First off, I know that I will never know the hurt, stress, heartache, and perceived failure of someone who wants desperately to breastfeed but her body doesn't cooperate. I do not judge anyone for formula, bottles or breastfeeding a child. There are options for a reason.
I always liked to say that I could feed twins. Up until Marsi's hospitalization, that was the truth. I asked the lactation consultant while I was there how to go about donating milk. I am sick of dumping milk down the drain and I have tons already frozen and don't need more. Then the stress hit. My supply plummeted to the point I was going into those stores of milk in my freezer just to make sure Marsi had enough milk. After doing so well for 5.5 months I am bound and determined to get it back! I started taking fenugreek again. I smell like maple syrup. I drink loads of water a day and doubled my pumping times. It took 4 days of fenugreek to get my supply back to about 2/3 of what it was before. I know I am in for another week or so before I am able to really start donating. I am excited to donate. I am completely off of all medication that I needed for post partum depression. I am only taking B6 and my prenatals. I never thought I would be able to do that because I had to be on medications before getting pregnant. Since I am off of those, I can donate and I am very happy about that. It means that preemies at Primary Children's hospital will be able to get breastmilk. Those moms that want their baby to have breastmilk but for a variety of reasons can't supply it themselves will be able to get some. It is one thing that I can do to help.
2 comments:
Try eating some oatmeal (steel cut or old fashioned)--it can really boost supply! Fenugreek alone never gave me a big enough boost but when I took it with oatmeal and blessed thistle, I got a lovely increase :)
Being unexpectedly here in the hospital with Iz has dropped my supply--she isn't nursing as much plus I'm away from my pump plus I'm sick, too :/ I've been ordering steel cut oatmeal from the cafeteria, though, and was leaking today so it's working :)
I wish there were some who had donated when the twins were born and in the hospital for so long! I would have loved for them to have that start!
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