Nolan, who is now 23 months and breastfed for 14 months, was extremely difficult to breastfeed. Flat nipples, tongue tied, and engorgement made the first three months painful and horribly difficult. No one is ready to be on the phone with you at 2:38 am to walk you through another painful latch and waiting for a let down. But just as I started to get the hang of it, it seemed that my milk supply tanked. I’d feel a let down and hear that little clicking swallow for a few minutes, then nothing. No swallow, just a cry and numerous attempts to re-latch to no avail. So frustrating!!!

The most useful information I got was from a LLL leader. With access to a pump I was able to do something called “Power Pumping.” This is where you spend an hour with your pump doing 12 minute intervals of on and off pumping. So while watching Grey’s Anatomy or a whole hour of The Office, I’d pump for twelve minutes then rest for twelve minutes, then jump back on. This is only three rounds of pumping. I did this at night as soon as the little guy went down.

Well, Nolan got through it. Now I’m working on Garrett. Here we are at four months and spending some “quality time” with my pump on the living room floor.

The difference between the first and second child is that Garrett has already been losing weight. This started before the supply problem. Right now, they’ve chalked it up to being an “active baby.” The only thing keeping me from getting excessively worried is the wet and poopy diapers I change all day, and the fact that Garrett seems to be a happy and healthy baby. The big picture looks good. As a mom, it’s my job to worry. I am confident I’ll get through this adjustment period again.

But until then, pump, drink dark beer, take fenugreek, and nurse all the time!