Help! I'm Breastfeeding and Can't Keep My Kid Happy!!

Eat a Malt, not a shake, but a malt. There is something in the malt that helps produce milk. I have one whenever I feel my milk is low and then when I pump I get like 5 oz out of each breast! Whoppers also have malt in them, I don't know if they work as well or not, but keep trying and keep pumping! I have to pump as well and it really is worth it. Loves!

I didn't read all the responses but my pediatrician had me take Fenugreek. It is just an herbal supplement in pill form so it is simple to take. It worked really well. Good luck.

I had the same problem with my 2 month old son not too long ago. All though my problem was, I had a huge supply of milk in the hospital that I was pumping my first night there, and that whole 1st week home. After the first week though I found out that I had thrush, and couldn't keep my supply up. One of the laction consultants at McKee Medical Center told me about taking 12-15 capsules of Fennel Greek. Its the main ingredient in the lactation tea. You can get it at Whole Foods, and even Cotton Wood Health Cottage in Greeley carries it. Right after I was diagnosed with thrush, I lost all my breast milk. I also think that part of that, it wasn't keeping him satisfied at all. He would get done feeding and would stil eat another 4 ounces of formula.
I recommend trying the Fennel Greek Capsauels and if that doesn't work, maybe try getting into a breast feeding support group, and they would better help you than anything.
Good Luck!!
D.

Hi E.,
I had twins and my milk didn't come in for about 2 weeks after I had them. The babies were not able to latch on and so I pumped from the very beginning as well. I ended up pumping more often and for double the amount of time suggested. Let me tell you--I started producing A LOT of milk. I filled up my entire outside freezer with it. After I stopped pumping, I had enough frozen milk to feed them for a whole month.

I would suggest pumping longer. If you pump for 10 minutes, double it to 20 minutes. You will be telling your body that you need more milk and it should produce more. You should see a huge improvement without having to take supplements, etc. Good Luck!!!

It's frustrating and scary to feel like you don't have enough to feed your baby. You asked specifically about increasing your milk supply, but what you are pumping isn't terribly low. How many times a day are you pumping; is this through the night too? What kind of pump are you using; could you keep pumping 5 minutes more each time to "put in a bigger order"?

Many experts feel like Mother's Milk Tea isn''t always potent enough and you might want to consider other herbals. Look at the Motherlove site: www.Motherlove.com. Motherlove products can be purchased at Bosom Buddies locally or on the website.

Also consider that you may be able still to get your baby back to the breast. This might or might not help increase your milk supply, but would definitely reduce your workload. Read: http://www.breastfeedingresources.org/articles?q=node/5

I'd really encourage you to contact La Leche League or a lactation consultant to help, too.

S.

Hi E.,
I had twins and just never produced enough to keep up with them. I did breastfeed till they were almost a year, so keep it up because it is so good for them. Sounds like you are doing the right things. Try mixing the formula up and then putting at least 1/2 the bottle with some breast milk. You could gradually increase the amount of formula.

Call the LeLeche League. I remember there were some other breastfeeding support hotlines that I use to call when I was in tears. You could also see a lactation consultant too.

I can email you some info on water that does a better job hydrating you (cells are better able to absorb the water because it declusters it). Best of all, you don't feel bloated from so much water.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Take care,
S.

Hi E.!

My primary suggestion is to take a lactation aid- I prefer the ones offered from Motherlove. The lactation tea is okay, but the tinctures are much more effective as they are highly concentrated. You will see results as soon as 24 hours with taking the remedies from Motherlove.

Also, I recommend eating a high fresh fruits and vegetables diet. This will naturally help increase your milk. Also, taking alfalfa supplements can help as well.

To see the Motherlove tincture, go to http://www.naturalchoices4baby.com/catalog.php?item=27 I would be happy to offer you (& other Mamasource members) a discount on anything from my store, so if you are interested, please email me!

I also just wanted to say that I give you kuddos for pumping all this time so that your son can have your milk!
If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me
know!

