Meg,
I agree with you 100% regarding choosing the word 'starving'. When the pediatrician said that, it just hurt my heart; to hear someone say that my child is starving, it makes me feel as if I'm not providing enough nutrients/food for her, as if I'm a bad mother! But you are right, other children out there in other parts of the world are starving.
The fenugreek pills seem to be working because dd has been at the breast for a longer period of time and swallowing more. As for pumping after bf, I've noticed that I've had to compress while pumping to let out more milk, which hasn't been an issue before - so I'm thinking it could be some sort of pumping troubleshooting?
As for her eczema, the allergist did a food allergy blood and skin test. DD experienced hives aside from the eczema when it came to sesame seeds and wheat (wheat flour). She's highly allergic to peanuts as well, so to be on the safe side we have excluded tree nuts from my diet along with my daughter's. We are trying to put some foods back into dd's diet, but still having ezcema flare ups (last attempt was yesterday with cheese which caused a skin flare up on her face).
I am also looking into a new sitter since our current one keeps pushing us towards feeding our daughter formula. She claims formula tastes better than bm (I'm sure she's never tried bm if she's saying that!). It's hard (irritating and annoying) having people around me pushing for formula all the time! Husband, family, in-laws, strangers, etc. It's also hard to find someone who is willing to watch dd for long periods of time when I'm on rotation (husband works 10hrs/day as well). Hopefully we will find someone soon...
Mommal,
That is a good point you bring up; supplementing with ebm. The only problem is that dd won't take it from a bottle. We have tried sippy cups and open cups just as Meg suggested, but she drinks less than an ounce from it and will start blowing bubbles and playing with it. I don't have much supply stored in the refrigerator, let alone after pumping and would hate to have to discard the leftover milk she plays with - is it ok to safely store the milk back in the fridge for another one time use even after she blows bubbles in the milk? I'm worried about bacterial colonization because of her saliva and backwashing.
Undergroundmuse,
Thanks for your input! I've started pumping again after bf; the most I am able to express is 1.5mls total - hopefully this will maintain if not increase supply. I have tried different types of bottles with their specific nipples, but am not sure if they were all the same flow rate; some seems to spill out faster than others (all same stages though, so I'll look into changing to different flow rates!). DD's on a hypoallergenic formula (neocate) which doesn't contain dairy or soy from what it says in the ingredients section, and you are correct!! Hypoallergenic formula tastes yucky, bm is definitely sweeter. It's also comforting knowing that there are others out there that are, or were in a situation like I am and have overcome it and have a healthy little baby!
In general:
As for a second opinion, we're looking into it. With the current pediatrician, she seemed to favor bf more than formula when we first met her. Maybe she's concerned about my supply and suggested formula for daughter's sake?
Is it possible that because I'm not eating enough calories it has an effect on nutrients as well?