Extreme problems w/ BF- Really needing some advice/help

Andrea - posted on 08/05/2010

I agree with all the above posts. If you need additional help you can speak with your doctor and LC about taking Fenugreek (an herbal supplement) and/or Reglan (a Rx) to boost your milk production.

Erin - posted on 08/05/2010

Stress, guilt, and no sleep are big obstacles to a good milk supply. You have gotten a lot of really good advise from these woman! It's encouraging to see so many woman out there that know their stuff when it comes to breastfeeding. BFing is a labor of love, tough at the start but soooo worth it in the long run. As a mother you will have "mommy guilt" about so many things, there's unfortunately no way around that. But what I really want you to know is that you are doing incredibly well to be giving your baby whatever milk you can get!!! A baby needs to eat and if you have to supplement with formula for a time then you do, NO GUILT. I am a huge breastfeeding advocate, but have to admit that it's not for all mothers. What breaks my heart is to see a mom who really wants to bf and not have the help that she needs to get through any issues. Please feel free to message me if you are not having any luck. There are so many things that can help, some of which these mom's have already mentioned. I attend a local breastfeeding support group in my town and have learned so much from the other mom's and the lactation consultants, if you have something like that where you live it would help. Good luck Mallory, you really can come back from this if that is what you want!!

Ashley - posted on 08/05/2010

ask dr to give you prescription for domperidone to help boost up the milk supply and i agree keep nursing nursing nursing =-) hang in there

Elora - posted on 08/04/2010

i talked with a LC recently and she said in between feedings, pumping will keep up you milk supply. So drink as much as possible and nurse often

Elora - posted on 08/04/2010

It sounds like you arent getting enough to drink, sometimes that happens to me, you should try to nurse as often as possible, pump in between, and make sure to drink 8-10 cups a day (64-80 ounces) also get enough calcium, (breastfeeding can take away calcium from your bones) Also dont feel guilty, just try and try again. If it fails, your not a terrible mother, you tried, and formula doesnt make you bad. it will be okay.

Mallory - posted on 08/03/2010

Thank you so much for your response! You're the only one who told me to not feel guilty about this whole situation. I want to try and breastfeed as much and long as I possibly can... I am just about ready to quit but I told myself that I wasn't going to stop trying until I knew that there was NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING left for me to do. What scares me the most is that I got released from my doctor today so I am able to go back to work full time as soon as I want... and I don't know how I am going to nurse her while I'm working.... So I'm hoping that if I do this whole skin-to-skin, nurse her all the darn time and not do the formula for a few days and not pump, that I will be able to produce enough milk to nurse her while I'm still home and be able ot stock up on some breastmilk to freeze for her.

I am going to really stick it out these next few days- thankfully I have nothing or nowhere to go.. :) I will keep everybody posted. :)

Celeste - posted on 08/03/2010

OK, let's start from the beginning:
-Totally normal for babies to nurse all day, and often. This is good because this is what helps milk supply.
-The *BEST* way to know if baby is getting enough milk is diapers. Is baby getting 6-8? If so, your supply is fine.
-6 weeks is a prime time for a growth spurt.
-Pumping is NOT an indicator of supply. Normal pump output is 1/2 to 2 oz.

You don't have to stop nursing. In fact, if you want to continue, I would suggest nursing MORE. The more you nurse, the more you will make. I doubt your supply is entirely gone.

Hang in there! You can do this!

Jennifer - posted on 08/03/2010

Rachel Stone is right about the skin to skin. It helps to release feel good hormones that will lower your stress level and allow let down more easily. I do it at least once a day in between changing her out of her onesie and into her clothes.

Jennifer - posted on 08/03/2010

You have to stop stressing, if possible. Stress alone will dry milk up faster than anything. I was having similar problems with her wanting to nurse non stop but my doctor explained that she was trying to get my milk supply up by doing that and although it was exhausting, it did pay off in the end.

