Well, today I had to give up breastfeeding. I'm very upset. I just can't stop crying and wondering what happened to me. For some reason my milk dried up. Nothing changed. Noah is such a big boy though. He still eats every hour-two hours. Hes as big as his almost two year old brother at almost 8 months old and standing without holding on. I just can't think of any other reason why my milks gone besides that my body can't keep up! My breasts are so sore and red and he was miserble for days so I just said screw it, I'm not going to hurt you just to breastfeed. He could care less it seems if he has a bottle or the breast. Which hurts but I know hes just hungry. The last week that its been slowly stopping hes been up all night. Last night we got 3 hours of sleep. He just screamed until I let him suck and he did it for hours which was painful. Now, hes finally sleeping because he had TWO eight ounce bottles in a row. I was wondering if anyone knew of any reasons why I could have dried up. Can your body just decide when your baby is ready to be weaned??? Eryn
I'm so sorry,it must be awful for you! (((hug))) How much solid or baby food is he eating? One thing you may want to do is encourage him to eat more. I am not sure what to do about your milk,there are lactation promoting teas in the health food store,and I know it can be possible to bring your milk back sometimes. Try the breastfeeding forum at Mothering.com those sisters know everything. Good luck and just take care of yourself,drink lots of water, stay positive.
Well, at least your DS takes a bottle with no problem! My DS screamed and cried and absolutely refused the bottle so there was no other option for me- once he was hooked on the boob he was there to stay, LOL. From what you described, it seems like he's growing and developing well, so you should feel pretty darn good about yourself! He's 8 mos. old now, so he should be able to begin a diet of solids, as well as formula or milk if necessary. Breastmilk would provide supplemental nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes, and the nursing would provide extra comfort- but by 8 months of age your son should be ok without it! I'm sure you feel horrible for weaning when you don't really want to, but it was so great of you to keep it up for this long! Why don't you try pumping or hand expressing the little bit of milk you do have, so you can give it to your son by bottle? If you really wanted to get your milk supply back up, you can try a few things. Make sure you're hydrated, first of all. Make sure you're taking a prenatal vitamin. Don't eat soy products, or drink soy milk as they contain an estrogen complex that can sometimes decrease milk supply. Drink Mother's Milk tea, and take Fenugreek capsules. Relax while you're nursing and take deep breaths. Imagine your milk flowing freely, and think/say to yourself "Let down, let down, let down..." It sounds crazy but it worked for me! Bottome line is, don't beat yourself up for not being able to keep your milk supply up. You could be right- you're body is telling you that it's too physically demanding for you, and it's time to stop. Peace, Leah
The best thing is to see a Board Certified Lactation Consultant. There was a thread that dealt with this issue just a week or so ago, and there were some good suggestions, I also addressed the issue and what else could be done about it. It is extrememly rare for milk to just "dry up." Usually something else is going on, separation, hormonal treatments (BC pills are one culprit) thyroid issues as well as other things. I will try to find the other thread, but seeing a specialist in the field (an IBCLC, RLC) is really the best bet. Calling a La Leche League leader is also an option, but if it is complicated she will usually refer you to an IBCLC. Go to www.iblce.org or www.breastfeeding.com and look at their LC finder or go to www.lalecheleague.org or call 1800 TELLYOU is is Medela, the breastpump company and they have a listing of LCs in your area. This is most likely fixable if you want it to be! But you have to take the step and ask for help from the right people. DO NOT call the LC at the hospital, she probably has NO experience with breastfeeding past the first 3 days of life and is so busy with newly delivered moms and babies that you will not get more than a few minutes with her. A PRIVATE PRACTICE IBCLC will spend at least an hour with you and give you a treatment plan to help. As well as follow up. This can be very emotionally draining to go through, please seek the help so you and your baby can continue, IF that is what you want.
Here is the other thread which dealth with this. Please do NOT overhydrate yourself! There is HOPE!!!! http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=997
you mentioned thyroids acting up can be a culprit...Almost everyone in my family has thyroid problems...I think I'm going to go get checked out if my mom(who has over-active thy. probs) thinks I have symptoms. thank u maggie!
