Breast feeding

Cara - posted on 04/08/2010

I agree with everyone else on fenugreek, and plenty of water. In extreme cases of low milk supply you could also be prescribed Domperidone by your doctor. I was only prescribed this by the lactation consultants at the hospital after having surgery a week after my son was born and being separated from him, resulting in my milk supply suffering, and therefor my baby. They would obviously let you know if it is appropriate for you :-)

Jessica - posted on 04/07/2010

water. just don't over hydrate b/c it will have the opposite desired effect

Jessica - posted on 04/07/2010

oatmeal, beer. just don't drink too much beer, ha. one a day always works for me! the darker the beer, the better.

Camille - posted on 04/07/2010

I used the milk maid tea...it worked and tasted good. there are drops too but they taste awful and i found the tea to be better.best of luck..hang in there and relax!

Sally - posted on 04/07/2010

I am a breast feeding mum of 1 year old twins. I didn't naturally have a big enough supply to feed 2 babies, so I increased my supply in the first 2 months by drinking LOTS of water and using a breast pump as often as I could. By about 7 weeks, I had plenty of milk to feed both babies. Good luck

Cassandra - posted on 04/07/2010

If all else fails, you can talk to your doctor about prescribing Domperidone. It can help your supply increase. I had to stay on it the entire time I breastfed because I was very ill after I had my little girl, and my supply never fully came in....even after, my supply never came in fully...so I did both breast and bottle for the first 3 months. But I have talked to many other mommys and they all said that Domperidone is great.

Danielle - posted on 04/06/2010

Fenugreek!!!! As for the ouking, everyone told me my baby was just "a puker". I should have trusted my instincts that something was wrong because at 4 months old he was hospitalized for choking and finally diagnosed with reflux. Once on prevacid he stopped almost all together. Ask your ped about the posibility if it being reflux. You don't want to have to give your baby the baby hymlic like I did.

Adria - posted on 04/06/2010

If your baby is gaining weight and producing enough diapers-they're getting enough to eat, so dont' worry about that end. However, the way your body works is on demand, meaning...the more milk that is sucked out, pumped or expressed, the more your body will produce it. When I first started nursing, I pumped in between feedings to get my milk supply full. Now I don't do that anymore because I produce plenty.
With that being said, again, refer to the 1st paragraph. However, if they still want to suck a lot more; sometimes, it's just because they want to 'suck' more for comfort, and it has nothing to do with wanting to actually eat more. After you feel like you've fed them (your boob feels 'empty') try giving him/her a pacifier. Try different kinds if one kind doesn't work.
Hope that helps some.

Tosha - posted on 04/06/2010

The best way to increase your milk supply is to feed your baby every time they cry. A lot of women think they don't have enough milk if the baby wants to feed all the time, but the truth is that that is how your baby increases your milk supply. It is common for the baby to go through a "growth spurt" right around the two month month mark and want to nurse every hour. It can last for up to two weeks.
I hope this helps. If you still think you aren't producing enough milk, try pumping between feedings.

Tiffany - posted on 04/06/2010

I wondered the same thing-- My baby would nurse but he would act pitiful and cry when I would put him down. I thought something was wrong with my supply and that he was just hungry. I soon found out that it was comforting to him to be nestled close. When I went back to school (last semester of nursing school) I pumped when I was away from my baby... I had to pump in my car or the bathroom, not the most relaxing of places and I found that I really wasnt getting a lot of milk back (I used the Medela Pump In Style)-- Though pumping didnt work well for me I found it helped to look at a picture of him or call and listen to his whimpers, cries, coos. Your supply is probably fine-- if your baby is gaining weight then you are probably doing just fine.

Jennifer - posted on 04/05/2010

I am sure it's enough. Just make sure your baby is latched on properly, in a good position, and gets plenty of access to your breasts (frequency and length of time both). See Jack Newman's YouTube videos for more info.

Epiphany - posted on 04/05/2010

try mother's milk tea and you can also pump for 10 minutes every 2-3 hours.

