who has survived a strike?

[stephie_corin]

Good luck tonight SE! He may surprise you and decide to nurse in the night. I sure hope so!

Fantastic news about his nap at daycare too

 

[Care76]

So sorry you are going through this. We went through this and my LO was biting then as well. We did work past it.

What worked for us:
- No bottles or sippy cups. Only milk/water from breast or cup.
- I only offered when he wanted it or else I got bit. This eventually went away and he feeds so much more now and doesn't bite.
- I was going in during the night to dream feed since it was the only time he would really feed. During the day if he didn't nurse he had milk from a cup.


In the end it seemed he was going through a big leap and was too interested in learning to crawl. So far he hasn't done this for walking, but he hasn't walked without holding on to something yet. Maybe your LO is just about to make a big leap into something developmental?

Also, I was told to take moringa instead of fenugreek and it is working better.

Good luck! I hope it passes soon as it is a horrible feeling.

 

[seaweed eater]

Thanks, Care. It's good to hear that you guys got through it. Interesting that you didn't use sippy cups either. I don't think mine feels as satisfied with those, and he certainly doesn't drink nearly as much from them, so I've been thinking it might be ok?

How long did it go on for you? And was your LO nursing at all (sounds like maybe, when he asked or during those dream feeds)? Oh, and how old was your LO at the time?

Mine is definitely going through a developmental spurt so what you said fits...I've heard similar stories about babies his age, too. He's really starting to walk so maybe once he's more comfortable with that he'll just go back to nursing?!

 

[seaweed eater]

Nursing strike day 6: he took 16 oz again (!). My pumping output is going to be low, I'm not sure what exactly since I have another session still to go, but probably around 19. I didn't have time for my usual oatmeal last night so that may be why.

Running the dishwasher tonight and hopefully it's the last time I see those bottle nipples until the next baby. No bottle today.

Bedtime was much easier tonight so fingers crossed for a good night! It will be good to go to sleep a bit earlier.

I've been trying to come to terms with the idea of the nipple shield. That might sound strange, but it's a bit emotional for me for some reason. I keep wanting to hold out for longer, in case he changes his mind, but part of me thinks that the longer I wait, the less likely he is to be interested. So...maybe soon.

He still seems to like my chest for comfort. He nuzzles it all the time and even puts his mouth on it. He's now consistently biting whenever I offer to nurse. Again, I can't tell whether that's a step forward or backward...but at least it doesn't seem like he was traumatized by my reaction to his biting, so that makes me feel a bit better about my own role in all of this.

He's walking across the room several times a day now so if this is walking-related, maybe something will change soon.

My gut feeling is that, if he comes back, it won't be for another couple weeks or more. This has been such a big transition and there's so much new stuff to process: cups instead of bottles, new ways of going to sleep, eating more solids...not to mention all the other developments. His mind is probably elsewhere. I could see him either totally forgetting that he ever took comfort from nursing, and never coming back, or picking it up in several days like nothing ever happened. Just going to keep pumping and try to stay calm about everything!

 

[stephie_corin]

You're doing so well SE! I just wanted to pop in and give you some words of encouragement. You're handling this situation with tremendous grace. Fingers crossed for you that things turn around soon x

 

[seaweed eater]

It's been a week!

Yesterday he took 22oz and I pumped 21. I think he's still getting more used to taking milk from the cup. I wonder whether he was hungry during the first few days when he took only 16, or whether he's just drinking the extra now because it's there? I wish I could ask him. If he keeps taking more at home, I'll probably try to cut one of his bottles at daycare. He's taking around 10oz in around 7-8 hours now, in three bottles, so I could send two 4oz bottles instead.

He also ate a TON of solid food yesterday! He's not drinking much water. I've been offering milk with solids because I've been so worried about him not having enough milk. But maybe it's time to go back to water.

I tried the nipple shield a couple of times yesterday but it was very awkward. I wasn't able to keep it on and hang on to LO for long enough to keep his interest. I think I need help in person from a LC. I can see one next Wednesday if things haven't changed by then.

