Low Milk Supply.. - Hialeah,FL

Try adding some Blessed Thistle with the fenugreek. It helped with my supply. You are doing a great job! Try not to stress too much. I know easier said than done, but do try and relax.

I also had the same issues w/decreased milk supply. I tried everything & ended up supplementing for a few months. I just found a great article, though: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/lactation/a/relactation...

(Copy & paste whole link address to get actual link landing page.)

Best wishes!

Oh...and there's always Goat's Rue - I never tried it, but heard it's great stuff: http://moms-marketplace.com/GoatsRueCapsules.php?gclid=CL...

I agree w/ other posts, try to have the baby bf directly. Contact a lactation consultant through the hospital where your daughter was born for help if you need it. I had a very difficult time establishing the bf relationship w/ my daughter, 5 weeks of excruciating pain! I even had her oral motor skills tested (per lactation consultant) they said she would never latch properly due to something, now I forget. But my mommy instinct didn't believe and I was very determined to bf! Well, after the horrible 5 weeks, the pain subsided and we were bf'ing pain free! We finally learned how! It was amazing, and still 30 months later we bf at night before bed. Also a friend of mine did what you are doing, pumping because the baby wouldn't latch. She did this for 6 or 8 weeks and then got back to direct bf'ing w/ a lactation consultant. The baby latched like a pro! So it's not too late to try again! Good luck, you are doing GREAT!! and congrats!!
(added) Visualization does really work, it seems silly but try it. I was told to visualize a lot of milk, like a river, lake or waterfall of milk! Even paddle a boat through it! You can think of what ever scenario comes easily for you, as long as there is lots of milk! Also visualizing the milk flowing (lots of milk) from the breast to the baby's mouth and into her tummy when you are nursing. I remember getting very strong letdowns with this technique. Try it, it does work!

I just want to add my voice to the others--nursing directly is best! It is a learned skill for some babies, but if you can possibly nurse her first even when you're going to pump, it will help! Especially if she is hungry. The best videos I've ever seen for helping moms with latching issues are by Dr. Jack Newman. He's a pediatrician in England, I believe. Anyway, I struggled with my oldest and finally figured out something on my own. It worked, but I thought it was "wrong" based on what the books said. Then I saw the vidwos. Dr. Newman taught the exact same thing I was doing! And I never had a bit of trouble with my second. (Both nursed to 15 months.)

A lot of moms get discouraged because they feel their baby isn't getting enough--for a couple of days they'll nurse every 15 minutes, it seems. That's good! That's how they increase your supply! But it works best if they can nurse directly. Good luck and hang in there--you will find a way for both of you!

Congrats on your new baby and it's great you want to breast feed but perhaps you should try to do just that, rather than pumping so much? I remember the need to pump a few times and you get much less that way if bf'ing your breast will continue to make more milk as she's sucking.
Instead of taking fenugreek pills, I suggest getting actual fenugreek and make a strong tea from it, it's a stronger way to get it than the processed pill.
Also, you need to not eat any cow's breast milk, or cheese and eat lots of green leafy veg. Think of it, what do cows eat? Grass, what do they produce? Milk for their babies. You need to eat not grass but greens and lots of them. Cow's milk in a human body to make human milk makes no sense.
Keep up the great work and if you're frustrated with the latching, contact La Lache League.
Peace!

My daughter, with the twins, would drink a really good beer, and that would do it. I don't often suggest alcohol, but it looks like you are doing everything else.
very best, k

I used Dr. Schultz's Superfood and made a ridiculous amount of milk. You can buy it at American Botanical Pharmacy online. Try to get her to latch on. It's easier to make milk from her stimulation than from the pump. Good luck. I admire your persistence.

I was told that alfalfa tablet were supposed to herp. my milk decreased when my son was 6 mons. old. but i was told this after i dried up so i don't know how effective i could be. also flax seed.

Congratulations on your choice to breastfeed! Let's look at the first issue at hand which is her difficulty latching on. If she HAD that problem, she still has that problem but has learned how to suck, swallow, breathe the wrong way which will come up later as eating problems, sensory problems, sppech/lang problems, drooling problems and other oral motor issues. She may not be sucking correctly and therefore not stimulating the breast even though you think the fever did it, it's probably a combination. I would have her looked at by a cranial sacral therapist to check the sutures in her head and all the other things that lead to these problems. If she was a c-section baby then she REALLY needs to go. On top of that you should consult an occupational therapist who specilaizes in SSB, suck,swallow, breathe reflex. She needs to be taught so she does not keep repeating the same mistake and put herself in panic mode every time she eats. One thing to try for YOU is to drink a beer! Yes, a beer. The yeast will give your milk a boost and then you can pump that milk and throw it out. This should get things going again. Good luck on your journey.

