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BF mommas...supply issue and I need advice!
Help! About 3 weeks ago Owen decided that he hated nursing. It started out with just him fussing on the left side, it's never been as full as the right. But then it progressed to him kicking and screaming and refusing to latch last week. A few times I gave up and fed him with a bottle. I've talked to a few different lactation consultants and am taking fenugreek (3 times a day) and pumping. They thought maybe my supply was too low to satisfy him, but I think he was just being lazy. His latch was terrible. And I could hear him gulping and felt myself having let down, but it seemed like he would nurse for a few minutes and then remember that he hated it. Then he would start crying. So I don't think it was a hunger issue.
The last few days have been A LOT better, he's nursing like nothing ever happened. But now my supply seems to have tanked. I've been pumping after every feeding (trying to feed him more often too, like every 2 1/2 hours) but I barely pump anything. He also sleeps through the night (about 10 hours) so I think that may have affected my supply as well.
What can I do to get my supply up???
Re: BF mommas...supply issue and I need advice!
I posted about this not too long ago, check out the "mommas who are/did BF" post.
But Im sure there will be even more ideas coming for you! GL
I'm a breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, anti-CIO Mommy
Raising Bean
Wives Unscripted
Married my hero on 10-11-08
Our bean was born on 05-19-11
I agree with Wildcat, don't judge by what you get when pumping after nursing. I never got more than like 1/2 oz after nursing. The baby is very effective and as long as he's happy after nursing and having enough "output" everything is fine, and you have to keep reminding yourself of that. At most, I would just make sure you get enough water, continue to eat right and nurse at somewhat regular intervals. If he starts fussing or seeming still hungry afterward or not having wet diapers, then I'd be more concerned.
I hope that helped! Trust me - BFing mamas know how your supply can consume your thoughts! We're here for you!
Thanks ladies! I can definitely drink more water, that should help.
The only reason why I'm concerned with the pumping output is that he is basically ignoring my left side. And then when I pump that side I get at most an ounce. Yikes, that's not enough! Blair joked that maybe the right side has chocolate milk and the left is plain, and Owen doesn't like it.
BFing is really maddening! My left was a dud too, so I can relate. But in the beginning, my right was a big of a dud, so I focused him on my right more -- which is probably why my right started kicking in and my left stopped producing so much. You can't win!
I agree w/ pps -- if he is happy afterwards, gaining weight, having wet diapers, it's not an issue. But if you're worried whether it will increase with his needs, then I would recommend being sure to recognize his growth spurts / cluster feeding. That's how it'll increase, and even if you fed him 1.5 hours ago, and he's cranky but isn't wet or tired, then just go with it and give him a boob. The longer you exclusively nurse him, the better your supply will get / hold up. If he's unhappy immediately after he nurses, go ahead and give him a bottle if you want but if he's unhappy an hour after nursing, give him a boob and chug some water at the same time
I took some days off of work to exclusively nurse Jacob one time when I had to recover my supply after EPing for a few days, and it worked wonders.
Other than that, the only thing I can add is stuff you've probably heard from everyone else: 8 oz water / hour, oatmeal, fenugreek, mother's milk tea, as much sleep as you can get, pump after nursing if necessary, and avoid cold medications.