H. Gaitten
Owner, Natural Choices
www.naturalchoices4baby.com
###-###-####

The main thing that works to increase supply is to pump more often. It's frequency that helps your body make more. Once your body adjusts, you can go back to every 3 hours.

If you're interested in transitioning to the breast, I read a story in New Beginnings (magazine by La Leche) that reminds me of your situation. The mom in the story was inducing lactation to breastfeed an adopted daughter (adopted at 10 mos). She used a nursing supplementary system, which has tubes that attach to the breast. First, she threaded the tube through an ordinary bottle nipple and fed the baby close to her breast. The next step was using a wider bottle nipple, which was closer to a real nipple. Then she used a nipple shield, then finally the bare breast.

Hi, I too have had difficulty making enough breastmilk right from the beginning and have had to both pump and supplement formula to feed my baby. A couple of helpful things...

First, I have realized how much stress is a factor and although not making enough milk is inherently stressful, as much as you can get good rest, eat well and release all the build up pressure and anxiety the better! I know, hard to do!

I have found some support from various herbs...fenugreek capsules and a variety of supplements from wish garden herbs are supposed to help with both milk enrichment and supply. Have you talked to a La Leche League member or a lactation consultant? Some one on one time to help with your latch may be a good idea.

I also have been taking a prescription drug called Domperidone which you can get from many international pharmacies and although it is used to treat some intestinal disorder, it is also known to boost prolactin levels therefore increasing milk supply. I am not sure if it is working too well for me, but it may be worth looking into. Look up Dr. Jack Newman, he is a leading pediatrician on breastfeeding and his site has been helpful to me.

What formula have you been using? I have been feeding my baby girl Earth's Best Organic (whey) along with breastmilk. At first she experienced lots of gas and even constipation, though no vomiting. So I have added some baby probiotics which are good bacteria to help her digest the formula and also Gripe Water which is a liquid supplement to aid gas, indigestion, nausea and other symptoms. With these supplements, she has had few problems eating this combination and I have been able to not stress so much about producing less breastmilk than she needs!

Please let me know if you have other questions! I truly understand how hard it can be during this time!

Much love,
L. and Lila (4 months)

More Milk Plus. It is a concentrated herbal extract and works much better than a tea. www.motherlove.com

First, let me say I think it is awesome that you are determined to give your baby breastmilk by pumping. That is a big chore for you mama :) but well worth the benefits that your little one is getting! Have you tried eating oatmeal? That always helps my supply. What about contacting the local La Leche League for some one on one help? Yvette in Casper and Monique are wonderful and I know would love to give you some more tips. There are some herbs that Herbal Remedies carries that might help too.

You have some great suggestions. So I'll just add you might check out La Leche League international online and also see if there are any local groups. they are very helpful, and you might be able to find a lactation educator to help you through.
S.

E.,
First of all, I applaud you for pumping. It's not always easy. It's a bit like feeding 2 babes, the electric one and the warm squirmy one. To increase your milk supply, I would pump more often. Pump both sides at the same time, and add fenugreek tincture to your daily diet. I remember how hard it was to keep ahead of my daughter when we were pumping. She was 5 weeks early and couldn't latch on. But I kept trying, almost every day and eventually, she got it. At first, she adamantly refused the breast, but bit by bit she would do a little comfort sucking after getting a full tummy. One day, we were running errands with my mom, had run out of pumped milk, so I offered her the breast for comfort, just to buy a little more time, and she latched on and never looked back! It was quite a relief to get to "direct deposit!"
So, I encourage you to keep trying to latch and remember that milk production is all a game of demand and supply. The more your breasts are asked for, the more they will make.

Best of luck. I think you are doing an amazing job. Pumping for 3 months is admirable!
Jen

I used the Motherlove products as someone else mentioned here. This was also recommended by the lactation consultants at my hospital. When that did not increase my milk supply, my Dr. recommended Reglen, a common prescription drug for this type of thing. That did work (finally) to increase my supply a bit. Good luck.

