Breast Feeding - Dover,PA

are you sure your baby doesn't have a tongue tie. I had exact same problem. Finally a lactation consultant and a 2nd dr. agreed my son had a tongue tie. They snipped it and then within weeks he was sucking better which then produced more milk. Pumping isn't always indicative of what you have in your breast. My lactation consultant use to tell me all the time to not be concerned with what I pumped. However, after my son started feeding better, I produced more milk, which also meant I pumped more. I think I took 12 fenugreek a day. I forgot the amount you can take that is safe, I remember it was a lot. It did help.

First thing....RELAX!!! Stress can definitely effect your milk supply.

A lactation consultant can help you more than any of us can. I encourage you to find one. Ask your dr, or contact your local La Leche League to find a good one.

On facebook, I've found some great BFing resources. They each have their own websites, too, but I like the fb pages. Here are the links:

The Leaky B@@b: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/TheLeakyBoob (I love this one!!!)

Best for Babes: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/BestForBabes

Kelly Mom: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/kellymomdotcom

Eating oatmeal (not instant) helps your milk supply, and of course drinking tons of water! You can also try mother's milk tea, or make lactation cookies (I know the Leaky B@@b has a recipe).

The best thing to do is let baby nurse as much as possible! Feed on demand, not a set schedule. The more LO nurses, the more milk your body will make.

Also, you can try 1 of 2 things: let baby nurse on one breast, and pump on the other (my LO hates this, so I don't do it). Or pump immediately after baby nurses (I did this for a short while when my LO was about 5 months old and my supply dropped a little). Even if it seems nothing, or very little, comes out, pump for 10 minutes on each side. This will help stimulate your supply.

GL, and yay for not giving up!

First, try to relax. It took a long time before my first daughter could nurse without a shield, but my second baby didn't have any trouble.

After 11 months of nursing and 10 months of pumping every day at work, my supply varies each day, but it definately drops back the week before my period. I also get less when I try to rush.

I have found that massaging my breasts while I pump helps to speed up let down. Also, you baby is more efficient at extracting milk than any pump could every be.

Getting a period can definitely affect your milk supply but it's only temporary. The supply will pick back up. Mine usually dwindles right before and during the first few days of the period. I know it can be frustrating but hang in there and keep nursing/pumping.
Stress is one of the leading cause of milk supply issues. I know it's easier said than done but try to relax and have faith that your supply will pick back up. My son is almost 10 months old and I work full-time so sometimes it is disheartening when I pump at work and my supply is low but I was able to do it for this long and so will you.
I have a Medela Pump In Style and I do change membranes on my pump occasionally due to regular wear and tear. That has helped as well so you might want to make sure your pump is in great working condition.
One more thing to keep in mind - Your baby is more efficient than any pump out there so it's very possible that your baby is getting more than what you are pumping. All the Best to you, A.! I know how tough it is to breastfeed a child but keep at it and you'll be glad you did!

I've found that using more than one herb helps. A mixture bolsters where others herbs fail or may not work for you. I used a premade supplement from Motherlove to boost my milk along with eating oatmeal. It had goat's rue, fenugreek, fennel, blessed thistle. It seems like your stomach is connected with breastfeeding. I found that for me, eating comfort foods that were easy on the stomach helped better. Oh and drink plenty of water.

First of all great job! I know first hand how hard it is, and the immense pressure that can be put on you to not give up. I will share my experience with you not to discourage you, but to let you know how hard it can be!
I was exclusively nursing my baby and had no problems the first 3 weeks. All of a sudden he got very fussy at the breast, took over an hour to nurse one time. And became fussy and cranky. After a few days, I called my ped because I was told he was exhibiting reflux symptoms. They suggested I try a formula to rule out if it was something I was eating, I pumped for 2 days, then resumed breastfeeding. (I cut out many foods)
He did good for a day or two, then again started fussing at the breast, would nurse for a few minutes then let go, I would put him back on and he'd let go again. I would work on this for 45 min to an hour each time. I would thne give him a bottle either pumped milk or formula. Then I'd pump. He increasingly became more resistant of the breast, I would attempt multiple times a day, then pump as I fed him sitting in a boppy pillow. I basically was spending all day attempting to nurse, then pumping then feeding him. Finally I just quit getting any milk. I tried the herbal tea from babies r us. Tried drinking tons of water improving my diet, changing nursing postions, nursing on demand you name it. As devastated as I was I finally had to realize it wasnt going to work for me.
I'm NOT telling you to give up, what I am saying is that if eventually doesnt work anymore for you, dont beat yourself up. You are giving it one hell of an effort! And you should be very proud of the effort you are putting forth!!

