First of all, congrats to all the new mommas!!! I've not been around much, and I apologize for that.

A few days ago, Cohen started getting fussy at the breast. He would nurse on both sides, then still act hungry. I would try to put him back on the boob, but he would latch for a few sucks, then pop off and scream and cry and root more. Thursday morning he did this, and I was so frustrated that I gave him a bottle (I know, I know..). He ate 1oz of formula like I hadn't fed him in days and was immediately satiated. So I cried and cried because it seemed like I wasn't making enough milk to fill him up. We nursed for the rest of the day, but I had to do the same thing the next morning. After a "top-off" of formula, he seems fine and doesn't scream and cry, but I really want to EBF for at least a year. I can't believe I'm only 1 month in and already having so many problems. My breasts don't get engorged, my let-down isn't as strong as it was with DS#1, and I don't feel repeated let-downs while I'm nursing like I did with my first.

I got some Mothers Milk tea and have been drinking it, along with pumping between feedings to stimulate more milk to come in, but he's just not nursing as aggresively or as long as he used to. It seems like sometimes he goes longer between feedings and sometimes he cluster nurses for 2-3 hours at a time. But each time, he is very fussy and pops on and off the whole time.

His diapers seems fine. Sometimes they are green instead of yellow and I read that can be a sign that he'snot getting enough hind milk. Is this true? He is incredibly gassy. Like, grown-man gassy and has about 5 poopy dipes per day but always seems very upset before he has a blowout.

I have to give bottles (not now, but in a week) as I go back to work next week, but I want him to only have breast milk. I know pumping isn't a good indicator of how much he gets when he's on the breast, but I'm scared I won't have enough milk stored when I go back to work, since I can only get 1oz out of one side and half an ounce from the other at a time.

I guess my questions are- am I not making enough milk for him? I didn't have this problem with DS#1. I could've fed the whole neighborhood. If he's getting enough milk, why does he pop on and off after nursing on both sides and cry his 'feed me' cry and root? It's upsetting at best. Also- how much is everyone else getting out when they pump? I kept telling myself I'd be able to get more out later on, but it's down to the wire now and I only have 1 week to get a good milk store going. Just feel like I'm doing something wrong!



ps- I don't do dairy, as I'm lactose intolerant, and I try to watch what I eat as far as gassy foods go..

__________________



Cohen 4/28/08

Ashley 26
Adam 27

hmmm.... that does sound odd. Especially the not being engorged or feeling a let down... Are you on any type of hormonal birth control pills? I went on the pill with DS and it completely dried my milk up (I was furious!).

I would go see a lactation consultant ASAP--it sounds like you are having trouble making milk, but that's just my humble opinion, so a Lac consultant would know better than I.

good luck hun, that's no fun

__________________

Sorry to hear that your having problems. I would definately contact a lac consultant and see what they can do for you. Are you drinking alot of water? I know that helps tons with my supply.

You can also checkout kellymom :: Breastfeeding and Parenting

__________________

Are you willing to try supplements? I've used Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle and they made a world of difference for me. It doesn't work with everyone, but it was the difference in feeding my twins exclusively BM. If it works for you, you should see an increase within a couple of days.

__________________

Sound like you are having some issues with the hind milk/fore milk. I went through this with my son. I went to see my lc with him back in 2003 and she gave me some good tips. What was happening is that he was filling up on the fore milk. He too was super gassy and had explosive green bm's. The fore milk is not as filling as the hind milk and it doesn't last long. So, Kaden was always wanting to nurse and I too though that I was not making enough milk. Well, to make a long story short I ended making so much milk when I went back to work due to pumping that I ended up being able to bf Kaden for 13 months exclusively and I also donated to the local milk bank. Yes, I was a milking machine. Sorry I got side tracked there. So, some advice the lc had for me back then was to pump off some of the fore milk. Once I pumped off a little fore milk then I would then attach him to the breast. After a couple of feedings of doing this, then I started noticing the yellow seed mustard bm's. So, it helped my supply and also helped us reach the hind milk. So, that helped a bunch in our case. Eventually, I got tired of pumping the fore milk off and the LC said I could also do 2 nursing sessions on the same breast back to back. That way, if he did fill up on fore milk and popped off then when he started rooting again I would put him back on the same breast so he could drain it and reach the hind milk. The hind milk if more fatty and filling and if he reaches that he should be more content. Eventually we got it down, but I so remember going through what you are going through. How long is he nursing on a breast during a typical nursing session?? Also, be sure you are drinking lots of water, also oatmeal can help with your supply. So, maybe give that a try. Does nursing seem painful for him?? Does he have any white patches in his mouth that aren't coming off?? When Kensley had thrust she latched on and off during the entire nursing session due to it being painful. Just something you might want to look for. Hope that helps you some!! Good luck and BTW, went I went back to work with my son, I pumped every 2.5 hrs and I was able to keep up with his demand. So, try not to worry about it. I'm sure everything will work out. Stress can also decrease your supply. If you have a LC, I would give them a call ASAP and tell them what is going on and I'm sure they will be able to get you guys back on track. Good luck and big hugs coming you way!!!

__________________

I agree with Cheri's post. Looks for thrush first, signs could be in you or him. Also, I am all about draining one booby at a time. Once your milk is in, there is no reason to switch him back and forth, as that does not get him the hind milk. I would keep him on the one side til it was completely drained. If he pops off, just keep offering that side to him. The hind milk is thicker, and looks like milk, so you can express a bit before popping him on again to see if it is coming through. It is very rare for moms to not make enough milk so long as they are drinking enough water. I too agree with contacting an LC. Maybe he is not latching properly. That would explain the gassiness. Good luck!

__________________

Thank you so much!! I'll definitely try the tips. I always get the best advice here!! Love it!!

__________________



Cohen 4/28/08

Ashley 26
Adam 27

I also remembered these cookies that I made when I was nursing Kensley and trying to boost my supply. Hey if they do not do anything for your supply at least that make for a yummy snack :-)
breastfeeding: Housepoet's Famous Lactation Boosting Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip & Flaxseed cookies

__________________