August 21, 2007

Over and Out

Thanks for the comments/suggestions. I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

MY MILK IS GONE. KATIE IS NOW 100% FORMULA FED.

Katie refuses the bre@st and has done so for over 24 hours. There is nothing that I can do to get her to stay latched on long enough to stimulate a letdown. All she does is bite (and draw blood) in frustration. In an attempt to not go 100% to formula immediately, I've tried pumping and get less than 1/2 an ounce total, even with a letdown. I've been battling supply issues for a couple of months now and have tried everything possible. There just isn't any more milk for her. The icing on the cake was this morning -- absolutely no engorgement after not nursing in 24 hours.

We're done. Now I just need to deal with the emotional aspect...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hugs to you :). You did good mommy. I am sorry you were having such troubles.

Jessica said...

Lots of hugs....

I was surprised to see this post...after the last, I didn't know what was going on.

Did KT do this on her own? Just start refusing?

It's weird how kids are. It's like they're telling us to let them grow up already! Dylan has been pushing away the bottles, and it's had me baffled. I guess they're ready to do stuff when they're ready.

As I said before, since I haven't done the whole breastfeeding thing and D was purely bottlefed, I can't help with the emotional side of it. All I can say is that I'm proud of you that you did it for so long. If I had, I probably wouldn't have made it as long as you did. Again, I'm here if you need to talk.

And, keep this in mind...KT will be formula fed for only a few months, and then she's on to milk. At least it won't be for that long.

I'm glad that you didn't have much engorgement.

Keep your head up...you're a great mommy, and KT's just showing her independent streak....

Kristin, Rod, and Victoria said...

Emotionally, I don't think you'd ever be ready for this change. It's never an easy thing, that's for sure. I'm so sorry you couldn't go longer, but it's just time for your little girl to start growing up, I guess. I wish someone had told us that motherhood is really just a series of decisions you'll question for years to come.

I have btdt. Remember you'll still have a connection and bond with KT, it's just going to be a little different. You can still hold her and give her a bottle, and have that closeness.

Kristen said...

Well my dear, you know that I REALLY know how you feel on this subject. I wish that it could have ended differently. Our bodies should do what we tell them and let us decide when to stop. Unfortunately neither one of our bodies has done a good job of listening to us on topics such as bfing, getting pg, staying pg, etc. So I am sending you tons of hugs right now b/c I know how sad and frustrating it is to HAVE to stop when we are not ready. I'm sorry sweetie. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

hugs and kisses from me

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

WendyLou said...

I wish I could just give you a big hug. You did great nursing her as long as you did. Sorry she went on strike and stopped nursing.

I really wish things had gone as you had wanted them.

Jessica said...

Mandy - Thank you SO much for commenting on my blog! It is nice to hear that someone is going through the exact same situation as me right now...even though we both are having a very tough time with it. :( I now haven't BF'd Eli for well over 24 hours. I didn't all weekend and then tried on Sunday night...he sucked twice and then refused me. I kept trying...but then he got mad. So sad!! I tried to pump yesterday & only got 1/2 ounce total too! Guess my supply is pretty much non-existent now. No engorgement at all...I feel totally deflated still.

I will have to come read your blog more often! By looking at your title, we've been through a very similar situation with TTC. Took us 18 months to conceive Eli as well...and 1 miscarriage during that time too. So glad to hear you have had a happy ending like us! :)

Pam said...

Dealing with the emotional aspect was hard for me. I think was got me through it is that she is growing up. Though you can't BF, you can start watching her walk, swim, talk, and become a little companion.

It is still hard to see each phase go though. Good luck...