A.-- I know you said you are already on fenugreek but I would highly recommend Mother's Milk Tea. I am currently nursing my third child who is 6 months old. He's going through a growth spurt and I really wasn't producing enough milk for him. In a last minute attempt (before giving him formula) I've been drinking 2-3 cups of the tea and have seen great improvements! Be sure you are also eating healthy, drinking enough water and getting some rest. I hope that the tea helps! -J.

first off, take a breath and know that you're doing the best you can! the stress of worrying about if the milk will come back or not cant help!

*double check with your doc before doing this, but this is what was recommended for me*

try pumping every two hours so your body gets into the pattern of producing again. good luck! and if it doesn't work out know that you already did a great job!

You don't mention where/when you pump, but I have some suggestions for that... If you are not pumping with your little one in your arms, try doing some things to mentally stimulate your milk supply. Carry a blanket or other small item that has your baby's scent, as well as a photo of your baby that really gets the "awwww" emotions going. When you get ready to pump, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, take a few whiffs of the scent trigger, then study the photo as you get started pumping. So much of milk supply seems to be mental, so try anything that can reduce your stress and increase those positive mommy feelings...

Your OB/GYN should have NEVER put you on estrogen based birth control during breast feeding, and I am sorry he/she has put you in that situation. It is important to stay hydrated, try enhancing teas (although they taste awful-such as milkmaid from babies r us), make sure you are taking fenugreek at the appropriate dosage- 3 capsules 3 times daily. During pumping, ensure you are allowing a second let-down by pumping for at least 15-20 minutes...and an additional 2 minutes after cessation of milk flow. Most importantly, don't give up- depending on where you live, there are fantastic breast feeding centers....such as the breast feeding center of pittsburgh if you live in the area. Good luck and remember a positive attitude! Stay in touch with those who support and encourage you!

You might also add blessed thistle to your supplements. Are you exclusively breast feeding (versus pumping) on the weekends? I'm not sure if fact based science says this, but it was my observation that constant breastfeeding when possible instead of pumping helped milk supply more.

Make sure you're drinking lots of water! And maybe move pumping/nursing more often, say ever 2 hrs 45 min. Then after a few days to a week, move to 2 hrs 30 min...your body will catch up.

Great job! I had low milk supply and I know how hard it is. Are you taking the fenugreek 3 caplets 3 times a day? You have to take it until you smell like maple syrup! Though, I have to say, I never thought it worked that well for me.

What I ended up doing was nursing and then pumping, but after a while it got to be too much, so I ended up supplementing with formula in a bottle at 4 pm and then after I nursed at night. As my lactation consultant said, "this is exactly why we have formula-- for when we need it!" Doing that, I was able to nurse for the whole first year. So while I think it is great to try to increase your milk supply, don't feel discouraged if you need a little formula to get through-- it doesn't have to be all or nothing! And I agree with some of the other posters-- see if you can dump the nipple shields or at least cut bits of them out-- the more skin to skin contact, the more milk you (should) have.

Did you try getting rid of the shield? Since your baby is bigger now he will probably have an easier time latching on. The more you put your baby to breast the more likely your milk will return. Kudos to you for working so hard at this!

