Bless you Louise!

A most reasonable response.  I have been breastfeeding Josh for nearly nine
months, working for last 5.    I have had considerable  variation in my milk
supply, particularly when I am on call and post call.  I work  16 clinical
hours per week, do another 9 hours per week of consulting/teaching and take
call two weekdays per month and one three day weekend block every two months.

Even with this "reduced" schedule I am EXHAUSTED.

Part of it is fatigue, but I think a large part is the stress of a single mom
trying to juggle everything.  My breast pump goes everywhere when Josh is not
with me.  I do my best to pump at least q 3 hours (otherwise my milk supply
drops precipitously) when I am away from him  (I try to work half days as
much as possible, only one straight 8 hour day every other week).  Josh
breastfeeds as often as he wants, he has lots of opportunity for nutritive
and non nutritive sucking ( we also do reverse-cycle breastfeeding). However
sometimes I have to have a little help from herbs-  thank goodness for
fenugeek and oatmeal:)!

It's tough but I have no regrets!  Breastfeeding has been one of the most
amazing life experiences for me.  Learning lots of "practical pediatrics."

Pierrette Mimi Poinsett MD FAAP
Modesto CA