Unable to Breastfeed Baby for 2 Weeks and Breast Milk Is dwindling..HELP!!!!!

Hi W.,

You might want to try More Milk Plus and keep pumping her is a link http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_plus.php I found it at Mother's Market. My son lost a lot of weight at first and I only breastfeed him. I use this along with some mother's milk tea and it really helped. My milk supply increased and I hope it does for you too.

Good Luck

Breastfeeding MOM

Congrats on your son's successful surgery! I echo the other ladies' acknowledgment of your determination and commitment. I think you should give it your very best effort (which you are doing), and be sure to be compassionate with yourself if your nursing relationship has to end before you had planned. I had a similar problem with my second child, but for different reasons. I had one of the worst cases of thrush imaginable, which we were slow to diagnose and that was VERY resistant to treatment. When my daughter was 3 months old, it started becoming painful to nurse, and by the time we figured out what the problem was, I was bleeding and opening wounds every time I tried. I could only tolerate pumping 3 times per day on the very lowest setting, which I did to try to maintain my milk supply. I, too, watched my milk supply diminish slowly, and tried supplements, etc. I feel your pain about pumping and coming away with maybe an ounce. Anyway, I developed a profound gratitude for formula, since it enabled me to take care of my baby. (I never used formula with my first baby, nor have I had to with my third, but I definitely know now that sometimes it is really important). By the time the thrush was resolved and I was able to nurse regularly, my daughter was 6 months old. I was very glad that I kept pumping, even with poor results, since I believe that it was what allowed my body to keep producing milk at all, and that when my baby was allowed to nurse again, my milk supply came back somewhat. I never got back to nursing without formula supplementing, but I believe it is more because my daughter no longer was interested in nursing. I feel that if she had wanted to nurse lots, my body would have responded to that need. She ultimately refused to nurse at all at 11 months old. She is now 2 and absolutely thriving.

Sorry for the super-long response, but I hope it helps. I know how frustrating this is for you, and you are inspiring in your commitment. Perhaps try the suggestions that other women have made, and no matter what your ultimate result is, know that you have done above and beyond the call of duty for your lucky baby.

Dear W.,

DO NOT feel bad if you can't nurse. Lactation consultants made me feel terrible when I couldn't nurse my eldest daughter. I pumped for 3 months before switching to formula. A healthy baby is the most important thing. You are doing a great job!

~N.

I tend to experience a good let down right after a HOT shower. You could try that. Good luck to you!!!

I agree with the others, when i first started pumping, i barely got anything, but if you up the frequency, it may help and also, if you massage it could help. also, try positioning the pump differently, because the different positions put more pressure on different glands...dont just stay in one place, try lifting the bottom of your breast up while pumping, i find that to be a place where the pump cant reach otherwise!! and like many have already said, dont be hard on yourself! Youre doing wonderfully!

What ever you do don't give up. Breast milk is the best thing that you can give him once he is healed. Don't listen to the other and keep pumping even if your not getting much, the stimulation alone should help. Relax and don't get stressed about it because the more stressed you get the harder it will be to pump any milk. Close your eyes and think of how wonderful it will be when your little boy will be able to nurse again. My son was born February 6 too and I had a really hard time nursing as well. He lost almost one pound because he wasn't nursing right but slowly he started gaining again and was up to his birth weight at 3 weeks again. I had people telling me to give up too but I just kept trying and now he is getting rolly polly. Good luck and don't give up!!! Breath and Relax

Hey W.,
I'm so proud of you for not wanting to give up. You are an inspiration to all us nursing moms. My advice is to drink lots of water and continue to pump. I noticed that when I had my first child it appeared as though she wasnt getting much milk when I pumped, but when she nursed I could hear her swallowing for at least 5 to 10 minutes. So I think that nursing itself yields more milk than pumping does. So continue to pump to keep the supply up and when baby is ready to nurse I think your body will accomodate. Also try Le leche...they are a great resource and have gotten many a mommy through tough times.

From what I remember, the Medela Pump in Style does not stimulate breastfeeding. Sounds weird, I know. You should check with your doctor or hospital to see where you can rent a "hospital grade" pump. I had a friend who rented one of these for 7 months (she would pump then feed through a bottle, baby wouldn't latch.) I would definitely go to La Leche League for support. Also, I was told to drink water while I was breastfeeding or pumping. It's a little tricky to do, but definitely a good a reminder to replenish fluids. In fact, my hospital sent Moms home with a sipper cup. Wedge it in your arm while holding on to the pump shields.

Good luck and don't give up!

Keep doing what you're doing, possibly increasing frequency of pumping. Even if you're not getting much it's still stimulating the nipple which will help increase production. And don't be frustrated about the amount- every new mom (well, nearly every) gets only a small amount when they start pumping. It's a slightly different action than what your baby does, and it takes your breast a while to get used to it and react to it. But if you sit there and stress about how much isn't coming out you're going to do further damage because stress can also lower your supply. For the next few weeks focus on relaxing and taking care of your baby and yourself- do everything you can to relax and avoid all the stress you can, and eat well, lots of dairy, lean protein, and other healthy stuff. And, if nothing you do helps, don't feel guilty! You have gone above and beyond already!

I feel for you- my mom had a bad cleft palette and they wouldn't operate on her until she was over a year, so she NEVER breastfed or had a bottle- she had to drink from a cup sitting upright from birth or she would choke. I can't even imagine.

Seek help through LLL or a certified lacation consultant. My advice, if you aren't already doing it. REALLY take care of yourself. Drink plenty of water, eat 5x a day - healthy meals and snacks and take some supplements to help with milk production www.kellymom.com will have a list of recommended milk boosting tips. Continue to pump as much as you can and remember, what is coming out from the pump isn't an indicator of how much you are making. When I had plenty of milk, I was never able to get more than one ounce when pumping. As long as you are stimulating your milk supply, once you can breastfeed your son again, he'll bring the demand to where it should be.

By the way, it's a very sad day when a pediatrician is saying to give up on breastfeeding. Please try to find support. I say if you are totally on board, then why not give it a try. You are the Mom, do what's best for and your son and don't listen to anyone who brings you down.

You are doing a great job!!
M.