Supply diminishing w/pregnancy...ds won't take formula

[hippymama]

Ds is 10 months old, and I am 6 weeks pregnant. Over the past two weeks I can tell ds is hungry and not getting anything at times, over half of the time I am empty and it is getting worse. I have tried to give him formula and goats milk and he thinks both are disgusting and will not drink them. I know it takes them a while to know if they like something...but since I know formula is gross and he may not develop a taste for goats milk, what do I try next? How many times do I try before I give up on those two things? Instead of taking something else he just nurses and fusses. I am at a loss. I will continue nursing as much as I can, but he really needs more nutrition right now. I have increased his baby food but he does not seem to want to nurse any less bc of it. He will only eat half the jar and then scream bc there is no milk coming out of me. Thanks for any advice.

[Nurseliz]

I am sorry you are struggling.
Before I answer you can I ask what your goal is?
Do you want to wean to a supplement or do you want to boost your supply?
Liz
www.askthelactationconsultant.com

[hippymama]

I am a little torn right now, bc ds is such a horrible nurser. He constantly hurts me, kicks, bites, pushes,pulls, and tries to roll over while nursing and staying attached. I am getting fed up and frustrated. I kind of want to wean for those reasons.

But I am hoping that my supply lasts at least a little to keep nursing for the next few months until he is 1 so I can slowly wean him. I orginally wanted to nurse until he was 2, but I don't think I can handle it. I do eat oatmeal several mornings each week already. I do not know what else I can do other than eating it every day.

[Nurseliz]

It sounds like you are torn.
Some things to remember. Pregnancy means hormonal changes. These changes will effect your supply, fatigue, breast tenderness, emotions ect. Everything you are feeling is completely normal and indicates you are growing a healthy baby inside.
Now, Lets see if we can get you to that 1 year goal.
Here are my recommendations to boost your supply:
1. Find a buddy. Contact a local lactation consultant, or la leche league to find another mom who has breastfed through pregnancy who can support you.
2. Take a good prenatal vitamin, eat a well balanced diet and drink a lot of water.
3. Offer skin to skin contact with the baby as much as possible. Meaning his skin against yours, you no top, him nothing but a diaper.
Do what I call taking a "nursing holiday" . Spend 24 hours doing NOTHING but cuddling and nursing. No cooking, cleaning, errands. Yes, eat during this time but do takeout or ask for help. Literally, spend the day in bed or on the couch with your child. This constand skin to skin contact should help to boost your supply.
4. Consider pumping in between feeds or doing hand expression to stimulate supply.
5. Read the book "Adventures in Tandem nursing and beyond" by the la leche league.


Give this a shot and let us all know how it goes.
Liz
www.askthelactationconsultant.com