Keeping up Milk Supply During Pregnancy

I am a new mom of twins so milk supply has been a concern. Personally, I am leery of herbal but I did buy fenugreek just in case. I also bought Mother's Milk (herbal tea) so maybe you can take that (I haven't tried it yet either). I have also heard on more than one occassion that oatmeal helps supply. Good luck :)

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I also noticed my supply drastically decreased within a few weeks of discovering I was pregnant with my second (my son was only 13 months at the time). There is a tincture generally regarded as safe called More Milk Two that is made for pregnant moms who are still nursing -- personally, I couldn't get past the taste of it to take it regularly, and am not entireley convinced it would have helped anyway. But if you do want to give it a shot, it's made my Motherlove Herbs.

Oatmeal has already been mentioned, making sure you're eating enough calories (make sure you're getting plenty of protein), and drinking a lot of water might help, but this is hormones you are trying to overcome and you may or may not see any difference. Some people do, some do not. I personally didn't.

That said, my son nursed through my entire pregnancy (though I had to nightwean because his dry-nursing kept me awake because it was oftentimes painful) and is still going strong now at almost 33 months. There were times that weren't easy and when one or the both of us would be frustrated by the lack of milk, but we made it.

Good luck!

Hi J.,

Congratulations on wanting to continue to breastfeed. So many moms would look at pregnancy as an excuse to stop.

If you have a personal e-mail you would care to pass on, I have a sheet on the 10 best power foods for pregnant and lactating women I created after going to a semminar by Whole Foods and Mothering Magazine. I just can't attach an attchment to MamaSource e-mails.

Also, keep on nursing! The more you nurse the more you body will keep up with the need.

Good Luck!
L.

Quick update: For everyone who asked, here is the full list from my lecture notes. I hope this helps!

WHOLE BABY LECTURE
OCTOBER 12th 2005 @ THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
JOINT PROJECT OF WHOLE FOODS AND MOTHERING MAGAZINE

10 POWER FOODS for PREGNANT and LACTATING WOMEN

1. YOGURT
o Excellent calcium source
o Probiotic bacteria is good for intestinal/overall health of mom and baby
o Bacteria can also be preventative for some skin disorders

2. DARK LEAFY GREENS (includes: collards, kale, broccoli rabe, mustard and turnip)
o Have calcium, folic acid, fiber, vitamins A and C
o Easy to absorb non-dairy calcium
o Possess anti-oxidants
o Optimal ratio of phosphorus to calcium
o Note: when preparing, add a little oil and vinegar, it helps the body easily absorb the nutrients
3. EGGS
o Protein, vitamin A, iron
o Remember the nutrition is in the yolk
o Some contain DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid which may help reduce premature delivery
o EASY to make!!!!!

4. FATTY FISH (includes: salmon, sardines and trout)
o Avoid shark, swordfish and mackerel and sometimes tuna because of the chance of mercury, location is key in selection
o Omega-3 fatty acids
o Good alternative is fish oil supplements; they are safe and come flavored as well, throw a little in a smoothie

5. LAMB
o Zinc, said to help reduce complications in pregnancy
o One of the least allergenic foods
o Easy to make a stew in a crock pot with veggies

6. BERRIES
o High anti-oxidant content
o Supports brain, eye and vascular health
o Look for lots of color when selecting
o Can always use frozen
o Easy to incorporate in pancakes, smoothies, muffins, etc.

7. SWEET POTATOES
o Beta Carotene and Vitamin E
o Convenient, cheap, easy to make
o Eat with butter or other fat source for easier absorption of nutrients

8. AVOCADO
o Potassium, folic acid and Vitamin C
o Contains mono-unsaturated fat: THE GOOD FAT
o Lutein; good for eye health

9. LEGUMES
o Protein, fiber, iron, folic acid, magnesium, zinc
o Use different colors; lots out there
o Versatile
o Good with your dark leafy greens
o TIP: don’t add salt until the end it will take too long for the beans to soften but you can add spices early in cooking process

10. NUTS
o Fiber, Vitamin E. magnesium
o Walnuts: omega-3 fatty acids
o Almonds: calcium
o Can also use nut butters, good on fruit slices

FOODS TO AVOID

o Unpasteurized dairy and juice products
o Caffeine and alcohol
o Raw and undercooked meats and seafood
o Some species of fish
o Processed foods and hydrogenated oils
o Splenda
o SURPRISE!!! Watch the green tea intake. It not only contains caffeine but also can block an enzyme that helps absorb folic acid.

NATURAL SOOTHERS

o B Vitamins
o Ginger
o Raspberry leaves
o Probiotics

My advise is a little different, but certainly not to discount anyone, just something to keep in mind.

I became pregnant with my second while my first was 10 months old. I was still breastfeeding my daughter but I began to get awful cramps during breastfeeding. My ob/gyn advised me to stop breastfeeding immediately so I didn't miscarry. (I had miscarried before my daughter.) Apparently breastfeeding can cause contractions during pregnancy, not just after. So keep that in mind if you start to get cramps, you should probably speak to your ob/gyn.

Good luck!

