I need help!!

Julie - posted on 03/07/2009

My supply started to wane at 8 months and I read that eating oatmeal could increase it.  I tried it and I'm now producing more than my son needs. 

Claudia - posted on 03/05/2009

It definately helped me to sip lots of water thoughout the day and night, I noticed a definate drop in milk supply as soon as I didn't! And as everyone else has said, feed often! I also have a problem pumping, so I don't at all. I just keep feeding and it comes right.

Well done to you!! And as Amy said, don't stress, it doesn't help, just enjoy & love your baby as absolutely much as possible and your body should do the rest :-) (It really is amazing how it works)

Amy - posted on 03/05/2009

Drink LOTS of water and get plenty of rest. You may want to invest in "The motherly art of Breastfeeding" by the La Leche League. Just nurse, nurse, nurse. It may feel like you are force feeding, but BF is totally supply and demand. Take him to bed with you at night so that you can nurse without really waking up. This also is great for continuing to establish trust. Don't focus so much on pumping. I'm a stay at home mom, and I only pump once a day in the morning (if I pump at all). If you need to pump for him to be away from you, use formula until you really boost your supply back up. Don't stress - it doesn't help to be stressed out. Just enjoy your time with your little one, and let the Lord take care of the rest of it! 

Itsamystery - posted on 03/05/2009

If your bub is doing fine weight wise maybe you could stop supplementing altogether and have a 'nursing holiday' where you put everything aside for the weekend, get yourself lots of yummy healthy food and water, and spend the whole time in bed with your little one with lots of skin to skin contact and as much nursing as he likes. That should get your supply right up and you be back to 100% breastfeeding in no time.

Heather - posted on 03/05/2009

I think everyone has awesome suggestions, mine are that it is definitely proven that the more stimulation your breasts have, the more milk you produce. Plus, you may want to visit a lactation specialist because there is a possibility that it's not your milk production that is the problem but perhaps your son is not feeding as efficiently as he could, or maybe there is nothing wrong anad he is just building your supply! o joy... hang in there, you are doing the absolute best thing you can for your little baby boy

Krystal - posted on 03/05/2009

nice advice, ladies! and congrats to you , Holly for wanting so badly to breasfeed! thats great!

Definitely keep nursing nursing nursing! it will seem exhausting but you will reap the rewards quickly! Drink lots and lots of water - it will almost seem as though you are going to get sick from drinking so much. don't get frustrated if you don't get much from pumping - some women get lots and others hardly get anything. One thing to try is pumping on one side while your son is nursing on the other. Don't worry that you will be depleting your supply on the side you are pumping - when you switch your baby to that side he'll be able to get milk out that the pump won't be able to.

Keep up the hard work! Once you get your supply back it will be well worth it! Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 03/05/2009

We were baby free for one night and I tried pumping on the baby's schedule I still ended up drying up a few days later.  I kept breastfeeding her that day.  She was on the boob pretty much all day and I felt bad because I knew she was hungry, but I didn't supplement.  When she would sleep I would pump.  By the evening my milk was back and I almost had to much.  Then I pumped the extra to have for later uses.  Just keep up the good work.  I think breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding but difficult jobs of motherhood!

Omega - posted on 03/05/2009

The best way to get your body to produce more milk is to breastfeed. I would try to not supplementing for one day. Just keep your baby latched on and switch sides every 20 minutes or so. You have to be really dedicated and willing to nurse your baby all day until he gets enough.  If you still need help, you can ask a lactation nurse for more advice. Please don't give up and keep breastfeeding. It's the best thing a mother can do for her child.

Itsamystery - posted on 03/05/2009

He might be feeding very hour to get your supply back up, because the supplementing would have caused your milk supply to dry up a bit (even though you were pumping, pumping is not as effective as baby in keeping milk supply up). Keep feeding as much as he asks for it. Pump if you can in between but don't stress if you can't get much. Having baby at your breast is the best way to get your milk supply to increase.

When your supply has increased a bit (you'll know because he'll be going longer between feeds and it will be easier to pump more) and if his weight is stable, slowly reduce the amount you supplement as it will cause him to be hungrier for breast and the more he feeds the more you will produce. Hang in there, it will get better, the human body is amazing. Good on you for fighting so hard to keep the breastfeeding relationship going.

Katie - posted on 03/05/2009

You rock! You're dedicated to giving your baby the best start you possibly can, and that's superb! Your baby is really lucky: the fact that you are trying to get back to a state of exclusive breastfeeding, despite really difficult circumstances, is truly inspiring!



It sounds like you're trying lots of stuff, but here are a couple of ideas to work alongside them:



One thing you can try is having lots and lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby. As you probably know, the hormone oxytocin is necessary for breastmilk production, and the sensation of feeling your little one's skin against your own, triggers its release in abundance!



In a similar vein, try pumping when your baby's next to you. I have a friend who is a neonatologist, and she encourages new mums of premature babies to pump at the side of the incubator, as for some reason (presumably oxytocin release whilst gazing adoringly at your new born!) milk yields are massively increased when mothers are at their babies' sides, as opposed to pumping in a separate room / building.



Finally, do you use a dummy / pacifier? If so, try stopping and replacing its use with your nipple! The more stimulation your breasts receive from your baby, the greater the signals to your brain to produce more milk. Co-sleeping is a great way to achieve this, as it means you get your rest at the same time. (And of course, co-sleeping also helps with the skin-to-skin oxytocin release, so you get a double whammy!!) I've heard a lot of mothers say they remove their babies from the breast when it's evident they're "just playing" with the nipple, but actually that stimulation is really important - they're making their next meal!



You've been put in a difficult position, as each bottle of formula you've fed has, in effect, instructed your body to produce that much less milk, and so as a result you HAVE to supplement, which in turn decreases your supply (and on and on...) You are really brave for choosing to address this. I hope these simple, 'natural' tips help and don't patronise you.



Best of luck!

Ilona - posted on 03/05/2009

keep your liquids up, do skin on skin as much as possible and don't really worry about pumping right now. your body will adjust to what your son needs from you. if you are still not feeling right about things then talk to your doctor or a lactationist