Rachel - posted on 04/05/2010

the more you nurse the more you make, im sure staying hydrated helps to

Jennifer - posted on 04/05/2010

Fenugreek!!!! Can find it at Whole Foods. I made my own capsules with the fresh herb bought from an Indian store and ground up. It's cheaper that way. Gives milk a maple syrup smell, but I will swear by it. Made my milk produce 70% more. I do not recommend drinking beer! I work in a alcohol treatment center, and any alcohol is bad for baby. Several of my friends did Fenugreek and swore by it too. An Indian woman told me about it.

Julie-Anne - posted on 04/05/2010

Hi Mais,
Wow - a lot of good advice in sooo many responses!! There are however a couple of other things I can suggest that no-one else has mentioned.
Firstly I highly recommend a delicious breastfeeding tea - WELEDA nursing tea. It is totally organic and made from a combination of natural herbs (including Anise, Fennel, Caraway, Fenugreek and leaves from Lemon Verbena). These herbal ingredients have traditionally been used for lactation support and promoting healthy milk flow. It is pleasant tasting with an aromatic fragrance, Weleda Nursing Tea supports relaxed and harmonious breastfeeding.This traditional and nourishing tea is easy and convenient to prepare. You can find it online by googling Weleda Nursing Tea. Personally I drank it as a treat for myself in replacement of caffinated beverages :)

Secondly with the 'throwing up problem' - have you considered what YOU are eating? I found that whenever I ate garlic, onion or chocolate my son would deliver the milk back up onto someone's shoulder or the like. It took a lot of trial and error to work out exactly what was triggering his vomitting, but if I made those small sacrifices in NOT eating those things he would most certainly keep the milk down!! It was actually very interesting after a while to work out where the garlic or onion was hidden in something that I'd eaten when he did suddenly mysteriously throw up - but I'd always find it! There are many sources out there (internet, books, lactation consultants) that have information on this topic - possible foods that we the mothers consume - that effects our breastmilk. Chocolate creates a chemical reaction in our milk that doesn't agree with the young babys' digestion. Very interesting - and totally a small sacrifice to make for your baby to keep down that precious milk!! Better than drugs and chemicals i think anyway.
Best of luck to you and your daughter.
Julie-Anne

Claire - posted on 04/04/2010

Hi I hope I can help :-) - Firstly relax! skin to skin contact helps stimulate milk production, feed on demand - no matter how often this seems to be (about 6 weeks in they have a massive growth spurt and you'll have about 48 hours or so where all you do is feed, stick with it it's tough but not forever :-)) The best thing for stimulating more milk is your baby feeding regulalry at the breast, try not to supplement feeding with formula. Drink plenty of water throughout the day the worst thing for not producing enough milk is dehydration. Be confident in your bodies ability to produce what your baby needs as long as they gain weight heathily and have plenty of wet nappies then all is well. My little one gained weight well but has never been a 'chunky' baby but she is very healthy. Most of all don't worry - you can do it and you'll be so proud of yourself when you do :-) I am not sure how old your little one is but they get quicker at feeding after about 3 months and also feed less frequently which is very normal. Good luck and best wishes X

Adrian - posted on 04/04/2010

Yes, Blessed thistle is good for inducing milk flow, I would not take it in a pill form though, try to get it in a tea. Another good one that used for almost six months was fennel. You can add the herb/spice to any of your meals as well as steep it in hot water and drink as a tea. It does have a sweet taste, something close to liquorice(which I didn't like at first, but it grows on you;) ) Good LUCK!

Amanda - posted on 04/04/2010

Eating oatmeal regularely is supposed to increase your supply. I've also heard good things about blessed thistle and fenugreek (herbs) but I have not tried them myself. This website is a good resource http://www.drjacknewman.com/ and Dr Newman's guide to breastfeeding is and awsome book. I highly recommend it for any nursing mother. It is so helpful for ANY issue you might have while nursing your little one not to mention really encouraging :-) HTH

Michaela - posted on 04/03/2010

The best way to increase your supply is to feed. Feeding stimulates milk production. You also need to drink plenty of water.
The fear that you dont have enough milk is mostly unfounded. As long as your baby has wet nappies and is growing then there is enough milk.

