This is my second time breastfeeding, with my first I had NO problems and did it for a year. My son is will be 8 months old next month on the 7th and my milk supply has really gone down to the point that I have had to supplement one feeding with formula. I work and pump twice a day and nurse the rest of the day when he is with me. However at work I have only been getting a total of 6 ounces for TWO feedings. I used to get 16 ounces and I don't know what is going on. I didn't want to supplement but I cannot have my baby starving either. I've used all of my frozen milk that I had saved and finally broke down and bought formula. Today the first time I pumped I got only 3 ounces and the second time I got only 2 ounces. I'm sad and don't know what to do. I wanted to breastfeed until he turned one, but if it keeps going like this I don't know what I'm going to do. Is there anything that I can do to bring my milk supply back. Why is it so low? Please help.
My lactation consultant suggested drinking Mother's Milk Tea (I found it at Central Market). Not exactly the best tasting stuff, but worth a try. It has fenugreek in it. I can tolerate the taste with some splenda. Good luck. :)
Because many women don't respond as well to the pump as to their own baby, they lose their supply when they pump. If it is possible, you may want to try to take a week off of work and nurse your baby as often as possible to get your production back up again. Also make sure you are drinking enough water since it is getting hot outside. There is a drug your OB can get you called domperidone. It does help, but if your problem is that you don't respond well to the pump, the drug can't help that!
have you tried any fenugreek??
Mother's milk Tea
Fenegreek (sp?) you can find both at GNC
There are medications that can help build you milk production...i think Reglan or phenegran. you need to check with your lactaion advisor or obgyn.
All of the above helped me build up from only 1 oz total to 6 oz total. I pumped a lot and continued to take the above items. It was hard work but worth it!
Fenugreek, and if you can do it, see a lactation consultant. I had a BEAR of a time cause I got shingles RIGHT after giving birth - screwed everything up and it took 3months before nursing wasn't painful. Thank goodness for lactation consultants. I was living in CA, so I can't refer, but maybe some mommas out there can point you to a good one. Good luck!
people swear by fenugreek. my supply has varied during nursing of both of my babies but comes back with more frequent pumping and/ or nursing. drink lots of water. good luck
I am sorry you are having such a rough time, going back to work and pumping is very hard. To ensure that your milk supply stays up you need to pump more at work. You should pump every 2-3 hours, and try to pump at the same times that your baby would normally eat. I know that sounds extreme, but really your body will only make more milk if it feels the demand is there, it is basically a supply/demand process. You also need to make sure you have a great pump, I like Medela. You can personal email me if you would like any more suggestions or info. Good luck, I hope you keep breastfeeding!
Coming from a mom of a preemie and exclusively pumped instead of actually breastfeeding... try pumping more like someone mentioned earlier. It is a supply/demand thing and the more you pump the more your body will produce. I know how frustrating it can get but hang in there!
