Breastfeeding

So, I had no idea how truly difficult breastfeeding would be.

I went into it thinking, this will be awesome!  I'll burn a bunch of extra calories each day, save a ton of money by not using formula, and it'll be fun bonding time for Presley and me.

While all those things are true, there is SOOOO much more to breastfeeding.

First, I'm dealing with a difficult supply issue.  Presley seems satisfied when she is feeding, but when I have to pump at school, it is quite the ordeal.  My school is awesome and has given me a place to pump, but I am only getting about 3-4 oz on a good pumping session.  On most sessions, my take is less than two ounces.  I can't figure out if it's a pump problem, a phalange problem, or a milk problem.

To remedy it, I'm taking an herbal supplement, switching back and forth between my insurance provided pump and a manual pump, and I'm buying expensive ingredients to make lactation foods.  I stay up late to pump after Presley goes to bed.  I'm usually pumping one breast whenever she is on the other.  I'm constantly washing various parts of my pump.

I don't want to scare anyone away from breastfeeding.  It's amazing.  You just need to know that it is hard past 6 weeks.  I'm trying to keep it up until August.  My goal was initially 6 months.  6 months will be April.  By that time, I've only got a month until school is out.  I figure I can keep it up through the summer easily since I don't really have to worry about pumping.  When school gets ready to start, I'll start weaning.  I'm usually just trying to keep my head above water in August.  If I don't have to worry about pumping, that's one more thing off my chest.  Also, my friend is getting married out of town in September, so I'll probably be away from Presley for several days.  August seems like a good date.

So, my goal is to make it until August.  I know I can do it, but I know it will be hard.  I just hope I can figure out whatever is going on with my milk supply.  If I could get that figured out, I'd be much better off.

My next step is to rent a hospital grade pump.  That's about $60 a month.  Still not as expensive as formula, but still more than I want to spend.