Comments on: My Breastfeeding Detour: When Expectations Meet Reality

By: plussizebirth

plussizebirth — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 02:37:55 +0000

In reply to Jackalyn. Thanks for sharing mama. It's hard but knowing we aren't alone kinda helps. I have to believe that next time will be different for both of us.

By: Jackalyn

Jackalyn — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 00:24:56 +0000

Thank you for this post. We have amazing similar stories as far as my little one being 3 weeks early and pretty much everything else including syringe feeding. My supply just never came in, and we found out our little one was very badly tongue tied.
I have always had a lot of guilt about not being able to breastfeed I truly believe it is the best thing and most natural thing for babies.
But it just wasn’t in the cards and nobody around me had ever breastfed so I was looked at as weird to begin with. I hope that next time around it will happen. But I know that no matter what I love my son and he is perfectly healthy and happy.

By: stephanie

stephanie — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 05:52:05 +0000

I did all the same things hings and could never produce enough I kept trying and time at the breast was just stressful for both of us and nerve wracking .. people still make me feel bad that I give my daughter formula but you know what my daughter is a healthy happy baby none the less but know I was not the only one to do everything… I tried every trick fenugreek blessed thistle my vitamins mothers milk drinking one beer oatmeal flaxseed I smelled like maple syrup 24/7 I was going crazy and my family amd husband were the ones to finally sit me down and say enough was enough that could not keep stressing both my daughter and myself out any more

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 21:56:28 +0000

So this is my story twice now, “I’m now one of those moms I used to judge feeding my son formula in public. I’ve learned a very valuable lesson and do my best to no longer pass judgment upon other mothers.” Parenting is part love and part survival, depending on how tired you are, you go with one your are most capable of giving. Now pregnant with my third child, I still have hopes and dreams of being a breastfeeding mommy.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:17:14 +0000

I am so glad you shared this. I have 3 babies 2 year 19 months and 5 weeks and am finally having my first positive breastfeeding experience. I learned with the first 2 not to let the “rules” they throw down your throat control my breastfeeding. I only got 3 months with the first 2. Its a lot harder than people lead on.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 06:36:30 +0000

You did great. I think we all get caught up in silly ‘mommy wars.’ You did the most important thing you could have done, the best for your child. Feel no guilt because that makes you a good mother!

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 00:53:40 +0000

I had trouble with my daughter losing a lot of weight within the first 2 days of exclusive breast feeding. I was told to supplement with a tubing system. I also used herbs. This became too trying and I became so stressed out because I was pushed by the lactation consultant to keep trying. After 3 weeks, supplementation soon became full on formula feeding. My daughter finally gained weight and was able to sleep through the night.
When I was pregnant with my son I was bound and determined that this time would be different. He too began to lose weight. The consultant I had this time was very supportive. She told me that it appeared that I had very little milk producing breast tissue and no matter what I did that I may never be able to make enough. I supplemented and I tried herbs, meds & pumping. When nothing changed, she told me that I shouldn’t feel bad because I tried my best. So, it was formula feeding again.
I decided that I would still let my son nurse when he was tired and needed soothing to sleep. He decided at seven months that he didn’t want to do this anymore. So even though I couldn’t provided the nutrition he needed, I was still able to have bonding with him and provide the comfort that he needed.

By: Elayne

Elayne — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 04:56:29 +0000

I have 28 weeker twins who were in the NICU for three months. My breastfeeding story is very similar to yours. Somehow, I was able to get a strong latch two months after they were home and they both part time nursed and drank formula from a bottle, but like you, the guilt ate me up. It was sooo hard to come to terms with. However, I want to say why I feel so angry when I read in nursing books or natural parenting blogs that nursing and breastmilk are the ONLY way and it’s the way nature intended. NATURE doesn’t take all that good care of babies who are born very sick. NATURE actually allows for babies like these to pass away, and this is where intensive science and medical intervention step in to undo what nature is intending. This is where a human made formula saves lives. Certain babies are here because of real miracles through medical interventions. When I finally realized this, my guilt was gone, and and I was able to feel so grateful for the fact that modern science saved my daughters’ lives. Thank you for this post. You are a wonderful mother.

By: Bec

Bec — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:09:02 +0000

I too am struggling with supply and it I end up in tears at various points during the week. When the midwives ask about supply I know they are only trying to help but feel automatically like I am failing. My eight and a half week early (born at 31.5 weeks) baby has been in special care, next step from NICU (intensive care) for a month now, with no home date in sight yet. I have large breasts and while was aware that some mother’s have problems with breastfeeding, never thought I’d be one.

Expressing is very different to feeding. My baby is usually supplemented with formula feeds twice a day and has breast milk for the remaining 6. I breastfeed twice a day for about 15 minutes as my baby tires very quickly from the demand of sucking on her, but when I feel her pull milk from me and we are both content – it is the best feeling. I’m taking the view that as much breast milk as I can provide is better than none, while most days I’m strong and can feel good about this, there are days where the guilt eats away at me.

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:42:54 +0000

I had lots of troubles with my son too, leading to a chronically low supply that never increased despite consuming copious amounts of fenugreek, goat’s rue, and other herbs, doing acupuncture, and all kinds of remedies i was promised would bring me back up. Around 6 months my breasts simply quit producing milk altogether.

I was determined things would be different with my daughter, and despite a rocky start, we are doing MUCH better than before with my first. I know you can do it and will do it with your next one. Every baby is different.