This post is part of the 2010 API Principles of Parenting blog carnival, a series of monthly parenting blog carnivals, hosted by API Speaks. Learn more about attachment parenting by visiting the API website.
I’m a low supply mom, and as such, I don’t make enough milk for my children. We knew this was a possibility before our first child was born, but that didn’t make it feel any less devastating to me when it was confirmed. I wanted to breastfeed my children. Not only does breastfeeding provide superior nutritional and immunological benefits, it also provides optimal physical and emotional benefits for the child, physical and emotional health benefits for the mother, and is the most economically and environmentally friendly way to feed children. Biologically, women are designed to breastfeed their children. Only around 2% of the population has some sort of true medical condition that prevents full milk supply (note that most of these woman can supply at least partial breastmilk). That left me feeling like a failure as both a woman and a mother.
I didn’t give up, though. I was determined to do the best possible thing for my children, which was nursing and supplying as much breastmilk for them as possible. For a long while, I lived on an emotional roller coaster, having highs when I found something new that might even marginally increase my supply, and diving back down into despair when whatever it was didn’t make any difference. Eventually, I came to a point of acceptance, for the most part. Being a low supply mom isn’t something you ever truly get over. The feelings creep back in from time to time. I found the owner of Lact-Aid International and the women at MOBI (Mothers Overcoming Breastfeeding Issues) to be invaluable resources.
I’m a low supply mom. I may not be able to fully breastfeed, but I nurse my children! I nurse them whenever they need to and wherever we are. I bring our Lact-Aids along in a cooler bag and we go about life as if we were any other nursing family. I wouldn’t give up a moment.
living peacefully with children 
Kudos to you! So many people give up on the smallest struggle…
I admire your honesty and willingness to continue bf! hugs!
I’m finally catching up with some reading. 🙂
I just wanted to say how inspiring you are, that you didn’t let the discouragement keep you from nursing. It must be a lot of extra work to use the Lact-Aid, but you’re giving your children such a gift.
Well done for all you’ve done. I know I’ve been fortunate to be able to breastfeed relatively easily but many friends have struggled. Keeping going in the face if that and doing what you can must be very challenging but worthwhile. I wish you all the best.