I've had a bit of a stomachache, and I suspect the fenugreek, so I'm going to stop taking it. I haven't tried the mother's milk tea yet so will do that...also haven't been able to have oatmeal every day because I have it in the evenings and bedtime has been such a mess this week. Hoping things calm down sleep-wise and I have more time to do that consistently.

That's the update. My feelings about this still vary a lot, but on the whole I'm not feeling sad about it as often as I did at first. LO has been very cuddly and loving this week so that has helped a lot.

Thanks for your support, everyone. Have a great weekend

 

[MommyJogger]

Sorry I have no advice. Just wanted to send hugs.

 

[seaweed eater]

Thanks again everyone for the support

I feel less hopeful that LO will nurse again with every day that goes by.

I offered a couple of times today and he seemed interested but then just bit me. I may keep trying again first thing in the morning -- that seems like the best time since I'm full and LO is just waking up (and he's hungry).

I also will be seeing a third LC on Wednesday to see if she has any last resort tips, or if she can help with the nipple shield. But I'm basically assuming at this point that we're done.

I'd still like to make it to 18 months pumping. I'd like to give LO the immunological benefits of BF through our travels this winter and through cold and flu season. I don't want to sustain my current pumping schedule, but if I can maintain a lower supply while pumping twice a day, I think I'd be willing to do that for a while longer. Ask me again in 7 months...but that's my goal for now.

Of course I'm disappointed, and jealous of mothers who are still nursing. And I wish things had ended in a less stressful way. But I'm glad I could provide the comfort for LO for as long as he needed it, and hopefully the breastmilk for several more months from now. I fought to establish BF while LO was in the NICU, wean off formula supplements, and remain EBF despite working, and I'm proud of all that and know how important it was to him for all those months.

I'll come back and update if anything miraculously changes.

 

[Aimee4311]

 

[polaris]

I'm really sorry that it's not a more positive update. I think you are amazing to keep pumping milk for him! After he's a year old he can have regular milk to supplement the EBM, but even one feed a day of EBM would be fantastic for him! He is very lucky to have such a determined mama.

 

[dalismom]

Hi SE! I just came across this and I remember you from Noelle's sleep thread. My lo is sick, congested, ear infection and teething and he has started biting me too He has not nursed since this last night,overnight and it literally breaks my heart!!! I have no stored EBM but I did pump some for his sippy before bed. I am a SAHM and have not really pumped a lot so I don't get a ton out. I am devastated that he is refusing the breast but I, like you would love to continue to give him EBM as long as I can keep my supply up. He has never taken a bottle, refused from day 1, lil stinker, and tonight was the first time in 10.5 months that I didn't nurse him to sleep. I have been a wreck all day, it's so emotional! I have offered all day but he will just take it in his mouth then either turn away or BITE and ouchhhhhh it hurts so bad! I am almost afraid to offer but I want to carry on. I was just curious as to how everything on your end ended up?

THanks so much!!!!

 

[seaweed eater]

Hey, I remember you! So sorry to hear you are going through this. I'm sorry your LO is teething and ill, but actually my guess is that probably is better in terms of your chances of getting him back to the breast, because when he is feeling better he probably will go back to normal! For mine there was no apparent reason why he stopped...he just decided he was done.

If it is making you anxious to offer, then I don't think it would hurt to take a break for a few feeds...I got to where I was actually happy if he bit me! Because at least he was turning toward the breast instead of away, haha!

Nothing has changed here, still pumping...but I've been able to keep up, until today actually when my supply has dropped quite sharply. So this is only the second time I'm going to have to take milk out of the freezer. I do think it helped that I was pumping regularly before, but it seems to take most women only a few days to adjust to the pump. I hope it doesn't come to that for you, though!

