Help with breastfeeding problems..

Laura Zoey - posted on 10/16/2011

I respect your perspective! But i do believe that while breastfeeding might not be 'for' every mom every baby is 'for' being breastfed. except of course galactosemic babes. Really I don't mean to make you angry or anything, I just can't say that it's a 'whatever' choice.

There is significant disadvantages to formula feeding. Now most babies never have serious side effects from it but some do.

I just want to help the world realize that human milk is the standerd, and formula is an alternative to be chosen with caution.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/16/2011

I remember reading that when I was reading about the warm beer. Yikes!

My mom wasn't able to breastfeed so I was formula fed and did fine so did my brother who is adopted from a different family. The worst we had were chicken pox.

I wasn't able to breast feed my 7 year old for as long as I wanted and she was on formula and is doing fine as well. I believe that while breast is best it's not for everyone.

Laura Zoey - posted on 10/16/2011

Or straight up cows milk! That's dangerous!
I hope to adopt and breastfeed but I've learned it's a long task and some women's bodies just don't take to it well.
My adopted brother did fine on formula although I do believe hebwould have avoided some of his issues if he were breastfed.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/16/2011

Unless of course you adopted then formula is pretty dang good. Beats giving your kid warm beer like they did in the 17th century.

Laura Zoey - posted on 10/16/2011

Breastfeeding is how humans are designed to feed their babies. It's just how we are supposed to feed them! We have alternatives that are pretty similar but fact is nature made baby food always trumps man made food.

Why did you only feed your babies a week?

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/16/2011

Courtney, put down the expresso! Many birth mothers want to breast feed because they believe it's the best choice for their baby and a good way to bond with their newborn.



It's no one else's decision but the mother's on how she feeds her child.

Courtney - posted on 10/16/2011

why do you want to breastfreed? i breastfeed all my kids i hav 4 kids im on ma 5th one now and i could only breastfreed them for a week eachh

Courtney - posted on 10/16/2011

Im on my 5th. baby and im at a really young age right now but what i do know about that is not much but i think it matter if your body ready for that with the other two babys you had was not. Same with my kids and stuff i know there is a way but im just wondering why do you want to breasefeed ur baby?

Courtney - posted on 10/16/2011

Im on my 5th. baby and im at a really young age right now but what i do know about that is not much but i think it matter if your body ready for that with the other two babys you had was not. Same with my kids and stuff i know there is a way but im just wondering why do you want to breasefeed ur baby?

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/14/2011

Autumn I read your update post and I'm glad you're doing better now. I'm glad to hear your LO is crawling and eatting well too.

Don't worry if you believe you didn't breast feed enough because you did your best and tried all your options. I didn't breast feed for more than 4 months with my 7 year old and she's extremely healthy and tall and everything else. I'm just glad everything worked out for you.

Ania - posted on 10/14/2011

First: what makes you thionk you are not producing enough? Is it because your baby wants to eat all the time especially in the first 3 months of life? Guess what eating sometimes every hour or on some days when it seems they are not letting to go to the bathroom because they eat all day long is completely normal.
Second: If you actually respond to those needs by constantly giving them boob your milk supply will be amazing. i know it is stressful and you are questioning yourself, but believe me just relax about it and respond to your babies needs it is either going to be diaper or burp or boob, but you know that already. I know that is simplified idea, but I'm telling you feed on demand and your supply will be fine. And don't get scared when your breasts become soft at around 8-12 weeks, because that means your milk regulated to the needs and there is no overproduction and you are still making enough and your milk still will increase if baby will suck more on some days than others

