Breastfeeding

Becky - posted on 12/16/2009

In addition to what everyone else is saying, make sure you're getting plenty of rest. Fatigue can affect your milk supply. If you're a stay-at-home mom and don't have other kids, try to take a couple of days and spend a lot of time in bed with your baby, with skin to skin contact, nursing whenever baby wants to. This will help your milk supply. And drink, drink, drink! I'm sure some diet coke won't hurt, but caffeine can dehydrate you, so if that's almost all you drink, it could cause problems.

Also, milk supply sometimes drops when you get your period, if that's come back for you.

Kelly - posted on 12/16/2009

While all the advice above is pretty good, please keep this in mind. When babies hit about 3 months, your body will begin to regulate the milk flow and adjust it to your baby's needs. While it may seem like you're drying up, it is most likely that your body is not overproducing milk any more and therefore you are not getting engorged at all.

The best way to determine if you are drying up or if it just the normal regulation, have your baby's weight checked. If the baby is still gaining weight, you're doing just fine! Don't be afraid to talk to the pediatrician.

Tabitha - posted on 12/16/2009

There's a book entitled "Nursing Your Baby" and it says you produce 3x as much milk as your baby needs. You can't feel everything once things get going, but don't worry about the Diet Coke drying you up or anything. I exclusively nursed my first baby for 12 months and my second is 3 months and I still nurse and drink Diet Coke every single day. The book is awesome for historical data and for a little boost for your peace of mind! Enjoy nursing. It's such an awesome thing to do!

Kiran - posted on 12/16/2009

Jeera is the best ..... add it to everything u eat. Also drink lots of fluids and nurse as much as u can. I hope this helps.

Lindsay - posted on 12/16/2009

Try pumping half way between feedings. The more milk you express the more milk you make!

Alice - posted on 12/16/2009

I agree that it's best to drink water aтв drink it a lot both BEFORE and AFTER nursing. I had problems with my first two babies. But I am nursing on demand with this one and drink literally gallons of water every day. and it does the trick. Plenty of milk. Sometimes there's less though, it's like your body checks if you need that much. If you nurse more often at times like this, the milk supply will stay OK. Just keep nursing and stop worrying about.

Tejal - posted on 12/15/2009

I had teh same issue - I was so upset that I seemed to be getting less at my pumping sessions at work - so I started on fenugreek. I'm Indian - so my mom made me a batch of ladoo from fenugreek powder and started me on fresh fenugreek in thepla (tradition recipes). I am happy to report my production is up and my daughter is well fed :)

Racheal - posted on 12/15/2009

I love diet Pepsi too, but I get the no caffeine kind. Water really does make a difference!!

Marijana - posted on 12/15/2009

Hi!
Try to eat and when you drink, drink a water after breasfeeding not before I know it helped my friend:)! Try not to drink any sodas cos usually baby's get a tummy ache and it's not good for your or baby's liver.

Vanessa - posted on 12/15/2009

i pump..to see how much i make..i know how much she drinks too..she still nurses but, she's sorta picky and sometimes i have too much milk to wait until she wants to eat..plus i hear pumping helps to produce more milk..not good for me ;) but, it might work for you

Kristen - posted on 12/14/2009

i had to start drinking TONS of fluids and eating several small meals a day. I am drinking as much fluids as when i was pregnant, and trying to stay away from caffiene and such that would take away from all the fluids.

your baby may also start eating more then normal due to a growth spurt and you could run a little low till your body gets used to it

Erica - posted on 12/14/2009

Fenugreek, mothers milk tea and oats:) Also the more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce so nurse nurse nurse!