Being separated from your baby while breastfeeding is the worst. Any new mom who’s had to take a business trip knows the importance of sticking to a pumping schedule, the hassle of storing milk and the pain of engorgement when you can’t nurse on demand. But what does it feel like to be separated from your baby for much longer than the duration of a standard business trip? Say, for the length of a reality TV show season, for instance? For former Cosby Show actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, the experience was enough to have her begging to leave Celebrity Big Brother.
Rather than pleading for her fellow contestants to save her when either she or Omarosa Manigault faced elimination after five episodes, Pulliam made an impassioned request to leave and go home to her baby. She says that while she’s been “pumping religiously,” all the time away from 1-year-old Ella Grace depleted her milk supply.
“I’ve fought very hard in this game and I really wanted to compete, but the truth of the matter is, my breast milk has continued to deplete since I’ve been here,” she said through tears. “'There’s nothing more important than my baby, so I apologize, but please use whatever ounce of compassion you have to send me home.”
Wondering why Pulliam’s milk supply is starting to dry up even if she’s pumping? A variety of factors can come into play. For starters, if nursing was her normal routine before coming on the show, exclusive pumping won’t quite do the trick to maintain production levels. And because her daughter is older, Pulliam’s body may be almost ready to wean.
“At this point I am her main source of food—my daughter has really stuck to breast milk,” Pulliam said. “I’m a very competitive person, however $250,000, or any amount of money, is not worth my baby.”
To work on increasing her milk supply, Pulliam can try a variety of galactogogues—foods and herbs that are thought to help with lactation, from oatmeal to Fenugreek. But if 7 to 10 days go by without any milk at all, it’s probably gone for good.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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