Breastfeeding Decision

I have been exclusively pumping for my LO for almost 10 months. Since the new year started, I've noticed that my supply has steadily decreased. It's now to the point to where I don't produce enough that would get her through the day. I have a stash that I use but even with the introduction of solids, I'm going through the stash much faster than I was before so I started to supplement with formula a little to slow it down. Even through massaging, replacing my pump parts, and fixing the settings, I haven't seen much of a difference in my supply. My goal is to pump for at least a year and I would like to get my supply to how it was in the Fall when I returned from Maternity leave but I know the best solution is to pump more often but with my work schedule and overall energy level, I don't think I have the capacity to do that again. I have been thinking talking to an LC about it but I fear that there may not be many options for me. I don't want to stop pumping but I also feel really sad about my supply dropping and having to supplement. It's hard for me to talk to my family about it. If you were in this situation, what would you do? I really need perspective.

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.
Add a comment
Avatar

Part of the supply issue could be anxiety about not producing enough. This happened to me and it's a catch 22. One thing that really helped me was giving myself permission to feed my baby however I could and trying not to stress about pumping all the time or supplementing with formula. It actually helped increase my supply!

I'm in awe that you could exclusively pump for 10 months! Please don't look at it as not being good enough to make it to 1 year, but celebrate that you were able to feed your baby that way! Your body is incredible and you should love yourself unconditionally!
I'm sorry that you are sad and struggling with supply. I hope you are able to meet your goal but I also hope you give yourself grace.

Avatar

There is a tea that I used called mother’s milk. If you can handle the black licorice flavor

Read more on Peanut

Trending

in our community

Can someone pls help i keep making this post and nobody is responding

My boyfriend booked a trip for us to go to mexico for a week as my push present. I have severe anxiety leaving my 7 month old with my mom. I know she will be in good hands but she’s exclusively breast fed for the most part but accepts bottles just fine. i have all my pumping parts packed and will pump when baby normally eats but i don’t want baby to forget me or have latch issues when i return!! any mommas ever experience this?

Avatar

9

Postpartum

I’m only 3 days postpartum (FTM) and already have extremely bad anxiety. I’m crying every night, as I think of another night of no sleep. My baby will not settle in his cot, he cries every moment we put him down unless in his chair rocker. So me and my partner are having to alternate after 3/4 hours of being awake with him downstairs. I’m trying everything to get him to settle. It’s a load of overwhelming stress. I’m 23, I was desperate for a baby and now I have one and feel completely useless. I miss it just being me and my partner.

Avatar

4

23

When does it get better?

I was crying on the phone with the perinatal mental health team today and the lovely lady, bless her, kept assuring me that it gets better. I kept telling her I hope so because people have been saying that since having my LO and it just feels like it keeps getting worse. She assured me it gets better....

Avatar

1

8

Night time routine

Heya, my 3 week old daughter is currently exclusively breastfed and I’m not pumping. Can anyone recommend the best way to share the load with my partner? At the moment I’m doing all the feeds/burbs/settling and my partner is sleeping through which obviously isn’t sustainable, I’m trying to work out the best way to get him involved. Any advice very much appreciated!

Avatar

6

Rapid cool/ hot shot method

Sorry if this sound stupid but how are we doing the hot shot method?
Are we boiling the kettle and letting it cool a little before adding to hot flask? Then with the cool water do you boil the kettle and leave it to cool right down before putting into another flask?
My baby brain is fried trying to work out the easiest way!

Avatar

7

Rant/WWYD

My sister (youngest, 24) has two kids, 4 & 1, and i (oldest, 30) just have my one who’s 6mo old right now, so i ask her for advice or call her to vent about things sometimes. Well im tired of her turning around and telling my other family members that I’m “losing my sh*t.” Literally have not lost my sh*t nor have i ever freaked out to her about my baby, i just call her to talk and tell her what stage my baby is in or talk through how im feeling, but she chooses to tell people that im like a complete nutcase or something which worries me that my family is going to start being judgmental about me as a mother or looking at me funny like I’m some fragile ticking time bomb.

What would you do in this situation? I’m already pretty much decided that I’ll stop telling her anything about my struggles, but I’m almost at the point where i feel like it should be confronted because she, of all people, should understand what I’m going through.

Avatar

10

Read more on Peanut