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ideas to help increase my milk supply?
Added: 1209 days ago.
Added by: wwatters18
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


my baby wont nurse from me, we`ve tried for 3 weeks with the help of a lactation consultant. im having to pump everything and i cant keep up with her! im having to substitute with formula about 2-3 times a day to keep her full. ive been taking fenugreek for almost 5 days now and dont really see a difference. i get about an ounce or two from each breast when i pump for 15-20 minutes and shes eating 4 ounces at a time! help me please! i really only want her to havr breastmilk.

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wwatters18 - 1207 days ago thanks everyone! i do notice a small increase in my milk supply, im pumping about 2-3 ounces from each breast now. usually enough to get her full. the lactation consultant did say that she had a "weak suck".

josonia - 1208 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) same thing happend to me

MomOfAlmost3AtHome - 1208 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I worked full time and had to try and pump enough to keep my baby going, plus get a little bit ahead. It could really be a challenge at times. Especially at work when things were really stressed. So I would advise that you try to relax while you pump. I packed a favorite picture and a blanket or something that smelled like the baby and would use that to try and relax and get my milk to let down. It really helped me. Also try to go in a quiet room alone, and take deep breaths. I hope this helps.

momtotheo - 1208 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) The meds from the doctor was the only thing that worked for me. I tried everything!! Talk to the doc.

juels101 - 1208 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I tryed the fenugreek and it helped for the first, maybe two days and then not anymore. I went to my doc who gave me a perscription for a med that is for your stomach but has the side effect of lactation. My supply got much better and I was able to continue. Supplimenting just makes it worse which is frustrating becuase sometimes you don't have a choice!!!

lizzie287 - 1208 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I had the SAME problem. If you'd like to, I invite you to read my breastfeeding adventure blog on my page to see what I did. Basically the best thing you can do is take away bottles and offer the breast as often as you need to feed her. Pump a little bit, offer it to her in a little cup, with a spoon, or what worked best for me was a syringe. Don't give up! It often takes up to 6-8 weeks for a baby to "get it" and when they do, it's literally like a lightbulb went off in their heads lol... As for increasing your supply, depending on your location, try to get some Domperidone (a.k.a. motilium) - although I know it's not FAA approved in the US. How much fenugreek are you taking? I used to take 4 pills every 4 hours. Also, try a milk tea (I use Sacred Women: http://www.breastfeedingwomen.com/catalog/item/3476078/3084779.htm). It does get better, I promise you!

kater - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i find i can pump so much more if i feed from one side and pump from the other. pumping doesnt feel the same as a babys suckling, and your body needs to learn which sensation means its time to let down your milk. i definitely agree with debra, the breast only stores around a third of all the milk your baby will drink in one feed, the rest is made as it is needed. which is why we can feed one year olds and we dont have gigantic breasts directly before every feed! does she have a good latch? if she doesnt, she wont be able to get the available milk, and your nipples will hurt a lot. try a nipple shield, the danger of giving bottles is the milk flows faster than it does from your breast, so babys can get lazy, and not want to go back to the breast. there are devices which you can use which are like two tubes you tape onto your nipple so they baby can be supplemented while you are feeding her, and the nipple stimulation helps keep up your supply. breastfeeding is hard work to begin with, but it does get easy, trust your body!

BabyGonzales - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I was also having the same problem and I got a nipple shield.. specifically the medela contact shield and my baby finally took it from my breast. Also I saw a lactation consultant today and she said to put a warm towel on your breast until it cools off and also massage them before breast feeding and that should help your milk.

Debra - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) have you also talked to doctor about domperidone? You might also want to switch pumps if you don't have a hospital grade pump. Pumps will only take out what is stored in the breast- usually only 1/3 of what is in there. have you also tried using a nipple shield? Let her suck on your finger first before offering the nipple? I also recommend the la leche leagues book 'the womanly art of breastfeeding' there may be some more tips to help you. How often are you pumping? try increasing the frequency of the pumping as well. Make sure you are eating VERY WELL and staying hydrated- 8-10 cups H2O per day.

amanda72385 - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) before feedings warm your breasts with a heating pad or something . heat will help with the let down of milk

amber325 - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I am having the same problem. I will pump 1-3 times to just get enough to feed her one bottle! It is rediculous! I ordered fenugreek to try I hope it works. Maybe you could ask your dr for a perscription I know there are RX that will increase it.

alreadygot1 - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Sounds wierd but my sister had the same problem. She got acupuncture (sp?) in her pinkys. Made her gush a waterfall! It was $60.00

MelissaLMoore - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Breasts are funny creatures. I breastfed my baby for fourteen months and he was huge. However, I never could pump. I was lucky to get 2 ounces and tried everything. We just kept practicing with the latch until we got it. It was not easy. I wish you the best!

mariettap - 1209 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) how frustrating. It sounds like you're taking the right steps. Are you primarily pumping, or primarily breast feeding directly? My girl was a fat baby, so I knew there was a lot of milk flowing, but when I pumped so little ever came out. If possible to do directly do so as often as you can, and when she is done, _then_ pump. If not possible, a comfortable, relaxed environment is key. Keep a picture of your baby nearby, or even listen to a tape of her crying or cooing, which might stimulate some let down. Now I do have a friend who had this same problem and her baby just couldn't gain weight with bf alone. I wonder if some babies have a less hearty suckle than others so they fail to stimulate sufficient production. Many people are quick to judge when it's not working out, but they don't know just how much you've been putting into this for your baby. Congratulations on your baby.