Milk Supply - Newport Beach,CA

Pump for 5 minutes AFTER every feeding. You may get nothing for the first few attempts then a few sqirts... after a week (maybe two but I doubt it) you will have a ton of milk. This will create more milk for each feeding. Good luck and congratulations.

I really reccomend posting over on the forums at www.kellymom.com. There is a special section called Pumping and Relactating Moms and there are women who are going through the EXACT SAME THING that you are going through.

(((hugs)))

It won't be easy, but it can be done!

Best of luck.

here is my old list that i have passed on to many a mom...also check out babyzone's breastfeeding boards..and kellymom.com

1. rent a hospital grade pump..Medela Classic is what i'm using..it's
$3 a day and totally worth it! OR better yet buy one off ebay and
when you're done you can re-sell it on ebay and get your money back.
i bought one and it works great..the medela classic is supposed to be
the best pump out there.
2. get the Easy Expression bra www.easyexpressionproducts.com it
holds both cups over you bb's and it's better to pump 2 at a time
3. eat oatmeal ....get the healthy kind i add bananas also i would
think pasta would be good b/c it retains water
4. Take "Lactation Supplement" by Gaia Herbs you can find it at the
health food store
5. try to pump at the same time every day...also try power pumping..
10 minutes pumping..then stop for 10 then 10 again and then stop and
so on. even pump if you aren't getting anything.
6. Make sure the white membrane thingies that attach onto the cups
are fairly new ..over used ones affect how much milk you get
7. Drink lots of fluids including Nursing Mom's tea or Mother's Milk
tea or the tea i prefer is www.breastea.com ..also drinks with
electrolytes like Recharge...Smart Water...Gatorade i notice on days
i drink a lot of fluids i have more milk
8. Eat barley..Barley Grass supplements are great. also..they have
barley bread at Trader Joe's if you have a Trader Joe's where you
live..or just buy barley. I buy a delicious barley tea at the
japanese market and i drink a couple of cups a day..it's decaf and
yummy.
i also drink Healthy Mom's drinks by Ensure
9.A warm wash cloth helps too ..apply to breasts before pumping or
try the breast heating pads that you heat up in the microwave.
10. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin..not getting a lot of milk
could mean a vitamin deficiency
even if you pump just a little ..save what you get and start adding
them together and then supplement with the milk that you pump..that's
why it's also good to pump after they've gone to sleep..then you help
build your supply and you also have more bb milk for baby..
11. nurse nurse nurse..triple up on nursing..you're going to have to
dedicate a week to it
the more you pump the more milk you'll begin to make.
12. LOTS OF REST..nap if you can ..milk builds when you rest
13. DHA supplements also are great for lactation..also found at the
health food store*
14. Alfalfa supplements are also great.
i think that's it..
15. Try a whey protein powder drink.. i use "Whey to Go" by
Solgar..you mix it with milk add some berries and a banana. it says
to check with your doc before using if you're bfing..so ask your
doc..i only drink one a day and i add a some Motherlove's "More Milk
Plus" to it.
16. Again you should double pump when you're pumping so make sure you
get the bra to make it easier on you!
17. Goat's Rue herb is also supposed to help boost
honestly drink LOTS of liquids
keep yourself moist ...don't take any birth control pills.
18. there is also this stuff called Motilium aka DOM a lot of mom's
use this ..it's for reflux but it builds up your supply.. you can
read about it on Kellymom.com http://www.kellymom.com/newman/19a-
domperidone1.html
and you can buy it here... http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/
motilium.html

The answer is pretty simple. Stop giving him formula. Breastmilk is produced by supply and demand the more your son demands (by nursing) the more your body produces. By supplementing the formula your son is not spending as much time at the breast so is not cause your body to produce as much. It really is a vicious cycle. The more you supplement the more your supply will decrease. If you are serious about breastfeeding you need to stop giving formula and just offer the breast as much as he needs it right now (even if that's every hour until your supply increases). Just take a few days to do nothing but lay in bed and nurse, nurse, nurse. You can also look into getting some mothers milk tea, or fenugreek capsules to help boost your supply.

