So DD (8months) has been rediculously unsettled. Like beyond even her normal far from perfect self. She has been feeding sometimes every hour through the day, and at night she is waking sometimes every 2hrs and up for anywhere between 25mins to 1hr. I'm totally exhausted. I have been trying to express but haven't really been able to as I constantly feel empty. This morning I pumped for about 40mins (both sides) and got not quite 50ml, a month or 2 ago I would have got at least 100ml but more likely 140-150ml.
I'm wondering if I you think formula top up or night feed would make a difference? I'm worried my milk is drying up. Although when she is finished feeding I can still hand express some out easily so I know she is getting enough. She doesn't really sleep through the day. Maybe 2 x 20min naps if I'm lucky.
So, is it bad if I just try her on some formula? What's your honest opinion. I don't want to give up BFing and can't believe I'm considering formula (no offence to anyone!!), but I seriously just feel like I need a break.
My other question is, is berocca ok to take while BFing? Or any other pick me up's you can suggest? It is my best friend who is like a sister to me and treasures MIss Z so much, is having her 21st party tonight and I have no idea how I'll make it past 8pm hahahaaaa
Thanks in advance BB friends.
... Forgot to mention that she is on BLS but does have some puree, she is getting a decent amount of food at least twice a day now, sometimes 3 times and then some snacks often throughout the day. We just go at her pace and daily appetite.
If you feel that your supply is dwindling try expressing after every feed, until you have nothing coming out. This will build supply and fill her up more. How long has this been happening for? She could be having a big growth spurt or she is just thirsty. Berroca is fine as it is just B vitamins. Avoid Gurana. If you aren't taking a vitamin supplement normally maybe that is something you could try.
It has been happenning for about 2weeks Ali. Ihave expressed 3 times today after feed.
I just fed her until she wanted no more, then she had her dinner and I tried expressing with nothing left. I made up 1 sachet of formula (I needed to put my mind at ease that she wasn't starving) and she guzzled it down (120ml). I feel so guilty now. I think her problem is attatchment. She has never taken enough nipple and there is no way I can get her to take more. I'm wondering if I do have the supply but she has to work to hard for it as I've never had to wear breastpads. I only ever leak on the few times that she has had long sleep overnight (7-8hrs).
I will work hard to express after feeds so that I can top her up with EBM.
It is scary to think that my BF journey could be coming to an end. I had to work so hard and fight in the beginning because she didn't have the suck reflex when born.
Ellee, it is really confusing and stressful when things change and nearly all mums worry that their milk supply is to blame. The good news is that your supply is very unlikely to be the problem. You have been feeding for 8 months and milk just doesn't "dry up". This is a myth. Milk supply is driven by demand - as long as your DD is feeding, your breasts will make milk. Feeding less frequently will affect supply, and this is one of the problems with using formula.
Ellee, there are a few things that are NOT a sign of low supply. These include frequent feeding, not leaking and not getting much out when expressing. Frequent feeding can be a sign of many things - illness, growth spurt, anxiety, overtiredness, or maybe a tummy ache from the food - is there any history of food allergies or intolerances on either side of the family? Not leaking is a not a sign of anything, some mums leak and other don't, and sometimes mums do with one baby but not another. Not getting out much when expressing is just a sign that your body hasn't been tricked into thinking that a plastic pump is the same as a baby's mouth.
Another myth is that a baby drinking a full bottle is not getting enough breast milk. When a baby breast feeds, they need to suck to get the milk out. When they drink from a bottle the milk flows into their mouths and if they don't swallow they choke. So often babies will drink all the bottle even if they weren't hungry at all. If you think your DD is still hungry after a feed and won't take any more, you can try again in 20 - 30 minutes when your breasts will have refilled. If she really needs more she will drink it then.
