Low Milk

Jeanne Marie - posted on 07/25/2010

Just stay at it. My son wouldn't breast feed for the entire first month - so I pumped and bottle fed and supplemented with formula. Finally, after a solid month, I got him to breast. We were still supplementing with formula though and he was having all kinds of digestive problems. It was at 3 months we found out he had a sensitivity to cow's milk (both in the formula and from when I drink/eat it since it passes through the breast milk). We tried to supplement with soy formula and found out he had an allergy to that. The only thing we could supplement was goat's milk, which can cause problems due to the high amounts of potassium in it (the doc said no more than 5 feedings a week). So, after that it became a battle to get away from the bottle and get him to breast. The following 6 weeks were a total nightmare. It has only been the past 3-4 weeks (he is 6 months old) that we have gotten to the point of breastfeeding exclusively. And I didn't leak either, my right breast dried up, I took the herbal supplements, etc. What seemed to work the best for me was putting him to breast every 3 hours, like clockwork, whether he indicated he was hungry or not, and eating oatmeal every day (fabulous suggestion by the lactation consultant nurse). I may be breastfeeding with only one breast now, and it never seems to overflow, but he is doing better now than before. At 6 months, he is nearly 19 lbs, and almost 28 inches. He is healthy and thriving. I am exhausted, there are days when I need Motrin to relieve the pain in my breast, and after everything is said and done I can honestly say I hate breastfeeding, but it was what was best for my son and I have killed myself to make it work. Just know, that it can be done, and you are not alone when it comes to having trouble with it. And if you give up, don't feel bad. You didn't fail. Everyone's life, circumstances, and threshholds for this kind of stuff is different. You are obviously being the best mom you can be and a darn good one from what it sounds like. Just do what you need to do for your little one and it will be ok.

Annette - posted on 07/25/2010

Thank you again Celeste. We use cloth diapers and go through about 16-18 every other day. So she is getting enough. Either be bottle or breast. She latches on most of the time. But sometimes she just doesn't want it. I am going to keep trying. I breastfed my olders for 18 months and my middle for about 2 1/2 yrs. I don't want to and will not give up with my daughter. Thank you for your help.

Celeste - posted on 07/25/2010

Oh Annette, I'm sorry. Unfortunately, bottles can cause milk supply issues. When you give a bottle, your body doesn't get that signal to make milk. What was the reason that you were supplementing at night? How do you feel about ditching the bottle? Does she latch? Ditching the bottle and nursing more can help with your supply. Generally, the more you nurse, the more you will make.



A few things:

-Pumping is never an indicator of supply. Average output is 1/2 to 2 oz.

-If she's getting 6-8 diapers, your supply is more than likely fine.

Annette - posted on 07/25/2010

Thank you Celeste, I saw the article. I guess to me it seems different because with my boys I had soooo much milk...I would leak all the time and be able to pump full bottles. With my daughter I can't pump. From the start she was supplementing with formula. I saw a lactation consultant when she was born and she told me to nurse in the day and formula at night. Now she will only take formula most of the day. I alway offer the breast before bottle. I wish with her I was all breast like with my boys. But like I said, I had problems from the start with her. She doesn't seem to get enough.

Celeste - posted on 07/25/2010

First, why do you think your milk supply is low? Read this article. These are things that do NOT mean your supply is low:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-su...