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you guys -- please keep me posted

 

[dalismom]

Thank you so much for your kind words!!! I hope you don't have to dip into your stash for long! Today was hard and very emotional for me! He didn't nurse at all, I pumped all day and fed it to him in a sippy. I hope he got enough, he is drinking water too. I talked to my lc and she was super nice and sounded like he would come back also, gosh I really hope so. It is tearing me apart!!! I am okay with not actually nursing...I guess....well I would not say okay but my main goal is giving him my milk until 1! I want that so bad for him...and for me I guess. We have had a wonderful journey and I will just be heart broken if it ends like this. YOu know, I say that but I was going to start weaning him at 1 so maybe this way is best. If I can keep up my supply so that he gets my milk and he is not upset by it,then maybe it is best? I don't know, I am all over the place with emotion. He asked several times today, by pulling at my shirt and whining. I always offered, he bit, lightly most of the time but once he actually put his mouth on it but didn't do anything, just took it off and went on playing. Any ideas about that? Thanks so much for you support!!!

 

[seaweed eater]

Oh I know what you mean it is such a tangle of emotions when it takes two of you, and it means so much to you, and it has meant so much to LO too but he doesn't know that!! Over time I did become more ok with the idea that this was how it was going to end. I wish it had been less stressful for both of us but at least it was on his terms. I was able to offer it for as long as he wanted it. There are worse ways to end than that, especially if you were going to wind down soon anyway. I still hope it is not the end for you but, if it is, at least you have that consolation.

It was also hard but I started accepting how much of it was out of my control...I was, and am, so proud of everything I put into nursing and honestly feel like I deserve credit for how well it went (of course, there was plenty of luck involved, but some perseverance as well). So it was tough to accept that maybe this time I couldn't just make it work through desire and effort. I just wanted to know that I'd done and tried everything I could, and then I'd be able to remember it without regrets. That's why I tried to use absolutely all of the advice I got...so I wouldn't end up feeling like I'd left any stone unturned if it didn't end up working out. Maybe that's where you have to get to with the pumping? I know how much it means to get to that 12 month mark...especially when you are so close. But you've done everything right! You couldn't have seen this coming. Just try your hardest to reach your goal, and then don't beat yourself up if you don't get there, because after all you did everything right and tried your hardest. (But I still think you will get there!)

Mine did the exact same thing with asking for it and then biting. He also put his mouth on it but didn't latch or bite a few times, just as you describe. He would catch my eye and give me this sort of amused look when he did it, like...ha! that's silly! I wonder if yours did the same thing?

Now he nuzzles my shoulder (or my leg if he's sitting next to me) instead of going for my chest. I think maybe he just wanted a cuddle, not to be laid down and expected to drink milk, but he didn't know how else to ask for it.

How much are you pumping, and how much is he taking?

Take care of your boobs while you are pumping, either way...I think I might have a blocked duct

 

[dalismom]

I hope you don't have a blocked duct!!! Wishing you relief from that!!!

Well today was really hard again, but getting better I guess. He doesn't seem to miss it that much, he only asked 3 maybe 4 times all day I know I shouldn't be sad I should be happy, I really want it to be on his terms so I know that he is happy about what is happening. I just read another post about a 19 month old being weaned and I can't even imagine the emotion that would come with that, I guess maybe now is the time to just EP so I know he is getting my milk but he is not upset about and I can deal with it. The longer I BF the harder it will be on me to quit, probably him too, I thought. I always said that I would quit at a year but the closer I got I kept talking about pushing it back haha. The part I am most worried about now is my supply. I talked to his ped this morning and she said that he would need close to 30.....yes 30!!! Oz a day to keep up. I don't know if I can keep up with that! He took 27.5 today but I had a little in the freezer, 2.5 oz I gave him and a few from last night. I am getting ready to go pump again but I am really nervous about not being able to keep up. I ordered some fenugreek and blessed thistle (even though I have no idea how much to take) in hopes that they will help boost my supply! I really don't like having to pump for the next feed, it's to much pressure!!! Plus, I am only getting half as much on my left breast as my right? I knew it produced less but I had no idea it was that much! SOrry again for the rambling! I thought about msg you but then changed my mind, maybe someone, someday will benefit from reading our conversation. Thanks you again!! You have no idea how much being able to "vent" to you and hearing your kind helpful words helps!!!

