Breastfeeding Struggles ⎮ IGT (Mammary Hypoplasia) Diagnosis ⎮ Part 1

I am opening up about the struggles I've had with breastfeeding and why it's been taking over my life recently. Talk about my diagnosis and the ways that it has affected me.
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[@souliekaghazi744]

I’m going through all of the same things! It’s been heartbreaking, exhausting, and overwhelming. IGT, tongue and lip tie, shallow latch. I’ve been taking teas, tinctures, supplements, drinking liquids, doing allll the things! Triple feeding has been rough, but still doing the best I can do produce anything at all. I’m with ya, girl! Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@raggedilly]

I’m still nursing my son, who is almost two, and I’m pregnant with my second. I feel like you are telling me my own story right now. I ended up supplementing, but now we just nurse for comfort mainly. I finally looked up how to know you might have IGT and I found my way here. I’m like 99% sure I have it. I really appreciate you making this video! I did make peace with not being able to exclusively breastfeed my son, but it was brutal for me emotionally. I would love to save myself the hurt in this next postpartum phase - I will still breastfeed, but potentially knowing that I don’t have to power pump and all of that if it’s not going to work, that would make a tremendous difference this time around.

[@lindylee-lo4536]

I am 60 and still feel guilty and a failure 😞 for not being able to feed my 👶 my breasts never developed at puberty although I got my periods at 10🤭my breasts NEVER changed at all during pregnancy…no increase whatsoever 🤦🏼‍♀️and no milk ever came in after birth…I thought I was doing ok but my baby lost a whole pound in 10 days…I felt (and still do) a freak…not a complete woman 👩 or mother…awful condition…I kept thinking..what if we were on a stranded island?…my baby would of starved…so envious of women that could and can feed🥲

[@jessicagill5506]

Same

[@crystalpeloquin6710]

Thank you for being so open about your journey! I have had very similar struggles with my own littles - not because of IGT, but because I had a bilateral breast reduction in 2010. I was able to nurse Amelia for a few days and Kieran for a week before my supply dropped off to the point where we were mostly formula feeding. And even though I knew we would probably end up formula feeding Kieran after my experience with Amelia, I still cried for days because it is SUCH an emotional thing to deal with. So you are not alone in your struggles! I'm glad you are getting the support you need and making this about what you want for you and the baby. 🤟

[@TheStews]

Yeah, it's definitely hard, but getting my diagnosis was helpful. I'm sorry you had to go through that emotional hardship with your babes. It sucks when it's what you want to do and you can't. At least we know our littles are strong and healthy children. Much love!

[@minbaridel44]

I went through the same struggles when I had my kids, way before that diagnosis had a name, after seeing this video I know that was my problem, I had tried everything I could to nurse, but never had enough milk, no matter what I tried to do to help. I was crushed every time I failed and didn’t know why. I continued to try for all three of my kids, it always ended in frustration and sadness. I’m sorry your going through this. At least you know what it is, not that that helps, but your not alone. My middle child had a high pallet and had trouble latching, so it was a double stressor. It’s harder for the mom that wants to do it naturally, Keep doing what your doing, your a great mom. 😊

[@TheStews]

Wow, it must have been very frustrating for you having that for all your kids and no answers. I'm so happy I could get an answer, even if it was a hard one. We are taking it one day at a time. Thank you so much for all your kind words and support.

[@misssarah1226]

I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t alone. I suspect that I may have IGT but haven’t been dx yet. Sending you hugs!

[@betsysmith9176]

I suspect I do too. My first birth my little one was born prematurely and was already getting formula in the NICU, so my breastfeeding struggles were never taken seriously and I had nearly no support aside from "Pump every two hours and try harder." It secretly broke my heart. I am currently pregnant with my second, and am preparing myself and educating myself so that I can advocate for my options. I hope you found something that helps you in the end. Thank you for sharing such a personal video.

[@biancagutu5790]

It’s been almost a year since you posted this. Wondering what the outcome was. How long did you continue breastfeeding? I’m in the middle of a triple feed hell and they suggest to do it for 3 months.

[@jessicagill5506]

Thank you for this video. I love your calm attitude. My first born is Niko too. I was unable to breastfeed him at the hospital and I got donor milk. This is my second time and I have the same exact thing going on. I am only able to pump 3oz at a time. Tried everything. Supplementing with formula. I wish I could get a diagnosis. Most doctors have never heard of IGT. I am really sad about it. I dreamed of breastfeeding.