This may be an old wives tale and I am not advising you to do so.....especially since you are pregnant. I would get frustrated during my sons growth spurts, when it seemed that alls I was doing was nursing. My mom told me to have a beer on an occasion. Supposedly, the yeast in beer helps to increase your milk supply. Once again, probably not great advise. I'm not sure if anyone else has heard that.

I would recommend joining La Leche League (LLL) as it is a wonderful place to meet moms in the same situation as you. They can offer lots of support and advice for you there.

As far as not being ready to wean, I don't blame you, and my advice is to continue nursing even though it feels like you have little to no supply for your son. I nursed my daughter until she was 3.5 and my supply had its ups and downs even though I did not go through a second pregnancy.

Since your son is past one year old, it is okay to introduce him to milk (I gave my daughter soy milk) if you wish. You can talk to your pediatrician about this too. He will nurse for comfort if not for nutrition, and that is okay too as long as you are comfortable with it.
-M.

Hello and congratulations for so many things... for your pregnancy, for breastfeeding and for acknowledging your son's iumportant need to continue nursing.
You have gotten some really great advice here, and I have little to add, only to stress the importance of support. I nursed my daughter through my pregnancy and was grateful for the support of other mothers who had been through some of the frustrations that come along with nursing while pregnant.
I too noticed that my supply decreased at first, then increased through the middle of the pregnancy, and was nearly gone by the end. It was often frustrating and at times painful if I didn't have enough milk to satisfy her need. But it was certainly worth it. She was so happy when my milk came in again, and tandem nursing has helped easy so many of the challenges that a new sibling brought to her life.
I wish you all the best with your pregnancy and nursing experience.

A.

Hi! Congrats on the upcoming excitment! My first was 6 mo when I got pregnant with my 2nd. My milk supply began to decrease too! I was disappointed, but I knew I was in for a long haul with baby #2 on the way, so I didn't push it & he was already taking a bottle so I weaned him onto formula. I'm not telling you to do the same, just my experience. With my 2nd when I was having nursing issues, first with too much milk supply and then later with too little, I went to a lactaction consultant. Her name is Janet Talmadge, ###-###-####; she's in Naperville. They work with you & give advise as well as supplements that help with any issue. It was very effective for me. She or someone else could help with all your questions. I highly recommend seeing a lactation consultant.
Good luck!
S.

I don't know about herbal supplements but I do know that oatmeal is great for lactation. Since you are still nursing your first, you might want to do extra expressing of the milk to try to stimulate more milk production.

Also remember since you are pregnant a lot of calories are first going to the fetus, then to you then your your breasts for milk production. Don't be shy about gaining a bit more weight because your feeding three not two (one at the breast, one in your womb and you Mommy). Of course, talk to your OB/GYN about how much more you should add to your diet and what supplements if any you should take.

Hi J.,

Congrats on the new baby and the stamina to nurse while pregnant...

Have you tried to pump in between feedings? (I did 15 minutes of pumping)Even if no milk is expressed your body will eventually up production. I did this during my daughter's growth spurts - advice from the lactation dept at my hospital and it worked. It took about 11/2 to 2 weeks to really make a difference, but it worked for me. I also used Fenugreek but would consult your ob since you are pregnant again.

Hang in there!

My first thought was that the 17 month old was maybe not nursing enough from you? Not sure? How do you know he is not ready to be weaned? Be the decreased milk supply is a sign that he is not as dependent on it?

Let me know?
K.

I drink malt, ovaltine with malt, everyday while I nurse. The malt is supposed to help increase milk supply. I am not sure if it actually helps, but I figure the milk I put it in and the vitamins in Ovaltine are also good for a nursing mom. Good luck. I have three children and my first two weaned themself when I was about five months pregnant. I assume they weaned due to my decrease in milk. My third is still nursing at 19 months, maybe I should get pregnant again!!
Karen

J.,
I am a lactation consultant in private practice. Do not take Fenugreek while you are pregnant as it is contraindicated during pregnancy. You can take More Milk Plus capsules which have nettles and blessed thistle. They can help with your supply.
C. C.
Breast 'N Baby Lactation Services, Inc.
525 Tyler Rd., Ste. L-2
St. Charles, IL 60174
###-###-#### www.breastbabyproducts.com

my doctor made me stop nursing when I was expecting. My son was 13 months old at the time. My doctor explained that the new baby needs all the nutrition possible. This was best for the whole family. r

When I was about 17 weeks or so and I did lose my milk but my daughter 2 and 3 months could have cared less she still wanted to nurse, it was uncomfortable but I gritted my teeth through it and when my colostrum came it it did get easier. I felt bad telling her no sometimes but did have to tell he no not right now lots of times, I got touched out really fast towards the end. Once the baby was born she wasn't jealous but loved showing her new sister how to nurse. I used mothers milk tea and feel it was what helped me keep my milk so long, before my milk was gone by 12 weeks with my other two. Good Luck, it can be hard at times but so worth it!

J.:

congratulation on your new pregnancy... and on still nusing your 17 month old....

during pregnancy your milk supply will wane/ this does not necessiate weaning. as you begin the colostrum phase it will start to increase again.

be careful of herbal supplements as some are not meant to be taken during pregnancy.

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