Payton has been nursing less and less over the past month. I honestly think that he's using me more as a pacifier to get to sleep more than anything. He *may* be getting an ounce at a time - not enough for any nutritional value.

This past week he has been sick and super stuffy and not wanting to nurse at all. My milk is nearly gone - but it's still lingering a bit. I haven't felt a let down in almost a week.

I rented a hospital grade pump to pump after he BF's to try to up my supply, but I'm not thinking I even want to try. It's such a hassle. I got it yesterday, but have yet to use it. I think I may return it tomorrow.

My dilemma is that he's not getting much from a sippy or a cup during the day - but I haven't been encouraging it, either. He gets so much formula at night - nearly 29 ounces - so he's good for the day with fluids.

So... do I try to pump to up my supply just so he can get a few ounces during the day or do I let my supply diminish on its own, let him use me as a pacifier to sleep (which I'm OK with) and encourage the cup more during the day? Is it even possible to resurrect a milk supply to a level where it would be enough of nutrition after it has started to dry up on its own? I don't think he would even take it, though. He's been pulling away at the breast when I do have a let down. So do I even try? Is he self-weaning?

I'm so torn.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

I want to do what's best for him - maybe weaning and pushing the cup would be best... that may be the difference between getting him off of the darn G-Tube sooner. Dammit. I'm just so sad. I really enjoy breastfeeding. But if he doesn't want it... I can't force it. :sad5:

That is a tough one. The best advice I ever heard was that breast feeding is a team effort and both members have to want to do it, for it to work. He may be ready to wean on his own. As far as what is best for him, I am sure he will be fine either way. With the goal being getting him off the tube it would probably be a good idea to push the cup during the day even if you do continue to breast feed, since that is the way he will be drinking long term.

I did not BF, most of my friends who did, stopped because their child was not longer interested. I am sure it is a hard decision, good luck.

Sounds like he could be self weaning!
There are ways to up your supply but if he isn't that interested anymore would it be worth the hassle?
It must be hard to give up bf, i know i enjoy it too although it is a challeage to feed her sometimes but it has def helped on the reflux front.
Good luck whtever you decide:hug:

:) bump

This is where Ava and I are right now!:hug: I know exactly how torn you are...it's totally our snuggle time!

But, she's only doing "drive-bys", nursing for like literally 30 seconds at a time, and it's just becoming kind of annoying, I hate to say. She'll nurse for 2-3 minutes if she's sleepy or hurts herself, but that's about it. I've still got a pretty full supply...LOL, I'll be lactating forever! I'm ok w/ how things are now, I'm trying to work more on the sippy cup too, but like you said, I'm ok being the pacifier for now...I doubt in our case that it will even last much longer...she'll be 19 mos on the 4th, and she gets "busier" by the day. She just doesn't have as much time for me now!:sad5: I'm always trying to push fluids on her, and I know she gets enough overnight, so I don't worry too much about the not nursing...I'll just follow her lead, I guess.