Help to regain milk supply

Mommie2Ava&Presley · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 07:02 PM

I was so proud of how much milk I was making right from the beginning. I have had to pump and feed first because I was so engorged that Presley couldn't latch on; then once she could she had me cracked,sore, & bleeding, so it was necessary for me to get healed. Now it is just the only way to feed her "fast enough" since she has become accustomed to fast feeding by bottle and big sis isn't very cooperative when it's feeding time if I try to nurse. I was getting 4-5 ounces per side for almost 2 full weeks. The past 3 days, my supply has been cut in half or more than half. I know part of it is the stress of dealing with the 2 year old sib and I'm sure that my disappointment with seeing what is happening doesn't help matters either. I've tried pumping more frequently to stimulate production, but it's just not working.

Any home remedies, herbs, supplements that are known to increase supply would be greatly appreciated. I am so afraid I'm going to wake up and my supply be gone. I have at least been able to count on the morning pumping to give me 2 full bottles (4-5 ounces each) since I usually don't pump overnight - but this morning even that round was barely one bottle of 4 1/2 ounces from both sides combined. I'm trying to keep myself from getting depressed over this - because I know that will only compound the situation. But I am going to be devastated if I don't even make a full month of BFing Presley. Thanks for any suggestions.

winedregs · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 07:33 PM

You could try a herbal supplement called "fenugeek". It is usually available from health stores (though obviously I don't know what the situation is in the states). Some other expats here swear by it.

Good Luck!

swimmers · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 07:40 PM

My LC said to pump every 3-4 hours until the breast is empty and then add 2 mins. Just be careful, I got Mastitis pumping big amounts like you....and it sucks! Make sure you empy the breast!

nightowlmama · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:52 PM

Hopefully this will encourage you:

You get very little or no milk when you pump. The amount of milk that you can pump is not an accurate measure of your milk supply. A baby with a healthy suck milks your breast much more efficiently than any pump. Also, pumping is an acquired skill (different than nursing), and can be very dependent on the type of pump. Some women who have abundant milk supplies are unable to get any milk when they pump. In addition, it is very common and normal for pumping output to decrease over time.

It's on kellymom: kellymom.com :: Increasing Low Milk Supply

Also, here's more info on Fenugreek (I've also heard great things about it, though have never personally used it): kellymom.com :: Fenugreek for Increasing Milk Supply

I personally haven't pumped yet this time...I just nurse, nurse, nurse. However, when I have pumped in the past, I almost never got much milk...even with my Medela. Sometimes I'd be surprised and fill a bottle, but not typically. My baby (ies) have always had healthy gain and been satisfied though. I guess what I'm saying is I don't gauge by ounces but by output and baby size/satisfaction. It could very well be that your milk has just adjusted to Presley's needs.

I've also heard that oatmeal (real, not instant) and something called mother's milk tea are good for increasing milk production.

HTH!...& WTG!

KFG · #5 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 04:59 AM

I took Fenugreek and didn't fnd that it helped much. For some people, though, it does. The best way to inrease supply is nurse, nurse, nurse! I know it's hard with Ava but the more younurse the better your supply meets the baby's demand. Stay away from using a bottle. And I know freuently we feel like we aren't making enough but in actuality we are.

Good luck!

TwinMama08 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 05:31 AM

mothers milk tea, feed more frequently

KHPKE · #7 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 07:11 AM

Trying to get her back on the breast, at least part time, might be your best option, although she may fight it since she already prefers the bottle. Also, I'm not an expert at full-time pumping, but you might need to add a middle of the night pumping session, to keep your supply up. Good luck!

Mommie2Ava&Presley · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 07:49 AM

I put her on the breast last night when she woke up and she nursed for 30 minutes but was acting frustrated like she wasn't getting enough as quickly as she wanted. I would check to make sure my milk was flowing and it seemed to be. Still after she fell asleep at the breast and I took her off, she started crying as if she was still hungry so I gave her 2 more ounces of previously pumped milk and she was satisfied enough and went back to sleep for the rest of the night. My bbs did feel softer as if the nursing was productive. Then this morning they were fuller than they had been, so I pumped that milk and got 4 ounces from the right side and another 3 from the left (which is always the lower pumping side). DH is going to pick up some fenugreek, just to try out and I'm going to try to have her nurse (if she's awake) or pump whatever I can every 2-3 hours to see if that helps as well. Thanks for the advice. I was so dispondent last night, thinking that I might not even make it to 1 month of BFing.

RachK · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 09:40 AM

All the above suggestions are great, and drink tons of water. Nurse as often as possible and pump after nursing if you really want to increase your supply. You should nurse and/or pump every 2 - 3 hours. Even at night. If she is still hungry after nursing, let her keep sucking to increase your supply. You might have a cranky baby that night, but the next night you will produce more milk in response to all the sucking the night before.

emuone · #10 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 08:55 AM

Fenugreek 3 pills, 3x per day.

I am also taking Reglan which my OB Rxed for me.