Mollie - posted on 10/10/2011

Fenugreek does seem to help, too (but you might have to get used to your milk smelling like an Indian curry!). And, yes, supply-and-demand are key. I also wanted to add that a lot of people say that it may take UP TO 8 weeks for things to go smoothly,... but I had to stick with it for nearly FOUR MONTHS before I felt that my supply was adequate and before I stopped having VERY painful nipples, etc etc. I am not saying this to scare you, I just want you to know that if it takes longer than the books & consultants say it will, you're not alone! I was so despondent when, at 12 wks, I was still struggling to make it work -- and then read that it could take up to 8 weeks!! In the end, I kept asking for advice, rejecting suggestions to supplement with formula, trying everything I was told could increase supply, and stuck with it. In the end I BF for 16 months. I am so glad I stuck with it, but YOU have to decide what is best for you and your baby, and don't let anyone make you feel bad for whatever course of action you take (even if you eventually choose to use formula)! Breast probably is best, but there are loads of healthy, INTELLIGENT children out there who were raised on formula. The most important thing you can do is just to enjoy your new baby and don't stress about the milk. Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy, birth, etc!

Autumn - posted on 09/27/2011

Thanks everyone for the comments, I actually forgot the thread, have not been on in quite a while! Here is an update, I breastfed for 3 short months :( I bought everything and took everything. Smelled like maple syrup and all. But it wasn't enough. Plus side, Baby Zoiey is turning 8 months, eating well crawling and starting to walk! I do thank you all for the support, and it is true some have a hard time producing as I did and others think that they do . Best advice I can give, not being in the medical field. Try every option, visit with the lactation consultant. Express your feelings with your Dr. Nurse or Midwife. And again, thanks for all of your help and suggestions.
@Marcia, I got so desperate with the phenugreek ( I was told to take 15 due to my weight) That I cracked them open and made a really REALLY thick shake, I do not recommend that on any desperation LOL

Marcia - posted on 09/22/2011

i know that some women truly cant produce enough milk, but a lot of women think they cant because a health care professional (many of whom know little about breastfeeding) told them they weren't producing enough. my best suggestion would be to sek help from professionals who do know about breastfeeding, ie lactation consultants, and also get in contact with Le Leche League. An important thing to remember is any supplementing early on especially will decrease your supply, so if you nee to do it, make sure you pump LOTS to keep your supply up. as others have said, if you truly have low supply issues (which an LC can help you determine) there are things you can try, like phenugreek.

Donna - posted on 09/17/2011

I'm really sorry about your past experience. Yes there is something you can do. The best thing that you can do is get a great start. Skin to Skin immediately after birth and letting the baby self attach is the best thing that you can do to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Skin to skin is just holding the baby on your bare chest and the baby just in a diaper. Here is the reason why, as you deliver the baby and the placenta is delivered your breast release progesterone, as your body releases the progesterone(pregnancy hormone that makes colostrum) and the baby latches on you will start to make prolactin(the milk making hormone). Prolactin will take up the space where the progesterone was and prepare you for making milk. Also keeping the baby in the room with you is also a big help because you can respond to the baby's hunger cues such as movement, sucking on hands etc. and get the baby to the breast faster and more often then if baby is in the nursery. Also you should let the baby nurse as often as it wants to be not go longer then 3 hours in between feedings. Frequent feeds is the best way to build a good supply. It's supply and demand, the more the baby demands the milk your body will respond and make milk. Also remember that there are many reasons that babies fuss and it's not always hunger. Some babies will nurse on both sides and then go back to the first side and that's ok because it comforts the baby and tells your body to make more milk.

Carrie - posted on 09/15/2011

Have you ever read "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding"? I found it to be a fantastic resource about all the ins and outs of BF and details problems people have with BF and solutions. You are made to BF your baby. My most best, simplist advice is to BF on demand. If your baby wants to nurse even just for a sip (you don't always gulp down a whole meal everytime you eat, you snack here and there, so do babies). Follow your instincts. I don't know what type of birth you plan to have but that makes a difference to as to how everything starts off. If you have a medicated birth, make sure you can get pumping right away to stimulate your milk to come in. The baby will be to lethargic from the meds to nurse and get it going right away and so delay the natural processes. And have daddy or someone special snuggle the baby skin to skin if you cannot. If natural birth, then breastfeed your baby before the chord is cut and snuggle with your baby right after to help the bond...As long as you want. The chord doesn't have to be cut right away anyways.
Have a fantastic birth and breastfeeding experience! How exciting!!!

