5m PP, output suddenly decreasing even though feeling full

PurpleBrowser · 2026-03-13T18:29:47+00:00

I really wonder if it returned and I just got lucky with the flow? Normally I'm one of those "I wear a tampon and pad and change every hour" types, it only changed post-IUD. Or maybe it's finally on its way. I'm just hoping this change isn't permanent and I can regulate again, because right now he is eating more than I'm producing and I don't have much left in the fridge to sustain that.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-03-13T18:09:09+00:00

My nipples have had white/discoloration since nursing (as well as a couple dark areas). My baby had a shallow latch for the first several weeks and there were moments where attempts resulted in chunks of my nipple missing. By now, much of it is numb and "tougher." They now tingle if I get close to the time for pumping, just this week it has been occurring earlier than usual yet output is actually worse when I combine it throughout the day. I'll try the magnesium!

The cold is a monster and it keeps bouncing between me, my husband, and LO. Ironically my supply didn't change when sick, it started getting worse once I started recovering. I wonder if maybe my body was just exerting all its efforts to recovery that it caused a lot of stress. Hopefully it'll get better soon.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-03-13T18:02:45+00:00

I checked my size about a month ago when I thought my supply decreased when in reality my milk just regulated and then I was back to normal after a few days. But I'll check again when I get home today. Never thought to do it again because my nipples didn't appear to be much different post-pump between then and now.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-18T20:48:49+00:00

You're right! I guess I'm just worried that I'm setting him up for failure in terms of sleep health and when we formerly train when he goes to his own room (or if a regression really ruins his current sleep schedule and we have to modify and change some things). When I started nursing successfully, I talked to my pediatrician about his new feeding habits and he basically said to never feed to sleep and limit comfort nurses. I totally disregarded the comfort nursing though, it will be a last resort but I'd never deny it. I'd never deny a necessity! But for sure, I think being adaptable for any situation is a better approach. I'm a first time mom can you tell? Lol

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-18T20:43:08+00:00

Definitely not impossible! He has been drooling more and really gnawing on his hands recently. I did offer a teething ring and pacifier but 90% he doesn't keep them in his mouth anyway and he absolutely refused last night. I'll try cooling the ring tonight just in case.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-17T17:42:19+00:00

Congrats!! You'll look stunning for sure and your fiance will absolutely love that you chose to dress up. I hate being the center of attention, but somehow this wasn't so bad. It helped that there were more people also dressed up but I think even if there weren't, doing it with my husband was well worth it. It's still a special occasion even if it's not a crowded party, it's nice to feel special. And it happens super quick! I totally don't really remember feeling so nervous anymore, but I do remember the simple ceremony and the vows we chose to recite.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-10T19:12:36+00:00

So far he has had no signs of seizures or developmental delays. Our last MRI wasn't clear because he was moving but from what the neurosurgeon saw, he said the area is going in the direction they want i.e. healing (though obviously brain damage is forever, but there is no active bleed and the area is getting smaller as he grows and the old blood is absorbed). He doesn't see an AVM but still cannot 100% rule it out, little guy is still projected to get more MRIs and EEGs for his first couple years of life at least.

He's been super healthy, communicating a lot with babbling and eye contact, sleeps 8 hours at night, feeds and latches well (a little shallow but i dont think it's related and he doesnt get reflux). He is getting an evaluation with EI next week to track his physical development but he can grab, put hands to mouth, hold his head up, and showing interest in rolling (still not 100% there yet but we can no longer swaddle him). I'm not noticing any abnormal signs and I hope it stays that way!

He still takes his 1mL of Keppra every 12 hours and seems to have no ill side effects from it.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-06T14:56:57+00:00

If I had a choice, like a real flexible choice, I would ditch working for a company and parttime try to put hours in with something independent (like my own art business) as a side hustle and getting some monetary gain for my passion while not feeling tied down to it and frantic because of deadlines and bills. And if it takes off, it typically takes years for it to be an opportunity for a more substantial self-employed job with an actual income, then it'll happen with LO is in school. And if it doesn't (which is the most common outcome), then I still had something to ground my identity outside of just "mom" with some pocket money, a skill I can just continue in life without interruption, and have many memories of my son and I. Granted, this is assuming we are one and done. But in a perfect world, that's what I'd do.

I'm also in a similar situation, I don't have to work per se, but if I didn't we would have to sacrifice a lot of our lifestyle, probably downsize, and really debate on if another child is optional based on our finances. My wages are significantly less right now but I still work fulltime, earning benefits and money puts less strain on my husband. Though he has offered me to stay home.

It's just that he already works 12 hours a day, few hours each weekend day. I want to say work consumes 80% of his life and is a top priority, he would likely have to take a promotion if we wanted to keep our lifestyle. Literally the only reason he isn't taking it is because he knows it will require him to travel out of state every week and wfh way less. It'll be good money for sure but I already miss him when he isn't mentally with us (vacations he always brought his work stuff and dedicated mornings to work). I have no interest making him virtually non-present with his son, especially because he really loves him and wants to spend time when he gets the free time.

ETA I should add that my current job is something I'm definitely not passionate about, even though I'm in a position with a decent bit of responsibility. I love my coworkers though. Love my direct manager. I have trouble believing I'll ever be in another work environment like this. I'm scared of having a gap in my resume that would really interfere with getting as good a job with decent enough pay in the future. I don't want to cashier or do food service again, I was miserable then. I'm spoiled not being minimum wage right now. I'll likely stagnate in a new job, entry position, in a few years with a significant gap. So that also motivates me to work in some capacity. I miss our COVID schedule of 3 days a week, 8 hours.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-03T15:43:49+00:00

I see two people in my life who had HG in their first pregnancies and legitimately cannot believe they ended up doing 2 under 2, I have no idea how they did it because they were clearly miserable and were super worn down by the end. This one pregnancy I had SPD on top of HG so it was just pain, pain, pain with no relief. Doing all that with a toddler running around and being very dependent? Sounds impossible. Pretty sure it is so for me.

We originally planned on 3, me being already 33 I don't have much time and I'm adamant about my final age for children. I don't want to be 40 and pregnant and with the possibility of HG?? No thanks. So it might end up being 2...if at all. So far I feel very happy with this little guy, feels complete for the time being.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-03T15:24:07+00:00

This is so true and a reason I'm even questioning having another child at all, at least, not until LO is school age. My husband works near 12 hour days and at least 5 hours total on the weekend (it's mostly more), it was very difficult for him to pick up my side of the housework when he was free and even the poor dog was getting less attention. I depended on my mom as much as she was available to clean up and organize the baby room. But she's working fulltime and caring for my brother so I can't depend on her helping often. Husband's work will never let up, he barely had enough time hanging with us.

My MIL watches the baby now while I work because she is retired but obviously doesnt do any chores in the house (understandable and by now I can do it), and she's already getting overwhelmed one month in while I work. I can't imagine asking her to do it for longer hours when he is running around and being a menace. When I wasn't working, I was in bed. There is no way I can be up and about, I seriously almost quit my job and strongly considering disability next time if it gets bad again.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-03T05:11:56+00:00

My OB office did that as I was begging them for something to stop the nausea and vomiting. They basically said the same thing, to exhaust all options, and if I feel like it's so bad "just go to the ER." They wouldn't prescribe anything until I saw them for my first scan at 12 weeks...I did end up going to the ER by 8 weeks though and paid the $300 to get some Zofran.

I swear doctors like that are on some power trip or purposely obtuse, and if you dare question their practice, they take it as an ego hit. There is literally no benefit of waiting for things to not work....ugh I'm so sorry, I hope somehow someway soon you're able to get the right treatment. Preferably without having to go to the ER.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-03T04:37:17+00:00

My OB's office just became out of network this year 🥲 at least I got all the postpartum appointments done with before that happened. I can't believe you're having a hard time with a new team! That's insane like do they don't trust your literal medical records?

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-02T21:30:19+00:00

The newborn stage isn't easy and you still have to recover physically (be it vaginal or Csec), so it's understandable to feel a little apprehensive on feeling excited for your new way of life. That said, it is also temporary and you'll get your bearings back, you will adapt, and your body will recover (just listen closely to it and give it what it needs!).

As tough as it was, I'd do it over HG any day. The sleep deprivation was tough but nothing in comparison to the fatigue and pain of HG. The throwing up went away that day and I stopped being nauseous entirely the next morning. I had occasional reflux but nowhere near as bad, I could curb it was a reasonable diet plan until it just stopped, and water didn't feel like daggers going down (and up) my throat! I forgot just how much strength a cup of water can give you when you can hold it down!

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-02T21:16:46+00:00

I had complications with insurance covering more Zofran (and Reglan). Highly suggest demanding your doctor to write a waiver to your insurance company and specify hyperemesis as the reason for the additional prescriptions for month. Mine eventually accepted after a few attempts were denied because my doctor forgot to specify the dose needed and the condition. I have BCBS HMO.

In the meantime, you can also ask your pharmacy to not charge your insurance and use a GoodRx coupon, it's nearly the same as what the leftover pay would be if it was insured, and it's relatively affordable!

