https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 15:32:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-377419 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 11:04:51 +0000 Bao 377419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kcrzn89: I second this! Drinking more water helped a TON for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-377413 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 11:00:11 +0000 Kcrzn89 377413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also drink MORE water!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-377412 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 10:59:21 +0000 Kcrzn89 377412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would try upping my own supply and just exclusively pump. I may be harder but it is best and it's what he is used to. </p> <p>As far as going out of the house, could you maybe use a handpump like the medela harmony (great manual) or get a ac adapter for whichever pump you use for on-the-go? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-322843 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:53:24 +0000 T-Mom 322843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: still here!</p> <p>Going cold turkey to formula might be a lot to ask a LO. breaskmilk tastes like ice cream so it's no wonder he prefers it<br /> :-) . Maybe try at least 50/50 or even greater percentage of bmilk and gradually switch. Or, try adding formula to cereal to get LO accustomed to taste. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-322809 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:34:24 +0000 irene 322809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: Thank you so much for the encouragement.... :)</p> <p>Not sure if any of you are reading this but we tried giving LO a full 100% formula bottle today after an unsuccessful lunch as we tried to make him eat sweet potatoes and spinach (he only took a few bites, screamed toward the end). He drank 1 oz and pushed it away with his hands. He didn't cry or act hungry though, but I decide to breastfeed him. Surprisingly he took it, drank happily, and fell asleep toward the end. </p> <p>Only if he nurse like that every time, I'd never have to think about weaning ever. Sigh.</p> <p>I am not sure how I feel about this because in a way I am happy that he prefers my milk (!) and it gives me an excuse to not wean off yet (I've started pumping only 2 times during work hours this week, but I just feel horrible), but at the same time it means I may not gain my freedom of just nursing him AM and PM while offering bottles without worrying about pumping during the day.</p> <p>We'll try formula again tomorrow.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-320159 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:47:28 +0000 T-Mom 320159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Yeah, you sound totally not ready to wean. At 8 months, I would say to fight on if you can and if LO is willing. Sometimes it seems like they want to wean, when they are only going through a temporary phase/distraction. It could be the lower supply like you said.. or have you tried a nursing necklace or something for LO to play with while nursing? I tried that a few times and it seemed to help with LO being distracted until he passed that phase. I definitely remember there being good days and bad days for a good part of that 8th month.</p> <p>Since my milk was frozen in bags portioned for one bottle (combined from different pumping sessions sometimes), when I started considering adding formula to stretch out the supply (didn't end up doing it though), it seemed like a hassle since they were already portioned out for one bottle. </p> <p>You are going to be naturally weaning over the next few months even if he decides to nurse really well starting today. They start getting really interested in food (at least mine did) and find it annoying to bother with the boob. Don't beat yourself up over it.Hopefully you can find some kind of middle ground that works for you. That's my little bit of encouragement to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-320102 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:04:17 +0000 irene 320102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: I pumped only 2 times today at work - 9:45am and 1:45pm rather than the usual 9:30, 12:30 and 3:30. I got 7 oz at 9:45am, then only 4 oz (only!) at 1:45pm.... But tonight he nursed fine. I am sometimes guessing it is because my supply is lowering, and that's why sometimes he's frustrated at my slow letdown because my breasts are not as full as they used to be....</p> <p>Why is a mix of formula and bmilk be more trouble than just breastfeeding?</p> <p>I am so not ready to wean. But I guess I'll never be ready. This morning he nursed fine, and before bedtime he nursed fine as well. I looked at him and I just kept thinking I need to remember this moment, as if I got cancer or some uncureable disease and I only got a few months/weeks to live. I even video taped (using iphone i mean) nursing. Just thinking about weaning makes me so sad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-319763 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:59:57 +0000 T-Mom 319763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like bf'ing is getting to be way stressful and I can relate. Nursing strikes caused me so much grief too (around same time as you). If you are still considering trying to continue, you could try dropping to 2 pumping during work, and you will definitely get extra for a while until your supply regulates again. So you can just save that. The thing is, once your LO starts eating more solids, he (she? sorry) will be needing less bottles anyway. Since you already have a stash, you can afford to make a little less than the baby actually eats. I made it to 1 yr even though by the end,I wasn't making as much as he was eating. Or, you can always do a mix of formula and bmilk to the 1 year mark (maybe that is a lot of trouble). But in the end, you know what you need for your sanity! LO will be perfect no matter what! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-319090 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:28:57 +0000 irene 319090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@red_seattle: No, I used to nurse both sides together- it is because I have a weak side (that only pump 1.5-2 oz a time), and a strong side (that usually makes 3-4 oz of milk a time). So together they make around 4-5 oz a time if I pump every 3 hours. When I nurse, I'd usually like to start on the slow side because or else he would never drink from it.</p> <p>I think LO is going through a nursing strike on top of his usual complication (ie. too busy to eat, too distracted, have no patience for let down). I am not sure. But yesterday he was only drinking 2.5 oz on a bottle before bedtime makes me think if he is trying to self wean? I have no idea anymore....</p> <p>@Crumbs: Thanks for remembering me! We ended up going to a GI specialist and worked with a nutritionist. We added formula to the breastmilk (1 teaspoon @ every 2 oz), and oil to his purees (1 teaspoon @ 3-4 oz of solids/puree). In fact we just came back from the nutritionist follow up and he gained 12 oz in 3 weeks (whereas in before he gained 1 oz after 3 weeks)! He is now tracking along the 25% curve. I am so relieved. And yes, we changed to a larger size nipple. The nutritionist didn't think he's allergic to my milk, but we have a follow up appt with the GI specialist in 2 weeks so we'll see what he says.</p> <p>@Mrs. Superhero: Since you mentioned you never pumped, I am wondering are you a SAHM? I wish I could do that too. I think it is the modern world that brings us to this. I brought this nursing strike upon myself because if he has never experienced bottles, then he wouldn't have known any better and will not be impatient to let down, and he won't know the option that he could look around while drinking from the bottle. I know it is ideal to keep at it until he's a year, but to one point it just gets me so mad and makes me wonder why the heck am I linked to a pump day in and day out when LO is probably fine on 4 more months of formula. If my husband suggests let's go to the aquarium on saturday I would actually be the one reluctant to do it because I just can't figure out when and how I am going to pump and feed LO. Not to mention we can't travel like normal people do. I look at my friends' pics with their LO on the plane and I am wondering what the heck am I doing. My husband is depressed, and I am depressed, because we are so tied down to the house and we lost the freedom to go anywhere. I am so tired of it. I feel like I am torturing myself (and LO) for no reason.</p> <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Actually it's only been 7 full months of breastmilk for our case as he just turned 8 months..! And I want to thank you because I think you are probably the only one that truly understand what I am going through and how I feel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318366 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 01:16:48 +0000 SugarplumsMom 318366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I remember your older posts. I'm sorry you're still having a hard time but is your LO gaining weight now? I remember you saying he wasn't gaining any weight and he was just short of being diagnosed with "failure to thrive". Your story stood out to me because I've never heard of the term before. Did you change to a larger nipple as per recommended by your doctor? Also, did you resolve the issue about your baby being allergic to your milk or something you ate? </p> <p>Breast is best BUT doing whatever you need to do to keep your LO healthy and happy is the most important. Nothing else matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318364 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 01:01:04 +0000 red_seattle 318364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just noticed something-- you said you're pumping 3x a day while at work? That's a lot-- no wonder you feel chained to the pump! I only nurse on one side at a time, but pump both sides at once, so I pumped every 4-5 hrs when I'm away from Baby X. If you only nurse one side at a time and pump both, you can probably drop a pump session. </p> <p>Another thing came to mind-- you said LO is going through a nursing strike. I think if you are generally not enjoying breastfeeding (i mean day-to-day, overall, not just right now) and you're miserable, then pumping exclusively or moving to formula seems fine. But if you're happy except for going through nursing strikes, then I guess I'd encourage you to keep at it-- this is just a bump in the road. Especially if, outside nursing strikes, he enjoys nursing too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318094 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:27:53 +0000 runsyellowlites 318094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Well by snack I mean latch, suck a few times (just long enough to maybe let down) and then push of and cry. Reverse cycling is a big part of our lives. =/ My mom is like that with feeding DD so I totally feel your pain there. Maybe she'd be willing to