Casey - posted on 04/03/2010

If need be you can go to the doctor and he can perscribe you some meds for you to take to increase your supply :)

Andrea - posted on 04/03/2010

pumping helps. i've heard good things about the yogi tea. this is what worked for me: find yourself a good health food store that sells herbs in bulk. buy some loose nettles. make a tea by pouring boiling water over about 1/2 cup (a fistful) of the nettles in a quart mason jar. the water should fill the jar. drink it as many times a day as you think about it. i mixed mine with any caffeine free hot tea and drank it several times a day. also, you can buy in capsules blessed thistle and fenugreek. the fenugreek is very important. take at least 3 capsules twice a day for the first two days to get it in your system. then go to 3 capsules a day. it may take a few days to work. take two blessed thistle 3 times a day also. for a few weeks, i stayed on "maintenance" taking 3 fenugreek and 4 blessed thistle daily. after about a week of this, i never had any more problems.

Krista - posted on 04/03/2010

HI.
I drink Women's Nursing Support tea by the brand "Yogi" tea. It has had great, almost immediate effects for me, and the effects of increased milk, seem to last a day or so after drinking a cup. I've used it for months with no problems. It's organic too.
Also, if you can, sneak in a pumping session in between feedings. This will send the message to your body that she's eating more and it will naturally respond by making more.
and Don't skip a nursing session with her to give her a bottle, just because you've pumped. Save that milk you pumped and continue nursing as you would.
Good Luck.

ROBIN - posted on 04/03/2010

My son did the same thing, the Doc put him on acid reflex meds and he was completely different within 24 hours. It took a lot of the stress out of feedings.

Schmoopy - posted on 04/03/2010

You can buy fenugreek capsules at a vitamin or health food store. Take at least 3 capsules a day. And you can do this throughout the time you're BFing.

Here's a great breastfeeding website - it has MANY fantastic resources...
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksuppl...

Danielle - posted on 04/03/2010

I've heard of pills: Fenugreek capsules
Take 3 capsules, 3 times a day for the first 10 days; drop to 2 capsules, 3 times a day for the next 10 days; drop to 1 capsule, 3 times a day for another 10 days. Mothers typically see an increase in supply within 72 hours. The most common side effects reported are profuse sweating and excretions that smell like maple syrup. Fenugreek is not recommended for women with diabetes (it may lower blood sugar) or asthma (it may aggravate symptoms). Speak with a lactation consultant and your health care provider before using fenugreek.


I also know there are prescription meds for that too

Kimberly - posted on 04/02/2010

I just nursed every two hours and pumped immediately after for 10 minutes.and then after a day or two you can go back to your normal schedule and you should see an improvement you can also take blessed thistle and fenugreek. I think the key thing is to make sure the baby nurses enough to keep your milk supply right. eat healthy, drink plenty and get rest. good luck.

Sherron - posted on 04/02/2010

My son acted like that, too--nurse until he was satisfied, nurse on both breasts, then he would spit up and cry. Yet he gained weight well, and had plenty of wet and dirty diapers, and was alert. Just seldom content unless he was nursing. As I kept learning more about babies and breastfeeding, I finally decided that he was overfed! He was having reflux problems, and even gentle human milk was backing up and irritating his throat! If I were able to do it again, I would try just nursing on one side at a session for couple of days, to see if the crying and spitting would slow down. Maybe cuddling with a pacifier, if you are using one already, would make your daughter feel secure. Of course, you will need to keep track of wet diapers, and keep on with all the advice that is helping you make milk. Happy mothering, Mais!

Sarah - posted on 04/02/2010

Fenugreek and a homeopathic called "more milk plus", plus the tea which is called "mother's milk" by traditional medicinals.