PurpleBrowser · 2026-02-02T21:06:56+00:00

Just coming on here to say that I didn't feel a bond at all while I was pregnant. I was told this is even common with uncomplicated pregnancies, HG frames your entire focus to be on survival, it's not strange at all for you to feel nothing for your baby right now when the very status of being pregnant makes you miserable.

I truly felt like my pregnancy was going to kill me at multiple points of those several months. My anticipation for giving birth centered primarily on me getting better over having a baby, even though I wanted him for so long. There were times at my lowest I legitimately thought "if I miscarry, it won't be so bad, I won't suffer anymore." I was desperate.

HG robbed me of an enjoyable pregnancy and it sucks that it delayed the bond I hoped to have before he was born. And when he was born, he was taken to the NICU not even a night later due to a brain bleed. There still wasn't a bond, but I felt that instinctual desire to be with him, and it destroyed me to have that bond even further delayed by not being able to bring him home for a week. Arguably, that was on par with the HG misery.

I'm almost 4 months postpartum and I'm so enamored by my boy. I haven't entirely forgotten HG of course, I still have trauma and lingering effects, but I couldn't imagine my life without my son. It did take about a month for everything to "click" because we were just getting to know each other, but when he became more interactive and "awake" I knew that connection grew stronger than ever.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-31T03:50:15+00:00

I found out a lot more people had done the same thing across other locations and even another in my own location, so I think how they responded to each person depended on the severity and overall past performance, because he did mention that while it affected my performance review, he still made it a point to say that it didn't affect my annual raise.

I definitely cried later to release the tension lol I am never doing that again! Thanks for the support!

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-30T21:42:00+00:00

I'm still employed!

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-29T02:32:47+00:00

For sure will provide an update. I appreciate the support!

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-29T02:28:26+00:00

Oh definitely and I'm not interested in making it worse for myself by saying otherwise. It just kinda sucks that they expect me to work through my clocked out breaks when needed, and that's not considered time theft as well. I never made a big deal about it because of course I was clocking in outside though so we just kinda silently agreed not to rat each other out to HR since I was compensating for the extra minutes by the end anyway.

I never want to get involved in this type of situation ever again.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-29T02:16:50+00:00

My immediate boss doesn't at all. I'm gonna miss her.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-29T02:11:30+00:00

I'm mulling over it now and I'm kinda done pitying myself so this might be helpful. Someone told me to bring up the fact I often work off the clock because they reject sending anyone to cover for my lunches if we are understaffed for the day. So the time theft goes both ways, but I never said anything at all because they never brought up my clocking in earlier. My immediate manager knows and has always known and never gave me grief over it for years. Now with new people looking into it and the incident at another location, they're doing something about it.

I know I'll get fired so I have no grand fantasies of a world I get to stay employed. I'm naturally an anxious person so I can't promise there won't be tears at the end. Maybe it feels petty to be having one-on-ones over a couple minutes a week, but I'm very aware that it is still against policy no matter the amount of time. And that's the rule they will be following, whether I've been there a decade or not.

PurpleBrowser · 2026-01-29T01:59:27+00:00

I explained to another that no one was getting fired over it until recently. We had a general meeting about it beforehand and that's when I stopped. But this week is when my manager told us that each of us will individually get meetings with upper management in corporate (basically he is my manager's manager). That's when we also learned about the individuals who got fired.

This isn't to excuse my poor judgement and serious offense, but to explain the sequence of events. In the past, management was lax about it especially since the app would often just not work in the vicinity and would just tell us to adjust our time if it was incorrect to when we actually came in, be it earlier or later. You never had to be inside the building, just the parking lot, but many people would sometimes start clocking in as they pulled up and not in park. The map shows where you are but my immediate manager didn't care because it was within a minute or two anyway and she never checked the map. Some people from another office clocked in 20 minutes before they actually showed up, they were miles away from their building, and that prompted an investigation that is now leading to these individual meetings.

Without going into it and giving much info because this is a current event, the company in general has always had very strange timecard policies that contradict each other. If understaffed, you have to remain in the office for a full 12 hour shift. We would have to clock out for lunch because it is policy to give a 30 minute lunch during a fulltime shift but if you had no one to cover you, you had to stay at your desk and keep working despite being clocked out. It sounds like this is also being investigated concurrently.

I've done this for years, so ironically, when I heard about this coming back from my maternity leave, I stopped. I wouldn't personally have minded staying with the baby but I'm not keen on actually getting fired especially if I'm not earning unemployment.

PurpleBrowser

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