Yes, I'm blogging! Don't get used to it, though.... this is a one-time thing.
So, a LONG story made very short....
We had to start supplementing baby's diet with pumped breastmilk due to dropping weight. Breastfeeding still didn't improve. We found out that baby had tongue-tie and got that corrected, but it was done so late that baby was already good and hooked on the bottle and stayed exclusively-bottlefed. I have thus been tied to the breastpump for the past seven weeks - it's hard work!! Not only is it really hard to work breastpumping around a toddler's schedule, but it's a big time commitment and also rough on one's social schedule (not that we have one at the moment!). If anyone out there is considering bottle-feeding as a "convenient alternative" - DON'T DO IT!!! It's a pain in the neck!!! More details later.
Anyhow, here we are. We've had two appointments with lactation consultants, spent a fortune in breastfeeding paraphernalia (pump rental, bottles, etc.), and are really no closer to getting back to breastfeeding. So today, on our pediatrician's advice, we are going cold turkey. No pumping, no bottle-feeding, no nothing - only breastfeeding. Needless to say, baby is NOT happy! (And neither am I, for that matter - engorgement like this is quite unpleasant!) But I have hopes that he will see the light and convert back. He needs to, or I shall go insane from this breast-pump schedule.
So today is the day, and hubbie and son are out running errands. I've taken a break from nursing-attempts to blog, and I need to get back to it. So... that's all for now! Too bad, because I have lots to write about - but it'll have to wait (for another month or so, most likely). Much love to all, and I'll check in when I can!!
Best wishes! I hope everything works out so you won't need to pump anymore. It is a lot of work, but kudos to you for doing it!
ReplyDeleteWow, hopefully everything works beautifully!! When I went back to work my daughter refused to take a bottle so my mom had to do what ur doing, just backwards.
ReplyDeleteLots of good luck to you, and I soooo hope it works out!!
May I make a suggestion? I've seen this situation many times, when a mom doesn't have the knowledgable support of people who know how to supplement the baby without bottles. But I know a trick that might work for you.
ReplyDeleteFirst, take a nipple from the bottle that the baby is used to drinking from. Cut the whole large enough for your nipple to be partly exposed. Place the bottle nipple over your nipple and allow the baby to nurse that way. I would express a little milk first so the baby gets something right away from the nipple. Each time you nurse, progressively cut the whole a bit larger until you have only the "ring" of the nipple base over your own breast. The baby will gradually be taking more and more of your breast and finally be weaned off bottle nipples.
Janelle, thanks so much! As a matter of fact, we already got baby back successfully on the breast, but that is an awesome idea and I am going to share it! Thanks!
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