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BR - Decreased milk supply and question
Has anyone had trouble with their milk supply decreasing?
I went to the pediatrician last week and Elyse still isn't gaining weight quickly enough. My ped suggested pumping and then supplementing with breast milk after each feed in case she is just getting tired and can't suck anymore.
So I went home that night and after she did her normal evening feed I pumped to get some more milk for her and couldn't get anything. I tried again about thirty min later to see if maybe I was just not relaxed enough and I got barely an ounce 
So it turns out that Eylse wasn't having a "witching hour" in the evening she was hungry. It hurts my heart to know that all the while she was crying I could have done something other than rock and soothe her
I'm on meds to increase my supply now, I'm drinking tons of water and eating really healthy foods. I'm pumping in the morning and evening to stimulate my milk supply and build up a stash. We're supplimenting E with formula in the evenings until I can build up my supply. She HATED her first bottle, it was pretty much tears all around!
Does anyone have anymore suggestions for increasing milk supply or have any experience with this?
Re: BR - Decreased milk supply and question
I really struggled with pumping enough for my oldest. Here are some of the things that helped me:
- Before you pump, do the massage-stroke-shake -- that's #3 in the link.
- Do breast compressions while you pump.
- You can take fenugreek and blessed thistle. I believe I took the maximum dosage for both.
- Eat oatmeal (not instant).
- From what I've read, most of the advice is to pump for 15 minutes. That's not long enough for me and I pump for 25 minutes.
- I'm not sure what kind of pump you have, but you might want to change the membranes. I change mine every 3 months or so, sometimes sooner if I notice a decrease in my supply.
Good luck!
My cousin told me to drink Mother's Milk Tea 3-5x/day. She just had her 5th baby (at age 42!) and this is the first time she had to supplement and she drank the tea to increase her supply. I think it's helped a little but I haven't been drinking enough, I think. I'm gonna start really drinking it 3-5x/day because I think I need to increase my supply, too. At 2 weeks, Kaya was still not back up to her birth weight (although the pediatrician wasn't really concerned since she had gained weight from her 1 wk check up).
BTW, I got the tea at Whole Foods. Not sure where else they sell it.
Ok, this is gonna be an unorthodox suggestion but it's worked for a few women I know:
Beer. Any kind of beer really but I've heard great things about Guinness beer, in particular. The women who swear by it to get the milk happening say their boobs were busting at the seams after a glass.
Otherwise, red wine.
If you're worried about the booze/breastfeeding factor, the advice is to pump a little first and then you're on your way.
I'm sorry you're having trouble with milk supply hon. I do know that bubs tend to go through periods where alllllll they want to do is breastfeed. It's actually interesting in the fact that it seems to happen every second week. The midwife who came to visit me a few days ago was saying it tends to happen on the even numbered weeks (when they're 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks etc).
Anyway, is she going through days where she just wants to drink, drink, drink? As in, you're stuck on the couch all day, thinking "omg, my boobs are empty...she can't possibly be STILL hungry?!"
Honey, if this is the case, it's a natural bebe-thang. They're doing this to get the milk flowing more and faster. You might feel your boobs and note that they're soft and conclude there's no milk in them but.....there IS milk in them, be reassured by that.
Oh and keep drinking lots of water and pumping in between breastfeeds too, as your pedi suggested.
It's hard going at the beginning with b/f'ing sometimes but things will settle down and be smooth sailing soon hon.
Thanks for all the advice ladies, so very helpful. I read your posts while I was in the drug store so I was able to get fenugreek and some oatmeal.
I was able to pump more today (4 oz total from two pumping sessions). I'm hoping to get the amount up. The LLL website is awesome. I found a local rep and I'm going to a meeting on the 18th.
If anyone has any problems with engorgement and lumps Russ made me an awesome homemade wet heat pack this morning. He heated one of those bean bag thingies in the microwave and then put in in a freezer ziplock bag. Then I put a wet facecloth on my breast and put the heated bag on top. It worked wonderfully!
I might have to try out the red wine suggestion tonight
Married Bio
Oh Teri, I am sorry. Libby started on the bottle last week and was doing great but today she's totally rejected it (we're trying to do it once a day)...stressful for daddy when mommy is out!
I have the opposite issue you're having...oversupply! That said, I have noticed that my milk is MORE plentiful after I eat oatmeal, which is every morning. Brewers Yeast, Flax seeds and Almonds are also supposed to increase milk supply. Some women make cookies with these ingredients to help increase their supply:
http://breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com/2008/05/lactation-cooki.html
Beer works because of the yeast...
Lots of women swear by Fenugreek and Fennel...you can find it in Mother's Milk Teas and Supplements. I have this tea that is Yogi brand:
http://www.amazon.com/Yogi-Nursing-Support-Supplement-16-Count/dp/B0009F3SFA
I got mine at Whole Foods...
Finally, I'd suggest posting this over at The Bump's Breastfeeding Board...lots of wise women there and many of them going through similar situations as you.
Also...have you started hormonal bc or antihisthamines? Both can cause supply issues. I hope you find a solution that works for you...are you working w/ a certified LC? That might help too.
Check out these sites for all thing bfing:
www.kellymom.com
www.breastfeeding.com
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
I think my good supply comes from drinking a glass of red wine every night. So people say that alcohol decrease the amount of milk that you produce so who knows. I've always heard good things about lactation cookies.
Remember that baby gets more milk than you can pump.
You've gotten some really great advice, I'm going to add the link to the recipe for some delicious oatmeal chocoloate chip lactation cookies that worked for me.
I also did the Mother's Milk tea.
Married Bio
Sounds like you are doing everything you can. Breastfeeding is supply and demand for sure. If you notice today you are pumping but getting 2 oz then tomorrow you shoudl get a little bit more. I pump when I'm at work and only get 4 oz each time. My LC said that was normal. Bella takes 4 oz each time and I'm keeping up with her so that's what really matters. Another thing to take note is that baby only pulls 67% of your milk out each time and then you still have more in there (even if your breasts feel soft) so I would pump after every feeding until you feel your supply is adequate.
I have had a clogged duct (it comes and goes). The heat bag works WONDERS and I called the LC at my work and she suggested lecithin to help, it's a natural supplement and it's been helping. She says it's because my body wants to hold on to some of that fat so that's why you get clogged ducts, who knew!