Carly - posted on 08/10/2011

I didn't have a great supply with my first (we scraped by though) and when I asked my doctor about help with upping my supply, he suggested Phenugreek and also gave me a prescripiton (can't remember what it was though). I don't know if they truly helped or it was all psychological, but I was able to exclusively breastfeed my son until 18 months. My 2nd son was much easier and I had quite the stockpile!

Teresa - posted on 08/08/2011

I know this is a really old post but I would love to know how the OP managed. I am in the same boat and have found no answers.

Katherine - posted on 08/07/2011

nurse on demand especially the first few weeks. You'll probably feel like all you are doing is nursing the baby. It's mostly true, but they do settle into a pattern eventually. If that baby makes a peep, offer the breast. It's a good excuse to sit still for a while and make other people take care of things. sleep as much as you can, guzzle water and milk, eat enough, and don't try to lose weight right away, let that happen later or without effort. make sure someone check's the baby's latch in the hospital and maybe a week out... good luck.

Kristin - posted on 01/06/2011

Contact a lactation specialist or a Le Leche League leader, they will help you through all of this. They will really be able to help you with your specific circumstances. Also, make sure your peditrician knows that you want to BF exclusively and if they aren't supportive, find one who is. Make sure anyone who is around your child also knows this and that may include your mom, his mom, care givers, and the nurses in the recovery ward.

You milk won't come in for a couple of days following the birth. Just make sure to get the baby to breast ASAP following the delivery and do it often. It won't seem like they are getting anything and it is really only teaspoons when measured, but frequency and the stimulation from the sucking is what you need to get things going. Ignore anyone who says to follow a strict feeding schedule. Do it on demand except when baby hasn't fed for more than 3 to 4 hours. Finally relax and care for yourself. That means get enough sleep and eat well. The only thing your baby's other parent cannot do is breastfeed. You need to have them help out as much as possible. During those first few months, you are healing up and baby is using you as it's own endless buffet. Good luck.

Heather - posted on 01/04/2011

A wonderful website that helped me a lot has been www.kellymom.com. You will be able to find anything you need to know on this site. One thing that I know will increase your milk supply is nursing all the time. As much as you can, just nurse. Supply = demand. If it's in your budget, try working with a lactation consultant. Three weeks into nursing I was ready to give up because I had such a hard time. And my thoughts on nursing before I delivered were that I simply would nurse and that's that, despite any issues. Formula wasn't an option for me. But still, once I found myself nursing and having issues, it was a lot of pressure, so I almost gave up. But luckily, I found a great lactation consultant who came to my house. She was a great help and eased my fears that I wasn't making any milk. She measured the baby before and after he nursed and it was clear that he was getting milk. I just thought I wasn't producing any because I never got engorged. Everyone had made me think that I would definitely get engorged but because I never did, I had no idea how much milk I was producing. Now my son is 32 months old and still nursing, but he's recently really started the weaning process. I'm so happy I stuck with it and got some support when I did very early on.



Anyway, there are also other things you can take or eat to increase your milk supply. Oatmeal is one of them and there are certain herbs you can take too. Definitely, check out the website. Good luck.

Julie - posted on 01/04/2011

I also am trying out milkies. It catches the milk let down from the breast the baby is not nursing from. It isn't a lot but every little bit helps.

Julie - posted on 01/04/2011

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to nurse my second baby. She was in Special Care Nursery for eight days and they started her on formula. I didn't get the help I needed to get my milk going, I wasn't eating well or sleeping and I was only getting 5 ccs of colostrum after pumping and I got mastitis. Slowly over time I was able to build up enough to not only supplement the formula but replace it. Next hurdle I had to jump was pumping and feeding her at home because now she refused the breast and was used to the bottle. Slowly through determination and perseverance and some crying from both of us we are now bottle and pump free. All that and painful nursing for two months until we got the hang of it. So i guess what I'm saying is don't give up. Even when baby is nursing and it doesn't seem like she's getting anything, she's telling your body to get into production mode. I also found drinking beer helps, Non alcoholic beer works too.

