Expert: ruth kraft - 3/24/2009

Question
My baby is four months old and I am struggling with whether or not I should keep breastfeeding. I do not make enough milk to just breastfeed her so we have been supplementing her pretty much the whole time. Then she developed a rebellion to the bottle so I started mostly pumping and only breastfeeding her once or twice a day. I also started having a little pain in my lower abdomen and started worry ing about ovarian cysts(I was on the birth control pill for them). Can I get an ovarian cyst while breastfeeding? I started taking my birth control, ortho tri cyclene, to prevent the cysts because progesterin makes me severely depressed. I also have allergies that will come up soon and I will need allergy medicine. I feel like the logical thing to do is quit but now that my milk seems to be decreasing from the birth control I am crying every night because I'm beyond emotionally attached to breastfeeding. Almost addicted. I do have post partum but I don't know if that is why this is hurting me so much. (I also REFUSE to take antidepressants while breastfeeding - not an option)Should I stop taking my pill and start breastfeeding again? I cannot make a decision and I'm already on my third day of the pill and I don't want to mess my body up. Is there anyway I can be on the pill and still have enough milk to at least pump? I feel like I really need both. HELP PLEASE!!!

Answer
its entirely possible to come back to nursing full time but will take some patience and time and energy.

I would suggest getting a double breast pump, hospital grade to help you get milk supply back up. pump every 2 hours at least the next week. You can take mothers milk tea (herbal ) and fenugreek herbs to help build supply too. Nurse baby as often as possible, supplement with the rest by a supplemental nursing system so baby starts understanding food comes from you . not a bottle.

while doing this, Find a lactation consultant or la leche league leader.  go to www.LLL.org and find someone local to help you in person. they will be able to get you on the right track and follow progress in detail so you can still nurse.


I know little about ovarian cysts  so I cannot offer information on those. However I am sure that a lactation consultant should be able to. or on www.lll.org you can maybe do a search and see what research they have done on it.

Just so you know, ANY breastmilk is better than none. and you should  be proud of yourself for trying so hard to get your baby as much as possible of it. It is harder to get milk while on the pill but it is possible. every womans body reacts differently to medications. maybe trying a different kind of pill  and seeing if that helps as well. Maybe see a chiropractor or homeopathic doctor for your allergies so the extra meds wont affect your milk supply or moods.  

With breastfeeding, you take it one day at a time sometimes. Nurse as long as it works well for both you and the baby. Try to not judge yourself so harshly. your doing much better than most ever even try. I would almost bet money, that if you stopped being so harsh on yourself, your milk supply will come up much easier. Women who are stressed about nursing, have a harder time even expressing milk. Trust that it will flow, and it will :)

Hope that helped!
Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com