Breastfeeding Problems - Bellwood,IL

If she can find a La Leche League group or leader, the support and encouragement are crucial at this time. Most likely her milk supply is low because the frequency of nursing is low (low demand = low supply). If she is able to set aside 3-4 days to really commit to increasing her milk supply, she can do it. She should nurse frequently, drink plenty of fluid and eat well. There is a natural supplement that can greatly increase her supply when taken over the course of 3-5 days. It is called Fenugreek and is available in a bottle of capsules. Two capsules should be taken 3x a day for up to 5 days. She should see an increase in her milk supply. It is safe for mom and the baby.

If she can manage, she should completely remove the bottle and the formula, or opt to have a set time where, you or her husband gives a bottle - perhaps in the evening when dad gets home. Personally, I think that if the formula is in the house she will be tempted to use it.

She can also pump for a couple of minutes after the baby nurses. This signals the body to make more milk. There are good inexpensive hand pumps such as Avent or Isis. Even if she really does not get any or much milk out of the pumping session, she needs the stimulation to increase her milk supply. She can also do this in between feeding while sitting on the couch and watching TV, especially on the side that does not have any milk coming out.

Yes, it wasn't the best idea to give her daughter formula - especially for three days. But she's early on in the process and can probably build her supply back up. Milk is made when it's needed, so the way to get more is to nurse nurse nurse the baby. I'm not a lactation consultant, but have had a lot of experience breastfeeding myself. Here's what I'd do: Every 2 hours or so she should offer the baby both breasts. For the first few days her goal should be to have the baby nurse for at least 5 minutes on each side - longer if the baby will keep sucking for longer. If she gives the baby one side and then the other, and the baby is still hungry, she can go back to the first side. After her breasts are completely empty or the baby gets frustrated, she can supplement with a bottle. Best is if someone else (not the mom) gives the bottle. Each day she should try and increase the amount of time during each feeding that the baby nurses - up to about 10 minutes per side. She should be able to gradually decrease the amount that she supplements.

Another good option would be to use a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) instead of a bottle. This is a small tube that sits next to your nipple so when the baby sucks and gets formula she's also stimulating the milk supply. A lactation consultant can help her with this.

She will also need to eat plenty and drink plenty. Some women find eating oatmeal helps. This is completely do-able - good luck to her!

A.:

It would help for her to get help from a board certified lactation consultant. www.ilca.org will help you find someone in her area.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

I'm in a similar situation as your daughter and was going to post a message of my own. My son is almost 4 weeks now and I've been breastfeeding him from the start but he wasn't gaining enough weight and the pediatrician was concerned so we started offering him a bottle after each feeding and I pump for 10 minutes after he eats as well. Sometimes the bottles are fomula sometimes they are the breastmilk that I pumped but either way I breastfeed for 10 minutes each side then offer the bottle if he's still fussing. He's never turned it down yet. I feel bad that I'm not breastfeeding exclusivly but I'm hoping at some point he won't need the extra bottles.

Ideally, someone else would give him the bottle but when it's just the two of us home alone all day that's not possible and he's a much happier baby when he gets his suppliments. In the end that's what I guess I have to go by but I'm still hoping my supply increases or he gets better at nursining eventually.

Just tell her to keep breastfeeding and she can pump in between feedings also if she has access to a pump. There is a tea called Organic Mother's Milk by Traditional Medicinals that is good too. Tell her not to supplement anymore, it will only interfere with her milk supply even more. Good luck to your daughter!