WHAT I DID
I was not able to nurse my daughter when she was first born because we were both rushed to the hospital after her delivery at the birth center. This caused my supply to be slow to produce. I pumped in the hospital with the hospital grade Amedea pump for two days and nothing was coming out.
I ended up renting the hospital grade pump even though I had the Medela freestyle at home because if the pump is working hard it can run out the battery the nurses said. For another day or two I was still not producing milk when I pumped. Finally it came. Perseverance is key.
Marianna's pediatrician was a lactation consult as well, DR. Soppas with Drexel Hill Pediatrics. It was 35 min. from our house but I wanted a Dr. who supported breast feeding. She was wonderful and just what I needed since I had issues.
I ended up supplementing with 2 oz. Enfamil already mixed formula bottles by putting a thin straw in it and then placing the other end of the straw on my nipple so Marianna could be breast feeding and getting the supplement at the same time. This allowed my supply to increase and Marianna to get enough food all at the same time. I did this for about 2 weeks and then my supply was producing well.
WHAT I LEARNED
Not everything goes as you imagine it. I did not expect Marianna to have a bottle as her first meal. Breast feeding does not come easy to all. It is worth working at it. I love the bonding time you get from it. Marianna is over 7 months and we are still breast feeding. I plan to continue until she is at least 1.
It is so convenient not to have to pack bottles when going out. One less thing I have to worry about.
GREENIST OPTION
Limiting the production of formula which uses energy to make it, containers, etc.
Saves water- no bottles to wash or not as many if pumping.
