Need some support...

[kellysays2u]

So Athena was admitted to the hospital last thursday. While I was there they didn't have a breast pump that I could use every 2 hours (there was like 6 other women on the ward and only 1 pump) and with Athena not latching on I had to feed her formula. I pumped as much as I could but it would sometimes be 8 hours or so before they even bothered to bring the pump in from one of the other moms. So now my supply issues are even worse then before and its painful as heck to pump again. I only get .25 ounces off each breast so half an ounce ever 2 hours IF I am lucky. I just get so mad when I see how little I am producing that the last two days I have only pumped once or twice... I just feel like absolute crap. I am taking more milk plus by motherlove or something like that. But its not helping... probably cause I am not pumping enough... The formula isn't settling well with her either... and her poops are getting hard... I just dont know what to do...

Can you guys help me out and give me the inspiration to start pumping again... I really want to do it for her but it just makes me sad now... I know that once I got my supply up again I would be more then happy its just right now its so depressing to be hooked up and not get anything...

 

[Blob]

Awww hun didnt want to leave without
You just have to keep trying it to increase your supply, perhaps mimic what a baby would do and pump more often to increase???

 

[Mervs Mum]

It's a simple case of the more you pump the more you'll get. If you pump 2 times in 24hrs your milk will disappear very quickly I'm afraid.

Have a read of the sticky at the top of this board about exclusive pumping - if you want to be in with a shout you need to commit to pumping much more frequently.

 

[asacia]

I can really sympathise.

I've had a hard time since I had the baby, and on a few days I was unable to get any milk. Any stress and I just couldn't get anything out. It is really distressing and upsetting, and really made me want to pack it all in.

One thing that helped was my Mum. She told me that even if you don't get hardly any milk, the stimulation you are giving is still very important. Expressing has two parts - getting the milk, and telling your body to make more. While you might not be happy with the amount you are getting, focus on the positive fact that you are giving your body the right signals.

Make sure you do what is right for you. Expressing is very hard, so give yourself a big pat on the back for how you've done. Keep trying as long as you can, but don't be hard on yourself.

I set the kitchen timer, to make sure I pump at least every 3 hours. For a week, I expressed every 90 minutes, and I hated the sound of the alarm going off. I dreaded it, and would cry every time. It paid off though, it took a while, but I managed to build up 4 complete feeds to put in the freezer. Having that stock makes it a little easier.

It is hard, but you can do this. ((Hugs))

 

[Serene123]

Take a look at the sticky and good luck x

 

[mommyof3co]

Awww I'm sorry

I'm not really sure what to say to make you want to do it again, but if I were you I would try drinking lots of water, make sure your taking time to eat right, take some fenugreek and pump every 2hrs, even through the night. I really hope it gets better for you both whichever way you choose

 

[kellysays2u]

I know that pumping twice in a day wont help but I didnt have a choice while in the hospital with Athena. They didnt have anything for me to pump with... I tried hand expressing but its not the same stimulation... I am back to pumping every two hours but it is soul wrecking when you get nothing all day. I sent a complaint to the hospital about how they need to make sure they have the resources for moms as I wasn't allowed to leave to go home and get my pump and I had the only car so OH couldn't bring it plus he had to work... I just wish it was easier and she would breast feed normally... I have had to exclusively pump from the third day as that was when the lactation consultant basically said with her latch so poor and her suck almost non-existant I wouldn't be able to nurse so I only had to other choices... To pump or formula feed... I just want to get to my first goal of 6 weeks...

 

[Mervs Mum]

Hang in there honey. Give them some ear ache at the hospital - they aren't supporting you enough.

 

[Serene123]

Hospitals make me mad.

They gave Caitlyn a bottle before I could tell them not to, they didn't even tell me what they were going to do and I just assumed it was the right thing. I then had an awful battle on my hands. I was SO tempted to write and complain but would it make a difference? Probably not in my case.

If you really want to do it, you can do it, but you will have to be so determined xx

 

[AnnaBanana9]

Keep persevering sweetie - you are doing so well! The hospital's attitude is shocking.

You can do anything you set your mind to, and we're all here for you.

x

 

[Brockie]

just wanted to say good luck hon, it takes commitment but you can do it you just will need to be pumping more often, you will then start to get more oz out xxx hospital sounds terrible really feel for you xx