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05-4-2009 - What I've learned about Breastfeeding...

My mood while writing this blog: Upbeat

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I have been breastfeeding my second child for 7 months and I have learned a lot in that time. With my first child I supplemented with formula before I ever left the hospital and had latch problems and pumped for the 1st 6 weeks before she latched on. By that point, I had a low milk supply and breastfeeding was secondary to formula, though I did continue until about 6 months old. I didn't have the same support system then that I have this time around. That was definitely a part my success, along with a strong drive to make this happen this time around. I have been following the breastfeeding forum since giving birth and have gleaned so much useful information that I thought I would try and put things down into a cohesive little blog. But remember, everyone is different, what might work for one person may not for another. So anyway, here goes...
Things that may be negatively affecting your supply-

• Not eating enough or drinking enough water
• Birth control- I struggled daily with my supply until I went off the "mini pill" my dr. prescribed that was supposed to be safe for breastfeeding.
• Alcohol- hard alcohol or wine (a beer however, will help boost your supply)
• Sleeping on your tummy or wearing tight fitting bras- anything that compresses your breasts
• STRESS
• Monthly cycle
• Exercising excessively- this is generally because you aren't eating enough and burning too many calories
• Going long periods without nursing or pumping.

Now, here are some things you can do to give your milk a boost. I have not tried all of these things but anything with an * is something that worked well for me-

• Fermented oats* equal parts old fashioned oatmeal and water, soaked 8-10 hours. Heat and eat however you like your oatmeal
• Beer* drink it after feeding bub so by the time the next feeding comes around the alcohol is out of your system.
• Chicken (skin on)*
• Eggnog (great for the holiday months)*
• Malted milk* you can find the malt powder near the hot cocoa at the grocery store. This works VERY well, so don't overdo it or you can become engorged (unless you are really low supplied)
• Sticky rice
  
• Fenegreek (herbal supplement)- take enough that your sweat smells like maple syrup
• Blessed Thistle, Fennel, Anise, & Brewers Yeast (also herbs I've heard can help)
• Mother's Milk Tea
• Alfalfa (herbal sup) to increase milk fat
• Decrease stress- try yoga or meditation =)
• Drink lots of water and eat plenty of protein*
• Pump 5-10 minutes after you nurse or have your last letdown to stimulate increased milk production*
• "Power Pump"- turn on an hour long TV show and pump the whole time, taking breaks during the commercials (except the first commercial break when you should still be actively getting milk)
  
• Reglan (this is a Rx) this can cause serious side effects though, so be on the lookout
• Motillium (not sure if this available in US- don't think so)
  

I hope this gave you some ideas for things you can try if you are struggling. But ultimately you must remember that any amount of breast milk you can provide is GREAT! Enjoy the experience of providing for your little one and don't be too hard on yourself if you can't do it all. Love your babies and hang in there if you are having a tough time. Breastfeeding is one of the hardest and most painful things I have every done, but also one of the most rewarding.
One other little tidbit for those of you who have a little one that wants to feed for long periods of time, try limiting your feeding to 15 min. per side. I may get grief for saying that, but give it a try. Chances are, your baby is using you as a pacifier. I still have to remove my son because, if I let him, he would just stay attached (and he's 7 months old). I actually used a pacifier till he was able to get his own hand to suck on and soothe the suck reflex. Most times they just want to suck, not because they're hungry. After 10 or 15 min., you have had your letdowns which is when they get the bulk of their milk.
I would love feedback on this posting- any other tidbits I missed or forgot...I'm sure there are plenty. Happy breastfeeding!

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8 Comments on What I've learned about Breastfeeding...


1sttimekelly - Wednesday, 7 Oct
thank you for this blog, am going to try malted milk tomorrow whne i buy some. do you know how long it takes to start working and how much should i drink a day? my baby is two weeks old and didnt have milk for first three daysas she was in incubator... desperatly trying to get milk suppply up as dont like topping her up with formula... she loves the breast too so while she still loves it want her away from formula.thanks again x

kaydenjennasmommy - Wednesday, 5 Aug
hey im trying the malted milk for the first time today....how long does it take to work

kara G. - Friday, 29 May
PS: I started on Birth control a few weeks ago and that could be the issue too. I might consider stopping that too.

kara G. - Friday, 29 May
Hey, thanks for the email shout about this blog. I hadn't heard about the Malted Milk one either. I am using Fenugreek already and Mother's Milk tea. I haven't been on but since Tuesday Evening so probably not enough time to make it happen yet. Though I saw a SMALL improvement today when I pumped.

I love Malted Milk though and have stayed away from it because of the high sugar/fat issue. But, I will give it a go and I was told about beer last night and was going to try that tonight.

I am pumping for 10 mins. longer after my LO has nursed and just feeding her either breast milk I have or formula (I am almost out of frozen milk).

The POWER PUMP session sounds like an interesting concept to try. I'll have to think on that one. I can't take Reglan (already tried it). And I have certainly upped my water intake again. I didn't know that not enough food could do it though. I've not been eating very appropriately lately.

Thanks, again.

SunnyMom - Wednesday, 27 May
Thank you, thank you for this. I have really struggled so much with my supply and the horrible pain that is so bad I can't even carry or snuggle my baby. It has been 2 months and feels like a year. Glad to know it was hard for you too and that you perservered, it gives me hope. I have had to give formula supps from the start but will keep getting as much bmilk as I can.

1Byfaith - Monday, 6 Apr
Great blog! I am not breastfeeding again yet (I am 22 weeks pregant) but this blog is definately a great reference from all of the comment/suggestions that have been posted on the breastfeeding forum. I did not know about the chicken, eggnog or malted milk either. Thanks so much for taking the time out to do this. It will be a great help to me and others :0)

kym22 - Monday, 6 Apr
Great blog. I am going to have my husband go get some Malted milk! I didnt realize if I ate too little my supply would drop. I had been trying to watch my calories but I am not going to do that anymore. I'd rather have milk supply than be skinny!

ozbaby - Sunday, 5 Apr
Whata great blog! I didnt realise malted milk helped (im going this afternoon to by some) or Eggnog or chicken. Lets see by using your tips how quickly i can get my supply back up....