Lactation consultants are wonderful.

and I second the person/s who said: relax, and bond, and enjoy.

Stacy - posted on 04/02/2010

make sure u drink alot of water everytime u nurse have some water handy i know i have 9 kids and have bf everyone of them my youngest is 7 weeks ols good luck its worth it

Cherry - posted on 04/02/2010

Look for a herb called Fenugreek. Work wonders for me. They have it in tea bags or in my case, I bought the capsules.

Jan - posted on 04/01/2010

Drink lots of Jungle Juice: 50ml Blackthorn berry tonic (Schlehen Elixir), 1litre apple, berry or grape juice, 2 litres of water, 1 sachet fruit flavoured Rehydrate solution, 1 Cal-C-Vita tablet and a few drops of Rescue Remedy to help you relax. This is from the book Baby Sense by Megan Faure & Ann Richardson. It is fantastic! Make a large 5 litre up and sip on it all day. It worked for me when I had a prem baby and needed to get pumping and now with me second baby I drink it when I need a boost. Good Luck!

Teri - posted on 04/01/2010

oatmeal, flax seed meal, fenugreek, blessed thistle...

Patrice - posted on 04/01/2010

What I do is drink 80 oz of water a day with oatmeal and flaxseed. I put cumin, fennel, and dill seed in my fish and eat that with dark green veggies. It worked for 6 months so far.

Ekaterina - posted on 04/01/2010

Make sure you drink lots of water! Day AND night! Every midwife says it and it's SO true! I breast fed for 15 months and had my ups and lows. My milk production fluctuated drastically if I didn't drink my 2-3 litters of water. At the end of the day you need fluid to produce milk and water is the best fluid you can get! And relax, I know easier said than done :)

Chantelle - posted on 04/01/2010

i know that peanut butter works for me... but if that doesn't work for u u can try fenugreek. its the main ingredient n lacktation pills and it's completely natrual. u can find it n herbal or natural medicine stores.

Lentina - posted on 04/01/2010

Hi! I was blessed (or cursed) with over-producing milk so I can share with you what I think helped with my "condition". I ate a ton of food right after delivery, more than my husband! I also drank a lot of water, soups and liquids. But I think the culprit is pumping. At first my supply was OK (just enough) but then I worried it wasn't enough so I pumped after every feeding. The cycle just snowballed and I ended up pumping to relieve the fullness!!! I got food poisoning in my baby's 4th month but that didn't diminish my supply by much so it had to be the pumping. So... be careful not to over-pump! Good luck!!

Crystal - posted on 03/31/2010

Drink lots of fluids, high amounts of protein, and if baby falls asleep when you nurse and stays latched on let baby continue to suck. This helps tell your body that you need to make more milk and your body will adjust as needed. Oatmeal is great to eat when you are breastfeeding to help keep up your supply and to help increase your supply. There are also natural herbal supplements you can take if you want that will help you produce more milk. However, one of the biggest side effects is that when you sweat you smell like maple syrup. You can find these anywhere but consult with your doctor or pediatrician before you start a supplement.

Beth - posted on 03/31/2010

pump and fully empty each breast. your milk supply should grow more and more. I pump after each feeding to finish emptying each breast and now at 4 months I am up to pumping apx 12-16 oz each session. it goes slowly but steady. I use Medela backpack pump and I love it!! Any more questions or if you are interested in more detail from my experiences the feel free to contact me! good luck!

Stina - posted on 03/31/2010

Drink lots and lots of water (I'm sure you know this) Get a large pitcher for your fridge, fill it every day and empty it by the end of the day.

Oatmeal. For breakfast, as an evening snack.

Nurse on demand and if you feel like your supply isn't enough, pump after your nursing sessions to stimulate your body to produce more.

As long as your baby is growing adequately though, you probably are producing enough.

