[blparent] Breast feeding

[Jo Elizabeth Pinto]

Bridgit, I understand how you feel.  I didn't produce enough milk for my 
baby, either, and nursing never went smoothly for us.  I did nurse for ten 
months, and pumped for a year, but I had to supplement with bottles all the 
way along.  Getting a donor is wonderful if you can, but know that if you 
make your best effort and it doesn't happen, formula isn't evil.  Millions 
and millions of babies have been very successfully raised on formula. 
Mother's milk is best, but formula isn't going to do your baby any harm at 
all.  What will really count is his time snuggling with you and looking at 
you, playing with you, relying on you, and building a bond that continues to 
grow and change for all of his life.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may 
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at 
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 12:34 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] Breast feeding

Well, with a heavy heart, I share with my Federation friends that breast
feeding will not be an option for me. I have worked closely with the
lactation specialist at the Med Center. I've done everything advised and
recommended, and I've not been able to produce milk. I never cared if I
could actually nurse, though the few times I tried, it was an amazing
experience, but I hoped to provide my baby with breast milk. I didn't
expect to feel so upset I have this deep sense of loss. I intellectually
understand this, but emotionally, it's been a rough few days.

They think my two rounds with cellulitis of the breast along with the
seperation between Declan and me when he was born and then the constant
stress have contributed to my lack of milk. I have stumped the lactation
team including a couple of breast and lactation doctors. No one is
completely sure why I can't produce, and we've tried all the treatments.
It was just yesterday we made the decision to stop pumping. I truly am
having a difficult time with this. I've read about the possible
feelings, but I didn't expect to have it hit me so hard.

We are now looking into milk donation as a possible option. The
lactation team has been awesome, and they are continueing to work with
me despite the fact that I won't be able to produce milk myself.

Thanks for all the love and support from this list. It has meant a lot
to have people out there thinking of us.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/