We are still going. 13 months expressing, 8 months breast feeding. DS isn't having NG tube feeds anymore Yaaaay!! He's only BF 3-4 times in 24 hours, rarely feeding through the day.. The last 2 days he has had a BF in the morning then not another one til 4 or 6pm and even that took some persuasion.. Anyway, I hope we can settle into a good rhythm which results in me being able to wean down on all the tablets I'm on (motilium, fenugreek, blessed thistle) and possibly the expressing as well..
Hooray for no more ng feeds Blessed! I don't think I've said it in here before but I'm so in awe of you. Just reading again what you've gone through to feed your DS, it's just incredible. Hoping with you that you can stop the tablets soon!
Blessed you are such a champ for going this long. Have a celebration, no more ng feeds how exciting. You are doing an amazing job, hopefully you can start weaning off those tablets soon.
That's so wonderful, BAL! Must be nice to not have to worry about that NG tube too. And how fantastic that you've gotten him to 13 months with no formula! He certainly seems to be thriving and it's hard to believe he was born so early to look at him now. He's clearly a happy, healthy little boy.
DD2 is much more into food and water now and still seems to be bfing as often, but maybe not as much. She's also not bothered if she eats and drinks from her cup before a bf now. I'm mostly waiting for her to ask for a bf, although if she's getting whingey and tired I just give her one before putting her to bed. She is not the booby fiend that DD1 was though and I very much doubt she'll bf for as long. Hoping for two years at least though. I think she'll be normal and want the night time feed for longer at least, which gives me hope! She's just not as needy for cuddles and a bf in the morning as DD1 was. Funny how different they can be.
And for a baby led solids baby, DD2 loves being spoon fed. Some things (like weetbix and yoghurt) you just cannot use your fingers, but DD2 gets lazy every now and then and if I pick up food to hand to her she just lunges at it with her mouth. Funny thing. DD1 was so active in feeding herself that she learnt to use a spoon or fork by 12 mths, but DD2 still waves it around and splatters stuff.
Aww, thanks everyone I'm glad the NG tube is out, even when I do express now, it's purely to keep my supply, I am not obsessed with the amount I am pumping.. I have been so blessed to have amazing women that donated their EBM to me as well.. Their job is done now I just really hope I can slow down the expressing but still maintain enough supply to have DS at the breast for a while yet My expressing goal is Feb, I'll most likely stop then, which may mean the end of my supply which in turn may mean the end of BF.. I don't know yet though, if I only have to express twice a day I might be able to push on for a while longer. I love feeding, hate expressing. Feeding is so beautiful and gives me nice feeling, expressing is painful I would love to get to a point where we are just feeding, but I think I am starting to accept that my lactation will be winding up soon in one way or another..
For now though, I am proud that we have come this far, I'm proud that despite me having supply issues and DS having to be supplemented we have both pushed through and I have always been able to provide DS with breast milk, even if sometimes it was from another Mama
So after 5 months AF has returned... I forgot how much I dislike her!!!
Can this affect my milk? Ie flavor, quantity...?
Just noticed dd was a bit more restless and woke earlier than normal leading up to it? Can a hormone change in me effect her?
Also she has stopped pooing daily and seems to go a 2-3 days. All normal?
Not sure about the impact of AF on the flavour of your milk, but yes - skipping poos for a few days here and there is completely normal.
Watch out for signs that they might be a bit clogged up, but DS1 would sometimes go for a week without pooing! I was reassured by the Dr, the MHCN and other mummas on BB that this was not a concern whatsoever ... I think the longest he went sans poo was 10 days.
I won't attempt to convey the nature of the poonami* that followed.
* = poonami is a new favourite word which I have completely stolen from another BBer.
Little O - the return of your cycle can change your milk, as your hormones change, which can affect your milk. Some mums find their baby doesn't seem to mind, some mums find their baby is a bit fussier than usual at that time. Just keep feeding - even if your LO doesn't like it, it will go back to how it was soon enough and all should be fine!
AFM: my littlest man is feeding really well! He seems to be super fast though, which I hadn't expected so soon, he's only 4 weeks! Maybe he knows I don't have an hour to sit around feeding him, with two others to keep me busy. My let down is a lot more painful this time round... Strange.
OP: DS2 is so much quicker that DS1 too! DS1 would normally take 45-60 mins, but anything up to 90 minutes. DS2 is rarely more than 30 mins, and generally he's done in 20 minutes - including a mid-feed nappy change
Dunno ... total different personality here - DS2 has only fallen asleep on the boob twice DS1 I constantly had to keep walking up, to get him to have a proper drink.
And later, he would get so distracted ... DS2 - heaven help you if you get between you and "his" boobies when he wants a drink.
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