Breastfeeding Production Dwindling

Someone posted a similar question last week. I was told by a girlfriend that apple, cranberry and orange juice mixed together in equal parts and drank throughout the day helps production in breastfeeding. She was told this by the lactation consultant at the hospital and she said it was what they told everyone and really attests to it working although I can't say I've had the chance to try it yet. The acids in the combined juices are supposed to increase it...worth a shot!

I nursed most of the time and pumped usually in the morning. If you are not nursing any more I would pump after ever feeding even if it is not been 3 hours. I always heard to pump ever 2 hours, but if you child is nursing after an hour pump after. Also make sure you pump at least 10-15 minutes each side. My daughter would like to nurse sometimes after a half hour for a few months so I spent my time on the couch for a while. This should help to bring you production up. As long as you pump to get the milk out you should keep producing. Not sure if you have heard of La Leche League, but they are wonderful for questions on breastfeeding. I got 2 names from a neighbor of my moms, but you can go to the website http://www.lllusa.org and find someone in your area to call and ask questions. Trust me I called them when ever I had a question. Hope this helps.

Hi Kerri,
As a lactation consultant who has worked in numerous NICUs in Chicago, I would recommend that you go to the website of Dr Jack Newman a neonatologist from Toronto,Canada. He is one of the world's leading authorities on breastfeeding and he has essays on a variety of strategies for increasing your milk production. Until you find another strategy, please pump 8-10 times every 24 hours for 15 minutes with a hospital grade double breastpump. Also, you can have someone else bottlefeed your baby and then you can give "breast as dessert" as you cuddle your baby.
Good Luck, A. J., RN,MN,APN/CNS,IBCLC,FILCA

Is putting your baby to your breast an option? That's the best and most efficient way to get your supply up. Human milk has a lot more calories in it than formula. Especially important for a preemie.

Pump, pump, pump, pump. Then.... pump some more. Pump all the time, whenever you can. You will see results 4 days after you start. Seriously, pump all the time. Good Luck!

The best way to get production up is to nurse, nurse and nurse. When my little one was first born, she lost as many babies do more than 10% of her weight which meant she had to go for more weight check ups etc. I nursed her every hour or so and this got the supply up. Drinking lots of water and maybe eating oatmeal and I know some find the milk producing supplements good. You can weigh baby before and after nursing to work out how much your baby got at the feeding. Nursing rather than pumping is much more effective and weighing before and after takes away the issue of not knowing how much baby is getting. I got a weighing scale at Babies R Us. good luck.

I would be pumping every 2 hours during the day and every 3-4 at night. If you are not pumping at night, you need to, to keep your supply up. If your son is still in the NICU, find out when you can start kangaroo care. I think regular skin to skin contact will also help increase your milk production.

Really the best way to keep up production is by the act of breast feeding. Does he weigh enough now to do so? If not, you can get a supplemental feeding tube. The tube lines up with your nipple so the baby can nurse,while being guaranteed to get the milk that is flowing through the tube. I hope that makes sense! Check out La Leche League to find out where to get one. Maybe feeding him with the bottle in a nursing position, with skin to skin contact might help. Also, this may sound odd, but nursing in the bath tub also helps milk to come down, as your body relaxes. Drink plenty of water as well. Good luck!

Kerri

You may want to go the the health food store and get organic Mothers Milk Tea
www.traditionalmedicinals.com

Or you can just get fenugreek significantly increased volume of breastmilk

Hope this helps.

If breastfeeding isn't an option, then pump more frequently. Pumping, even with the expensive, really good ones, is not as effective as nursing at "emptying" you. So, pumping more frequently should help. I know it's hard to find the time, but I wouldn't go more than 2 hours without pumping....during the day anyway.

Please check out www.kellymom.com they will be able to help you.

I agree, pump every chance you get. You should also try pumping every 2 hours rather than 3 when your milk supplies does increase.

If nursing isn't an option yet because your baby is still in the hospital, ask your LC about taking Fenugreek capsules. It is an herb that helps stimulate milk production. I nursed by now-12 year old for a little over a year, and my now-8 year old for over 2 1/2 years with no problems, but now that I have an 8 month old, I have been running into supply issues, and the Fenugreek has helped.

yep pumping before and after keeps the flow, and lots of water. lactation, the baby sulkling on the breast stimulates production.