Babys First Year Blog
I am Your Boobs’ Biggest Fan
I battled with nonexistent milk supply for eight weeks. I did everything and anything I could to establish a milk supply but it never happened for me. I didn’t just have a low milk supply … I had NO milk supply. What worked for other women never worked for me. I chatted back and forth with other moms who had babies around the same time as we tried different tricks, medications and schedules. All of them seemed to finally find what worked while I was left flailing, and failing. I’m not sure what happened, or why it happened to me, but I do know that I am a nursing mother’s biggest fan. I want you to succeed! And if something that I went through or tried can help you? Then so be it.
Yesterday on Facebook, a friend of mine left me a message thanking me for suggesting the book “Making More Milk” to her. She felt empowered and ready to push through the first difficult weeks of nursing armed with knowledge. Once that book was suggested to me, I DEVOURED it. I only wish I had read it before giving birth.
I wrote the most extensive 1,600 word post dedicated to those with low milk supply and that it has already helped one person? It was totally worth writing it. I encourage you to read it if you’re struggling with low milk supply to see if maybe there’s something you haven’t tried yet.
I have watched the breast vs. bottle wars from afar. I have been entrenched in them and I have come out the other side. I am mad at my boobs for failing me. I’m not the one that failed — I did everything humanly possible. It was these two fleshy parts that for some reason didn’t do their job. Regardless, with October being Breast Cancer Awareness month I have to take care of these milk duds regardless of how well they fulfilled their purpose, and so do you. If there’s any chance of you being able to breastfeed and you want to? You can do it, and I hope with my whole being that it works for you. If it doesn’t work? It didn’t work for me either. You’re not alone.
We’re all just doing the best we can. And no matter how our babies are fed? As long as we love them, we are doing something right.
Related: Breastfeeding wasn’t important to me — until I had to pump exclusively.
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10 Comments
Ashley commented on Sep 27 11 at 4:22 pmI think you’re doing an amazing job. Just sayin’.
aubrey commented on Sep 27 11 at 7:56 pmI have five children. My boobs failed three times in a row, and then with the fourth, they decided to Do Their Thing. And they did! With the aid of Goat’s Rue (a foul tasting herbal supplement), Baby 4 never had formula. So when Baby 5 got here, I bought the Goat’s Rue and was ready to go. Except my boobies, they didn’t wanna. I beat myself up with the first three. With the 5th, I just accepted it and went on. My kids all love me, they all are thriving, and you can’t tell which one was the breast fed one.
Kim commented on Sep 27 11 at 7:56 pmThanks! I needed to hear that right now. My 2 week old doesn’t want latch. Trying frustrates both of us. Being a mom of 3 under 3, I’m already stressed to the max. Instead of going crazy, I’ve been pumping. My thinking is that at least she’s getting it. I’m gonna order that book as well. Thanks for the encouragement!
trena commented on Sep 27 11 at 9:12 pmKudos– I would definitely say that breastfeeding is hard, really really hard. We’ve been lucky this time around (thank heaven for small favors on that one) because with my now 5 year old, it was a very stressful almost 3 months before breastfeeding felt anything close to natural and ‘easy’– searching for the stupid nipple shield thingy in the middle of the night @ o’dark thirty comes to mind > v < .
Don't give up new moms having a hard time–it gets better, really!! And, if it doesn't get better, well that's why there are alternatives.
Digital Molly commented on Sep 27 11 at 9:44 pmI am right there with you with the no milk in the boobies thing. I think some people just don’t get there are a percentage of us with #BoobieFail!
Meagan commented on Sep 29 11 at 6:42 amWow, chill. :-) Nothing failed… things just didn’t pan out like you planned. Which, I’m new at this but I know this much, is sort of the law of parenting.
Meybel commented on Sep 30 11 at 4:42 pmAwesome!! I love encouragement…..unlike the few people that try to discourage & try to push the idea on you(me) that giving formula to your baby is better for them some how, I say mind your own beeswax to them & encourage me instead. Cuz unlike what most people think, breastfeeding is not easy, but I do it cuz I love my baby & I want the best for her :D
MadelinePetersen commented on Sep 30 11 at 7:15 pmIt’s great to read such a positive post!
Jenna commented on Oct 04 11 at 3:01 amThank you thank you thank you! I fully intended on breastfeeding after my daughter was born only to find I had zero milk. I tried EVERYTHING only to continue having nothing. Our second child is two weeks old now and once again my boobs are a giant fail. I’ve never known anyone else that this has happened to, hearing your story makes me feel better in ways you can’t know (or maybe ONLY you could know).
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