If you do not want to stop supplementing feedings then buy a breast pump and pump between nursing sessions with your son. You can then feed him that pumped milk instead of the formula and will be stimulating your milk supply at the same time.

Your body is a demand and supply system. It takes at least 24 hours of only nursing (maybe every 1 1/2 hrs) for you body to say "Oh I need to make more milk". I nursed and pumped for a day and by the next day I was a milk factory. The more you supplement the less your body will make, there's no way around it. Instead of feeding him formula, I'd pump the extra bottles that he eats throughout the day so your body will continue to make the right amount of milk. When he hits growth spurts you'll have a day or two of eating all of the time but once the supply is there the frequency of nursing calms back down. Good luck, but I wouldn't use any more formula if you want to be able to keep nursing.

I had issues with milk supply too.
I breastfed/pumped every 2-3 hours around the clock (even at night).
Drink tons of water and eat oatmeal. Also there are supplements you can take to increase your milk supply. You can get a ton of info on this on www.kellymom.com

First of all, congrats on your little boy! The good news, from what I've read and experienced after nursing 3 babies, is that you can usually get your milk supply back up. I'm not an expert, but if you increase your fluid intake and basically just have your baby nurse a lot, then your body will figure that it has to make more milk. Your body makes as much milk as it thinks it needs, based on how much the baby eats (or you express), so the more he nurses the more your body will make. I would take a few days and just let him nurse lots and lots and see if there's any improvement (it will probably take a couple days). In the meantime, give him formula if you think he needs it, but let him suckle so your body gets the point. If that's not working, then go call your doctor for other suggestions. Good luck!

Nurse as often as you can during the day and about every 6hrs at night so you can both get sleep. Pump after feedings when you have time. In about 2-3 days your supply should be back. EAT and DRINK a lot, treat yourself like you have the flu, rest and drink fluids.

Use herbs tea that`s Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea which helps to back up plenty milk production quickly...Make sure It`s natural and without preservatives tea...

I also used the Mother's Milk tea and it works very well. I have seen this at our local Target or at health food stores.You can use Fenugreek and Blessed thistle herbs and i have also read that Alfalfa pills work well too. But def need to cut back on supplementing him and drink more water as well. Good Luck

If the ideas that the other moms mentioned don't work (nursing more and not supplementing formula are the most important ones), try a nursing supplementer. I used the Medela SNS while relactating, but there is another called the Lactaid. You put formula or breastmilk in it and the baby breastfeeds normally, but gets whatever is in the supplementer. Your supply will build up based on the demand for milk, and the amount in the supplementer needed will decrease. Someone at La Leche League might be able to get you one, or you can get them online.

Also, I totally understand your supplementing with formula during the night for a break, at least get rid of formula during the day to start with, but you really have to nurse during the night too if you want a full supply. Once you feel like your supply is up, try nursing only at night too. Cosleeping helps, you can nurse on your side while you both hopefully sleep (I could never sleep like this, but it is better than getting out of bed and nursing).

You mentioned your challenge with PPD, remember you MUST feed your body as well. Your nutrient intake is VERY important TO BOTH OF YOU. You must make certain you are consuming enough to provide for your baby. Sometimes depression can alter our appetite, without even knowing it. Are you eating enough?

Consider talking with your Physician and your Pediatrician about this, perhaps your boy IS hungry and needs some type of supplement.

I know everyone out there so far is for breastfeeding only, but my suggestion is, if you can't provide enough Breast Milk for your baby, you need to add to his nutrient intake for his best possible health any way you can!
Good Luck!

The only way to get your supply back up is to drink lots of water and breastfeed on demand. Breastmilk is best!

Milk supply is purely based on demand. If you decrease your nursing sessions, you body will produce less milk, because you don't need it.

Also, it is a lot easier for your son to drink from a bottle, especially if you are not using a slow flow nipple - he might just prefer the bottle because it is faster.

If you intend on keeping on breastfeeding and increasing your supply I would phase out the formula at least during the day. The easiest way to get quick results is to take a weekend and stay in bed with him nursing as often as possible and spending time skin to skin.

