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weight and other issues

Victoria - posted on 01/23/2010 ( 4 moms have responded )

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My 8-week-old daughter had some problems gaining weight wen she was a couple weeks old. They wanted her to gain an oz a day and we finally got over that hurdle. A couple weeks ago, I was so sick I got dehydrated and my supply went way down. I only had let-down once a day and have slowly been trying to build it back up. I got it to 2, maybe 3 times a day. I've had to give her formula because of it. Everytime I give her formula, I breastfeed first to increase the supply. I tried pumping but I really don't like doing that and haven't gotten anything out of it since I was sick. Also, she was at the doctors last week and had only gained 1/2 oz in 2 weeks. They said it was ok but it really worries me and doesnt sound ok at all. I mean, they kept tellin me she needed to gain an oz a day not too long ago. Any help would with increasing my supply and helping her gain weight would be amazing. Thank you!!

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4 Comments

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Chelsea - posted on 01/24/2010

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What you are doing to increase your supply is actually hurting it. You have to remember that it's supply and demand. You have to have stimulation to make more milk. The baby is the best at stimulating your breast but if you use formula you have to substitute that lack of stimuation with something like pumping or hand expressing. Using things like fenugreek, blessed thistle or shitaverie only help if you are demanding that your body make more milk by stimulationg your breasts to do so.

I would suggest that you only give a very minimal amount of formula after you have breastfed a whole feeding and are seeing that your baby is not at all satisfied. This means that you only feed the formula on a very limited basis when you have to becauese you fed already for an extended amount of time on both breasts and your baby is still screaming for more. Follow your babies cues and only give an ounce or so at that time and try to breastfeed again.

Breastfeed as much as possible and your supply will go up. Remember it's supply and demand so pump as often as you can even though its not the more fun.

Karen - posted on 01/24/2010

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Try eating oatmeal daily also and brewers yeast tabs maybe. those things were recommended to me by a lactation consultant.

Victoria - posted on 01/24/2010

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great! ive thought about fenugreek but havent gotten it yet. i will have to try it. i have a pump but i just dont like using it very much.

Juliana - posted on 01/23/2010

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I pumped after breastfeed and topped my baby up with formula after every breastfeed until my supply went up...I also took herbs. Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle capsules...3 of each, 3x a day. My boy had also lost too much weight at the beginning...now he is 8 months and 25lbs!

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