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Breast feeding mommies

Teaghan has only been here a week and my supply has tanked already. We couldn't get her to latch to the right side so while in the hospital we started pumping instead, well one week later and I'm barely putting out anything. Do any of you ladies have any tips for boosting my supply? I'm still pumping even though I'm not putting much out to try to get more out but would love some tips. Thanks ladies!!!
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Re: Breast feeding mommies

  • I had an issue with my supply 3 weeks ago for some reason.  I called my LC and she suggested Fenugreek.  It's an herbal supplement and she told me to take one pill every 4 hours.  It worked but made my pee smell like maple syrup.  Keep up with the pumping.  If T feels you aren't producing enough she will more than likely start to cluster feed to bring up your supply.  I had a couple of days where C fed for what felt like 12 hours straight.  She would only stop long enough for me to go to the bathroom. 
  • i am anti fenugreek or any herbal supplements. ava had a bad reaction to it when i was taking them

    the number 1 way to increase supply is to nurse, nurse, nurse - it's about supply and demand. if you are pumping, you should pump every 2 hours, around the clock for the first month, and then you can probably increase it to 3.

    make sure you are eating enough calories - you need 500 additional calories a day to produce milk

    make sure you are well hydrated - at least 8 glasses of water a day

    try having oatmeal once a day - there's no scientific evidence that it helps, but lots of women say their supply increases after consuming oatmeal. it may be because it's a comfort food, or maybe there's something to it.

    while pumping, try breast compressions. it will increase your output. also, don't expect huge quantities. her belly is so small now, so your body produces an amount to fill that tiny belly. is your milk in? or still colustrum?

    if you are concerned, see if an LC is covered by your insurance.

    * i exclusively pumped for Ava for 6 months. She latched maybe twice. I have breastfed Samantha since day 1, no need to supplement with formula or take herbal supplements myself. 

     hang in there - it's hard work!

  • I hope her latch gets better for you!

    Like a pp said, power pump!  Whether she is nursing or your are EP'ing, Pump as often as you can.  Even if you don't get any milk, your body is realizing that it needs to make more and will begin to do so.

    Drinking Guiness helped me as well.  They say the dark beers can help but I also think a beer at night helped me relax and when I was relaxed and not as stressed, things seemed to go better. 

    I have been nursing Lil for 7 months, no supplementation and I am so proud of her and I, if you have any questions, feel free to PM me~!

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  • I have major supply issues. I tried everything and am now on a prescription I get over seas.

    I took More Milk Plus, which is a combination of all kinds of herbs. It helped but wasnt enough. But like pp said, nursing is the best way. Just lay in bed with her for a weekend and nurse, nurse, nurse. Do lots of skin to skin contact. You can try lying in a warm bath and let her lay on your chest naked and nurse. But DEF get her on you. Stimulatio is the most importnant thing.

    Check out your hospital, they usually offer breastfeeding support groups where you go and LC's help you with latching and do weighed feedings so you know how much she's getting. Her belly is no bigger then a ping pong ball right now.

    Its not easy

  • i echo everything melanie said.  also, if it makes you feel better- i nursed sue exclusively from one side for like the last 5 months (and i nursed her almost 13 months.)  no it's not ideal.  sure my husband could see the difference, but no one else could.  i had major issues on one my right side straight from the start, so i neglected it, and the supply was never the same as the left.  (i could tell bc i pumped at work.)  either way, hang in there.  but what i am trying to say is, even if you cant get the supply up on that side, there is no need to stop. 

    have you tried LLL?  they helped me a TON in the beginning. 

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  • I just wanted to add it could be your pump have you adjusted it to see where it works best.

    also the baby is much better then the pump so if you only get an ounce it's not the end of the world. I had pumping issues but still managed to bf for a year. I did have to supplement but it was mostly me.

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  • make sure you are getting enough to eat/drink. I notice a big drop in supply when I forget to take care of myself. 

     When you pump how long are you pumping for?  I usually need about 20 minutes when I first started.  It takes time to get your full supply in.  but good luck with it.

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  • K had a latching problem as well.  I was only able to nurse her for about 6 weeks before it became too painful for me (among the fact that I was going back to work).  Pumping and everything didnt really work for me, but it sounds like these ladies gave you a ton of great advice, and I hope it everything works out for you!
  • Thanks ladies, I knew you all would have some good tips.
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  • Ditto what all the other ladies have said... Nursing nursing nursing is the most important thing! I just wanted to add that the lactation consultants at Vassar are really awesome. I went in when K was maybe 2 weeks or so... And they were so good. Also, it took me time to figure out what size flange size and pump speed and things that worked best and got the most milk.
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  • I think you have some good advice but just want to say good luck!  It is tough in the beginning but gets so much easier in a few weeks.  I agree that the best thing is to try and work on the latch and nurse as much as you can.  A LC or LLL would probably be a big help.

    One tip I receieved was to do shorter bouts of nursing more frequently.  This can be less painful in the beginning when your LO is still figuring out the latch.

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  • and one more thing - the basic flange size that comes with most pumps isn't the right size for everyone.

    my LC told me to get a different size when i was pumping for Ava and it made a huge difference in how much was expressed.

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