Nicole - posted on 01/04/2011

I absolutly hate when people say that every women can breast feed and that you just have to do it differently. I tried with both babies and fed them only breast milk for the first while. My milk did come in but than as time went on I stopped making enough milk to feed my kids. I would pump and breast feed and I made sure to always switch sides but nothing helped. My mom and my Grandma both had the same problem. As long as you can get your baby the colostrum that comes out for the first little bit than that is good. Breast feed for as long as you can and than switch. You can either switch completely or use whatever breastmilk you can pump and mix it with formula. There is absolutly nothing wrong with that and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way that you are breast feeding. It is not your fault. I felt so horrible because of all the comments about how every women can breast feed that you are just basically not doing it right. I don't care if that information comes from a nurse or a doctor or whoever. It is not true. There are some things that you can take either from a health store or a perscription but I don't think you can take it before your baby is born. Just drink lots and lots and lots of water and that will help for the time being. Also try to stay stress free. Remember whatever happens breast milk or formula your baby will be just as healthy and happy!!! Good luck with everything. I know that you will do great!!!

Emma - posted on 01/04/2011

There is a medication u can take if u feel u have low supply but I would wait until breastfeeding is established n then start it if u feel u need after about 4-6 weeks it's called motilium or domperidone works great for me alot of breastfeeding have to do with confidence n if taking this medication is reassuring and gives u confidence for yourself than that will help this drug increases your supply by increasing the bodies ability to produce prolactin this drug wasn't designed for this it is actually an antiemetic (anti nausea) medication but they found it has this side effect so they use with bf mums it works wonders for me n I'm not sure I need it
nemore but I keep taking a very small dose
for my own confidence and reassurance as I
have a very fussy 7mnth old bub n if I know
for sure I have enough milk then I know that
is one less thing that could be causing her to
be fussy n I have been assured by the breast
feedding association in our country that this
is safe n definatly better than using formula. Iknow there is a website bya guy called dr
jack newman who is a breast feeding specialist n has done alot of research in domperidone n u canfind this on his website it is called www.nbci.ca hope this helps.

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/04/2011

Switching breasts during a feeding is a common reason women have low milk supply. Each breast works without cues from the other, ie if you only use one breast the other side won't produce milk.
So, if you only let baby drink half the milk in each breast then each breast thinks only to make that amount next time, thus making less milk every time.
If you feed from only one breast at a time you are forcing each breast to prepare a FULL feed for next time. Also switching breasts can easily cause lactose overload or imbalance, as the early milk is more lactose less fats and as the breast gets closer to the end the milk gets thicker, fattier, and richer. If you switch breasts before baby gets the thick hind milk then baby will not feel full, and not sleep as well because it's not as satisfying.
Feed the whole feed on one side, and if you want, pump the other side during the feed. But then switch for the following feed. And remember, babies in more traditional societies breastfeed for a few minutes, a few times an hour! They eat from one breast for a few hours and then switch. This is closer to humans natural pattern of feeding, so don't be shocked if your baby wants quick feeds, many many times! Just do not switch breasts until the one you are using is completely drained. You can tell it's empty if when you squeeze your nipple you only get drips out instead of streams :)
Join the breastfeeding moms group! There is tons more help info and encouragement there!

Naomi - posted on 01/04/2011

I had the same problem with my son, but what I started doing after we got the proper latching (which we had latch issues as well) I started pumping the opposite breast to which he fed. The one thing that is truly important is switching from one breast to the other each time you feed baby. Even tho you pump on the opposite you won't get the proper let down that you need to fully produce the milk for baby. Best thing is the drinking of lots of water through out the day and during breastfeeding especially. You might have noticed with your other two the dry mouth while breastfeeding and it's a huge help with drinking water during as it will help prevent loss of certain nutrients in milk production and especially don't stop taking your prenatal vitamins until you're no longer breastfeeding for sure... Good Luck

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/03/2011

Breastfeed hourly or more, you can't bf too much if baby will take it and every suck says to your body to make more, don't switch breasts until you can't get much out of the one you are on.