[@sundaybecklyne9245]

Here in Africa they don't even belief something like IGT exist.

[@macyroseallen]

I always love your baby update videos, my wife was pregnant with our second at the same time as you, just ever so slightly behind. She’s currently 37 weeks, with gestational diabetes. The doctors said if the baby doesn’t come naturally by 39 weeks they are going to induce. Also, lots of parallels there. You’re two women with two children, my wife and I are two women with (about to be) two children. You’re an interpreter, I’m currently in school to become an interpreter. Best of luck going forward, hopefully everything turns out okay 👌🏻

[@TheStews]

Wow, we are a lot alike. Hope all goes well with the birth and good luck on your schooling!

[@macyroseallen]

The Stews thank you!! She was actually induced on Saturday and gave birth yesterday at 10:41. Healthy baby girl.

[@Keepsmilingboo]

I’ve had similar struggles with first baby and I really really hope I don’t have this issue with the second and you’re story is helping me understand that baby 2 might not be different 😢maybe it will be less of a hit if I prepare mentally

[@inekogary8870]

I am so truly truly sorry for everything you’re going through with the breast-feeding. I know breast-feeding formed a bond between you and your baby. And not being able to breast-feed I know it makes you feel really bad. But I am so glad you went and found out what was wrong. And again I am so truly truly sorry that you can’t breast-feed. I hope you have a great day today and a blessed week. Sending you lots of love from me and my guide dog to you and your wonderful family.🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️

[@TheStews]

Yeah, we are doing okay. I still am able to BF, but just supplement and that has been working for us.

[@mroxannevh]

I wasn't diagnosed until my 3rd baby...its quite heartbreaking. all 3 babies lost weight in the same way. my ibclc offered an ultrasound on my breasts to see if they could find anything but I declined because I was so tired and just wanted to enjoy my baby. ty for your video. I'm pregnant with my 4th and I'm not sure I'm going to try at all.

[@TheStews]

Sorry it took so long to find out for you. Yes, it is very hard to accept and handle. I figure if I had another baby, I would just automatically supplement and do weighted fees earlier. I would have things in place and not get my hopes up. It's all about the mental game for me. If I handle it mentally, then that's what's important. Good luck and congrats on baby #4!

[@Celisheba]

I am sorry for your struggle. 😔 I could nurse my first baby just only five weeks, he lost so much weight when he was one month. Now when I look at pictures from that time, he looked so tiny and so small with a big head. So we went to formula. After that he prefered the bottle instead for breastfeeding. And gained a lot in weight. My milk was not enough for him, I remember feeling sad about it. Luckily I was able to breastfeed my second for 11 months. We never know how it will be, but I know we can get the bonding also by bottle feeding and when being with the baby for another reason. You are the best for your baby. Simple as that. 👍

[@TheStews]

Thank you, yeah it's been tough, but we are doing okay now. I still wish I could EBF, but will take what I can. We have definitely bonded even if it isn't exactly the way I wanted.

[@sundaybecklyne9245]

I thought i was alone but seeing all these comments and women who have similar stories to mine... I feel a little bit normal😅

[@mickiecamp6855]

I am very sorry to hear you aren’t able to breastfeed. It makes me sad to see you so upset. Bless your heart, I have never heard of IGT myself so it’s interesting. Hang in there! Hugggggs

[@TheStews]

Thanks so much for the support. Yes, it is hard, but we are just hanging in there for as long as we can.

[@kaseywood8173]

I definitely think I have IGT... I've tried everything. It's definitely emotional .. I feel like an absolute failure and no one as far as doctors are helping me. I feel so guilty and like I'm failing my son by not being able to provide him with enough milk... pumping on top of feeding him through a bottle because he has a shallow latch as well is a full time job in and of itself. For as little milk as I get, it's so frustrating to not be able to even feed him half of what he demands. I wanted to give him the best possible start to life and now I feel like I'm not doing that.

[@margaretandersen9914]

Your story is very similar to mine; I couldn't breastfeed my first baby and attributed it to a lot of things, including her NICU stay, my young age, and ignorance. I pulled out all the stops with my second, but he was super hungry and getting dehydrated and an LC mentioned IGT. It was depressing and I just gave up after about 2 months. With all the herbs and domperidone I pumped no more than 12 oz a day. I made the decision to just go immediately to formula with my 3rd baby, and in many ways it was a lot easier, both on baby and on my psyche. I'm still trying to decide what to do with #4. Please update us!

