Low Milk Supply

A Fenugreek supplement seemed to help me and my sis in law. She was given the supplement by her lactation consultant but you can get it at any health food store.

The same thing happened to my sister. The dr. told her to eat high/good fats like pecans and especially avocadoes. It really helped her!

There is some really good advice here. As a breastfeeding educator, I will tell you that weight loss is not normal in a baby that small. Pediatricians, on the whole, are not well-educated about breastfeeding. Find a lactation consultant as soon as possible and get evaluated. There may be something very easy to fix or it may take a little more work. Either way, it will be worth it.

All the previous posts had GREAT suggestions so I don't have much to add. I just wanted to say keeping up the great work breastfeeding. It's soooo good for your baby and such a true gift. There is another website/social group you might join called www.cafemom.com
There are a ton of groups you can join that have message boards. The breastfeeding moms group is INCREDIBLE and the ladies on there have really helped me out a few times. There are thousands of members to just that one group but there are a few lacatation cosultants that constantly answer questions -- all free and quick.
GOOD LUCK!!

I am a mother of 3 and in three weeks it will be 4. I plan on nursing her as well. I nursed all of mine for almost 21 months. # 1 it is never as easy as people make it seem to nurse. In the beginning it can be hard and painful, also for awhile you may need to nurse a little more than you would like just to get your milk supply up. The more you nurse the more you will make.
Also, are you taking any kind of medicine? Certain drugs will make you have less of a milk supply so if you are you may want to check with you Dr. about that as well.
Make sure you are drinking a lot of water, lots and lots of water. That will help you as well.
Also unless you pump at the same time everyday you will not get as much pumping as you do when she actually nurses, 4 oz in weight difference is not huge either unless it keeps happening I won't be too worried about that, just keep checking her weight. It could have been the time of day you weighed was different or even how much she had eaten that day.
Good luck. I hope this helps some.
J.

I used Blessed Thistle. It worked within two days...

This is a good site.. http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/herbs.html

AND I would suggest contacting the lactation consultant at the hospital in which you gave birth. I am sure they will help you.

They pretty much summed it up with lots of good info for you.

With mine they hit a milestone at 3-4 months. Their sleeping habits changed and therefore their eating habits. They ate more for about 1-2 weeks...more than I could keep up with. So I just gave them a bottle AFTER they nursed. They usually only ate about 2 ounces at the very most. I kept powdered formula on hand for that. If I needed to I mixed prepumped breast milk with it (just a little) to get them to like it. It filled them up, got them past that little bump in the road and they continued to gain weight. ;-)

My babies hit these times around this age when sleeping changed, then again around 6-7 months when they began to crawl, and again close to 1 yr when they began to walk.

The one big thing I learned with the first baby--as soon as we got a good routine, he changed. LOL

Good luck!

I would be careful because I've heard babies have died because they weren't getting the right nourishment. I would consult w/your doctor.

Eat more mamma! I expirienced the same thing with my son (who is now 9 months old)when I tried to cut calories to lose baby wieght. There is a bablance. Eat to sustain you and baby. Healthy snacks, plenty of protien, good fats, whole grains and of coarse your fruits veggies and calcium. It is possible to shed the pounds and still eat to nurse. you may find you have to up your exercise a bit. I am 12 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant! Hang in there mamma! and dont feel bad if you have to supliment every now and again.

I had that problem with both of my kids. I just stopped breastfeeding and started formula. It's great if you can breastfeed successfully, but some of us just can't, and your baby's growth and well-being have to take priority.

Ok, I didn't have time to read through all the responses you already have had but I do have a few suggestions. My obgyn prescribed me a med. after my milk supply slowed down with both of my previous children. I can not remember the name of it but I would suggest asking your ob about it. I have known several people who have used the meds. and it worked for all of us. Also, I would suggest increasing the number of times you pump between feedings (if possible, I was lucky enough to be a SAHM with my daughter and I was only attending college classes with my son so I had more free time). I hope that everything works out where you can continue to feed but if not don't get discouraged.

There are lots of things you can do for low mik supply and your baby does need to be gaining wait. so, here is a great link with lots of help for low supply.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

Also if you are in the area, Medical City of Arlington Hospital on Matlock has Le Leche League meetings every 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm and you are welcome!

#1-what does your doctor say? 4 oz isn't much but they are supposed to be gaining. did you notice the weight loss in only one month? is she becoming active? crawling? this could count for a little loss.
#2-are YOU drinking enough milk and water? You could be dehidrating yourself therefore not reproducing enough of your own milk. is she satisfied at each feeding? or does she seem to feed for quite awhile?
no need to panick. just be sure to take care of you as well, stress does slow milk flow, and if it doesn't flow, it doesn't replenish. as the others suggested, I would seek medical advice if these suggestions don't help.

