World Breastfeeding Week

[geminigirl]

I was invited to write a guest blog for Attachement Living in honor of World Breastfeeding Week.

Here's an excerpt:

August 1 began World Breastfeeding Week. We all know breast is best, and we recognize the value of the breastfeeding relationship. Even formula cans remind us that breast milk is best. But what about when it doesn't work?

I wanted to breastfeed. I planned for it. I looked forward to it. I bought the books, went to La Leche League, and met with a wonderful lactation consultant before my daughter was born all in hopes of circumventing the issues that can come from PCOS and hypothyroidism. I took the appropriate medications and learned about the ways to increase supply. I went in with an attitude focused on success.

You can read the rest over at Attachment Living. And thank you To-Fu for the invitation.

Comments

[vvalkyri.livejournal.com]

Wow.
And a worthwhile reminder. Would you be okay with links to it? I'm tempted, though given my lack of motherness it might be odd for me to do so.

[geminigirl]

Sure-linking is fine. Thank you.

[ashleykristin.livejournal.com]

"How can I feed with love and respect when the act of feeding my daughter causes me to cry over what I can't do for her? How can I honor myself and the nurturing loving role that I am supposed to play in this part of her life when what I feel overwhelmed with failure. And then I look at her, I cuddle her, I watch her sweet face as she dozes off in my arms and I'm reminded deeply of how much I love her, and that in the end that love overwhelms everything.

I know whatever I've given my daughter is good for her. I know that every bit of milk she gets from me is good for her, and I know that the milk she's gotten is far more than some other babies get. But I will forever carry sadness and guilt about not being able to provide the most basic thing that a mother is supposed to provide for her baby."

-I cried at this. Noah is now almost one and I'm still mourning our BFing relationship. We didn't have a donor, and have used formula, and it kills me everytime I make a bottle. A friend of mine had a baby 3 days after me and she keeps on going back and forth about weaning him, and has been for 5-6 months. While I know its her choice, I always scream inside when she says this, she's so lucky to be able to have the choice. I have to commend you at all you've done. You did more than I did, and to this day I still struggle with (emotionally, not logically) weather that extra pumping session or that extra herb would have done it for us. **hugs**

[geminigirl]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make anyone cry.

As for donors, we've had some success with Milkshare, and I have hope that if/when there is #2 it will get better...I know it sometimes does. I'll do some things differently before #2 comes-Shativari is okay through pregnancy, Goat's Rue starting in week 36 and Domperidone ASAP after birth. But if it doesn't work better, it's okay. I know that my child won't grow a second head if he or she gets something other than my milk.

[ashleykristin.livejournal.com]

What is Shativari? I've never heard of it. We're expecting #2 in March...

[geminigirl]

I know-I saw you posting in pregnant but I didn't want to say anything unless I knew it was widely disseminated yet.

Shativari is an herb that can help increase milk production. I think the dose is two capsules twice a day, but I'm not certain.

[ashleykristin.livejournal.com]

Ahh...thanks for the info...I'll have to look it up. Any idea where you can get it? And if its safe with metformin?

[geminigirl]

I'm not an herbalist, but as far as I know, it's safe with Metformin.

There are tons of places to get it. I've gotten it through Amazon.

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

That was very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[alibee.livejournal.com]

Wow. You did (and are doing) an amazing job. *hug*

[puzzld1.livejournal.com]

I am so very proud of you

[geminigirl]

That means so very much to me.