 

[seaweed eater]

Thanks. I'm not sure about the blocked duct. It's not painful, I just don't know what else could have caused my supply to drop just on one side. And it feels a little hard. I think the pump just isn't really emptying me completely. I'm trying to hand express more but it's such a pain!

I'm not a doctor so take this with a grain of salt, but I think your ped is just wrong. 30 is the upper limit of what a baby of any age needs. The average for a younger, EBF baby is supposedly 25. And the LC told me around 16 at 11 months, give or take depending on how much solids they are eating.

Mine was taking 28-29 the first few days when he was still taking it in bottles. With cups (plus really trying to offer more solids) he's usually around 19-22, which is how much I was able to pump until a couple days ago.

I hope the fenugreek works for you. It gave me an upset stomach my capsules were 1500 mg and I started out taking one at a time, three times a day. I think 600 is also a common capsule size and then you take 2-3, 3x. And if you don't smell like fenugreek after a couple days, increase. I don't know anything about blessed thistle, unfortunately.

Are you getting any more with the pump, overall? FWIW the LC was impressed that I was able to pump about 21 oz a day, so if you're anywhere close to 27.5 you're probably doing well. I think it's very normal to have as much lopsidedness in supply as you are describing. I've always had that too.

Are things getting any better with the teething and illness? Are you giving antibiotics for the ear infection?

I too hope it is eventually helpful for someone to read all this, but definitely feel free to PM me if you want to vent more. It was a really emotional time for me and I'm sure it is for you too. I'm glad you found your way to this thread

 

[dalismom]

I hope your supply is back in full force today!

His bottom tooth seems to ALMOST be threw and he has been on antibiotics since Sun for his ears, I think they are feeling much better now!

STil low latch this morning, I asked him if he wanted some and he grunted, that means yes lol but when I sat down and tried to offer he turned away and wanted to play

I am so glad you mentioned that about the oz, I thought that seemed SOOO high and I was starting to panic honestly. I don't think I could keep up with that! Today might be an off day but it seems like I am not pumping as much, idk?

I have a very weak stomach anyway so I was worried about the pills upsetting me, hopefully they won't! I wish that they would hurry up and get here though so I could get them started. I ordered them online and did express shipping, so hopefully soon!

I am still so emotional about it all! I have moments when I am fine and happy that he "chose" this and he is not upset about it, then I have moments where I totally break down! My DH has been great about it all and is trying so hard to say the right thing, bless him!

I guess I'm just going to keep on keeping on and pumping as much as I can! I have a question for you? Do you wash your parts after every session? I have heard that you can keep them in a sealed box in the fridge all day and then just wash them once a day but I wasn't sure if that was correct?

Thanks again and I really hope that your getting your supply back! I know that my pump just doesn't empty the breast NEARLY as good as he does

 

[seaweed eater]

I hope your pumping output has gone back up. I wouldn't worry about random dips, which will happen -- I had plenty of ups and downs when I was pumping at work.

I'm sorry he still isn't latching I totally relate to the very mixed emotions. I believe with time things will sort themselves out, either way...either he will feel better and go back to the breast, or both of you will adjust to the new reality.

I do rinse my pump parts every time. I've heard the same thing about putting them in the fridge but it's easier for me to keep them in a plastic bag when I'm at work, and the bag gets smelly if I let milk get on it. I only do a proper wash once a day though.

Do you do compressions as you pump? That helps me a lot. I've also started pumping longer and I keep getting letdowns...before I was pumping for 20 minutes and got 2-3 letdowns but now I go half an hour and get 3-4. They are very short by the end, but even half an ounce makes a difference. And, as I said, I've been trying to hand express but I just find it messy and awkward. I'm thinking of replacing that with a few minutes single pumping each side and really trying to compress and massage everything out. I also ordered some new flanges called Pumpin Pals which some other EPers I talked to seemed to like for both comfort and output.

The new flanges etc might be too much for you since, even if LO is done nursing, you're only planning to pump for 1 1/2 months max anyway but I thought I'd share FWIW.