Amanda - posted on 01/02/2011

hey ladies, had trouble with my son making enough milk for him... i did the barley and rasberry tea I also got a med from my ped dr that helped with the milk supply. the only effect from it was that it made me sleepy.. it's safe for breastfeeding and also helped with keeping food on my stomach.. i was sick on the stomach a lot before and after the baby was born..

Rania - posted on 01/02/2011

drink a lot of water and milk about 2 cups of water before breastfeed and acup of milk after also drink a lot of juice and hot drinks like anise , and other

Tine - posted on 01/01/2011

Oh, and also be aware that birth interventions can REALLY cause problems with milk supply. Drugs for pain relief and Syntocinon (or Pitocin in the US) are the worst offenders.

Also I'd suggest you get some really good advice and support from the La Leche League or the ABA in Australia :-) Sometimes you can think that you have low supply when you don't...

Tine - posted on 01/01/2011

I had the same problem with my daughter. I saw a Chinese Herbal Gynocologist who prescribed herbs that fixed my supply problem when my daughter was 6 weeks old, and I am still breastfeeding her now at 2 years old. The other thing that helped was fenugreek, which I used at 8 months to bump up my supply again. You have to take LOTS of it over 2 - 3 days. Take it until you smell sweet, that's how you know you have had enough!

My best reccomendation is to try some alternative therapies - Chinese herbal medicine, if you see someone who is experienced and knows about baby stuff (!) REALLY works.

Poonam - posted on 12/30/2010

am sure garlic helps produce milk... so u can try it as well.... demand and supply rule works for me

Summer - posted on 12/29/2010

Hello! My son was a premie and so he couldn't nurse for the first month. I had huge supply issues even though I pumped every two hours. I ended up needing a prescription for Domperidone. It was AMAZING!!!! Fenugreek helped too, but the Dom was the best. It is safe and used in a lot of other countries. The formula lobby has a hold on the FDA and so it isn't allowed here.

Candi - posted on 12/29/2010

Fenugreek, you can get it on nutritiongeeks.com. Drink lots of water, and you can drink this tea called mothers milk. It worked for me, I was able to breast feed my little girls whole first year. Good luck, It's the best thing you can do for your baby!

Jessica - posted on 12/29/2010

yes there are tea that could drink my earth mama and also breastfeeding like very 30min so your body could produce more milk

Maria - posted on 12/28/2010

I had the same problem with my first. I have since discovered several reasons why I had trouble with the first. My first got almost all breast milk her first 4 months, except for maybe 2-4 oz of formula a week,but I still didn't make enough for her. She actually lost weight between 3 and 4 months. Here are the things that contributed to MY lack of production. I was exclusively using a nipple shield. My daughter didn't learn to latch on until she was 4 months old, she liked the nipple sheild. (THey have a purpose, but if you read the fine print that comes with it, it does say there is a chance it will reduce your milk supply. (you don't get the proper stimulation as the baby eats) It took 3 months before I wasn't making enough.

The other thing that went wrong with me is I wasn't eating enough. I was loosing weight too fast. Remember it takes more calories to breast feed than it does to be pregnant. Now I realise some people can produce enough milk and loose tons of weight at the same time. My body couldn't.

My doctor also told me my daughter was ready to learn to sleep through the night at 2 months old (she was big). so we taught her and she did.I would pump once before going to bed, but I was still going 11hours without nursing and 8 hours from pumping to nursing again. At night is when your body can produce the most milk.

With my second child I changed those three things and he is 9 months and we are still going strong. And I have made sure to introduce solids very slowly (amount wise) so it doesn't replace any of my milk. Changing these things also allowed my to relax and not worry as much about weight gain. Most doctors offices will also allow you to bring your baby by tobe weighed between appointments, which can also ease your mind and help you not to worry, which in turn helps with milk production.