It is also reassuring for many mums to know that they can tell that their baby is getting enough milk from the wet nappies. As long as the wee is coming out (at that age maybe 4 -5 wet nappies would be expected), then there is enough milk going in. Also, weight gain over a 3 - 4 period is another sign - at that age it is the breastmilk which is giving her the nutrition to grow, not the solids. It might not be a big gain at that age, but any gain is good.
Ellee, from what you have described, there could be a few causes for this unsettled behaviour. Certainly the solids is a possibility. It might be one particular food, or just the solids in general. Digesting food takes a while for a baby's body to get used to and can cause discomfort which is eased by sucking. Or sometimes there is an allergy or intolerance causing an issue. It could also be overtiredness - how was her sleeping during the day before this started happening? 40 mins sleep during the day would not be enough for most babies. It might be that she's so tired she doesn't know what to do and feeding is providing her comfort. Or it might just be a growth spurt - this is an age when many babies are getting ready to talk and walk, and sit and crawl if she's not doing that already. The rapid brain development needed to prepare for these milestones needs fuel - from milk - so many babies will go through a period around that age of feeding seemingly constantly. This is very normal and does pass (although it is very tiring for the poor mum!). There are a few other possibilities like the return of AF or pg too. Do any of these sound like they fit?
Often during these times, mums find that wearing their baby in a sling a lot can help. This helps with the comfort side of things so this can reduce the number of feeds the baby demands. Otherwise, frequent feeding until the demand slows down does seem to work well most of the time, as hard as that is for a while. Are you able to get any rest during the day at all?
Ellee, you are doing a fantastic job hun and have nothing to feel guilty about. Every mum finds it hard to figure out what is going on when the rules change. All you can do is the best you can. You are doing the best you can and doing a wonderful job for your little girl
hang in there - youre doing a great job!
MantaRay has given you some great advice, but just wanted to say I hope things get better soon, no matter what you decide to do.
ETA - I just remembered that in another thread you mentioned you had recently separated from your DH. If you have been upset or stressed at all your DD will pick up on that - and will most likely be affecting her too. (I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything - just wanted to give you another possible cause for her behaviour) Take it easy - and try to rest whenever she does
MantaRay and Sneakysparkle. You have brought tears to my eyes. You're right, it could be anxiety with what has been going on. She isn't crawling yet so perhaps she is practicing that - she's close but not quite.
I'm so tired, that I'm not thinking straight long enough to concentrate and comment on all your wonderful advice MantaRay. But know that I really do appreciate it. It means alot the support and guidance you have offered.
Ellee, I have nothing more to add, but have faith in your body and your little girl. She's big enough to know where the milk comes from when she wants it now! Sounds like things have been tough for you and I hope you get some more sleep soon.
Thanks. We had what I would now call a great day yesterday. DD had a half hour sleep in the morning, and just over an hour from 12pm. She fed at about 230pm and we went out to a birthday party at 3pm. I managed to not feed her until we got home at 530pm She then had a nap for about 20mins woke and was up, fed twice then off to sleep about 8pm WITHOUT the 1hr screaming!!! She woke and I resettled at 1030pm and midnight then slept until 400am I put her down at 445am and she slept until 7:15.
So although yesterday up until we went out she was wasn't overlly happy and fed alot. I don't care She slept great! Fingers crossed that makes today a good day.
You have been given some awesome advice (manta Ray you're my hero) but I just wanted to sympathise and say i found 8 months the hardest. I too toyed with weaning, but in the end I gave myself a 'holiday' by staying at home, napping with dd and cosleeping at night. Within a week I felt so much better.
Ellee. I am so glad that you had a better day hun and I hope there are many more better days on their way! It sounds like things are really tough for you at the moment and you should be really proud of the great job you are doing of getting through it.
What is your support network like hun? Do you have family and friends nearby who can give you a little break sometimes?
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She then had a nap for about 20mins woke and was up, fed twice then off to sleep about 8pm WITHOUT the 1hr screaming!!!
She woke and I resettled at 1030pm and midnight then slept until 400am
I put her down at 445am and she slept until 7:15.
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