Knoxville Area

[LLLSerena]

Hi MomtoJoss,

I did a little looking around for you as far as contacts. Unfortunately I think I will need to really sit down and focus on the issue in the coming days. I was also unable to reach the leaders in your area.

LLLI is run for the most part by volunteers, often mothers with small children themselves. Right after the holidays can be a congested time for a family, and I hesitate to say that the Leader's you contacted were simply ignoring your requests for help. I am sorry about how this made you feel, and I understand that it would make you feel a little bit angry and frustrated as well as disappointed.

I think little pink dog has offered quite a lot of concrete suggestion and ideas of reducing your supply.

What geographical areas would be next on your list for support meetings? Perhaps you could call some outlying cities and reach a Leader in person?

[MomtoJoss]

I have been very disappointed in the response I have received. I emailed another moderator about it before I posted and I still have not received a response from them. I am glad I wasn't at the end of the breastfeeding rope and looking for help.
I looked and there is a group in Oak Ridge, TN (about 30 minutes away) but it appears they only meet during the day and I go back to work next Monday so I will not be able to do a "day" meeting. The other groups near by are still one and a half to two hours away.

[LLLSerena]

I'm so sorry to hear you didn't get the support you were looking for! As Leaders we do the best we can to stay present for our volunteer work.

It sounds like you have a meeting alternative, but the time will exclude you? Have you considered any mothering groups locally or maybe some breastfeeding support groups that meet in your local hospital? I'm not sure if you have those in your area?

At any rate we are very happy to have you participate here with us, and I feel certain you could connect with other mothers here. Our forum is small but our information is solid and strong.

How has nursing your little one been the last few days? Any changes?

[LittlePinkDog]

Originally Posted by MomtoJoss

I will work 8-5 Monday-Friday. I have access to pump whenever I need to and I have a Medela Pump in Style to take with me. I'm not the first person to do this so they are pretty accepting and understanding. The owner breastfed her daughter for the first year so she knows how much better it is for the baby. I'm pretty lucky that way.

That's great!

Originally Posted by MomtoJoss

Things are getting better. I have stopped draining the breast when I pump, unless I pump instead of breastfeeding her (when my husband is giving her a bottle). She is eating longer and is not choking as much when she is eating.

That's a good sign! Have things continued to improve?

Originally Posted by MomtoJoss

We have started giving her a bottle right before bed so that we make sure she gets the hindmilk as well as the foremilk. It has helped her sleep better when she gets to sleep but she still needs to cuddle a lot because she misses the contact. Poor baby.

Cuddles are important, too!

There's no need to pump in order to assure she gets enough hindmilk. Actually, pumping can sometimes make the situation worse (overproduction) since a baby can regulate their own intake and will not take more milk than they need.

It may help to know this--all breastmilk is hindmilk. The only difference between hindmilk and foremilk is that some of the fat globules in what we know as foremilk has stuck to the walls of the milk producing glands. As the milk lets down, the fat gets dislodged and is mixed back in with the milk as it's squeezed through the ducts and out the nipple pores. Kellymom describes the change as turning out the hot water faucet in your sink. It starts out cool then warms up pretty quickly.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fo...-hindmilk.html
A more in depth explanation can be found here:
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/foremilk.html

Are you concerned that your baby is getting more foremilk than hindmilk?

Originally Posted by MomtoJoss

I'm not excited about going back to work because I am going to miss her soo much. It will be easier for me to be apart from her when I need ME time, though I guess.

It's perfectly normal to not want to be away from your baby. Babies and mothers have an intense need to be together. That feeling often surprises mothers (I know it surprised ME! ). Just enjoy this time and maximize your togetherness whenever possible. These days pass much too quickly.

Originally Posted by MomtoJoss

Thanks for all your help. I emailed a moderator a while ago to see if they were active in my area but I still haven't heard back from them with an answer. I'm kind of disappointed in the response that I have gotten from everyone but you!

This is such an unusual situation! I'm so sorry it's been so difficult for you to find local support and I hope an answer as to the status of group is found. I completely understand your frustration and disappointment in the situation thus far.

I'm glad I was able to help a little.

Hang in there! Let us know how things are going for you.

[LLLSerena]

Hi MomtoJoss!


I looked at the link to the Oak Ridge meetings: http://www.llleus.org/web/OakRidgeTn.html and left a msg there with the Leader Cathy.

I also did a little looking around and it looks like Nashville has a large amount of Leaders: http://www.llleus.org/web/NashvilleTn.html The list includes 9 Leaders. I realize it might be too great a distance to attend meetings, but perhaps a phone call to this group would offer you the direct support you need? I feel certain these women will come up with more ideas about how to connect to mothers in your area.

LLLserena

[LLLSerena]

A little update

LLL of Oak Ridge meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, Tn. In Feb they will be meeting the THIRD Thursday due to conflicts at the church.