Because I had had problems the first time with supply, the lactation consultant at the hospital sent me home with instructions to take fenugreek, I had to take 2 pills 3 times a day, some people take more. My son never took a pacifier and I fed (and still do) on demand.

I am sure your supply issues are probably different than mine, but I hope you are able to relax and try things a little differently and have things go better this time around!

Check out KellyMom.com for lots of great breastfeeding advice. They have a section on increasing supply!

Carole - posted on 12/28/2010

I had this issue with my first 2 kids and failed miserably at bfding so when number 3 came I was determined. Pumping between feeds and using a lactaid devise to feed baby with the pumped milk at the end of a b/feed will help to double stimulate your milk/once when it is pumped and again when baby is feeding from the lactaid attached to your breast. check out drjacknewman.com it has heaps of information on using a lactaid. I had accupuncture to induce a further milk coming in and took drugs (domperidone) as well as blessed thistle, ate porridge every day and drank plenty of water. Also I have since learnt that a possible reason for low supply can be linked to the oxytocin injection given for the placenta delivery. I found that I nursed for the first 3 or 4mths every 1.5hrs during the day and learnt to co-feed/sleep at night as this is when your prolactin levels are higher and thus helps to make more milk. Make sure baby does all suckling at the breast, no teats/dummies/bottles. this can be difficult if you have other kids but I learnt to feed while carrying him in a sling so that I could get on with life. Good luck and try not to stress. Also look at the big picture not just weight gains when you look at how much baby is getting. I was fooled into thinking he was not gaining well but infact he was just gaining little bits at a steady pace. Now my son is 2yrs 3mths and still feeds morning and night and more when he is sick. Good luck!!!

Julie - posted on 12/27/2010

Drink Raspberry leaf tea, and be prepared to let baby feed whenever however she/he wants. A midwife once said to me: offer them the breast every hour, even if they just give a few powerful sucks, and lose interest fine, they've done the stimulating job. Also drink loads of water! I had at least a glass at each feed. You need enough for yourself first and then extra for milk production. Good luck!

Deanna - posted on 12/27/2010

Alright I am going to tell you what I did with baby #3 and #4 as I had the same problems that you are having. When at the hospital I asked for a breastpump (brought my own the last time around) and I pumped for 10 minutes each breast AFTER I got done feeding my baby. (everytime) We can spout what the doctors and everyone says and I will be the first to say listen to them as I am a nurse. However, I can also tell you that it ISN'T A WASTE OF TIME if you start pumping right after birth either. You may not get anything for the first few hours or even day or two. However, you will still be stimulating the glands and that will in turn help them to produce more. Oh boy is it a hassle when you have other kids but trust me it is possible as I have 4 girls and I breastfed every one of them. Just remember to pump whenever you can and try not to pump right before you feed your baby as you don't want to take away from him/her. The easiest way to make sure is to just pump extra minutes after baby is done.

good luck, god bless, and congratulations!

Cj - posted on 12/26/2010

courtney - "Correction*** Can't** breast feed past a few months (thyroid issue)" --

what thyroid issue does that? i ask because i couldn't breastfeed (low milk supply combined with Baby Simply Isn't Interested in Breast Except About Once a Week for Five Minutes) and i have hypothyroid. i take Synthroid for it and was told that is OK for pregnancy and breast feeding.

A - posted on 12/26/2010

I had a similar problem. I produced nothing with my daughter, very little with my older son but I am producing way more now with my second son (third born, 8 weeks old) but still not enough. My midwife gave me a prescription for somthing that will help increase the supply (takes 2 weeks for maximum effect) so I would talk to your doctor about that. Also I find it hard to feed on demand for as long as needed. he'll go to sleep and i'll put him to bed even though it's not enough for him, just enough to let him drift to sleep so I have to supplement with formula but for me it's not a problem cause he's still getting breastmilk, he just eats too much

Tanya - posted on 12/26/2010

A lot of people have given great advice, and this may be posted somewhere already, but you may want to join the breastfeeding moms group for support at the beginning and make sure the lactation consultant at the hospital meets with you after the baby is born to help you get started and make sure your baby is latching well.