hold him upright and hold the bottle parallel to the ground? He might get back to working for it a bit so he's not so frustrated at the breast? That's seems to be the biggest problem I have with DD it's like she wants it YESTERDAY and just gets to frustrated to eat.... which is also why I think feeding her an oz or 2 from the bottle then trying again helps sometimes. idk. I can definitely understand your frustration, I'd be devastated if I had to wean DD at this point with all that we've already adjusted and overcome to get this far. =(</p> <p>Kellymom.com might have some more useful info on her nursing strike &amp; bottle feeding posts! Might be worth checking out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318090 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:27:15 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 318090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm, I think Toddler Girl had issues at that age, and then it cleared up. She hated it when I ate too much kale (I love kale chips! it was out of control!) and was just distractable. Maybe you just need to drop a feed? Sometimes we try to give them more milk than they need and it makes them aaangry.</p> <p>Wonder Baby is 8 months and won't nurse if there is anything at all going on, and sometimes not even then. She's just so busy. But she's still growing fine and I know that it fluctuates at this age with solids intake increasing so I'm not stressing about it.</p> <p>Not sure if any of that helps. I would try and keep going for the last 4 months till he's a year, but I hardly ever pump so I know it's different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318055 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:15:38 +0000 mamimami 318055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: oh for sure it's your decision! I wouldn't want a LC to say wean/don't wean, but like one of the other ladies said, maybe they can help with the underlying issues. And not over the phone!</p> <p>Everyone's different, but while your supply should adjust to a certain extent to only nursing a couple times a day, over time I'd expect your supply to take a hit. Mine did as I reduced feedings, but at that point it was less of a big deal because my son was on cow's milk and we just sort of tapered off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318048 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:12:51 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 318048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: My husband said the same thing to me whenever I would try to nurse DD and she got upset.... It does hurt but they are trying to be supportive. If you're at the same point as I was when I wrote a similar post, then I think you already know the answer. You need to be happy and if you're not then quit. Believe me, I know how hard that is! You can do it as slow as you like, but make a date to stop and stick with it. Just remember that you've already given 8 full months of breastmilk, and that's a great accomplishment. Most of this country doesn't even attempt it so you've done a great job.</p> <p>I'm only pumping morning and night and I'm getting about 6 oz each session. (I was getting about 8 or 9 but I just had a stomach bug that killed my supply). I'm much happier with it and I would encourage you to do something similar... To save your sanity ;-)</p> <p>@rachiecakes: Yes!! Exactly! I'm much better at work and home now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-318009 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:02:59 +0000 irene 318009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: That's very cute your LO snacks on your boobs... mine doesn't want anything to do with mine if he's not hungry. </p> <p>I know that I am supposed to keep the newborn size nipple, but somewhere along the line, around 6 months, we decided to upgrade to the faster nipple because LO also has weight gaining issues, so we want to make sure he eats well and not frustrates him. I knew at that time that it is the beginning of the end.... but nothing much I could do (I begged our nanny to go back to the newborn size nipple after he started eating better again, but she won't even listen to me as she explains that I should look at it as LO's best interest ie. so he eats properly without frustration, not just if he could nurse or not.... which she has a point). I know people with babies who has no nursing issues whatsoever, they nurse fine regardless of the size of nipple they upgrade to....</p> <p>@rachiecakes: my LO doesn't get up to eat in the middle of the night anymore since a few weeks ago. It was a bitter sweet change. I think it does take a hit to my output too because of that... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317986 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:59:44 +0000 pastemoo 317986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Probably? I'd ask an LC about that but I know my neighbor did 2 nursing sessions a day for months with her LO... and did not pump EVER (even when LO was younger). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317964 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:55:03 +0000 rachiecakes 317964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I hear ya about being miserable pumping! I was pumping twice during the workday and not getting much. I felt like an awful employee. (I'm the department manager and I kept having to interrupt important things to go pump) And I felt like a crappy mom because I wasn't getting much. Deciding to quit the pump and nurse throughout the night was the best decision I could've made.