Allison - posted on 03/31/2010

I exclusively breast-fed my son until 7 months (when he started eating some solids) but my family all thought he wasn't getting enough for his first 3 months. He would cry after eating sometimes (most babies do) and spit up a LOT (like 10 x between feedings, a little reflux thing). They even said he looked "weak" (although he was NOT, Dr even said so). They all used formula, and said breast milk just wasn't sufficient. But he was gaining weight, and healthy, so I just kept exclusively breast feeding (on demand) and at 6 months old he was 20 pounds!!! (Now he's three, average weight and height and still eats a lot!) Like others said, you are probably making just as much milk as she needs :)

Rah - posted on 03/31/2010

nurse/pump early in the morning when your supply should be the greatest. eat oatmeal (i even sprinkle mine with brewer's yeast). eat/make lactation cookies, you can google the recipe. take herbs like fenugreek which works best when taken with blessed thistle. drink plenty of water (64oz daily at least). when pumping/feeding RELAX (i think about relaxing each body part ie...i'm relaxing my head, my neck, my shoulders ... til i'm thinking about relaxing my toes). also you can pump often.

Julieny - posted on 03/31/2010

I had some problems too.
I use fenugreek capsules, the lactation consultant have told me to take 3000 mg of it a day.
I get mine at GNC. It really helps, but you have to pump your breasts empty after all the feedings.
Good luck

Melissa - posted on 03/31/2010

i heard olaltine but you have to drink alot of it

ROBIN - posted on 03/31/2010

Try pumping a long with nursing - It's a lot of work but it really helps.

Megan - posted on 03/31/2010

Keep taking your prenatal vitamins.

Nicole - posted on 03/31/2010

You should attend a La Leche League meeting. You will have your questions answered and will meet like minded woman. I think you have enough milk from what you described. It sounds like your baby is throwing up after bc of overflow. Either getting too much milk or too fast. Probably crying after bc upset about throwing up. Have you mentioned this to your doctor? LLL will help you to figure this out. Good luck.

Ana - posted on 03/31/2010

hi dear! something similar happened to me when Ruth was 3 months old, she even left brestfeeding.... just relax, get her eat whenever she wants whether you have milk or not, and be in skin whith skin contact as much as possible! (you will get more milk, and your baby will get more innmunity, sef-confidence and happiness)You probably have more milk than you think and your child may be probably throwing out because babies don´t have the pilorous valble closed until they are 1 y.o. or so. Try to hepl him/her with his/her gasses really softly, it will take you some more time than usual but it really works! Be patient, bless every second you have with your baby, this is the most wonderful experience you´ll ever have. There are plants, herbs and drugs to increase milk production but our brain is our best friend and it's free with no contra-indication. Possitive attitude is the best! One natural trick is stimulating your brest simulating nursing with your fingers every hour or so.... well, good luch and best whishes!

Tanya - posted on 03/31/2010

I read online at kellymom.com that your body needs 3 things to produce milk - fat, protein, and water. Your body is very efficient at pulling fat from your post-partum body but you need to make sure you get enough protein and water.

Also, let your baby nurse on demand and your supply should increase. If you're still worried, then you should pump for 10 minutes after every feed. I forget where I read this, but that's how I increased my supply a little so I could build a freezer stash. It's ok if no milk comes out while you pump, a "dry" pump today is milk your body will start making tomorrow or the next day. Don't let only pumping a small amount worry you. It'll increase over time. Plus, if you're always feeding your baby first, there will be less to pump.

Brenda - posted on 03/31/2010

the more you feed, the more you produce - so keep feeding. Your body is amazing, so trust it and keep on feeding. More info can be found at the Australian Breastfeeding Association website, google them - they have great info.

Amanda - posted on 03/30/2010

Lots of water, rest and I have found these to be awesome: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Oatmeal... Me and three other moms I know swear by them. It doesn't work for everyone, but it may help. Also, check out the notes section here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-MS...!/pages/Madison-MS/Mississippi-Breastfeeding-Medicine-Clinic-PLLC/69083083422?v=app_2347471856 If you don't live in MS, you can always contact your local WIC office or the hospital to get in touch with your local Lactation Consultant.