screaming baby, no milk!!

Jessica - posted on 02/16/2009

I am on a medication called domperidone, recomended by my postnatal nurse. It is said to even bring milk in 4 adoptive parents. Talk to your dr, about it.

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/dompe...

Rachel - posted on 02/16/2009

He may be going through a growing phase...my son was one to be up and eat every other hour and nurse and nurse...when he went through a growth spurt...just keep trying...maybe try giving him another thing of baby food at some point in the day...add an extra meal..that may fill him up a bit more...or try a big helping of cereal befor bed chances are he will sleep a little longer becuase he will have a heavy meal before sleep...good luck!

Andrea - posted on 02/14/2009

Try pumping after you feed him.  It will increase your milk supply in a few days.  fenugreek also works, and so does beer.  Try a really hoppy microbrew, like an IPA (it's the hops that increase milk).  I usually have a beer at night after I put my little guy to sleep.

Shayna - posted on 02/14/2009

It could be both. 

I take the "Mothers Milk Tea" 3-4 times a day and also take the "Mother's Lactation Tonic" which has chaste tree berry, fenugreek seed, caraway seed, fennel seed and anise seed in it. 

I also started pumping more often (pump-a-thons)  and pump after he eats as well as every 3-4 hours if baby hasn't eaten during that time.  Also, if you added enough food in his diet that breastmilk became secondary to his food, you will start to lose your milk unless you are pumping in place of it.  Lac consult. says need to have nipple stimulation of some sort every 3-4 hours and NEVER go more than 6 hours in 1-24 hour period.  Also feed him breastmilk BEFORE you feed him any people food for awhile- even if just a little bit so that you get the milk let-down reflex flowing.  That way if he's too full to nurse after eating, at least you've had your stimulation.  

Also, there is another growth spurt that happens around 6-mo and so may be trying to bump up your supply.  The more often (not longer) he nurses the more your body will try to produce.  

Additionally, if breastfed babies are fighting something off (illness etc) they will tend to nurse more.  (getting your own immunities to help theirs out)  

I highly recommend calling a hospital and meeting with a lactation consultant.  Hospitals usually have them for free whereas privates are usually about $70/hr.  It took me 2 hospitals and 5 consultants before I found someone who could actually help me and my problems (baby has thrust and horrible latch)  and then the decreasing milk supply on my return to work..  Hope any of this helps and good luck!!

Meaghan - posted on 02/13/2009

Motherslove More milk plus works awesome and the liquid is more potent then the pills , you can find it at cottonbabies.com

Kristy - posted on 02/13/2009

try the fenugreek it really does work, u could be drying up but also go see your doctor, mine gave me some tablets to boost my supply, goodluck:)

Allison - posted on 02/13/2009

Sounds like a growth spurt to me. Remember that the more you let her nurse, the more your body will make milk - it can take several days for your body to catch up. Try eating oatmeal (oatmeal cookies, yum!) as it naturally boosts milk production.

Also, might he be teething? Nursing help alleviate teething discomfort - you could try Hyland's Teething Tablets or even Ibuprofen (can't be used until 6 months, but once they are 6 months old I've found it works better than Tylenol for teething since it also relieves swelling).

Good luck!

Michelle - posted on 02/13/2009

Fenugreek and Gatorade got me through the six-month growth spurt. I still take 3 pills 3x per day, plus drink 2 quarts to a gallon of Gatorade. These were the suggestions of both my midwife and the lactation center at our children's hospital.

I know you feel like a human pacifier - but know that it does get better!!

Elise - posted on 02/13/2009

I used the fenugreek for about a month (2 pills 4 times a day). It did help to boost my production (along with some additional pumping sessions), and I've since stopped taking it. I do agree with the comments. If you are seeing plenty of wet diapers, your doing what you need to do. I would considering teething. My son did the same thing about 6 months and produced 4 teeth within about two weeks. Sucking helps to sooth the pain from teething, so he may just be looking for the comfort nursing brings. Try a pacifier and see if that will bring him some relief. Sounds like your going a great job! Keep it up!!!!

Karri - posted on 02/13/2009

It sounds like you probably have a couple things going on at once. 6 months is a rough age...

He probably has hit a growth spurt -- my son is 6 1/2 months, and he just went from 6 month clothing to 12 month clothing in the 5 weeks! He may also be teething. He may also be hungry for more food -- at about 5 1/2 months, my baby boy started demanding 9 oz at each of his three daily meals.

If he is producing plenty of wet diapers, you are producing enough milk, so I wouldn;t worry about that. What i ended up doing was increasing my supply for that time by pumping between feedings during the day, which allowed my husband to take over for the first feeding of every day, letting me sleep in a little to make up for the lost sleep at night. If you decide to try to pump and that alone doesn't boost your supply enough, try the fenugreek.

I also started giving my son a binky to chew on at night. I knew he was getting plenty of milk (he would nurse until he literally overflowed), so that solved a lot of the problem too.

Good luck! I does get easier!

Pauline - posted on 02/13/2009

It sounds to me like a couple of things could be going on.  One could be a growth spurt.  It is not uncommon for his intake to jump up and your supply will take a while to catch up.  Definately keep nursing on demand.  I doubt you are drying up, as long as you are continuing to nurse and he's got lots of wet diapers you're find.  Teething can cause babies to want to suck all night as well.  If he's drooling and chewing that may be contributing as well.  Don't give up, it will get better!

Melanie - posted on 02/13/2009

If you're nursing often, I wouldn't think you are drying up. Babies go through several growth spurts around 6mo...I wonder if that's what it is. I use Fenugreek - 3 capsules, 3 times a day - and it works wonderfully! I would def try that and keep nursing. Good luck!!

Christine - posted on 02/13/2009

At 6 months my son ATE soooo much.  He would nurse, and nurse and nurse...I've heard alot of good about fenugreek.  I drink mother's milk tea whenever I feel like I'm low, and want to increase.  I had always heard oatmeal helps, so I finally had some the other day when feeding it to my son and it jump started my milk almost instantly.  So weird.  I agree with Melissa, if he is having enough wet diapers I wouldn't worry.  Keep on nursing, staying hydrated and fed.  Hang in there Mama, it won't last forever. 

Melissa-  I love the kellymom website.  It is my automatic go-to when I need bf info!

Christine - posted on 02/13/2009

At 6 months my son ATE soooo much.  He would nurse, and nurse and nurse...I've heard alot of good about fenugreek.  I drink mother's milk tea whenever I feel like I'm low, and want to increase.  I had always heard oatmeal helps, so I finally had some the other day when feeding it to my son and it jump started my milk almost instantly.  So weird.  I agree with Melissa, if he is having enough wet diapers I wouldn't worry.  Keep on nursing, staying hydrated and fed.  Hang in there Mama, it won't last forever. 

Melissa-  I love the kellymom website.  It is my automatic go-to when I need bf info!

Melissa - posted on 02/13/2009

Welcome to the infamous 6 month slump!  Is he having plenty of wet diapers?  If so, you're making enough.  Six months is also prime growth spurt time so he's nursing more often to INCREASE your supply.  Don't limit it or you will have a drop.  I started fenugreek around that age of my first.  I took 3-4 pills, 3x a day and it helped increase it a little bit within about 72 hours.  http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-su...