Manda Girl » Blog Archive » The Strike Continues

Thank you for all the well wishes. Leah is doing just fine. In fact, she wasn’t even acting very miserable today. She’d crawl around the house doing her usual busy exploring with an occasional wheezy cough.

My major cause for stress and frustration is this darn nursing strike. Leah only ate that one time yesterday. Today she continued to scream and arch her back whenever I tried to feed her. She acts like I’m trying to torture her. Arggg. I’m not sure what to do. I’ve been pumping and she loves the bottle but honestly there isn’t much there to give her.

I’m afraid of drying up while I wait for Leah to feel better. (If that is even the reason for the strike.) I have never had to deal with something like this and even have very little pumping experience. We went out and bought a pump but I just hate it. Hate it! It is uncomfortable and takes FOREVER!

I’m not ready to quit. I’m a nursing queen and enjoy nursing my babies well past 1 year. I can hardly consider the idea of having to give it up at 9 months. I know many moms are happy to make it this far but I’m just not ready. It seems like such a silly reason for quitting. Will she want me back? Should I not even offer the bottle? Will she ever get hungry enough? I’ve waited for hours for her to be interested and wondered how on earth she could last so long without milk but she’s done it. How do I keep my supply up?

Advice?

I also have really mixed feeling about the albuterol treatments we’ve been giving Leah. At times I feel like it does nothing for her but make her cry but then… I wonder if the albuterol is why she is doing so well. Sigh. What I’ve read about albuterol seems controversial if it even works so I’m not sure what to think. I worry about her not needing it but I worry about her being able to breathing well enough.

Honestly, I’m happy that she’s not in the hospital, but can we just start nursing again?

I trust doctors over what I read on the internet, of course that’s just me, and I’m sure you know that about me!! – RSV can cause death in children- I don’t know much about albuterol, can it be deadly? I guess that’s how I would make my decision. And so sorry about the nursing…what a drag.

Poor little Leah! And poor you, nursing mother! Cooper had RSV as a baby. It’s not a big deal if treated. We’ve done the nebulizer with that and a few of my other kids and it always seems to help. They give you huge amounts, but you can save it for later. It is tough to use on little ones. We’d always just try to distract with T.V., books, etc. Good luck! Glad it’s getting better!

So glad that Leah is feeling better. Love to you all.
If albuterol is working might as well use it.

Try calling a lactation nurse or getting into contact with the La Leche League. They would have the best advice for your nursing woes. I pray everything works out.

Ohhh Amanda. I think I know how you’re feeling. I get so upset when my babies won’t nurse, especially when I know I’m not ready for them to quit. I don’t really have any solid advice, but I guess if I were in your situation I’d first pray a lot then continue to pump, as big of a pain as it is. I’d keep offering her “me” (sorry I just can’t say “the breast” right there) Maybe even make her wait good and long. Then when she’s really hungry, just keep trying to nurse her. I’m guessing you’ve probably tried all that and then it ends up in both of you being frustrated. If it were me, I’d be crying. This is a tough one because it’s so emotional for baby and mom. Sorry I’ve rambled on, and haven’t said anything. Just want you to know I’m thinking of you both. SO glad she’s doing better and hopefully she’ll come around on her own and start nursing again. Love you!

Thanks for commenting, by the way. Glad you’re still checking in.

P.S. My weird “comment placement” mystery has not been solved. I want it down at the end of my post. Any ideas? When you have a minute, of course.

Have you heard of the herbal supplement called FenuGreek? It works great to boost your milk supply- I’ve had to use it. (Buy it at a health food store.) Maybe you can use it to keep your supply up while she is on strike so you don’t dry up.

Oh, I know this is a “serious” problem for you and baby, but I just can’t help but laugh, just a little. I still remember Emma being 18 months or More! and you totally are nursing her in the middle of a NYC restaurant and I was literally shocked! And I didn’t even know you very well, at that point. Maybe that’s why I don’t nurse…just kidding.
On a serious note, I don’t know anything about either subject. I just hope Leah gets back to her normal self soon.

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