I think our BF'ing is coming to an end and its sad..

[mummaof2]

I have been taking motilium since DD was 2.5weeks. She is now 12 weeks. I have slowly been weaning off the motilium, as suggested by paed, GP and LC, and I think I'm now almost out of milk. DD is only sucking for under a minute before she starts fussing, rubs her face on my breast, pulls at my nipple etc etc. My breasts do not feel like they have any milk at all.

The few people I've told have kinda said "you've gotten heaps far well done" etc but I'm still disappointed.

My goal was to make it 3 months which yes I've technically reached but I am going to miss it so much and DD really seems to likes to BF. I still feel she is so fragile and that I need to keep feeding her.

I know a lot of people take motilium ongoing till even bubs is 1yo but paed, GP and LC kinda said it wasn't tested with its use long term and so I do agree that I'd prefer not to keep having to take it without knowing the long term effects on me or baby.

I guess I just need to vent to ppl who understand how I'm feeling. I'm disappointed that my body can't do this on its own. I haven't been able to make enough milk for a full feed since dd was 2 weeks old but I was ok with having to mix feed as she was only having 20-60ml of formula or EBM when i had it so now not being able to bf at all is making me sad.

[~TT40~]

do what you feel comfortable doing, and if that is stopping the tablets then it is ok. it will be ok. you can provide her comfort and love in so many other ways. I know its not the same. But you do still give her things no one else will ever be able to.

(and you have done amazing so far)

[MLR1901]

Keep going!
I too am similar on tabs, fenugreek cookies etc. Bubs is now nearly 5mths but I learnt my breasts do t feel as full as they used to but my let down is quicker!
Don't give up or doubt your milk!
Sometimes offer it 30mins early than expected.

[Joeve]

I have never felt letdown ever and my boobs have never hurt, felt full etc and I think I have leaked twice when DD was 9 weeks old and starting sleeping through the night. I have never had much milk when expressing, it would take me 2 days to get 100mls!
DD is now 7.5 months old and her main source of food is breast milk as she is not a fan of solids and is nick named The Clam as that's what her mouth does when food comes near here!
I just keep believing in my milk, I do lots of skin to skin.
You have done well it's sure harder than I ever imagined!
I would keep putting bubs on the boob if that's what you want

[mummaof2]

Thanks for the replies. I expressed last night and got 40mls. DD is going to bed around 5-7pm and sleeping till 3-4am so I might try and get an expressing in before I go to bed.

I will try more skin on skin time and I am going to make a batch of lactation cookies although I didn't see any real change when I tried these a month or so ago.

I'm a little worried about next weekend as I have to work on the Sunday all day and feeding bub will not really be an option as I'll be about a 1.5 hr drive away from her. My mum is going to watch her for the day as hubby will be away for the weekend. Not sure what that will do to whatever supply I have left.

[onthefly]

Hi mummaof2

Congratulations on your baby. It sounds like you've been working really hard and doing a great job of feeding her.

If you'd like support and suggestions to keep going, then you can get that here if you'd like. Others are right, also, that you can continue to be a caring, responsive and loving mother even after your breastfeeding relationship is over.

Have you tried calling the ABA helpline for more suggestions and support? 1800-686-268. There are probably lots of things you could try if you want to keep things going.
It's only natural that you're disappointed when things don't go as you'd hoped. It's true, though, that you've done well.

Are you able to express while you're at work? The key to increasing and maintaining supply is to remove as much milk from your breasts as possible. You can feed frequently, offer 3 or 4 sides (so switch back to the first side and second again if she'll take it); offer again 30 minutes after a feed; express between feeds and offer this as topups, and so on. What you can express out is rarely a good indicator of how much milk you have, and it is normal for breasts to feel softer by this point. Again, this doesn't tell us much about how much milk we have. The best way to tell how your baby is doing is by watching her. Has anyone explained to you how to tell whether you baby is feeding effectively and getting enough milk?

[MLR1901]

Just so you know your workplace is supposed to aid you in allowing to BF, by providing time and place to pump.
If this is absolutely no option, I would suggest pumping during the night when babe is sleeping.
I would and still get my most milk then.
Also if you are going to be not feeding/pumping whole at work then your supply will drop.
But always remember whatever is good for babe - if you need to give her 2 bottles of formula then don't feel bad.
I've been mixed feeding with periods of exclusive BF of up to 3weeks.

[mummaof2]

Ok a bit of an update...

Dd is still BF'ing much to my surprise. Sunday at work I managed to express even though I was actually working at an exhibition in the city. Thankfully the exhibition organisers allowed me to use their office to express. It was a bit of a weird situation but at least I managed to get through the day.
I have tried the "switch back" idea the last two days and surprisingly Dd has gone with it which she hasn't when I've tried it in the past. I have also had her feed to sleep twice in the last 4 days which she hasn't done in a very long time. When I've done the switch back and she fusses I've actually squeezed and squirted her in the face which is usually during the second time on the side.. I've also had a bit of leakage with letdown on the opposite side so I'm taking this as all good things.
I know I'll never make enough for a full feed but happy I'm still plodding along.
I'm going to monitor her formula feeds for the next week to gauge how much formula she is taking as I stopped noting this down when she was about 6 weeks old.