Breastfeeding Problems - Is It Worth It?

Hi A.,

I had a baby boy in May 2006. He will be seven months soon. I decided right from the start that i was going to pump milk and bottle feed. Everyone says that it is really tough but if you are organized it makes your life much easier. The best thing is that my husband helped me a lot with the night feedings so that i was not up all night. I had a alot of problems in the beginning as well and i was not taking anything then my lactation consultant told me about More Milk Plus which is better than fenugreek cause you only have to take it 4 times a day. Fenugreek you have to take 16 capsules a day to make it work. As far a pumping goes well I purchased a Medela Pump in Style Advanced recommended by my LC and it was the best thing i ever did. Now that me son is older I only pump five times a day for about 10 to 15 minutes each session and its great. Just so you know I was also on Reglan which helped a lot too but doc's are afraid to prescribe it because of the long term side effects. I hope that this helps

Hi A., I also had the same as you with the c-section and not getting much milk out. I have 12 month old twins and I pumped for 3 straight months, because they were in the NICU and one came home before the other, and with knowing how important the breast milk is in the first few months, I pumped every 3 hours and then would feed them in the bottle. I did put the twins to my breast periodically, but for me, it was easier to just pump and then feed. Plus, I could get the help that was needed. I also took the fenu stuff, which I was able to get at the health food store and that did work well, but once I went through the first bottle and then started through another round, I had no luck with getting anymore milk out. Like I said, I was pumping for 2, but it was starting to feel overwhelming and my visiting nurse told me that 3 months was great and they have gotten a good amount and she made me feel okay about stopping and I did and they are so healthy and good happy babies. I know for me, do what is best for you. I know it seems all overwhelming and you want to do what is best for the baby. I would do half breast milk and half formula for awhile also, when my supply wouldn't be there. Alot of it has to do with stress too and worry. Maybe a suggestion is trying to put some soothing music on when you breastfeed and listen to that and close your eyes and really relax. That helps and it will also bring in more supply when your demands aren't so high. I am thankful they just turned one last week and like I said very happy and healthy. Do what you can do and what will make things flow easiest for you. I wish you the best and like everyone would tell me, it does get easier :)) Goodluck!!

It is entilrely up to you wether or not to breastfeed, but breast milk is best for your baby. I don't know where you live in Charlotte, but Eastover Pediatrics has two lactation consultants on staff as their nurse practitoners. They are wonderful and kind. I would give them a call. The short answer is YES it is worth it. There is no other kind of bonding as when you breastfeed. Formula does not even come close to being as good for your baby as your milk. But do what you feel is right. Also, try and contact the local LaLeche League. Hope everything goes well!

Hi A.,

Congratulations on your birth of a beautiful baby girl. When my son was born I wanted to breastfeed as well, but due to my difficult pregnancy I could never produce enough milk to satisfy his appetite, so I was formula than to whole milk(he had a difficult type with formulas). It may not be possible to produce enough milk at this time due to the surgery. First and foremost you need to get better. You can't be attentive if you are sick. You may not be able to breastfeed this time, but that doesn't mean you can't the next, that is if there is a next time. Heal first and then proceed. Ask you doctor regarding the low production. Good Luck and enjoy your blessing.

Congratulations on your wonderful new little girl. It sounds like you have had quite a rough time, though, so far. Fenugreek worked really well for me and my milk came in much stronger. I have to say, though, that actual nursing caused my body to respond much better and produce more milk - I had quite a difficult time with the pump too. You are having all the hard things about it and practically none of the benefits. If you can hang in there, though, it will be worth it. Once you get it going and you get over the nipple soreness, it is SO easy and convenient to breastfeed, and when you breasfeed, it not only produces hormones that help the baby feel good and calm and relaxed (and sleepy!), but it also gives you soothing and relaxing, restful hormones. I found that if I had a little headache and then nursed my baby, the headache went away. I also just love the closeness and cuddling that comes with nursing. I hope you can get over this hump and your daughter can learn to nurse at your breast. If you can, you'll both love it and it really will be worth it. (It will aid in your healing too). (Of course it's not the end of the world if you can't though). One other thing that worked for me to get my milk production up fast was soy milk. I drank a lot of that when I was having problems and it increased my production quickly as far as I could tell. I will pray for you and your daughter. God bless you. Oh - I go to Arboretum Pediatrics and they have a wonderful lactation specialist.