J.,
Try to relax. I remember those days.

First, drink more water. You are probably slightly dehydrated.
Second, keep to the nursing to help build supply.
Third, eat until you are satisfied. It might feel like alot, but really it isnt if it is healthy (lots of fruit and veggies).

Again, try to relax. most doctors arent up to par about nursing but dont admit it, sorry docs.
Most breastfed babies dont follow the growth charts that are put together using data from formula fed babies.
All mine are healthy and until a year were underweight.
Hope it helps.
M.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. Eat garbanzo bean (chick peas). My mom use to make me chicken and rice soup and put chick pease in it because it produced milk. Buy them in a can, drain and peel them and put them in salads also. I had so much milk! Also try pumping just after you finish feeding and maybe in an hour after wards. Just make sure you are eating well and drinking lots of milk. If you don't drink milk, eat lots of yogurt, ice cream or cheese. You need lots of calcium. Good luck!

You've gotten some good advice but I'd also suggest you get in contact with a lactation consultant and your local la leche league (you don't have to be a member). Both were invaluable to me in evaluating my supply issues. I increased the number of lactogenic foods in my diet, tried the supplements and in the end went on a prescription medication (with my OB & LC's help). If it weren't for my great lc, La Leche Leaguers and my OB, I would never have breast fed for as long as I did. Good luck to you!

You have probably had all the advice you can handle, but I faced the same problem. I finally had to stop breastfeeding which was very hard for me. I felt that if I wasn't breastfeeding that I wasn't a good mom, but then I realized that if I don't give my child what she needs, then I'm not a good mom. I would talk to your doctor and see what they suggest, but understand that just because you weren't able to breastfeed for a year, you are still an amazing mom. Just as a side note, my daughter is now a healthy one year old that eats wonderfully!

You can buy Fenugreek capsules at Jacks or Drug Emporium. Take 2 capsules three times a day for the first week, then you can taper off after your milk supply increases. Also, drink plenty of water and Gatorade.

It may not help today, but there is a breastfeeding event coming up at the end of the month that might interest you. One of the founders of Bravado will be there, Shery Leeder. This is with the Metroplex Baby & Kids MetroMoms group. I'll be at the Ft. Worth event if anyone wants to meet up. There are always great raffle prizes, and a lot of great moms!Here are the details.

Ready, Set, Go! presented by MetroMoms

The nursery is together, your bag is packed. What else do you need? Bravado! Designs will help prepare you for and show you what to expect from breastfeeding in the first few days and beyond.

At Pickles & Ice Cream
6 PM January 30 in Plano
6 PM January 31 in Ft. Worth
Refreshments will be served

$20 per person/ Save $5 with the Savings Card

Save 15% off purchases at Pickles & Ice Cream During the event.
Every mom will receive a snack bag from Bumble Bags filled with goodies.
The first 10 RSVPs in attendance at each event will receive a copy of Andi Silverman's Mama Knows Breast.

Go to www.metroplexbaby.com/metromoms for more details and to RSVP.

- Drink at least 8 glasses of liquid each day!
- Drink whole cows milk: 2 glasses/day (this can count as 2 of your liquid servings)
- Take these supplements: Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek, AND Brewers Yeast (tablets you can get at GNC)
- Completely drain the first breast before attempting the second one. I usually only fed one breast each feeding allowing my other breast at least 4 hours to fill for the next feeding (feeding every 2 hours)

This worked for me... Talking to a professional consultant can only help!

Good luck!

Good suggestions already, but you don't need to drink cow's milk to produce human milk. For calcium, there are lots of ways to get that without cow's milk. Just make sure to drink plenty of fluids - mostly water is best and avoid caffeine. I learned to carry around a water bottle and make sure that I drank at least 8 ozs(sometimes 16) everytime I would sit down to nurse. Also, nite time nursing is really important for rebuilding the milk supply. Also, you might want to make sure your doctor checks your thyroid - low thyroid function can impact milk supply (and let down).

Good luck. My first baby had difficulty gaining weight, but it was well worth it to hang in there and not supplement with formula because that just decreases your milk supply even further. La Leche League is an invaluable resource: www.llli.org and you can find a group that meets near your home. You'll get all sorts of useful tips and tricks to deal with these sorts of issues first hand from nursing mothers.

