Mission Possible

Today is day THREE of NO FORMULA! 

I have successfully relactated.

Tomorrow will mark four weeks that have passed from the time I began this journey. It definitely doesn't feel like it's been almost a month! The time has passed so quickly. 

I hope that I can inspire women who don't believe they have a second chance. 

I cannot describe the feeling it gives me to know that I am giving him the very best. 

Three Weeks

It has been three weeks since I began my relactation journey. Finnegan is now 13 weeks young and is a seriously skilled nurser! He nurses a couple times a day and I'm going to start making more of an effort to put him at the breast because I'm producing more and I am getting closer and closer to being able to satisfy his hunger all on my own.
 
     Yesterday, Eric and I were at Applebee's and Finnegan was fussing like a little devil so I whipped my boobie out and I fed him. The reason I first thought to start relactating was the time that Eric and I were at the Soy House and I wanted to nurse Finn. I finally got to experience nursing in public, without a cover, and I felt very empowered and proud of myself and my beautiful baby boy. He nursed for about 15 minutes and then he passed out. It was magic. Boobie magic.

Having a little snack!

    I am now pumping about half of Finnegan's daily needs. The small break I took did set me back a little but I still met my goal. I pump a bit more than 2 ounces every three hours. My goal from now on is to stick with it, nurse Finnegan more often, and hopefully in a couple weeks we'll be back to a full supply and cut out formula almost completely.

I wish that every woman knew about relactation. The body is an amazing thing and I am so proud of myself for the effort I've made to give my son the best.

Happy Valentine's Day

I was lazy the last couple of days and didn't pump every three hours. I skipped several pumps, actually. I feel like this was okay for me to do because I was getting a little bored/overwhelmed and it was nice to take a break. I'm ready to resume 3-hourly pumping and continue building my supply.

    Here's a quick update. Right before I decided to take a break I was pumping 2 1/2 ounces a session. If I had continued that I would have gotten 20 ounces in one day! My breasts are definitely larger. It's really noticeable and they also get noticeably larger when it comes time to pump. I'm so happy to be full of milk once again. The one downside is that my breasts ITCH. So badly! It's intense. I hope it passes soon.

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Two Weeks Past

Today is day 14. I pumped over NINE ounces in day 13 and I have met my goal of pumping 1 ounce per session. For the past few days, I have been pumping every three hours instead of every two. I’m much happier with this less vigorous schedule. I also let myself skip a pump at night so that I can get adequate rest. My goal for the end of week 3 is to be pumping at least 1 ½ ounces per session, while I am tentatively hoping to pump 2 ounces every three hours by the end of week 3.

     It’s hard to believe that it’s been two weeks already. When I first began this journey, I could not imagine it would pass by so quickly. The first day was the hardest. I felt so discouraged by how little milk I was producing. By day two, I saw a slight increase, and from then on my milk doubled every few days. I feel that I have been so lucky to be this successful. I’m really satisfied with the progress we have made.

Day Ten: Truly Amazing

I am floored by the day to day increase I am seeing in my milk supply. I have figured out that, if I continue to increase at the rate I am each day, Finnegan and I will resume exclusively breastfeeding at the end of February or in early March. This is a truly incredible notion to me.

    I am positive that Finn is swallowing during our nursing sessions now. Even if it is just a few gulps, it counts. I notice that the breast he feeds from expresses less milk when I pump afterwards, as well.

Day 10 -24 hour period

With every day that passes, I feel more and more encouraged. I am so proud of Finn for being such a great nurser, and I am proud of myself for being so dedicated to this effort.

Progress! Progress! Progress!

I am seeing a fantastic increase in my milk supply. Just the other day when Finnegan was nursing I think he actually swallowed! I'm so excited about the new pump that I picked up today. I just used it for the first time and it's really a world of difference. I can tell that it's going to help a lot with my relactation.

Day Five - 24 hour period

Day Eight - 24 hour period

     Look at that increase! In just three days! Now I can give Finn a bottle of breast-milk everyday! I feel so accomplished. I can tell already that today (day nine) I am going to get more than yesterday. It's so super encouraging to see such a great increase day to day. Clearly, I have already reached the goal I set for the end of week two, which was to pump two ounces in 24 hours. I'm going to reset my goal. By the end of week two I want to be pumping one ounce at each pumping session.

Sweet Sweet Victory

I am so happy to say that I have met my goal that I set earlier this week! It is day five. Every time I have pumped today, I have been able to fill the bottom of the bottle. I originally set this goal to be met at the end of week one. It is very encouraging to have met it before the week has come to a close. I am now expressing big fat drops of milk and both of my nipples spray a bit when I pump. My breasts feel fuller as well. My new goal, for the end of week two, is to pump 2 ounces in 24 hours.

Day Three - 24 hour period

Day Four - 24 hour period

    I have been taking the Fenugreek since day two and my armpits smell like maple syrup! I remember reading that they would smell this way if I were taking enough, but I was still surprised when I caught a whiff. My husband came home and I said, “Eric! Smell my pits. Do it. Trust me.” He came up and stuck his nose where it counts and exclaimed, “MAPLE SYRUP!” And we cracked up.  

    On Wednesday, I picked up my prescription for Reglan. I was not so sure about taking it at first, especially after seeing a significant increase in my milk supply without it. However, I have decided that I am going to do everything I can to get my milk supply up as fast as possible, and if Reglan will help in that process, then it’s worth risk of side-effects.

    I was expecting this to be a very stressful experience, but I’m having so much fun. I am more and more encouraged with each day that passes and I feel so optimistic. 

Giving Finnegan my breast when he is fussy.
He always calms down right away
and usually falls asleep! Boobie magic.