I feel so compelled to share my story because this resonates so deeply!
My first pregnancy was so similar - scary jaundice and low blood sugar - but I persisted with breastfeeding for eleven months and physically, it was very successful. However it was SO hard mentally, knowing I was the only one who could soothe or feed my child. We co-slept and he woke up every hour on the hour to nurse. At one point I was so exhausted I fell asleep driving and ran into a pole. I also had this phenomena that I really believed was in the head: every time I had a let down of milk, I had a surge of sadness. Like a physical and emotional wave of low, low emotions.
I had my second baby this January, and I had been following along in your journey. Even though I consider myself to be a crunch mom through and through (Montessori! organic food! no screens!), I decided to get on SSRIs at 32 weeks, and decided to not breastfeed. I also explained the letdown thing to my OB, expecting her to tell me I was just tired and hormonal, only to learn this is an actual medical condition: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24879-dysphoric-milk-ejection-reflex
THANK YOU SO MUCH for being my expander!! Can you tell I do TBM? lol! You truly served as a vision holder for me and the combo of formula feeding and taking SSRIs has made this postpartum period the most intensely joyful time of my life. I hope knowing the butterfly effect of your authenticity made such an impact on my life lessons the shenanigans of trolls online!!
Rachel, you are amazing! Thank you so so much for sharing this with me. I have heard about the medical condition that happens during the letdown of breastfeeding!! I've had several friends experience this. You are not alone. It's so powerful when we can all share our stories and connect on these things - at the time it can feel so isolating. You are an amazing mama, beyond words! Sooo grateful to have you here, and YAY for TBM!! Lacy is the queen!! Also the SSRI life for us sensitive souls in this world = the BEST life. Zero regrets whatsoever, so proud of us!
Yesssss! Agree so much. My breastfeeding journey was so difficult and I never judge other moms for their choices. When I was struggling with breastfeeding someone asked me “Why don’t you just switch to formula?”. It hurt so much because it’s such a personal decision. I switched to formula when I was ready and not due to anyone suggesting I do something different.
Yes to all of this!!! I was so sad/surprised/upset after having my first son in 2021 and not being able to make more than a couple of ounces in a 24hr period & i tried sooo many things. I just didn't understand why my body wouldn't work like it's "supposed to", or like others would say "it's supply & demand, your body will produce more if you remove more" yeah right! After some blood work, found out some issues so I felt alot better.
I just wish women wouldn't say it's easy or to "try harder". Trust me, I didn't want to spend $$$ on formula! The good stuff isn't cheap.
Pregnant with my 2nd now so it won't be a big heartbreak, since I've already been through this and will have formula on hand! Thanks for this post!
I feel so compelled to share my story because this resonates so deeply!
My first pregnancy was so similar - scary jaundice and low blood sugar - but I persisted with breastfeeding for eleven months and physically, it was very successful. However it was SO hard mentally, knowing I was the only one who could soothe or feed my child. We co-slept and he woke up every hour on the hour to nurse. At one point I was so exhausted I fell asleep driving and ran into a pole. I also had this phenomena that I really believed was in the head: every time I had a let down of milk, I had a surge of sadness. Like a physical and emotional wave of low, low emotions.
I had my second baby this January, and I had been following along in your journey. Even though I consider myself to be a crunch mom through and through (Montessori! organic food! no screens!), I decided to get on SSRIs at 32 weeks, and decided to not breastfeed. I also explained the letdown thing to my OB, expecting her to tell me I was just tired and hormonal, only to learn this is an actual medical condition: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24879-dysphoric-milk-ejection-reflex
THANK YOU SO MUCH for being my expander!! Can you tell I do TBM? lol! You truly served as a vision holder for me and the combo of formula feeding and taking SSRIs has made this postpartum period the most intensely joyful time of my life. I hope knowing the butterfly effect of your authenticity made such an impact on my life lessons the shenanigans of trolls online!!
xoxo
Rachel
Rachel, you are amazing! Thank you so so much for sharing this with me. I have heard about the medical condition that happens during the letdown of breastfeeding!! I've had several friends experience this. You are not alone. It's so powerful when we can all share our stories and connect on these things - at the time it can feel so isolating. You are an amazing mama, beyond words! Sooo grateful to have you here, and YAY for TBM!! Lacy is the queen!! Also the SSRI life for us sensitive souls in this world = the BEST life. Zero regrets whatsoever, so proud of us!
Yesssss! Agree so much. My breastfeeding journey was so difficult and I never judge other moms for their choices. When I was struggling with breastfeeding someone asked me “Why don’t you just switch to formula?”. It hurt so much because it’s such a personal decision. I switched to formula when I was ready and not due to anyone suggesting I do something different.
YES, its such a personal decision. couldn't agree more. proud of us <3
Yes to all of this!!! I was so sad/surprised/upset after having my first son in 2021 and not being able to make more than a couple of ounces in a 24hr period & i tried sooo many things. I just didn't understand why my body wouldn't work like it's "supposed to", or like others would say "it's supply & demand, your body will produce more if you remove more" yeah right! After some blood work, found out some issues so I felt alot better.
I just wish women wouldn't say it's easy or to "try harder". Trust me, I didn't want to spend $$$ on formula! The good stuff isn't cheap.
Pregnant with my 2nd now so it won't be a big heartbreak, since I've already been through this and will have formula on hand! Thanks for this post!
Yes and yes! Couldn't agree more with every single word you shared!!
Love everything about this! Thank you for sharing as always!🤍🤍
I love you so much! So grateful to have you here <3
I'm obsessed with how much sense this makes!! Each to their own and zero judgement!! Until you've walked a mile in someones shoes....
YES!!!! But I much preferred the text you sent me about this 😹 people be crazy and I LOVE YOUUU