Hello! I am unable to produce as much breastmilk as Daphne needs to satisfy her more than ample appetite. Does anyone know of places where people donate unwanted/extra milk to familes like ours? I have considered formula, however I really feel strongly that "breast is best" and do not want to switch to formula just yet. Thanks!
Following up on all the answers I have received so far: The issue isn't just "supply and demand"...I actually have a congenital duct and nipple condition that limits the amount of milk I can produce. Herbs or suppliments won't work, at least according to my OB/GYN. That's why I am more looking for moms who may be willing to donate to help out. Thanks for the great ideas though!
www.milkshare.com is wonderful! I donated over 1,000 oz to many babies in need & even 2 cancer patients =)
good luck
I would look for a lactation consultant in your area. Ask if you can visit her in person with your baby and just be reassured that everything is going well. She might also be able to help you with donated milk in your area. I've been taking More Milk Plus by Motherlove, which has helped. Good luck with Baby Daphne.
there are human milk banks. but you can only get the milk if your baby has a medical need and the dr writes a prescription. also the human milk is pasturized so it looses all of the antibodies..(so alot of the good of breast milk is gone in the donated milk)
why do you think you cant produce enough? breast milk is a supply and demands system if the baby wants more they nurse more often and longer and your body will produce more.
you can drink more water to make more milk. you can nurse more often and for longer.. you can pump to increase your supply.. but really the baby is a wonderful pump. let that sleepy baby stay on the breast and that will stimulate more milk production. you can go in after she has been asleep for a couple of hours at night and nurse her while she is asleep taht will increase production.
Fenugreek will increase production. it is a herb you can buy it at the health food stores.. I am not a big fan of herbs.. but fenugreek will increase milk production. I would caution you to start slowly with fenugreek or it might upset your tummy.
First, a GREAT lactation consultant (whom I've used for both my kids for different reasons) is Debbie Gillespie at ###-###-#### or ____@____.com PLUS she just received a donation of breastmilk (dairy-free and soy-free if that's a concern)! I'm not sure if it will still be available when you contact her as breastmilk is VERY high demand and limited supply (especially when it's specialized), but she's a miracle worker when getting mothers to produce for their own little ones! I can't say enough about my experiences with her, but she is the most wonderful individual and obviously LOVES what she does ~ deeply caring for her clients...both the babies and their mamas. Give her a call! I PROMISE you it won't hurt (or the latch wasn't right...sorry, breastfeeding humor).
Here is a mother to mother milkshare forum...
http://milkshare.forumotion.com/
I'm not sure how you are planning on supplementing but I would suggest getting a SNS devices so that you can supplement at the breast. That way you are still getting the stimulation you need to continue to produce what milk you can yourself and your LO will still be getting what she needs. You can do this with either donated BM or with formula if you have to go that route. If you just supplement with a bottle you will risk loosing what precious little supple you already have left.
You are doing such a wonderful thing for your daughter. Keeping on trying and don't give up! You could also consider trying any of the other lactogenic ideas that the other mothers suggested. It will help keep up the supply you do have and if by some miracle it helps you produce more than it was worth the try!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#increase
Your doctor is unlikely to write a prescription for mother's milk unless you have a serious impairment (i.e. you need to go on chemotherapy and won't be able to nurse) or if baby has a special need (premature, allergies to breastmilk subsitutes). So Elizabeth C. is right, see if you can't find a lactation consultant to help you with ways to boost supply, and read up on the many other posts on this site as to ways to that. Good luck.
I agree with the other momma's about trying to stimulate your own milk as much as possible. That is the best source you have for little Daphne. However, if you do have a physical problem which limits your supply then there are sources that link families like yours with willing donors. I have personally used MilkShare (http://milkshare.forumotion.com/index.htm) before with great success for my special needs son. The stress that I was under during his first year was so great that it diminished my supply by over half, so we found donors to help me supplement until he was 11 months. Which is another thing you can look into.....are you stressed out? That really does affect your body's ability to produce an ample supply of milk.
Hope that helps. Blessings!
E.
Hello R.,
Can I suggest 'mother's milk' tea at whole foods? also star anise tea will help increase your breastmilk production. I hope this helps and that you find a milk bank. Good luck! ~C.~
