Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Got Milk?

**warning** Breast feeding talk ahead - probably TMI... but I need to get on my soap box for a sec. :)
Okay, first I have to say that I feel so incredibly blessed that God allowed me to exclusively feed my three little one's for the last *almost* six weeks. Today was the first day that I had to supplement...and it killed me.
I know that six weeks is awesome, considering there are THREE babies to feed. BUT... I hate that I can't continue to provide it for them.
Don't get me wrong... I plan to continue nursing/pumping until there is nothing left to pump.
I have been searching for different things that I can do to help increase my breast milk supply. I think that a lot of the cause of decrease was/is, lack of rest/sleep...not eating like I should (as busy as we are - I forget to eat half of the time), and not pumping as much as I should. Which, pumping every two hours...? Please. Who has time for that? Especially when you not only have three babies, but when you're living out of a hotel for five weeks... and then having to stay at home and run back and forth to the hospital for a week. Hm. Not easy. So yeah, I've been having a bit of a pity party over the milk issue. :(
Good news is... I'm still trying! People have suggested fenugreek...which the lactation specialist said not to use because it can mess with the babies' blood sugar, and make them gassy. Also, been told about "Mother's Milk"... but haven't had a chance to track that down.
My friends friend suggested that I ask Dr.G for a script called, reglan. Well... I went for my follow up yesterday and mentioned that my supply had decreased significantly. He suggested reglan right away! Yay. And though it's nowhere close to what it was, I can already tell a difference in my supply.
Speaking of Dr.G and my follow up/post partum appointment. :) I had that yesterday, before I headed to pick Elliana up from the NICU. It was my first visit in his new office, and it actually left a little to be desired. Ha! The office is just really outdated, and I am not entirely sure if the office has been in use. It's sad and depressing compared to his old office. And though his nurse is super nice...SO not 'J'. I'm gonna miss everyone at the other office.
Everything with the appointment went well. Dr.G did my exam, and said that everything is healing wonderfully -  and he has lifted all restrictions. WHICH... I have to say, I definitely did not listen like I did following my first c-section. :) But still thankful that everything looks a-ok.
As I mentioned, he gave me a prescription for reglan. It's an anti nausea medicine that {for some reason} increases milk supply. Who woulda thought? Also on the menu at the pharmacy? BC. The first birth control that I've taken in...well, almost four years. I had started BC right before we got married, and was only on it for a few months before I decided to go off of it.
Dr.G did kind of freak me out a little bit - saying that I could get pregnant, even if I didn't have a period. Actually, he said that I'm more likely to ovulate if I don't pump {at least} every four hours. >.< I am a firm believer that God never gives you more than you can handle...I just think that I would absolutely lose my mind if the doctor told me, oh... by the way - you're pregnant. Whew...what a nightmare.
Oh, as I'm sure you all have gathered...Elliana is home, safe and sound :) Last night was her first night home with us, and though Clif and I didn't get to sleep together...we were able to sleep in shifts and get some rest. Thank God! :)
Well, it's 10 and the kids don't start their next round of feedings until 11:15, SO... I think Mommy is going to lay down and get a little nap. Yay!

6 comments:

Amanda said...

I don't know if you drink beer at all, but that always helped me to drink one beer..my milk supply seemed to magically get better..it has something to do with the brewer's yeast I think. My sister's lactation consultant actually suggested it to her too. Here is a recipe that a friend sent me to increase milk supply too..it contains brewer's yeast, and it is a cookie so not only are you satisfying your sweet tooth you can try to build your milk supply too! You are doing such an awesome job..it isn't easy breastfeeding, and to breastfeed three is even more impressive!! Keep up the good work!!

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flax seed meal (also known as linseed)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips (I used white and dark)
2 -4 tablespoons brewer's yeast

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.

Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.

Add eggs and mix well.

Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.

Sift together flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.

Add dry ingredients to butter mix.

Stir in oats and chips.

Scoop onto baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I did fenugreek and when that didn't work I did Reglan. My ob said it's most effective 6-8 weeks postpartum, when the supply tends to drop off some. It worked really well for me - I took it for 10 days (it made me REALLY HUNGRY!!) and I never had to supplement my twins :-) I hope it does the trick for you too!

Holly said...

Hoping the reglan works well for ya!

Betty said...

I cannot even begin to fathom trying to pump regularly with that schedule. I'm so impressed that you are trying at all! I hope that the reglan works for you! We will keep praying!

belle said...

hang in there!!!! do your best and then cut yourself slack! i've tried everything but reglan... and then, i've supplemented. it was heartbreaking for me too, i understand those pesky hormones and the lies they tell:) you are a great mommy! nursing or not nursing means nothing:) you LOVE them! it is a feat of epic proportions that you have fed them completely thus far!!!!!!!!

so glad that all 3 are under your roof now:))) yayayayayay!

Caroline said...

Praying things work out for you.

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