simply do not have enough glandular tissue to EVER meet their baby’s needs. It’s not your fault and there’s nothing you can do to change it. More pumping won’t help. Please read up on it and start feeling good about feeding mostly formula today.

This. I’ve known several families with preemies who were formula fed from the start. Breastmilk isn’t that magical and you shouldn’t put this much stress on yourself when formula is available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This post makes me so mad. Not at you, OP, but at the breastfeeding establishment that puts out so much misinformation that makes moms end up in your situation. Have you heard of insufficient glandular tissue? Or tuberous breast deformity? Please go to fedisbest.org. It is NOT TRUE that all women can breastfeed. About 10% simply do not have enough glandular tissue to EVER meet their baby’s needs. It’s not your fault and there’s nothing you can do to change it. More pumping won’t help. Please read up on it and start feeling good about feeding mostly formula today.

+1 and add any kind of endocrine issue can cause low supply. It’s not true that it’s all “supply and demand.” If your factory doesn’t work it doesn’t matter what the demand signal is.

[Anonymous]

OP. We got to bring DC home the day after I posted this and it’s just gotten worse. Now I’m BFing on demand, pumping 8-10 times a day to try to keep my supply up (and still getting only 15-20mL), and giving multiple bottles of formula a day. So basically it’s like I’m feeding three babies and I’m losing my mind.

I’m 99% sure I’m going to just switch to formula. I have to talk it over with H, but I’m stressed AF and can feel depression setting in.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement (a rare thing on DCUM!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. We got to bring DC home the day after I posted this and it’s just gotten worse. Now I’m BFing on demand, pumping 8-10 times a day to try to keep my supply up (and still getting only 15-20mL), and giving multiple bottles of formula a day. So basically it’s like I’m feeding three babies and I’m losing my mind.

I’m 99% sure I’m going to just switch to formula. I have to talk it over with H, but I’m stressed AF and can feel depression setting in.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement (a rare thing on DCUM!).

*hugs OP*

Don't beat yourself up over this. You've done everything you can. Save your sanity and switch to formula. Or, at the very least, put the pump away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. We got to bring DC home the day after I posted this and it’s just gotten worse. Now I’m BFing on demand, pumping 8-10 times a day to try to keep my supply up (and still getting only 15-20mL), and giving multiple bottles of formula a day. So basically it’s like I’m feeding three babies and I’m losing my mind.

I’m 99% sure I’m going to just switch to formula. I have to talk it over with H, but I’m stressed AF and can feel depression setting in.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement (a rare thing on DCUM!).

OP, that sounds awful! I couldn’t find time to pump once a day with a healthy newborn. I hope you’re able to switch to formula and/or ditch the pump as soon as possible. Wishing you and your family all the best! Remember that your health is important too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. We got to bring DC home the day after I posted this and it’s just gotten worse. Now I’m BFing on demand, pumping 8-10 times a day to try to keep my supply up (and still getting only 15-20mL), and giving multiple bottles of formula a day. So basically it’s like I’m feeding three babies and I’m losing my mind.

I’m 99% sure I’m going to just switch to formula. I have to talk it over with H, but I’m stressed AF and can feel depression setting in.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement (a rare thing on DCUM!).

Congratulations! I would switch to formula or keep 2-3 pumps a day and do the rest formula. Your baby will be fine and healthy either way. Your baby needs a healthy mom versus breast milk.