Help! All of a sudden I can

Shannon - posted on 07/01/2010

On top of what everyone already mentioned, try searching for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies (I'm not at my own computer at the moment so don't have the link). Some moms swear 3 a day is enough to boost their supply.
When I was pumping I was taking 3 Fenugreek tablets 3 times a day! It really helped until my pump died on me. My son also reverse cycled until recently. He'll be 2 this month and only recently started sleeping through the night without waking up to nurse. It was rough for a while, I was exhausted and ready to wean him, but it seems like he knew that and gave me a break. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Marabeth - posted on 07/01/2010

this might sound like a silly question but are you sure your child is finishing those bottles each time? i used to leave huge bottles for my daughter and i didn't realize for awhile until my mother (her caregiver when im at work) said that there was always an ounce or so left so i began leaving her with smaller (3oz) bottles and made sure my mom had several one ounce bags in her freezer so if she seemed extra hungry she could warm one or two of those up to top off! it worked great while she was still in that infant stage. with breastmilk every drop is like gold! :)

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2010

Have you introduced solids? Adding some cereal may help since she's 6 months now. I really admire what you're doing!!

Ella - posted on 06/29/2010

try pumping earlier. from 3am-5 am is your best time to pump.



try taking fenugreek and/or blessed thistle (NOT MILK thistle).



oatmeal.





and do as much sucking at the breast as possible. her body tells your body what she needs.



You CAN do this! KUDOS to your commitment!!! GREAT JOB MAMA!!!

Jennifer - posted on 06/29/2010

Your little one is eating ALOT during the day. I work similar hours and my little man at 6 months would have maybe 2 4oz bottles. Now, at 8 months he only has one 4 oz bottle, maybe 2 if I'm running later picking him up. I started to run low on my frozen supply of milk about the same time and I totally freaked out but he started eating less and less for the sitter...and more and more at night for me . Don't give in to formula if you don't want to and trust your body to provide what your baby needs. Is he starting solids? Not that I mean solids will replace his need for your milk but he may be getting more milk during the day than he really needs. Maybe try smaller bottles during the day and some solids and see if that satisfies him?

Lise - posted on 06/29/2010

That's a LOT of milk for her to be taking in, too. You might want to consider scaling it back... My LO is 8.5 months old and takes in 3 2.5-oz bottles, so 7.5 oz in an 8 hour period. I wouldn't worry about not feeling full...

Have you done pump maintenance lately? Is your period returning?

Rachel - posted on 06/29/2010

I ate an obsene amount of oatmeal. that worked for me :) good luck!!

Amanda - posted on 06/29/2010

I was told to drink at least 2 Quarts of fluids per day and I have had an insane milk supply since my baby was born on top of nursing him 5-7 times per day I am pumping out 18 oz to freeze a day. I pump first thing in the morning and right before bed otherwise I wake up soaked.

Lerin - posted on 06/29/2010

All the previous moms have said most of what I would. I wanted to add though, that since she is seeming to wake often at night hungry is actually a good thing- it's called reverse cycling where the baby wakes more at night to make up for what they aren't getting during the day. That being said, even with nursing around the clock when you are together, and pumping one side while she nurses the other, when she's done pump the side that she's just finished. My SIL has found that to be very helpful. Also massage your breasts and try leaning forward (gravity!) when you pump at work. Have a picture of her too look at, as well as perhaps the clothes she slept in to smell. And only other thing I would do different is try to get to bed earlier so I could get up earlier and then take the time to nurse her before you rush off to your busy day. Good luck!

Sonya - posted on 06/29/2010

Drink, drink, drink!!!! Lots! LoL At the very least, 8 glasses of water, 3 glasses of milk, and 1 pre-natal vitamin a day! Eat healthy, no caffeine and no smoking! Try not to stress yourself to much about it. You can also try the supplement Fenugreek. If you must pump, try to relax as much as possible. When you're not at work let your baby nurse, nurse, nurse! No bottles at home! There is nothing better out there to get the milk flow flowing again than the baby herself. She knows what she's doing. Let her do the hard work while you're at home! Good luck and I hope this helps somewhat. Keep us posted!

Stephanie - posted on 06/29/2010

Brewers yeast is suppost to help your milk supply.And like
Tenneshia Reditt said you need plenty of fluids

Tenneshia - posted on 06/29/2010

Hello!! Have you been drinking plenty of fluids??? Breastmilk is mainly water with fat in it. THe more water and liquids you drink the more your milk will produce. Also if you are taking your prenatal vitamins that will help. On top of that make sure you are eating as well. When you breastfeed the baby is taking all your nutrition and liquids so you have to make sure you have enough for you and her! Its kind of like you're eating and drinking for 2 still!!! LOL Best of wishes and stay strong you can do it!

Tara - posted on 06/29/2010

Fenugreek and Milk Thistle, both available at the drug store in the supplement aisle, will increase your milk supply when taken regularly. Also stress does affect your supply as does when you pump. If you are pumping too soon after feeding her than you are not getting a full feeding, just her left-overs, lol
Try to pump when you know you are full and if possible, pump on one side while she nurses on the other, it works wonders for some moms.
Hope this has helped a bit!
Don't be discouraged, you and your baby can through this without adding formula.
:)Tara