I can’t get over how supported I feel by all of you. Your response to my post yesterday was amazing and leaves me feeling like I have a team of Moms rallying behind me and that is a good feeling. Thank you!
My appointment with my lactation consultant yesterday was so enlightening – we may have an answer to what is going on with Elijah.
He’s hungry. Very hungry. And my milk supply seems to be a little low, even though he’s gaining and filling his diapers properly, he’s still just a hungry boy, which also equals an angry boy.
So, the plan? Increase my supply by taking supplements (fenugreek and blessed thistle), pump after each nursing session for ten minutes during the next 48 hours, give a supplement to Elijah of breastmilk or formula, when we feel it’s necessary and perform breast compressions while nursing.
What does this mean? All boobs, all the time.
But what does this really mean?
We are starting to see a boy who doesn’t cry whenever he’s awake. It’s a beautiful thing, we like what we see.
I know this may not be THE ANSWER, but it’s a great start.
And all of you amazing people who left me a comment, e-mailed me, tweeted me, etc, I wish I could respond, I wish I had the time to respond but I just don’t. But I swear to you, I have read EVERY SINGLE WORD that’s been sent my way. I appreciate your love and your support way more than you will ever, ever imagine.
You make me sleep better at night, knowing you are behind me. And Elijah helped me sleep better last night when he slept the longest stretch he has slept so far.
So far today? IT IS GOOD.
*shew* hopefully this helps…chin up, you’ll get this worked out.
One other thing to remember from this “know it all” is to DRINK!!!!
The supplements will only do so much, but be sure you’re drinking fluids until you’re sick of drinking and can’t drink anymore and you’re nursing in the bathroom because you have to pee so much.
I’d get so busy that I would forget that part.
By the way – CUTENESS!!!!
I have thought about you two non stop.
I love you
and I am so happy that things will be getting better. They always do.
xoxo
I like to think of the internet as the “village” we no longer all have to help raise our kids
hehe
Yay!! I am so happy that a solution came out of your appointment, and that you were able to squeeze a post in here to tell us about it. I prayed for you and your family by name last night and this morning.
I have to second the Mother’s Milk Tea and Fenugreek capsules, along with lots of water and good foods to boost your supply. And rent the Medela Symphony double pump! It’s awesome! All these things helped me get my baby girl to eventually be an exclusively breastfed baby (after a very rocky start).
I remember the wave of emotions you are going through, and the determination I felt to get it “right”, and I am CELEBRATING with you today, Mama!
So glad your appointment went well! Good luck
All boob all the time can be crazy on the body and mind, but ultimately worth it!
I’m so glad that the LC was able to help. Whew!
I wanted to write in yesterday but my own “baby” (almost 2) was demanding num-nums RIGHT! NOW! and I never got back to it.
Yay for full, contented babies!
I’m so glad you found something that will help. Hopefully it’s more than just a great start.
Man he’s a beautiful baby boy! WOW
The mothers milk tea really helped me.
I read but didn’t comment on the prior post. I didn’t know what to say, so I just said a prayer for baby Eli and you. I felt in my spirit that it would pass and you would find the answer you were searching for. So glad to read that things are starting to change. You are so loved.
i am so glad you got information, it really makes me wonder if all Eisley is hungry. She pretty much cries when she is awake and doesnt like her swing, bouncer, well pretty much anything.
went to the doctor and she has gained over a pound in a month, but they think she has reflux which makes her colicky. we have her on meds and they want me to feed her less often but she wants to nurse non stop at night, during the day she is good to go every few hours or so.
who knows though its totally frustrating cause i wonder if i am making enough, if she is hungry, if she has major reflux. so confusing and just trying to trust my doctor and go with what she says. anyway plan to follow you on this and see how its going.
I’m glad you’ve found some answers! Another suggestion I would give is oats!!! Eat oatmeal for breakfast, even oatmeal cookies can help increase your supply!
Wishing you continued success and “happy times” for Elijah!
HALLILUA BlogLAND! Isn’t it SO comforting to know that you aren’t alone, that people care, and that it does and will get better. I so remember being there with my first-born. I couldn’t see through the crazy infanthood. I was convinced that my life was OVER and that I would have a wailing, screaming, NURSING baby forever. HANG in there girl!!!!!
Mwah!! I hope more good is heading your way! xoxo
I just can’t get over how beautiful he is, Beth, really!!
I agree with the first post about drinking. I always found my supply lessened if I wasn’t drinking water! You may already be doing this but drink loads of water!!!
Fenugreek really has helped me increase one side of me that never has been much of a producer. Even with my first child, it just never made that much milk. Now, I’ve been taking Fenugreek daily and have noticed a substancial increase in milk production! Although… now my right side is always about to burst!