A great book to read is "So That's What They're For" I read it before my son was born and it was so helpful. I have loaned it out to many pregnant friends who found it invaluable.

Good luck!

Erica - posted on 12/25/2010

I tried breastfeeding with my son.. I literally dried up. I wasnt eating or drinking enough.. He would eat on demand and still be hungry.. Jus make sure you eat enough calories to keep ur milk coming and drink milk and water.. I bf for 3 weeks and was completely dry.. I even tried squeezing out and pumping and it hurt more than anything

Chantelle - posted on 12/25/2010

try a cnicus benedictus supplement from health food store works wonders for me, not sure what they called in your part of the world but here in NZ they Blessed Thistle

Jessica Noor - posted on 12/24/2010

I haven't read through all the replies, but I can definitely relate. I tried breastfeeding my 2 daughters, and they both ended up on formula. I wasn't making enough milk, and I really do believe it was a supply issue more than anything.

So, things I would do next time to help myself succeed:
1. Take fenugreek supplements and drink fenugreek tea.
2. Only supplement at the breast (Medela makes a Supplemental Nursing System) It helped my sister successfully breastfeed, and I'm sure it can help many people out there.
3. Use a nipple shield at times. I always stayed away from them until I was nearly done nursing my second....that's when I realized how helpful it would have been earlier on.

And, finally, you most definitely should see a LC and possibly try to join a local LLL.

Autumn - posted on 12/24/2010

Thank you thank you everyone. You all had great input and I do plan to put it to good use! My baby Zoiey might be coming earlier than expected ( crosses fingers ) ! All the signs point to YES!!! But I will talk to my dr about the herbs suggested, and will be speaking with a LC after the new year!
Everyone have a safe and Happy Holiday and New Year and again thanks for all of your support!!!!

Lacey - posted on 12/24/2010

I'm now nursing baby #2 and I agree with everyone else that nursing on demand is the way to go. One thing I see that no one has suggested is a natural supplement called FENAGREEK. It can make you smell like maple suryp but it helps to almost double your milk supply. You can get it at any health food store. Maybe this can help if nothing else seems to work. I only use it for two or three days if I feel like my son or daughter aren't getting enough to eat. Also it can take up to 24 hrs. to kick in.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Liz - posted on 12/24/2010

Well well, seems there is no escape from the Breastfeeding Police is there? During my second bout of mastitis I was oozing pus and blood from several large blisters that had appeared on my nipple - now to me, that was a perfectly good reason NOT to feed him from that breast. And although I went back to it as soon as it cleared up, baby and I both got thrush almost immediately afterwards - and to my mind, flinching with pain and tensing up every time your baby comes near you to feed can't be good for you OR them. Breast is best yes, but sometimes, despite our best efforts its just not happening. I am very pleased I lasted this long with my current young man, despite the problems, and I hope Autumn you have success and you and your baby have many happy breastfeeding weeks ahead of you. Should it not work out for whatever reason do not feel guilty - no Mum who genuinely wants to breastfeed but can't is making "excuses" - they are taking whatever decision is best for their own wellbeing as well as that of their child. I wish you the best of luck with it all!

Allyson - posted on 12/23/2010

My sister had her tubes tied after her last baby. She BF her first 2 with no problems, but after her tubal she wasn't producing much milk, she does the Mother's milk tea, and she had some luck with it. I had my baby 2 wks before she had hers, and when I went "home" to visit I pumped some of my milk and gave it to her for my nephew. He gobbled it up! If you are unable to BF look into milk banks. I thought about donating b/c I make more than enough for my baby and another! I hope things work in your favor this time. I LOVE the bonding time and she is so healthy!!
Best of luck on #3 and on BF.