Since Finn was born and the breastfeeding issues became apparent, I began doing a lot of research. Two websites that I found and have used extensively are www.kellymom.com and www.lowmilksupply.org. On one of them (I can't remember which) I found a plan for reducing and eventually eliminating the use of formula as supplement. This has been my goal from the beginning and now that Finn's tongue is working effectively, it's time to give it a try.Here's how it works. For the last three days we have been writing down exactly how much formula we give Finn during a 24 hour period. We aren't limiting it at all. When he seems hungry after a feeding with me, we give him up to two ounces, no questions asked. It turns out he's getting 12 ounces a day of supplement (this was weird, because we weren't trying to keep it the same each day, but he ate exactly the same amount all three days!).
Now we start three day cycles. Monday through Wednesday he will get 11 ounces. Thursday-Saturday he will get 1o ounces. This will continue until hopefully we can get to the place where he gets no formula. We're not actually sure this is possible with my supply issues, but we're going to get as low as we can, with the goal of eliminating it all together. Our "stop-gap" is that we can give him pumped breastmilk without counting it towards the ounces. That will encourage me to pump a lot during the day (which should help increase my supply) so that I have stuff to give him at night if he's super hungry.
I'll update the blog in a week or so to let y'all know how it's going. I think JJ and I are both pretty realistic at this point that this may not work fully, but feel like we need to try. Even the website said this is a pretty hard thing to accomplish once your body has become used to not giving the full supply. My head is in a place now, where I know I can continue this level of breastfeeding for two years (my ultimate goal). The pain is gone and I feel like even if Finn is having formula, at least he's getting a good amount of breastmilk each day as well.
On a side note, I feel like sticking with breastfeeding is one of my greatest accomplishments in life so far. I don't mean to sound conceited at all, but I think most people would have chucked it by now. It's been so, so hard. One minute it is super frustrating and the next it is so rewarding. It has shown me that when I put my mind to something, I really have a lot of spunk to stick with it. I'm proud of myself!
3 comments:
Way to go Jana! I'm glad you've stuck with it. You're right, most people would've given up. I had severe mastitis when my first was about 6 weeks old. I then continued to get it on and off for the entire year that I nursed her. It was super frustrating, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. I firmly believe this is why she's such a healthy girl. She's 4 1/2 now and has never been on antibiotics! I was really worried about breastfeeding the second time around, but it went well and was a completely different experience than the first time. Hang in there! And, you should be proud, it is a great accomplishment!
A quote from my book: "Resistance, a kind of feeling that comes against you when you point toward a distant horizon, is a sure sign that you are supposed to do the thing in the first place. The harder the resistance, the more important the task must be."
I am proud of you too!
That being said, my formula baby has been super healthy for his 6 years of life. If your body and Finn don't take to the plan, you know he's all good.
I'm glad it has worked out for you!!! I tried breastfeeding and only breastmilk for a total of FOUR months and we ended up having to switcvh to formula. So I know what you mean about having to stick with it for a long time. It sounds like you are getting way better results than I did. What an accomplishment! I remember feeling like superwoman that first year of parenthood. Those kiddos know how to stretch our limits physically, mentally and emotionally. You have every right to be proud of yourseld!!!
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