Strollerderby

"Sometimes they don't produce."  Not to be the breastfeeding police, but that's false.  They didn't produce BECAUSE she supplemented. That's the way it works.  

Or it's possible that her boob job is messing up the process, but that's not an issue of milk supply.  And if that were the case, she should disclose that it has to do with her implants, rather than snubbing nursing.

I wasn't producing (I had a C-section) and we didn't supplement until the poor baby's mouth and lips were dry and she was obviously getting dehydrated - she was also screaming(not crying) non-stop. Each mom is different, so perhaps sometimes they just don't produce like Tori said? Up until supplementing I had been hooked up to the hospital grade pump practically non-stop to try and get them to start working.  I ended up breast-feeding for a few months, but she was absolutely miserable the entire time. Then she got a bottle after waiting the recommended 3 - 4 weeks and she was a completely different baby. Satisfied, happy, less screaming and less squirmy while eating. That's just me though. In the words of a friend of mine "You do what you gotta do, and only you know what that is."

She may not have been eating enough or maybe trying to work too much too soon. These things can greatly effect the amount you produce. And she was obviously trying to make it work. Jane needs to reexamine her post, it makes you sound like one of those Le Leche Nazi's.

Supplementing does cause problems, most people know that now. Its basic supply & demand. Before the milk even comes in the signal is sent to make milk, but it takes some women up to 5 days to get their milk b/c they supplement, instead of feeding colostrum. And then there's nipple confusion...

Oh by the way, spartic99, have you been to a LLL meeting lately? Its not your mother's La leche anymore. All the leaders in my area are cool, totally non-judgemental & its the only place where I feel nobody is judging my parenting.

I did Not have the milk for my first daughter, I'm healthy, ate right, have no implants and by 3 weeks, her pediatrician told me she had to go on the bottle.  I pumped for weeks with no increase, had a nursing specialist check in on us every couple of days..it just didn't happen for us.  The supply was better for my second child 5 yrs later, but still not enough for a baby nursing constantly.  I didn't feel cheated or like I was cheating my kids, I tried.  When specialists, dulas, LLL members and your doctor say bottle feed, you do it.

Even tho I myself have breastfed (and am breastfeeding) each baby for 12+ months, I need to jump in and say that two of my very dear friends were not able to breastfeed.  They tried SO HARD - using lactation consultants, the works.  One of them ended up in the Children's ER with a dangerously dehydrated baby and was told to give him formula.  Neither woman knows why this happened, but I was there lending support and I know they tried VALIANTLY to get milk from their breasts into their babies!!  It was painful to witness - the hourly pumping, the crying, the bottles of water and experimenting with fenugreek, special teas, what have you.  I felt awful for them and, since bearing witness to their struggles, I don't second guess a woman who says she has tried her best and finally had to throw in the towel - it happens!  And those of us who have copious supplies should feel grateful and fortunate - I certainly do.

I was just glad to read that little Liam was flipping his mom off...now I know that it's not just me and my son, who pops the bird All The Time. And not just to us, but to strangers, too. I can't wait to get photographic evidence...

I really enjoyed this post. It brought back so many memories of when I first became a mother.