Good luck… hang in there… I am always SO SO SO happy to hear of mommys that don’t give in if breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned. You’ve made my day! Stay strong!
Oatmeal cookies rock!!! they do, eat hte whole batch, I guartee you will roll over into a puddle LOL!!!
Missed your last few posts, I am glad to hear things are going a bit better. My son had colic and cried at the same times every day for the first three months, no matter what I did. And he didn’t sleep through the night until then either. But we get through those times, it gets better, it always gets better.
And he is so, so adorable…
Oh, a big big YES to the oats! How could I have forgotten that. It really does help.
Yay! Glad you have had a good day and that thinks are starting to turn around for you and your cute baby.
I’m so glad your appointment went so well! I hope things continue to get better!! That picture is adorable!
Oh Beth! Hang in there, sweet momma. Those first few weeks are so hard. You should be SO proud of yourself for working so hard to give Eli momma’s milk, even when it hurts, and for not giving up. Seriously, you are amazing. Thinking of you…and hoping these new steps you’re taking will help. My son is a hungry little muncher too and there are days when I’ve felt my nipples would fall off, but it’s slowly getting better. Keep up the great work, Beth!
YEAH! My daughter went through the SAME thing.
Some babies just are little piggies… 
Also, a BEER will help your milk supply too.
Hang in there, Bethie.
YAY! Sleep, blessed sleep!
Glad to hear you got some good info!
Sounds like things are looking up…hopefully you and the little man will both feel better soon.
I admire your commitment to work hard to get him more milk…that is so touching.
My lactation consultant told me, “if that boy’s mouth is open, it should be on your boob.”
Worked for us.
Nature’s perfect pacifier, amongst other things.
Oh Beth, i am so glad it is a good day today, and you slept well. Take comfort in knowing you are a beautiful person, and wonderful Mommy. I am amazed at the honesty in your post yesterday, and from one mom to another “You can do it , sweetie”
Hang in there! I’m sorry to read it has been a rough three weeks- I think every mom can relate to SOME part of that. I hope your increased nursing efforts help to make Eli a happier baby (and don’t drive you or your nipples insane!).
So glad you felt the love all around you!
And that you had a good visit with the lactation consultant. Now you will naturally smell like a pancake breakfast…maple syrup
I am very familiar with fenugreek! Completely worth out for that little guy!
I’m so glad for you ! It is a relief that things are better.
It’s such a good feeling when we know and understand we are not alone.
I am so glad you found out what the crying was all about, and praying that everything will work out fot the best with your little bundle of cuteness. I am so proud of you that you are still breastfeeding him even though it has not been easy. My 3rd child was a cry baby too, but a very wise nurse at the hospital told me that she was crying because she wanted to nurse more, while I was thinking that I only nursed her an hour ago, and she wants it again? so my best friend was my nipple lotion, that I used after each nursings, to help my sore nipples. There are some nice creams in the natural store. I dont remember the name now… But I do wish you the best. Hang in there, in a few more weeks he will be a pro, and so will you, and you will love the nursing more and more….:)
ahhhh! so glad that you got to the bottom of things. i know that is a huge weight lifted off of your shoulders. you’re doing great, mommy.
Hi!
Is your baby on a schedule or demand feeding?
I did demand feeding for 6 weeks. Then, I couldn’t take it any longer. I switched to putting him on a schedule. I read ‘Babywise-giving your baby the gift of nighttime sleep’. I suggest it, if he isn’t already on a schedule.
Oh, I’m so glad you have some kind of answer – it’s so much easier when you have something to work on! I have been thinking of you and praying for you, and I’m glad it’s going better!
I just stumbled across your website a few days ago and have enjoyed it. I have twin boys & 2 daughters so as a mother I’ve definitely been able to relate to you! I currently have a 6 week old baby so I’m just a few weeks ahead of where you’re at
Not sure if anyone else has suggested this, but having had supply issues in the past working with a lactation consultant ,one thing you might do if you haven’t already is rent a hospital grade pump for a week b/c our normal at home pumps like the Medela Advanced Pump in Style like what I have are great for maintaining supply, but if you really want to jumpstart your supply a hospital grade pump is the way to go and usually it’s only about $25 for a week’s rental.
Also, another option is if you find it hard to sit down to pump after every nursing session, they told me to “power pump” so if there was a time in the evening when your husband can man the other kids and you can put your feet up and catch up on a 1 hour tv show you pump during the show and stop the pump at the commercials so basically you’re getting the start/stop stimulation for an hour.
Good luck!
oh I’ve been there- a hungry, cranky, nursing-round-the-clock baby is NOT FUN. I hope you get caught up and can keep his belly full
Oh my gosh. This picture is RIDICULOUS. He is so stinkin cute!! Behind you always! I agree with the maple syrup comment! I had the same problem and took that too!