It may be worth looking into. But don't WAIT, in the meantime, see an IBCLC! Every day that goes by makes your chances smaller (and at this point they are still GOOD!) Don't delay. You will need a T3 T4 TSH and one other thyoid test. This, however, will not make your milk dry up completely, and even if it is thyroid, and you do get it treated, you will STILL need professional help to regain your milk supply. Please call someone today!
feng u greek If you want to keep breastfeeding get this herb. It helps ALOT my mother had to use it when she had her second child. And she Just stoped breastfeeding 6 months ago(he is 3 years old) Good luck hunn! If I could I would give you my supply... I have plenty to spare... ALso try a breastmilk donor place ....if you dont want him to have formula. Its totally worth it. A friend of mine is a donor here In BC....Im about to become one after I takl to my mid wife.... GOOD LUCK HUNN! Jenn
Hello Mama... Your milk also could have dried up because you were supplementing with formula to much.
Hes never had a drop of formula until a I wrote this. My milk came back, thanks for the advice I just kept pumping when he wasn't eatting and it got stronger, I guess its back to normal.
Are you OK now! HOORAY!!!! I wonder what happened. Did you get your period? It is rare, but some womyn have a small drop in supply when they get their period, and some have a bigger drop. If this is the case, take some Fenugreek at the begining of your next period (a few days before is even better.) I would still see the doctor to assess whether you are hypothyroid or anemic. Keep up the good work. I have no idea what happened. Were you on any hormones for any reason?
no nothing, I'm confused... I haven't gotten my period back either...I haven't had it since when I got pregnant with Croix who is almost 2 now. Is that bad??? I hope I get it back soon, could it mean I'm getting it soon???
Some mamas go more than 2 years without a period. But I just thought of something. Could you be pregnant? This sometimes can cause a nursing strike, as well as a lowered milk supply in some situations.
this time there is no possible way, I left Croix and Noah's dad when Noah was born. My mom just reminded me of something last night though... I'm a vegetarian, around the time that my milk wasn't coming in good I stopped eatting dairy completely because I had something cheesy that made me sick. I started eatting a serving of dairy at each meal though this week because I missed it too much and wanted to keep my diet balanced for Noah. It hasn't made me sick yet, I'm hoping it was just a bad day. I just re-read some of those posts and one says something about soy stopping it. I didn't replace milk with anything though. Could this be another reason???
I haven't read through all the responses and I hope i'm not coming in too late but I do know of a natural tea, Fennugreek Seed (spelling?) that does help to bring up your milk supply. That, coupled with a week of frequent feedings and lot of naps should do the trick! Paz, Josie
I doubt it alot hunn. Your diet has almost no effect(from what I know) on your milk supply not coming in. It was an old wives tale that you had to drink milk while breastfeeding to bring in your milk. I forget why they said that but probably to make womyn feel inferrior(sp?) about their bodies....and instincts... I dont drink milk period..(I have No clue why lol) the only time I get milk is when I have cereal(once maybe twice a week) I am a HOrrible eater too lol I eat like once maybe twice a day and only have water inbetween....(sometimes juice) and only when Im super hungry will I eat something...... My milk supply is twice what it was when I had Alex Jillian is Huge! lol She was 11.6 her 1 month appointment... Anyways Im going well and beyond my point! Good luck hunn and do what maggie sais about when you have your period!
Not having dairy in your diet and using a lot of soy in your diet will not have an impact on your supply. The "phyto-estrogens" in soy are most likely unavailable to humans (which is why they really don't work as a menopause supplement, and are NOT declaered a drug by the FDA.) The lack of dairy in your diet definately had NO impact on your supply. No mammal consumes milk after weaning, save some humans and a few domesticated animals, but milk production is good in all mammals. You don't need dairy to make milk. Look at cows, they make huge supplies of milk, yet never consume dairy after weaning. I have no idea what happened.
i think i do... I finally got my period today, I was in severe stomach pain for a day and then today... there it was. Maybe thats why? who knows...