<br /> Another positive was that I started to feel more like myself, more confident at work and still spend quality time nursing DS at night. I feel more myself and have even lost the rest of the baby weight I was scared was going to stick to me forever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317954 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:50:43 +0000 rachiecakes 317954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: he's 9 months. he's getting formula as well. when he was being especially difficult and fussy with feedings we would end up wasting so much breastmilk we switched to offering formula instead. he was getting his top teeth and was really congested and super cranky. he would only drink an ounce or two at a time maximum before screaming and pushing the bottle away. he probably gets 1/3 formula, 2/3 breastmilk for the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317941 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:47:01 +0000 irene 317941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: How old is your LO? so he is still getting 100% breastmilk, or are you giving him formula as well? </p> <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I applaud you. I wish I could be that decisive. My husband has been telling me to wean since LO was 6 months (and he was the one who told me before that I should continue until he's 3 (!) because we probably have been both brainwashed by breastfeeding Nazis). I am the one who stubbornly still carry on. Tonight when LO was miserable, crying and won't even take the bottle, my husband mumbled, I told you to wean I don't know why you are still doing this. It really breaks my heart from 2 people all at once. I really don't even know why I am still doing this.</p> <p>So how much do you get when you pump morning and night? Was it enough for 1 feeding if your LO decides to nurse at that feeding? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317924 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:42:21 +0000 runsyellowlites 317924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is almost 6 months and nurses alot like you describe your lo nursing. Personally, not breastfeeding isn't an option I consider so we do alot of snacking during the day and reverse cycle on the days that she doesn't eat well while awake. I nurse her when she first wakes from naps or when she goes down so she's drowsy and the wake up feedings go almost like dream feeds.</p> <p>Also there have been times when DD is really fussing that I'll give her just a little bit in a bottle where I use the bottle feeding techniques on kellymom.com (very important for bottle feeding breastfed babies) and then as she calms some I'll try latching her again.</p> <p>You have to do what works for you in the end but maybe just making a few adjustments to when you feed &amp; bottle feeding techniques will help! You're doing a great job and giving your lo what was made specifically for him! =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317906 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:35:28 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 317906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally feel your pain. I don't have any advice, but I can tell you the course I took when my LO did the same thing. </p> <p>As much as I hated to do it, I decided to wean. My husband helped me to make that decision and stick with it. I was miserable pumping all the time. She wouldn't nurse even on the weekends so I was strapped to the pump. I felt like I couldn't get any quality time with her. </p> <p>I am still hating to stop, but I have to remember that DD made the decision to stop, not me. So far, I am still pumping in the morning and at night. I'm not sure how long I will continue that but it makes me feel better for the time being. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317903 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:34:30 +0000 rachiecakes 317903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I recently quit pumping during the day. DS was getting 5 teeth, two first and then three next. He was unpredictable. When the first two came in he didn't want food or bottle, just breast. Now he only wants food, very little bottle, only breast at night. I was pumping during the work day, twice and wasn't getting much. I quit and now breastfeed at night, once before bed, one in the middle of the night and again before I leave for work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317901 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:34:19 +0000 irene 317901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: I just wonder, if I only nurse (or pump) 2 times for a full day (24 hours), would I still get 5 oz per session...? I am thinking if I could, I'll give him 3 frozen milk bags @ day and 2 times via nursing (if he takes it). I just worry if those 2 times make enough for nursing. If not, I'd just quit 100% because I don't want to upset him anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317890 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:29:54 +0000 irene 317890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: Thanks.... I used to nurse everywhere... and I mean EVERYWHERE. We went to Australia when he was 5 months, and we would nurse outside of the opera house! We nursed in the airport where construction was going on, and construction workers were walking in and out of that area I was sitting in. I just flipped it out and I didn't even care who's around. That was the best time.... Right until LO think hey, it is not a good idea. I'd like to check things out instead of staring at your breast. Now it is him who doesn't want to nurse. Not me. Forcing me to build a relationship with a pump, which I hate.