Well, we've all come down with bad, bad colds again. The last time this happened, NG and I were grossly congested while still in Chile, away from our naturopath and her pediatrician. I called the States and spoke with the pede's nurse who said to give her water to drink and keep moisture in the air (we hung out in the hotel bathroom with steam).
At that time, I had a huge and very emotional debate with myself - and some discussion here - about whether or not to take a decongestant. My milk supply was dwindling from the jet lag, dehydration of travel and sheer exhaustion and I didn't want to push it over the edge of dried up by adding medication to the mix. I avoided all medications and endured excruciating pain when flying. I was stoic about it. I did it for the milk. I did it for baby. My plan was to pump breast milk for her until she was a year. She was only 4 months at the time.
When I could finally breathe, I felt more determined than ever to keep up the milk supply. Even when the milk barely covered the bottom of the pump bottle, I didn't give up. I've been able to get it back up from less than 1/8th of an ounce each breast to about 1/2 to 1 1/2 ounces per breast per session. Not a lot, I know, but nothing to sneeze at.
So this is my long winded way of saying that I've been here before - sick with a cold so bad the congestion is a thick, solid wall of gunk from my nostrils to my brain that causes gagging when it tries to drain. You don't realize how great decongestant can be until you don't let yourself take any. I spent several days debating - "do I take some Theraflu so I can sleep?" and "do I take a Sudafed so I can get through the day able to manage some semblance of breathing?"
It has been agonizing for me to imagine that taking the medicine might dry up the milk that I'm trying to give NG for at least four more months. And then I finally realized that if I don't get some sleep, I'll be useless to her and a complete raving lunatic to my husband.
So I gave in.
Two nights ago, I took Theraflu. I slept like the proverbial baby (who by the way isn't sleeping through the night again - 3 or 4am, she is up wanting a diaper change and bottle. Hello?!?). The next morning, I dreaded pumping, imagining the sucking of the machine doing nothing but stretching my nipples to new lengths. But then...there was milk. Almost 3 ounces total.
So yesterday I took a chance and took a Sudafed to get through at least part of the day. Then took Theraflu last night again. This morning - a little over 3 ounces.
I'm spreading out the pumping sessions to let the medication clear my system (at night, I don't pump so there is at least 10 hours between medication and pumping). But I'm able to sleep (G. says I snored so loudly last night that he had to put in ear plugs). And I'm able to get through the day.
So far, the milk isn't drying up. In fact, I'm wondering if taking the decongestant has actually unclogged my boobs. I'm just saying, I was expecting to end up with a dribble like a faucet being closed off but instead, I'm getting as much if not a little more than before I got sick.
I'm keeping the medication intake down to 1 or 2 Sudafed total per day and then Theraflu at night until I can breathe again. I realize that I'm risking my milk supply, and that there is a possibility I won't be able to give her breastmilk for the year I had imagined. But I'll keep trying. That's all I can do. At a certain point I need to be satisfied with the fact that I have pumped for her since she was 3 weeks old, and she turns 8 months next week. Not bad. Not too bad at all.
NO, not bad at all! Fantastic, even.
Yes, Sudafed is known to affect supply, and people sometimes take it when weaning, but everyone reacts differently to things.
I'm so glad to hear you've gotten your supply up more! That's always gratifying.
And of course you know you're going above and beyond with the pumping and any amount you do it great. We all have to stop eventually so don't beat yourself up about it when you do.
Posted by: Eva | February 13, 2007 at 03:13 PM
The meds may be thinning your mucus and also helping with your overall state thus the milk production nice side effect :).
What you have endured to continue giving your daughter milk is awesome chica, now take care of yourself! Healing winds to you *hugs*
Posted by: cat | February 14, 2007 at 06:26 AM
That's awesome! You're doing great!
Truthfully, a well-rested mama is the best thing for NG and for a milk supply. I always noticed a dip in supply when I was wiped.
Posted by: Robyn | February 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM