New mom...Getting milk supply back?

[NicoleandBrian]

Hello again everyone! I recently had my first baby. Anne Frances was born December 27th!

For those of you who have any knowledge of breastfeeding and pumping.....

I was wondering if a milk supply can be brought back up if a woman hadn't been feeding/pumping much lately.

You see, my baby was in the NICU for a week and a half, mostly for monitoring as she was 39 weeks and didn't have a major problem. She just needed to learn the suck, swallow, breathe pattern while eating the first 2 days.

Anyway, because of that, breastfeeding didn't get going as I had planned since we weren't together. I was pumping as much as I could and once we got home I found it hard to keep up since we had visitors helping (I had a c-section and needed some help) and then the days I was alone I never had 2 hands and 20 minutes to be able to do it. I was hoping to switch from mostly formula to pumped milk and breastfeeding but my supply is down to about an ounce combined!

How can I increase it to be able to keep up with my baby? She's 3 1/2 weeks old and eating 4 ounces (formula) about every 4 hours.

Thank you!!

[jen74145]

Congratulations! Eee, new baby softness and teeny new feet.... *swoon*

Fenugreek tea, mother's milik tea, and oats are known to give a good boost. It's supply and demand, so I would probably try to get her latched as often as possible. Truthfully, the baby will extract much more milk than you will ever get by pumping. Breasts work better for baby than they do for Medela. So, that ounce you get pumping may be only a tiny bit of what you truly have available for her. Latch her on when she just starts to act hungry (gnawing her fists or whatever it is she does) and let her nurse as long as she wants. If she is acting famished, perhaps try taking the edge off with a bottle then latching her on.

Lots of skin to skin time. Just hang out topless with her in a diaper and let her be near you to smell the milk and get the idea that mommy means milk and milk is good.

My own was reliant on a shield/syringe feeding for some time. I finally had to MAKE the time to get him off it. The adults can fend for themselves, just hole up with her and let the world go on without you for awhile.

[cdcolburn]

Congrats!

I was told our (very conservative) midwife that anyone can wetnurse regardless of whether or not they have had children... and whether or not they are female.... So if I can lactate, then I'm guessing pigs really can fly

This might be of some help: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2110257AA7NIzB

This might not be any help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_lactation

[whodunit]

Congrats! Don't get discouraged- it's really worth all the effort. Our exclusively breastfed kids are healthy and when they do get sick, it's rarely a major ordeal. They have never had ear infections, are slender and toned and they just overall glow compared to others kids I've seen.

[mom25kiddles]

I have five children from 20 to 2 and have breastfed all of them... and experienced chronic low supply due to some breast health issues. With each child, I have had to do a different host of things depending on how bad my supply issues were... I will just list out everything I have done that I have seen real improvement.

lots and lots of nursing sessions, on demand
skin on skin w/ baby
co-sleeping w/ baby
pumping after each nursing session w/ hospital grade double pump
SNS system to supplement rather than bottles (and I only use goat's milk to supplement... we have a *thing* about formula... but we are strange that way)
lots and lots of rest... no multi-tasking while nursing
eat oatmeal every day
drink a dark beer every evening (yuck!!)
fenugreek tincture
goat's rue tincture (this is the BEST... worked better than prescription stuff)
blessed thistle tincture
mother's milk tea
Domperidone (can't get in USA, but our family doc/friend prescribed it and the compound pharmacy down the hill made it for me) there is a US equivalent but I have heard that people do not have the same results. Also, the Domperidone really didn't do anything better for me than the natural tinctures and I had some fairly yucky side effects from it. I would only do it again in extreme situations like the one I was in... my fourth was serious failure to thrive and refused all artificial nipples and had no real suck need so I was literally using the SNS 23 hours a day in order to get just 16 ozs or in her.
Hmmm... that is all I can think of right now. I have spent thousands of dollars on helping me be successful to some level with breastfeeding because I feel it is a very important start to baby's health and wellness for life. BUT... don't ever feel that successful breastfeeding equals successful mothering... babies take bottles every day and survive and thrive. And there ARE women who aren't dairy queens and that is OK... they are no less a woman or a mother because they don't moo when they give birth.

Carmen

[Betty Jean]

Back in the day, I used Brewer's Yeast as a supplement while nursing. Started out with a half teaspoon stirred into juice and gradually increased the amount.
Also, drink lots of fluids!

Congratulations on the new baby. Awww!

[Jenn]

Get even more advice from your local if any La Leche advisor, or if the hospital has a lactation consultant. Good luck and prayers.

[Shagbarkmtcatle]

I just want to say congratulations on the birth of your daughter. I will pray that you get your supply up. But, like everyone here says, it's supply and demand, the more she nurses, the more you make. They have also given you some helps on what to eat and stuff. I think you've gotten good advice. I nursed all four of mine, now ages 27-18 but I didn't have any problems so I can't really tell you much but to drink lots of fluids and nurse as often as possible and that means during the night too.

[Homely]

Congrats on the new baby! I want to echo what the others said about supply and demand. For me it was also important to eat enough. I can't skip meals or I'll have a big dip in my supply. That may not be true for every one. And I agree that it is worth the time to drop more or less everything while you get your baby nursing well. Best of luck to you both.

[ErinP]

Former LLL Leader here and you've gotten all the standard advice. Most important is to nurse, nurse, nurse. And then finish her off with the bottle. You'll be surprised how much you actually are producing.
Even better, check into a supplemental nursing system. That way you'll get breast stimulation during the formula feeding and you'll, hopefully, start getting the nipple confusion straightened out.

A lot of us never really do let down for a pump, even high-quality hospital-grade pumps. And yet still managed to nurse multiple children well into toddlerhood.

Definitely call your local LLL Leader. (847-519-7730) will find her. And even if she's not able to come see you, she'll work with you over the phone. I worked with several moms who were a couple of hundred miles away when we were in the Dakotas...

[Loriann1971]

My friend recently had a baby and was in the same situation as you...she tried a dark beer a day and it really helped her.

My first was a 34 weeker that was 2 weeks growth restricted becaues of Preeclampsia. She couldn't suck or swallow and was fed through her nose the first week she was in the hospital. She never did get the hang of breastfeeding so she was exclusively fed expressed milk for four months. Trying to feed the baby by only pumping is hard on your supply, but I learned a few things that helped keep it up.

I had a big bowl of oatmeal for breakfast every day. I ate lots of good fats like avacados...don't let your calories diminish right now. Don't worry about trying to lose baby weight or anything like that...just eat good healthy meals and don't skimp. I alslo drank lots of water. Keeping hydrated is a big deal. When you are pumping, sometimes it helps with letdown to massage your breast.

Good luck and congratulations!

[digApony]

Hi, yes congrats on your new baby. First, I found this out by accident: eat a lot of greens; collard greens, spinach, etc. I had tons of milk I didn't know what to do with!

Let the baby nurse as much as possible, even if the baby is only pacifying. My grandmother told me that she never had a "schedule" but anytime the baby cried she put him/her to the breast. I had two C-sections and I know it's hard, but are you getting enough rest? I would say two or more naps a day with the baby nursing. Rest with the baby at your breast every time the baby sleeps.

My youngest son had a very small mouth and he sucked the end of the nipple. Not only does this run the risk of a sore nipple, but the baby does not stimulate the outer part of the nipple. Try the best you can to get the nipple as far as possible into the baby's mouth, using your fingers to scrunch the nipple. If you need two hands raise the baby's head to meet your breast on a pillow. If the baby is still having a hard time getting the full nipple in him/her's mouth, massage, gently the outer part of your nipples while nursing. Also massage your breasts from the top down, gently, and don't forget the under side of your breasts. Switch breasts frequently.

I don't think an ounce of milk is not enough for a newborn baby as long as they nurse enough. Your milk will increase as the baby's needs for milk increase. I remember my youngest son; with the small mouth nursing almost every 5 minutes or so. Sleep with the baby nursing at night. The baby will nurse and stop, nurse and stop throughout the night.

I would avoid a pump for the same reason as I mentioned above. A pump does not stimulate the glands in the upper part of the nipple where the baby's gums would naturally be massaging.

Get A LOT of rest and a good diet! Especially after a C-section. Tell everyone in a very nice way that you need time alone with your baby; resting and nursing. When the baby sleeps, you sleep. This is a very natural process and very important. I had no one after both of my C-Sections and my husband worked long hours. The dust will be there when you get back in the swing. Nurse, nurse, nurse.

I also used as my bible for breastfeeding, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" It is both down to earth and has new information for working moms. Use the crock pot a lot and make simple meals.

On another note: My mother told me a wive's tale that came true for me and it also happened to her. She told me never to walk around barefoot because I'd get a breast infection. Well as sure as night turns into day I walked around barefoot one day and I had a breast infection the next! lol! I do believe!

Let me know how you are doing... digApony

[Joshie]

My daughter was in NICU for 14 weeks. When we brought her home from the hospital we never gave her a bottle. I was the only NICU mother who was able to nurse full time.

I participated in a study for nursing babies in the NICU. I had nursed another child which helped. The study required me to use a hospital grade pump eight times daily. I would encourage you to nurse your child when she's hungry. Personally, I'd be hesitant to give her formula. I guess I'd do that only if she seems hungry after nursing. Breast fed babies nurse much more often than bottle fed babies. I would not be surprised if you would need to nurse her every two hours, especially at first.

I nursed even at restaurants. You can be very private with a blanket. If you have any problems with latching on your hospital likely has someone who can help you with this. I was able to nurse my 22 5/7 week daughter for 20 months. We stopped when she drew blood for the second time.

I nursed my now 21 year old son for six months. He got very ill and was hospitalized for severe diarrhea. I was in my mid-20s and believed the doctor's advice when they said that Nutramagen would be easier on his stomach than my breast milk. Grrrr. The week on formula ended our nursing days.

[watcher]

I'm not a mother, wrong gender, but I have done research in the area (the wife breastfeed our two). For the most part milk production is a supply and demand issue, i.e. more that is demanded the more you will produce. Therefore the way to increase production is to increase demand. In this case I'd think letting the baby suckle as much as possible THEN if he isn't full give him a bottle. After a while your body will adjust the supply and you can stop with the bottle.

[Jan Doling]

For centuries Irish doctors recommended a glass of Guiness stout a day....if that fails, you'll be too content to care

[digApony]

Hi, I don't want to sound argumentive, but I disagree with giving the bottle after nursing. Milk production can increase at the next nursing and even while nursing!! If the baby is full from the bottle and with the nature of formula it takes much longer to digest it will just slow the process. Unless the bottle is breast milk that would be better, but I would avoid that if possible. Just keep nursing. It may seem that you don't have milk, but you may have more than you think. Breast milk is digested very quickly by the baby. If you absolutely have to, I think pumping in between nursings and saving whatever you get and then giving it to the baby would be better. I was never able to get my milk to drop when pumping and that is important in milk production.

And as in a previous post, my breastfeed babies were sooooo beautiful. Their skin actually shined like a dog with a healthy coat. I nursed to about 15 months and I wish now I would have nursed to 2 years.

Nurse, nurse, nurse, eat a good meal and take a long restful nap. I'll bet you'll see improvement instantly. Just my humble opinion!

Good luck.....Mommy!

[countryheart]

Congratulations on the new baby. So glad she is healthy. I have no new advice, I think you have plenty of answers already. Good luck.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by digApony

Hi, I don't want to sound argumentive, but I disagree with giving the bottle after nursing. Milk production can increase at the next nursing and even while nursing!! If the baby is full from the bottle and with the nature of formula it takes much longer to digest it will just slow the process. Unless the bottle is breast milk that would be better, but I would avoid that if possible. Just keep nursing. It may seem that you don't have milk, but you may have more than you think. Breast milk is digested very quickly by the baby. If you absolutely have to, I think pumping in between nursings and saving whatever you get and then giving it to the baby would be better. I was never able to get my milk to drop when pumping and that is important in milk production.

And as in a previous post, my breastfeed babies were sooooo beautiful. Their skin actually shined like a dog with a healthy coat. I nursed to about 15 months and I wish now I would have nursed to 2 years.

Nurse, nurse, nurse, eat a good meal and take a long restful nap. I'll bet you'll see improvement instantly. Just my humble opinion!

Good luck.....Mommy!

According to the OP she's currently "feeding mostly formula," 4oz every 4 hours.
Even barring nipple confusion issues, she really doesn't want to go cold turkey on this...

[okiemom]

My first was in NICU for 3 weeks he was 6 weeks early. He never learned to suck correctly. My milk dropped to almost nothing (didn't realise he was not sucking enough until the scales showed he wasn't gaining like he should and had to go to suppliments until I could get the milk supply up. After that I was monitering him weekly on weight gain at the Drs. I pumped and bottle fed him the BM. It was a LOT of WORK but worth it.

I used a hosp. type pump and pumped every two (2) hours. the more frequently you pump the quicker the supply increases. On formula they don't need to eat as often but BM is digested quickly so every two hours is needed (for me) I did get the milk back up so I could feed him on BM alone but it was hard. He always needed to eat more frequently. Sometimes I thought I was always attached to the pump. If they were having a growth spurt and needed more I pumped even more often until the supply increased. At the end I was pumping 8+ oz every time. Moo.

For us having him BF didn't mean he had no allergies, I was bummed on that fact. That was one reason I was so driven to pump and give BM. Might have also been due to being early.

baby #2 was BF w/o needing to pump much. He did have to nurse very often and I again felt like I was always attached. I was prepared to pump/nurse for as long as possible (year +)but both lost interest at about 9 mos. when they really started eating solids and wanting to hold their own cups and eat on their own. Don't know what that was about. I was fairly shocked as I have heard about the kids that nurse a long time.

[digApony]

Originally Posted by ErinP

According to the OP she's currently "feeding mostly formula," 4oz every 4 hours.
Even barring nipple confusion issues, she really doesn't want to go cold turkey on this...

Okay, I'm sorry I missed that. It's going to be difficult. Maybe try nursing for as long as possible; hold out for as long as possible; switching breasts often and then a smaller amount of formula following and then nursing again. There are bottle nipples that are as similar as possible to a breast nipple.

Is there a LLL somewhere or a breastfeeding nurse you can contact for advice? Or another mother nursing who can supply you with breast milk? My girlfriend did this during her surgeory and recovery.

The problem with alternating bottle to breast is the amount of effort the baby has to put into sucking while at the breast. And the only cure for that in my opinion is to nurse, nurse, nurse.

I had slowed milk production and it was resolved with a lot of nursing. It's hard and I cried and cried and the baby cried, but my milk came back every time and it didn't take long.