</p> <p>@red_seattle: I tried quiet rooms, I tried the same boring place day in and day out. I tried when he's very sleepy (which usually works until his nursing strike episodes... like this one). really, I tried everything. </p> <p>I have a lactation consultant who I saw her 2 times. She helped me tremendously when I saw her when LO was 1.5 weeks old, and that helped me turn a corner and we were a champ until 4.5 months.... then even she can't help me. We were there for 2 hours and LO would refuse to nurse and cried until he was really really exhausted then he gave in. But we just can't do that every time every weekend. Nowadays I am almost afraid to be alone with him because I am afraid he won't eat and I can't manage watching a crawling / standing up baby who goes everywhere while I am pumping all by myself. That's just not practical and I am so mentally exhausted.</p> <p>And you crack me up on the bags!!! That's true.... what could be worse with all the things that LO is putting into his mouth already......</p> <p>Nowadays I take them out over night into the fridge, in a glass container. Very often the next day I'd see 2 oz worth of milk in the glass container.... but I usually don't use that milk, and only the still-frozen milk inside the bag. Like you said I worry about the dirt outside of the bag because they dropped out of my fridge so frequently onto the ground, and my fridge isn't the cleanest...! But what you said makes me rethink...</p> <p>Again, guys, if LO nurses like normal babies, I'd have no problem to continue until he's 3. I am not joking. The problem is he doesn't want to nurse anymore and it breaks my heart... trust me I do not want to wean, but this is just getting ridiculous. I am miserable and he doesn't want it. Miserable mom and miserable baby. What's the point...... And afterall he's 8 months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317851 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:15:50 +0000 red_seattle 317851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd definitely talk to a lactation consultant to see what you can do to make your nursing experience better first. If their suggestions don't work and you're truly miserable with breastfeeding, you can always start formula later. But if you quit and regret it, you can't go back to nursing.</p> <p>It's totally normal to be distracted during nursing sessions at 8 months. I think that's the age where we had to start going to a quiet room by ourselves to nurse because he was too distracted and would often tear off the nursing cover otherwise. But I just kept offering and eventually Baby X would nurse, but I didn't push it either. </p> <p>Another thing-- about the holes in the bags-- I always defrost mine in a clean, tall, tupperware, and if there's a leak in the bag, the milk can still be saved/used if you keep everything clean. It's probably not "best practice", but I'm not too worried about the outside of the bag having germs or something on it. I mean, considering the things my son puts in his mouth when he's crawling around the house or the backyard, I can't imagine anything on the bag could possibly be worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317850 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:15:44 +0000 pastemoo 317850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would quit pumping. Nursing in public is not so bad (check out your local la leche league!)--I hate being chained to the pump.</p> <p>Don't all out quit because you do enjoy nursing. If you hated nursing (not just pumping) I'd say do what ever makes you feel good about yourself (happy mom=happy baby). But you love nursing. Don't quit!</p> <p>Also many women nurse only in the morning and at night with formula during the day (or for a toddler with food/juice in the day). Your supply will level off to that new level of demand.</p> <p>The strike will end! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317841 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:12:34 +0000 irene 317841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: I am almost exclusively pumping other than the AM and PM feeding. I nurse 2 times (7a and 7p) and pump 4 times (9a, noon, 3p, then before bed) a day. If I have to pump 5 or 6 times a day that will be the end of it...</p> <p>@sloaneandpuffy: Yes. but in terms of weaning it is really my decision and they can't decide for me....</p> <p>I have called them a few weeks ago and asked if I could cut my daytime pumping from 3 times to 2, but they have told me to hold off because they don't know what it would do to my supply, and I may have to supplement with a bottle if I do decide to nurse. It just doesn't answer my question. This just makes me think heck, I might as well just wean 100% so I can have time to wear nice clothes again, drink wine, coffee, and not worry about if I am making enough. I just wonder if you guys can advise through your experience... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317792 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 19:52:14 +0000 mamimami 317792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you consulted a lactation consultant? It's not too late.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-give-up#post-317781 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 19:47:00 +0000 chopsuey 317781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you considered exclusively pumping until you feel comfortable enough to wean completely off breast milk? </p>