Really Low Milk Supply

Carmen - posted on 02/12/2010

I had a similar problem with nursing my 5th daughter.
My doctor prescribed Reglan (I hope I spelled that correctly..but I only took it for a week...check with your doctor) Many adoptive moms who want to breastfeed with take it to start their milk supply...it helped me GREATLY.
I also drank Mother's Milk tea by the gallon, My midwives also recommended Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek (you and the baby will start to smell like maple syrup when taking this...don't be alarmed.lol), nettle leaf, fennel seed.
Make sure that you are drinking at minimum 64 oz of WATER daily. AND that you are getting adequate rest. My midwives basically put me on bed rest for 3 days. My husband took off work, took the older children and I basically stayed in bed and nursed, nursed, nursed. I took Reglan 3x daily, took 4-6 of each of the other pills 4x daily also took Mother's Milk Plus when it came in the mail...all of this helped. I slept when the baby slept and just nursed often and as much as she wanted to.
The biggest hindrance to my milk supply was lack of fluids, lack of sleep and stress over my milk supply. Even if you have to hire someone, or beg your Mother in law, neighbor, sister whoever, get someone to come in and take over the other children (if you have them) and the household and you go to bed with the baby, take your pills, drink your water, catch up on movies etc. sleep when baby sleeps and nurse, nurse, nurse. Then you should see a significant increase in your supply.
I'll be praying for you as I know how difficult it is to build it up once its been depleted and it can be incredible discouraging while you are going through it.

Mellisa - posted on 02/11/2010

try something called MORE MILK PLUS.. that is what i took in the begging. it is safe and lactation specialist use it... you can get it on line or hospital pharmacy

Toni - posted on 01/27/2010

my aunt has 6 kids and she has different nursing experiences with each, some she'd have no mild, or an infection and some she'd be over flowing, if you go to a naturalist they have a pill that will bring your supply up... so i've heard. it's something you can check out.

Becky - posted on 01/26/2010

I am not really sure how it works! I only used a lactation consultant when my first little one was about a week old, and I just went to the one in the hospital. I would suggest calling the hospital and seeing if you can talk to one there. If not, you can go to the LLL site and find a local chapter. Try this link: http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html
They would be a good source of support. Also, have you tried reading any books? Try your local library for a book. There are so many things that you can learn from breastfeeding books, I remember being surprised that I was able to deal with, and overcome Mastitis while continuing to nurse!
I hope this helps! Feel free to ask me more questions...I am gonna have to go dig up my book again, not sure where it went! I am expecting my 5th in May, looking forward to nursing again!

LeslieAnn - posted on 01/26/2010

I have not tried the herb thing yet. Next Pay Day I will have to order some of that and try it... I've thought about contacting a Lactation Consultant but we are moving in a month...so I'll look into that too. We had one with our first daughter on base but we've been livingout inthe civilian sectorfor the last threeyears. Do they charge? How does allthat work inthe civilian sector?

Becky - posted on 01/25/2010

The hard thing about it is that supplementing will cause your supply to lower, but I know it can be frustrating to try to deal with a hungry baby when your milk has run out! Remember, nursing is based largely on a supply & demand relationship. The more the demand, the more your body makes. Have baby nurse as long as possible and more often to try to increase your supply. Should be effective after 3 or 4 days.

Have you ever tried herbs? There are some natural herbs that help you produce more milk. Check out 'Mama's Milk Tea' on www.bulkherbstore.com. Also, make sure you are drinking extra water.

Ok, last thought, it may be worth your while to call up a lactation consultant in your area, or find a LLL group. Don't give up just yet! Stick with it! :)