[@roadhouse_blues8081]

I was able to 12oz a day and then with twins , days were so busy..i lost 14kgs in just two weeks of c section...i have now stopped producing 12oz as well, it's significantly dropping everyday...today i was able to produce only 4oz..i don't even want to pump anymore.its so disappointing and frustrating..

[@crhea1293]

Thank you for making this! This is me...I thought I was broken :(

[@jhellygirl]

It is very true it is very emotional I feel like I cheated my child with what she needed. I did try everything too, I didn't even know I had a problem until I gave birth. I am very thankful of formula and that she did great even with only a few drops of breast milk. My daughter is q now but I still blame my self sometimes why I can't breastfeed. So I never judge mothers who had to formula feed their child.

[@Cherrycola14]

Having IGT with a tongue tied kid verses not, makes a huge difference. My 1st with ties I was only making 10% of his needs my 2nd not having a tie I'm making 50%, I'm on donperidone, oats, Brewers yeast, tinchers,

[@hopeforthebarren]

How’d you do with dom?

[@rachaeljohnson9583]

Awe girl I stuggled sooo much with my baby!! I couldn't get him to latch for nothing and when he did he didn't take in enough at a time. I was an over producer after the first month from pumping.. so I was lucky enough to pump and be able to feed him and a friend's baby for 14 months. It's so emotionally draining thinking you can't do what your body was meant for made me so depressed. I remember just sitting there crying trying to feed him. 😔 I seen 4 different lactation nurses to try and figure out how to get him to latch. Went once a week to my local hospital to there free lactation class for 6 months. 6 months I knew he would never latch properly 😪. They never diagnosed him with any issues either no cleft no ties. I do swear by oats and brownie mix with brewers yeast and flaxseed meal. But if you do have that like your Dr said it probably won't help to boost the only true thing was just pumping the first 3 months I pumped every 2 hours for 20 min then fed him then Refrigerated/froze the rest then took it to every 3 to 4 for the first year then slowly weened down. I also did power pump which was pumping for 20 min rest for 10 pump another 20 rest for 10 then pump again for another 20. It's supposed to mimic them going through a growth spurt and signaling the body to make more. Regardless a happy feed baby is best and your an awesome momma!! Keep your head up !! HUGS!!

[@TheStews]

Yeah, I definitely did try the pumping on top of feeding and power pumping too. I just don't have the supply. Maybe if we have another it will go up a bit more (as it often does with each kid). Probably never enough though for EBF. But every little bit counts!

[@officiallyjess5291]

If u have IGT but normal prolactin does that mean breastfeeding will be hard still?

[@sundaybecklyne9245]

My baby is two months and i cry everyday cause no matter what I do, no milk comes out. I cry sometimes because it's really painful 😭 being unable to breastfed. What can you do when your get constipated due to formula milk?

[@alexandert123456]

Thank you so much for your story! We are going through similar milk production/tongue tie struggles. Did you end up getting the tongue tie corrected and did it make any difference for you?

[@TheStews]

I unfortunately did not get the tongue/lip ties fixed. He wasn’t on our dental insurance and it would have been expensive. Plus I don’t think it would have made a difference. I didn’t produce more even pumping.

[@alexandert123456]

@@TheStews Makes sense... I don't make enough pumping either but have an appointment to get her tie fixed next week. Just hoping to improve the milk transfer so she can maybe get more from me and I maybe can pump less? Here's hoping. Currently I'm supplementing at the breast with a supplemental nursing system (with my pumped and donated milk) and then pumping after. I also watched your review of the elvie pump which was super helpful! You mentioned planning to review other pumps, did you ever end up making those videos? Did you have a favourite pump that helped you get the most milk out?

[@beetles1964]

I was lucky in terms of supply (though I have a sister who I think has IGT), but I had lots of pain and even once I generally no longer had pain, I kept getting milk blebs! They are the worst!

[@TheStews]

OMG the blebs are horrid! I'm hoping I don't get anymore.

[@gilbertonino5703]

Try learning The Medical Medium. :)

[@TheFrugivorediet]

no offence but it sounds more like an obesity issue actually

[@magnoliam4159]

It’s not obesity. My breasts never developed properly at puberty. I wasn’t obese then. They were uneven so it was obvious. But I didn’t know until I had my first baby six weeks ago that I had igt and can’t exclusively breast feed. I do have PCOS and weight issues now as an adult.. but looking back I can see that PCOS and insulin resistance was obviously a factor back then before it was obvious and probably the root cause of the IGT.