What's A Mom To Do

Milk Station

Well, by now I've shared the trials and tribulations of being back in the hospital for this small bowel obstruction. This leads to the next dilemma of nursing the baby. I was already having trouble keeping my milk supply up to satisfy our growing baby. Even though she's starting to eat rice cereal, she still needs just as much milk. Now, being in the hospital with no food or water for 40 hours, plus being dehydrated didn't help me much. I was able to pump while in the hospital, but because I was doped up, it was pump and dump. We had to resort to formula. As much as I didn't want to, there was nothing we could do. I didn't have enough reserves in the freezer to tide us over. At least we were able to get the organic formula, but still the guilt weighed heavy on my mind.

We used the formula for about 2 weeks. I am producing enough to satifsy the days when we're home together, but still can't get ahead especially to freeze enough to take to day care. Arghhh!!! It's so frustrating.

I remember first starting out. Breastfeeding was and is such a challenging part of being a new mom. Thankfully, from the beginning, Little P was able to switch back and forth between breast and bottle like a champ. I had to start pumping right away when she was first born because of possible infection (ouch!). I remember thinking, if only I can make it to three months. Then, if only I can make it to six months since that's the recommended timeframe. It's definitely gotten easier. Now, my goal is to make it to one year. Since, she has two little teeth on the bottom, it can get hairy, but so far no major injuries (fingers crossed!).

The worst part about nursing is the pumping at work. At my work, we have only one bathroom and it's co-ed. That's the only "private" place for me to pump. I HATE it! At this point, only five and half months to go...