Congrats on making the best decision you can for your daughter! I have not read all the other posts so this already may be covered, but drink some beer. I know kinda weird, but the yeast in the beer brings on the milk =) Also, I know hard to do, but try to feel relaxed. Stress will hold that milk out. Best of luck!

It sounds like you are doing everything you are supposed to do. I had a similar situation with my third child. He had a weak suck, so much so that I had no choice but to put him on formula. I had a lactation specialist working with me and I was pumping every 2 hours around the clock. I still could not get my milk supply to increase. My best advice is to contact a lactation specialist. Your ob/gyn or pediatrician should be able to give you a referral. Or contact Le Leche League in your area. I know it's frustrating, I've been where you are. After 2 months of struggling to get my milk to increase, I had to supplement with formula.

You poor thing. I know Exactly how you feel. I had the same thing happen to me when my daughter was 8 weeks old. I got double pnemonia and was in the hospital for 5 days. I kept pumping but my milk supply just keep getting lower.

You are doing everything right. Everything I was told to do you are doing. It's frustrating. You are a good mom. I had to suppliment my momma milk with formula because my beautiful baby wasn't getting enough to eat. It made me sad but it was more important that my little baby girl got the nutrition she needed.
Hang in there and I hope you are feeling better.

Are you staying at home with her? If so, then let her nurse and nurse and nurse. You can do what is called a "nursing holiday". That is where you get yourself set up with everything you'll need through the day (water, snacks, sandwiches, books, any medicines you are taking, diaper bag, extra onesies for her, her blankie etc. etc.) and just hang out with her in your bed all day or all weekend if you want. Just be with her, play with her, let her nurse for as long as she wants, whenever she wants, let the outside world fend for itself for a little while and don't think about anything beyond your bedroom door. This can really help because it gets you and baby back together like you were at first and it will really reduce any stress you're carrying around which is a big supply killer. Just make sure that you discuss your plan with your husband and the reason you're doing it and get him onboard before you do it! ;)

Also, I tell everyone this and a lot of people think I'm off my nut, but the ones that try it always end up thanking me. Visualize. The human mind really has amazing power over the body if you use it properly. You can TELL your breasts to produce more milk and they will! All you have to do is visualize. To do this follow these steps:

1. Take a long drink of cool water

2. Close your eyes, take a few deep, slow breaths to get centered and think about the water in your stomach, really sink your conciousness into that part of your body

3. Imagine that water in your stomach traveling (imagine that you are pushing it with your mind/thoughts) straight to your breasts and warming up on the way (I know this isn't how it works really, but it's the concept that's important, you're telling your body where the fluids are and where you expect them to go)

4. Imagine the tingling feeling that you get at the base of your breasts that usually lets you know that it's time to nurse/pump whatever. Imagine that feeling coming on as the water moves into your breasts (if you're really trying this and really believing at the time, then this is when you would usually experience the actual physical sensation and you know it's working)

5. If you want let-down at that time, then imagine pushing it out through the nipple with your mind and imagine the milk filling baby's mouth and being swallowed.

Do this whenever you think about it. Maybe attach the thought to a pneumonic, like every time you change your baby's diaper, try visualization right afterward, or something.

If you think it would help, ask your husband to read steps 1-4 to you in a low, slow (almost hypnotic) monotone over and over to help you visualize. Really, give it a try. I'm not a weird hippie or one of those militant all-natural, all-organic all the time moms. I do practice attachment parenting (BFing, co-sleeping etc.) but I'm pretty down to earth for the most part. I didn't believe in this either, until I figured "Hey, what have I got to lose? It'll only cost me a few minutes if it doesn't work and even if it doesn't work, it's probably close enough to meditation to relieve some of my stress!"

Best of luck! I believe in you and I know you can work it out! Hugs! :)

Hi there,

You are doing so much good work for her already! Glad to see you are determined.

My advice - Rest! And if you are aware of any foods that slow your body down, avoid them. For me it's dairy - it decreases my milk supply and increases mucus in the body, slowing down the lymph system (not good!).

My second daughter had a very hard time latching on. BF both of my daughters, and had no problems with the first. The second really had a hard time. I called the hospital where I delivered, the had a lactation specialist on staff who was very helpful. She said that the reason she was having a hard time latching on because my breasys were full. She encouraged me to pump an ounce or two before trying to get her to latch on. I would encourage you to do the same. Pump what you can before you try to feed her. When she latches on and trys to nurse it will stimulate your body to produce more milk, where pumping will not cause the same stimulation. After you have nursed both sides for about 10 minutes, if you think she is still hungry, at that point I would try giving her what you pumped. I never used any of the additives. I drank a lot of water and encouraged her to nurse as much as she wanted. Good Luck and do not worry. Be patient and keep trying.

