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Categories » The "4th" Trimester » Breastfeeding Problems

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Breastfeeding Problems
doher215

Rank: seedling
Posts: 23
Joined: 3/4/08
Breastfeeding Problems | 11/24/08 3:41 AM
My son was born 10/16 and I was so happy. He weighed 7.9. When we left he weighed 7.0 at the doctor two days later 6.10 and then two weeks later only 6.11. He had what is known as failure to thrive. So now I have had to give up breastfeeding (as of today he is 8.11) but the problem is I am just devasted that I was not successful at providing food for my baby. I feel like a horrible mother and women that the one thing I am supposed be able to do, nourish my child, is beyond me. The doctor doesn't know why I was not able to produce enough milk and I am taking fenugreek and trying to pump (but it's hard to feed him a bottle then pump after he is asleep--I'm super tired) so needless to say it's not working. Bottom line he is doing great I feel crappy and selfish because I still want to and can't. My question is has anyone gone thru something similar? Thx doher215
lisaword2002

Rank: dedicated
Posts: 289
Joined: 5/1/08
Full Term
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 11/24/08 11:15 AM as a reply to doher215.
I can totally relate to what you're going through. My son also had failure to thrive, but my doctor told me to continue breastfeeding with supplementing formula. That way, I was still providing most of his nutritional needs as well as the antibodies that new babies don't come equipped with. When my son turned 3 months old, I had to start feeding him rice cereal to help out as well. That made me feel even worse because he hated the stuff! Thankfully, he turned out okay. He's still on the small side (25 pounds at 2 years old), but he is perfectly healthy and happy. In the end, that is always the most important thing, don't you think?
Anonymous
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 11/24/08 6:42 PM as a reply to doher215.
The same thing happened to me, my friend, and my sister inlaw. I think it happens alot more than you think. Almost everyone I know has had to supplement a bottle with Breastfeeding.

 

 

elijah'smommy

Rank: bean
Posts: 8
Joined: 11/13/08
Full Term
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 11/25/08 9:22 PM as a reply to doher215.
i had the same problem. my son was almost a week over due and he only weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces. the doctors were worried about him because of how small he was for being over due. i breastfeed and gave him formula too. he gained 2 pounds in 2 days when i had to take him back for his check up. your son will be fine.
EternalStar

Rank: out of the nursery
Posts: 152
Joined: 4/23/08
Full Term
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 11/27/08 1:56 AM as a reply to doher215.
I had my son 11.17, he was born 3 weeks early. At birth he weighed 6lbs 6oz. The next day he weighed 6lbs 1oz and stayed at that until we left the hospital 2 days later. At his doctors appt 2 days after that (Friday) he was still at 6lbs 1oz. The doctor said in 2 weeks he wanted him to be back at 6lbs 6oz. I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding my son...he would get fussy and I was worried because I had no idea how much he was getting or if he was getting enough. I ended up getting a breast pump and he eats so much better from the bottle. And while I get upset when I still try to breastfeed and he doesn't take, I do like being able to quantify how much he's getting and it's comforting to me that he's still getting breastmilk. Now my only problem is I can't keep up, I get soo much milk in I've already had to start freezing it.
AHargrave

Rank: out of the nursery
Posts: 167
Joined: 5/12/08
Full Term
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 11/29/08 3:54 AM as a reply to doher215.
I beat myself up too because I've had to supplement. The lactation specialists at the hospital discouraged it so much but when the baby ended up having to see the specialist because his color wasn't good, I decided I'd had enough and he was going to get food no matter where it was coming from. I think I am probably providing about 50% of his food and the rest is Enfamil but he is growing and is very healthy. Stop being so hard on yourself. I've finally gotten to the point I can laugh at the irony of going through life a size 14 with double d breasts only to have to have a c-section and use formula. SOOO not fair!! Either way, you are providing for your child and I personally think it is more about skin to skin contact and spending time with your baby while feeding him and not propping a bottle up and leaving them alone than if it's breastmilk or formula. I wonder if it is really the milk that is so much better for the babies or if it is that the mothers that are nursing are made to spend more special bonding time with their children. As long as you are doing that (and I think you are based on how upset you seem) I think he will be fine. Now, take care of yourself, and find the silver lining in this. At least you won't be the ONLY person who can get up and feed him in the middle of the night!! Good luck to you.

 

 

bellasmama

Rank: bean
Posts: 2
Joined: 12/3/08
Full Term
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 12/11/08 5:10 PM as a reply to doher215.
I had the same thing happen to me. Don't let the guilt run you down and take away from your joy. Try to remember to enjoy your new baby, this will pass. My heart goes out to you cause I remember feeling this way.
Mahogany Mom

Rank: bean
Posts: 5
Joined: 12/3/08
Full Term
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 12/13/08 10:53 PM as a reply to doher215.
Breastfeeding has its trials and tribulations! I remember when I first started breastfeeding my daughter I was afraid about the whole experience: would my daughter latch on easily or would it take a while? The whole idea kind of creeped me out, but once my baby and I got into a routine of doing it and me not giving up when it didnt work, it wasn't so bad after all. Check out this article: http://mochamanual.com/mochamanual/index.php?/0-3-Months/0-3-Months.html for more breastfeeding tips!
luvinlyfe

Rank: bean
Posts: 9
Joined: 12/10/08
RE: Breastfeeding Problems | 12/15/08 2:31 PM as a reply to doher215.
that is a very common thing and i feel that doctors discourage mothers when they tell them that. i've done this line of work for over ten years. if you still want to nurse eat foods that will increase your milk supply. any type of nuts is wonderful for this, increas your fluid intake and don't give up. stressing over the "problem" makes it harder to produce milk. your baby also notices changes in your mood this early if your tense he gets tense. relax and try again, sometime pumping is not the best answer, if you need a nap take a nap. if he only nurses on one side then pump the other. you have to try different things to find what works for you. unfortunately my children were pigs i never had a problem with them eating but once i went back to work i had a hard time pumping and eating right. so that made my milk decrease but through it all i breast fed both my children for their first year. once again don't give up anything is possible.
 
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