As for the sleep issue - I found cosleeping helped a lot. Since that was not possible in our bed, I did sleep in her room for part of the night, so I could nurse her lying down and get rest myself.

I know it seems like a lot of work, but while breastfeeding is recommended for a lot of reasons, there have been studies that it can lessen the impact of PPD and help you bond with your baby in a more profound way.
Good luck!

I ate oatmeal. I hate it so when it was suggested to me I turned a little green. I swear it works. Within 2-3 days i had more milk than I wanted!!

Try getting him to nurse about every 2-2 1/2 hours. If he's still hungry...doesn't seem satisfied, give him a little formula, but also pump. You might pump anyway, especially at night if he's not waking every 3 hours for feeding (I know, I know, but it will only take a couple of days), but pump especially if you're supplementing. It will keep your body producing at least what he's eating. I like to pump also even when the supply is up, because I like having a bottle in case I want to run an errand without baby, or if I happen to get a date night!!
Good luck, I hope it works out like you want it!!

Unfortunately supplementing with formula is the worst thing you can do for your supply and your baby doesn't need anything other than your breastmilk. That is the absolute BEST thing for your baby.

It is all about supply and demand so I agree with the advice you have received to nurse your baby whenever your son wants/needs it! And if you are concerned you can pump after you nurse as well. Your baby will up your supply if you let him. Good luck! I hope you choose to stop giving him formula.

You need to nurse, nurse, nurse and nurse some more. If you are giving him a lot of formula try to reduce the amount gradually. If you have a breastpump, pump any time you give him a bottle - preferably both sides at the same time for at least half an hour even if nothing is coming out. The problem with supplementing with formula is that it is a slippery slope. Once you start supplementing you nurse less, baby stays full on formula longer so you nurse even less, your supply drops so baby isn't satisfied so you supplement more so you nurse less and pretty soon your milk has dried up and you can't figure out why. After the first few weeks milk is supply and demand. If you aren't placing the demand on your body the supply will dry up. Check out www.kellymom.com and search "low milk supply." It is the most comprehensive list I've seen of herbs and medications and other supply boosters. Nothing replaces nursing but pumping and using supply boosters can really help you get your supply kick started again. Good luck.

T.

Go to a store like Henry's and get "More Milk Plus." It's an herbal tablet of fenugreek and thistle (as well as a few other things) that stimulate breast milk supply. I had a lot of problems maintaining my supply for my daughter, so I ended up taking it off and on for a few months. There's a noticeable difference once it gets in your system.

Go to a nearby healthfood store or GNC and get a tea called Mother Milk. I think that is the name. It is safe and wonderful. It helps you production wonderfully. Everytime I recomend it, it never fails. You can add sugar or honey to the tea to make it better to drink. It worked for me. Hope this helps. oooh and ofcourse latching him on LOTS is the best way to get your milk production back up. That is the best stimulation for your milk.

Your milk supply may not even be as diminished as you think, he could be having a little growth spurt right now and eating more because of that. Every time mine had one, it would seem like something was wrong with my milk, but I just kept putting him back on the breast and it would increase. Don't offer formula first ever, if you can start going back to that night feeding instead of giving a bottle, and drink lots of water.

When my son was about 8 or 9 mos my husband lost his job and the stress totally affected my milk supply. It was really bad and I had to supplement with formula after almost every feeding. I just kept doing the breast first. I also had good luck with an herbal supplement called More Milk Plus, by Mothers Milk (i think that is the brand), I got it at Whole Foods in the pill form. It has fenugreek as well as some other herbs in it.

The last thing I did that really seemed to help was to nurse my son on one side, then switch to the other, then go back to the first side again, then back to the second. You have let-downs multiple times so it helped him get more milk, and stimulated the production more. Only after that did I give him formula. After a couple rough weeks, it was better.

Good luck, it will probably turn out fine. But if it continues to be too stressful for you, don't feel guilty about doing what you have to do for yourself. Happy mama is what is best for baby.

PS- I just saw where someone mentioned skin to skin contact. I forgot to mention that one too. Keeping your shirt off and laying him naked on you while you watch tv, or if you have a moby wrap and can "wear" him shirtless, that will help too.