21 responses to this request!! Wow that is amazing! You have such great advice here that I don't think that I can add anything else but I did want to respond to say that I appreciate your dedication and I am sending along a hug. I wish you the very best and I hope that you are wildly successful with building your supply back up..

My daughter had trouble latching on at the beginning too... I recommend buying a nipple shield (medela sells them and you can get them at target and baby's r us). It gives the baby a little more to grab a hold of and stimulates their sucking reflect (great if you have flat or inverted nipples). Full disclosure, my daughter did get "addicted" to it and I couldn't get her to nurse without it until she was 4 months old and even then she still wanted it off and on. Now at 6 months, she doesn't need it at all. But I thought it was infinitely more preferable to use the shield and have her nurse then to not have her nurse at all. Getting back to nursing will hopefully bring your milk back! Good luck!

Good for you for breastfeeding! Sounds like you are doing lots of good things to increase your supply. Make sure you are getting enough rest.

Contact La Leche League (LLL) for more suggestions. They have a web site, or call 1-800-LA LECHE for names of leaders in your area. Also don't take decongestants.

I agree with the oprevious answer that you should try to get the baby nursing at the breast ASAP. LLL can help with latch-on issues too

Good luck and enjoy your baby!

K. Z.

Sounds to me like you have been pumping way too much. My doctor told me not to pump more than twice a day and just a little bit right before feedings. He said you can over pump. That is more than likely what you have done. Try drinking a glass of wine in the evenings. My cousin said this helped increase her milk flow. I never had the problem of not enough milk, my problem was always too much milk...Which is hard to deal with when you leak all the time. First relax, DON'T take hot showers and when you shower and don't let the water hit your breast (hot showers and water hitting them is what the doctors have women do that have too much milk) and don't put heat on your breast. Check what you eat. If you are drinking extra some foods can absorb your fluid intake. Drink most of you fluids in the morning. Let your husband play with your breasts if he wants but not suck on them. Stimulation alone a lot of times can produce milk flow. Also one of the most important things,, DO NOT WEAR A TIGHT FITTING BRA!!! Good Luck!!!

There are already a lot of good suggestions here, and I just want to commend you and say GREAT JOB with your persistence...it's so important and you WILL get through this.

So, the things you could do are:
1) Breastfeed the baby directly....the more she sucks the better you'll catch up with milk. The milk itself is good for your baby, but remember that you also give her so much with the closeness of your body and the sucking itself. She may have had latching difficulty at first, but she's older now and there is really no substitute for her suckling to increase your supply. Let her nurse as long and as often as she wants--even though it may mean you have to have her in your bed with you so you can get some rest (no you will NOT smother her!)
2) Contact La Leche League locally for help with any issues...they can be amazing!
3) In addition to all the wonderful nutritional things you are already doing (keep doing them), there are a few others you could add.
A very good, hoppy, microbrew beer (not the cheap stuff) is a great way to both relax yourself and get the benefit of hops--one of the two best ways to increase milk.
Another great one is borage--you can grow it yourself and it is already in season. It's a very easy herb to grow, produces beautiful blue flowers that are sweet and you can put in salads, will reseed itself incredibly--but is easy to pull if it grows somewhere you don't want it. So, what you want for breastmilk increasing is the dried leaf. You make a strong infusion of it (not just tea, but a medicinal level. Fill a glass jar completely with leaf. Then fill it again with boiling water. Cap tightly and let cool. Drink as much as you want--it tastes quite nice and nourishing.) Borage is a natural adrenal booster, and your adrenals are one thing that get "tired" when you are a new mom. I've seen borage increase a woman's milk when nothing else seemed to.

The fever: were your breasts hot or sore to the touch?

You really need to get her back to nursing on the breast. A baby who is latching well is a FAR superior pump than anything in the store. And because nursing is such a multi-sensory experience, a mother tends to produce much more milk when nursing a child rather than pumping.

I can probably help you with the latch issue (I work with moms all over the country for FREE as a peer counselor - last night I worked with a mom from Georgia) I can work with you via phone or email. I can get you back to nursing and snuggling happily with your little one.

Peace-Love-Boobies!

Cookies! You need cookies! Can you believe it really is just that simple? Everyone that has tried them swears by them. I used them with my 3rd baby and holy cow did it work! Here's the link...

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-L...

I agree withall the great advice below and definitely recommend you breast feed directly as much as possible, perhaps work can give you a few days sick leave? Also, I heartily second the borage Theresa mentioned - I bought mine at a local herbalist shop since I didn't want to be bothered with having to grow and maintain any plants. It worked way better for me than the fenugreek had. I also had to cut out black and green teas which seemed to be making it harder for me to build my milk supply.

Try to start Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea...It`s helped me wonderfully...;)