Just a thought, and I'm not sure if it's been mentioned yet or not...have you started taking BC pills again? That can sometimes slow down your milk supply. I am just starting the weaning the process with my 13.5 month old. He was exclusively breastfed until 1 year. At the beginning, I drank SO MUCH water. So, drink up. And I agree with the others, EAT! Eat until you're satisfied. I feel that breastfeeding a baby requires much more calories than being pregnant!
Good luck and don't give up! You can do it!

Eating almonds helped me make so much milk when I didn't have enough the first 1-2 months. I started eating kashi go lean crunch almond flax cereal in the morning and adding an extra handful of almonds to it, as well as a handful throughout the day. Anything else w/ almonds I ate it too. I still almost solely nurse my son he will eat about a jar of baby food a day n he is huge. Oh and I drink a lot of water.

Harris Methodist Downtown Fort Worth has a breastfeeding clinic with a good number of lactation consultants. I'd try there if that is near you. You could just call first and see what they say. I would also definetely call the doctor and talk to him/her.

The best advice I got was to make sure your baby completly empties your breast before moving on to the next side.Dont watch the clock just let you baby stay on one side until she lets go.There is two types of milk in your breast.the fore milk and the hind milk.The fore milk is the thirst quencher and the hind milk has most of the calories so it is very important for weight gain.It is also important for your milk supply.Your milk is a supply and demand system the more your breast are emptied the more they will produce.you can feed out of one breast at one feeding just so you switch at the next feeding.Also try pummping in between feedings.You can probably go to the hospital you delivered at and talk to a lactaction specialist.If you are from lubbock the number for the one at covenant lakeside is ###-###-####.You can also go and they will weigh you baby before you feed and after and then they can tell how many ounces she is eating and wether it is enough.Good luck and remember not breastfeeding does not make you a bad mom.Everyone makes it seem like if you dont breastfeed you are a bad mom but it is simply not true.YOu know what is best for you and you baby and dont let anyone tell you different.Remember some people abuse their children and dont even feed them.They are the bad moms not you.Dont feel guilty if you cant breastfeed it is ok.

First of all, don't worry about the weight gain at this moment. Continue to nurse and add a additional feeding when you usually don't feed. In two days this feeding with bring up the milk supply. I took Brewer's yeast tablets and extra vitamin B's . I always drank a large glass of water right before I nursed. Remembered that there are always going to be a little lower milk supply times when your are tired. Give yourself cat naps...."a little 10 minute naps is better than no sleep at all."

I strictly breastfeed all four of my babies for over a year! They are all healthy and happy. Give yourself a pat on the back and continue to nurse through the lower supply. Make sure you are eating just as well as when you were pregnant!

Babies do go through growth rapidly and I know when in a growth time they might act hungrier. It's a supply and demand balance and it truly takes over 24 hours for the supply to increase. Add an extra feeding when this happens and make sure to not be on a strict feeding schedule. Allowing the baby to nurse when it's hungry even though your milk supply is lower, will increase the milk in two days. It's a supply and demand. Taking care of yourself will take care for your baby. Nutritious snacks that are high in protein also increases the milk supply.

Don't get discouraged with how much you are producing, it will come as your relax about it. My baby dropped some also, he was little and I had to encourage him to feed. So many times I would pick him up and feed him when I felt he needed it.

I congratulate you on giving your baby the best food there is MOTHER'S MILK. Your feeding your baby what's best.

Have you had any breast surgery? I had had a benign lump removed and realized later it did effect my milk supply (one bosom much larger with milk!) BUT I still managed..I nursed all 3 of mine and they were not fat but they were and are very healthy!! :-)
I suggest: make this your top priority. Put everything else second, get in bed with the baby, rest, sleep, unplug the phone, eat good healthy food and drink plenty of fluids, lots of water, and just hold your baby close and nurse. Nothing else. Soothing music. Eliminate stress. Accept offers of help. Let the baby nurse and nurse and nurse and that will trigger more milk, and again nurture yourself. Your rest and well being is essential to your milk supply if it is low. Just gaze at your nursing baby and let that nursing lull you to sleep. If she still seems hungry or is actually losing, which seems unlikely, don't hesitate to do what you need to do, and see the pediatrician. You follow your gut. But if you rest, I truly believe the rest will come :-) Good luck, trust your body.

Hi,
Dear, It`s appreciated that you want to breastfeed strictly ...Why you don`t use Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.It boosts milk supply fast.

Updated

Hi,
Dear, It`s appreciated that you want to breastfeed strictly ...Why you don`t use Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.It boosts milk supply fast.