First try not to stress. I know it is hard, but it can reduce your supply. Do you have an inverted nipple? If so, try using breast SHELLS not SHIELDS. Shells are worn while not feeding, and they actually draw out the nipple.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. At least 64oz per day. Oatmeal also helps incease supply. Even the instant oatmeal works, but regular works better. Be sure that you are taking enough fenugreek. Three to four capsules every 3 hours is generally what is reccomended, but it does differ from person to person. You know that you are taking enough when you smell like maple syrup (fenugreek is actually commonly used in the fake syrup). You can also drink Mother's Milk Tea or More MIlk Tea. Both available in most tea isles at the grociery store.

The biggest help will be getting your baby to nurse. Nothing helps increase supply better than baby.

Feel free to PM me, and I will help any way I can.

No offense, but I can't believe an OB/GYN would put a nursing mother on ANY form of estrogen birth control - it decreases milk supply! Anyway, I'm glad you have that part resolved. Are you solely pumping and feeding, or breastfeeding and pumping? If you are able to pump an additional 2 ounces after breastfeeding, that's a LOT of milk! Anyway, I totally hear you with the nipple shield. I have inverted nipples too and have had to use a nipple shield with both sons (a total of 20 months so far - 4 months to go with my second). They don't tend to decrease milk supply like the old shields, so that usually isn't an issue. What I used to do when my milk supply seemed to drop was first DRINK DRINK DRINK WATER. 80-90 ounces a day if you can stand it, but a minimum of 64 ounces per day. Also, if you're breastfeeding, just let your baby nurse as often and as long as he/she wants...eventually your supply will catch up with demand. You may be nursing every hour or so, but it will work in a day or two! :) Plus, babies do go through growth spurts at this age, so that may be what's going on with your baby. It'll last a few days then the feeding will be back to normal.

On a totally separate note, if you are still using a nipple shield, I would recommend getting a Shield Shell to keep it in between feedings. I LOVE mine - I keep one in the diaper bag and one for around the house. It keeps my shield clean, and protects it from my dog and two-year-old son! They're available online at www.shieldshell.com.

Good luck, and keep at it!

Great job. I wish more people were determined not to give up when there are problems. Feed more if you can. I second the tongue tied thing just have them check to make sure. It is so common and for some reason people hardly ever look for it anymore. Quick fix. Have you seen anyone from LLL or a lactation consultant just to make sure your latch is really good. Eat loads of oatmeal and make some lactation cookies.
http://realilfemum.blogspot.com/search?q=lactation+cookies
Try to relax. I know it is hard but stress is terrible for milk supply. How much fenugreek are you taking? You need to take quite a bit. 3 pills 3x per day. With my first I had inverted nipples, low supply and cancer and I fed her for 6 months before I had to stop for treatment. But at first I took so much fenugreek I smelled like maple syrup and I ate so much oatmeal I pooped 10 times a day. LOL I say this because it was awful. I pumped every 2 hours and had bleeding nipples. All I can say is if I could do it you can too. Sending you milky vibes. Good luck mama

When it comes to taking Fenugreek you should take enough of it until you smell like maple syrup. This may sound strange but it's what I have heard them say at my LLL meetings. Also there is a tea that can help called mother's milk. This will also help to boost your milk supply.
Now when you say that you don't have a big enough nipple could it be that your nipple is flattening out when you first try to nurse because your breasts were full. While they say never to use the "cigarette" hold I find that this helps when you first try to latch them on as you can hold back the rest of your breast so that they can latch on to your nipple. Also have you tried nursing just after pumping a small amount?

I hope I am not too late to respond!!! Please get the SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) by Medela. You can read about it on their web site under Special Feeding Devices. It really works!!! At 6 mos. old, with my first daughter, I got so sick I dried up COMPLETELY in a 24 hour period. (I was barely able to pump enough for one feeding at the beginning of my sickness and the doctors claim that is why my daughter didn't catch the virus...my mom was not so lucky.) I began using it to start producing after I got better and in about 2 weeks things were almost back to normal. I recommended it to a friend of mine about 1 year ago when she was "slowing down" (her son was only 9 mos.old) and she was full of praise for the product. I have so much more to say but lack the time so please email me with questions if you are interested!
ps. I think you can either order one on line or get one through a lactation consultant...why more people don't know about this is beyond me!!!!!