A lot of people will say this is a big no, no but if there's any hope for getting your breast to start producing, let her "pacify" and "suckle" to see if it will get things flowing again. I have seen mothers be able to breast feed adopted children so it's possible for it to start up again.

The thing I do that keeps my milk supply up that will hopefully work for you is consuming a lot of whole grain/multi grain products like oatmeal (not the instant stuff), multi grain cheerios, cream-of-wheat etc... I notice an immediate difference if I don't eat enough of these types of foods. They metabolize fast and so it's easier for the body to use them.

Don't forget that pumping is not a realistic view of how much our breast produce so don't gauge your milk supply by that. It's best to gauge by how our kiddos are acting (fussing, latching on and then crying due to lack of milk etc..).

Lastly, don't feel guilty. Look at your effort! Many women would have given up a long time ago but you are asking for help. Go you! I will be praying for you as well.

Amanda - posted on 08/03/2010

You should be drinking about 2 liters of fluid per day to produce enough milk. I also heard oatmeal is good for milk supply.

Amanda - posted on 08/02/2010

Stop pumping!!! Stop the formula!!!! Drink lots of water, i mean LOTS of water all day long and while your nursing her, get a milk shake it'll make you milk flow!!! Also drink milk and eat cheese, just untill your milk if back completly this should only take a day or even hours, then breastfeed her every 2- 3 hours or on demand making sure she has a good latch and is nursing well, you should be able to see her swallow you can feel it too its like suck suck suck gulp breath suck suck suck gulp breath, if she starts to fall asleep wake her up and burp her and do the other side (nurse on both sides every time you feel her! this is very very important). It wont take long for you to get into a ruteen and so will she you will both be pros with in a couple of weeks for sure. Dont give up!!!!! good luck to you and your little one!

Meri - posted on 08/02/2010

My advice is to stop pumping and just let her nurse. If you have time you should set two, maybe three days aside and literally just live with your shirt off. Let her nurse all day long.
My son is huge. 10 pounds when he was born and during his growth spurts i literally had NO milk left when he wanted to nurse again. I would feel empty so i would just let him suck and suck and suck for a few days and then everything would equal back out and i'd stop feeling empty. It is very painful when you don't have milk :(
I was going to school every night and had to pump while i was there, and my milk supply went down so dramatically. I bought a super expensive pump that was supposedly the best one to mimic the babies mouth and I still couldn't keep it up. When school got over I had a ton of catching up to do. It is super hard work, but nothing is too hard for your bundle of joy.
Good luck, and if you want you can message me on here. My mom is a lactation consultant and she can really help if you have more specific questions.

Rachel - posted on 08/02/2010

First of all...I made the same mistake...Its hard when you cant see how much your baby is eating. but if you were able to pump 3 oz you were makeing more than that. the pump doesnt empty the breast and isnt suffecient as far as giving you an idea about how much milk you are actually producing. and because the milk is established by supply and demand. because the pump doesnt empty the breast completely your supply becomes less and less. the good news is that you can still comeback from this. its going to take alot of dedication and work for the next 3 days or so, but those 3 days are nothing after you have accomplished your nursing routine with your baby girl it will all be so worth it. first what I did was drank an obscene amount of water and ate a ridiculous amount of regular oatmeal. (i mean like 3 full soup/salad bowls a day) it was nauseating but its only a few days...there are other things you can take as well i know there is a mothers milk tea as well as a supplement you can take that can help as well but i never needed it. another huge thing that is nessicary is a breastfeeding vacation. i know its probably the last thig you want to do but take your shirt off and babys clothes off all nut the diaper and lay on bed all day skin to skin and nurse non stop. even if she is just suckling its still stimulation. and that is what will re-establish your milk supply. i just watched desperate houswives re runs and all those baby shows on discovery health to keep myself from going crazy from being in bed all day. my advise....I wouldnt use the pump unless you are going to be away from your baby and for a little extra stimulation if you notice your milk supply dwindling, i hope i have helped you. i know iits tough but you can do it!!!! best of luck sweetie!!!