Contemplating the cut-off
The other day, I sent an email to Patience that basically said this:
Please tell me I should keep nursing my baby. Please, please tell me to just stick with it.
And in all her infinite wisdom, Patience didn’t tell me either way what I should do. Because I know it’s a decision I have to make on my own. I hate those.
Nursing has been quite the issue lately. I’ve spent the majority of the last two weeks with plugged ducts. For those of you who don’t know what they are, they are painful, annoying, and, oh yes, PAINFUL.
For the life of me I can’t figure out why they keep happening. I’ve tried everything that I’m supposed to do to prevent them, but alas, there they are, pretty much all the time, making me gasp with pain when receiving a hug from someone or shifting JR to the offending side. It’s gotten to the point where I automatically connect the pain with nursing in my brain and, consequently, kind of dread it when it comes time to feed my kid. If he hasn’t already, he’s going to be able to sense it soon, and that makes me very sad.
Most of me doesn’t want to stop, thinking, “We’ve made it to almost 6 months! It’ll work itself out, and you’ll be so happy you stuck with it.”
But part of me wants to stop oh so much, supported by the rationale of “We’ve made it to almost 6 months! That’s great and I’ve filled his little body with so many good things in that time.” And, despite what some people think, formula isn’t poison.
Oh there is much fretting going on over here. Over the pain, the uncertainty, and that big, fat price tag that comes with those cans of Similac.
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I suffered with repeated mastitis infections and a “bleb” (plugged duct on the outside) when Lily was 8 months and it totally sucked! Finally after repeated trip to the midwife, even having an ultrasound on my boob to make sure I didn’t have tumor, she took a culture of the outside of my boob (let me tell you how pleasant it was to have her rubbing my sore nipple with a hard q-tip!) and discovered I had some bizarre bacteria there. After some different antibiotics for skin infections it cleared and I continued to nurse to Lily’s 1st birthday when I stopped because I was ready.
I hate to hear of you stopping for this reason, but for the love, you have done plenty, if you’re ready to stop, stop!
But if you’re not ready, maybe see your OB, and/or even a lactation consultant???
Each child and each circumstance is so different. Please don’t feel guilt if you decide to begin formula feedings. I had to pump almost exclusively with one, breast to formula with the next and then breast to cup with milk with the last.
Your little one is not lacking in weight, love or nutrients. You’ve done a great job. Take care of yourself!
Sometimes when I read your blog, I feel like I am reading a narration of my own life! Seriously, it is crazy. I’ve dealt with the clogged ducts at least once a week since about week 3 of nursing (baby is now almost 5 mos.). Lately, they seem to be more under control. Generally, the following conditions exist when I get them: stress, dehydration, too much time between feedings and/or pumping. My solutions include: long hot shower, heating pad (dry heat really isn’t the best, but sometimes in the middle of the night, I have no energy to move), drinking lots of water, and nursing the baby on the painful side. Milk production on my problem side is slim! I can produce a good 8 oz on the right and 2 on the left…crazy. I contemplate quitting all the time. But then I think, wait, I’ve struggled this long only to quit now?
It is a highly personal decision and I think you just have to go with your gut. You’ll make the right choice for you! Good luck.
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My wife is dictating this comment because Jasper is on the boppy nursing/sleeping. She had every nursing related problem possible, including under-production, and especially clogged ducts. Obviously, she stuck with it. Here’s what helped:
-Lecithin, taken daily
-When baby starts solid food there’s less demand on the teets, and duct issues decrease
-A hot pad on the duct just before baby eats
-Nursing is free contraception
-If you’re not nursing, you don’t have an excuse to eat these delicious lactation cookies: http://caramelizedopinions.blogspot.com/2008/08/cookies-that-make-milk.html
Good luck.
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I see that your post is from 2009. I am presently suffering from repeated clogged ducts and would like to wean my 9 month old. Please give me some advice. How was your weaning exerience with plugged ducts. Everytime I skip a feeding or increase the time in between feeds, I get plugged ducts. I am really hoping to hear from you as there are very few like us who have suffered so much while nursing.