Hi E.,

You have a ton of great advice here. Though not premature, my little guy would not latch on and I exclusively pumped for about three months. He did eventually learn after some sessions with a physical therapist who specialized in infant feeding and a lot of prayer. :) I had to build up my milk supply pretty radically, and a couple of things helped: the herb fenugreek, and pumping after every feeding. No matter how frequently he ate, I'd pump afterward almost without fail for at least 20 minutes (even if you run out of milk during that time, the action of the pump will help to stimulate greater production). Nighttime pumps are the most productive since that's when the hormones are strongest for producing milk. Two really helpful resources were www.kellymom.com (tons of information) and the "exclusively pumping" board at the ivillage message boards. I found both an encouragement and inspiration.

Hang in there! It's hard, but you are making such a loving investment for your little one. :) You'll always be able to look back on these months of sacrifice and know that you did the best you could; no regrets! As a note of encouragement, we're still nursing at 17 months. You can do it!

Hi, I am certainly no expert but have had probably the best lactation specialist ever who is also a dear friend of the family help me with problems I have had. She told me about a phone number called the Lactation Warm Line which are lactation specialists (including her) who answer questions and help people solve any nursing problems they might have. I have a two month old daughter and a four year old son and have had problems with them both, so I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I know they could probably help you out so those frustrations can go away. The minute women supplement with anything, your milk supply will begin to go away. Your baby tells your body when to produce more or less milk. It's good he is not wanting any formula because there is nothing good in formula for him, and his body is clearly showing that by making his tummy upset and getting rid of it. It is truly amazing the benefits they have found with research over the years with nursing, including scoring higher on their I.Q., the way the inside of their mouth and ears form (which means fewer ear infections) and so on. So don't give up because nursing is such a wonderful thing between you and your baby when you get past all the rough times in the beginning (including getting a correct latch), so don't worry-they can help you. What you do is call the number and leave a message and they call you right back. The number is ###-###-####. Good Luck with everything and I hope it all goes well for you.

Hi,

So glad that you are breastfeeding. To get your supply up pump more often and for a few extra minutes each time...every time your son wants to eat more often you should pump more often. It generally takes a day or two to see an effect. Breastfeeding is a wonderful example of supply and demand...you demand more, you will produce more. When he slow his feedings again you can go back to every 3hr schedule. Also, find a good support group, I feel like confidence is huge in breastfeeding success so surround yourself with positive helpful people and you will do fine. Let us know how it goes and good luck.

J.

Just some thoughts. My first was also five weeks early and ended up nursing. Your supply will increase witht he frequency. I found it was really hard for like a week. Then great and then the baby was grewing finally (they eat prior to actual growth) and supply needs dropped off...then I was encoraged! Also, my second one is milk intolerant. It was all I could do to make it to 6 months with him. I didn't know he was until he was two. Now, in reflection, I understand so much! Though I eat mostly dairy free, he was still bothered. He ended up on a soy formula. Just thoughts.

I don't know if you've tried this yet, but to help you son latch on, you might try a nipple shield. Since it goes over your nipple, but is kind of the texture and feel of a bottle nipple, he might be able to use that as a transition to breastfeeding. My daughter is exclusively breastfed, she won't take a bottle, pacifire, or sippy cup (rather inconvenient at times!). You probably have a lot more milk than you think, but the pump isn't getting it out. Before I found out my daughter wouldn't take a bottle I pumped and froze my milk (in case I needed a sitter to feed her) but the pump couldn't get anywhere near as much as my daughter can get out of me! I hope you can get things working for you. You can get a nipple shield from the hospital's lactation consultant (or any other lactation consultant). She might also be able to give you some help in transitioning your baby to the breast. Hang in there, you're giving your son such a gift by giving him breastmilk. Good luck :)

You need to pump more often to increase your milk supply. Drink plenty of fluids and you may need to increase your calorie intake. Basically with breasfeeding/pumping-it's a supply and demand situation. The more often you pump, the more you will produce.

I also have a 3 month old that I breast feed. When I pump I always get 3 to 3 1/2 oz from each side. So are you saying you get that amount from one side or both sides?
Your baby needs about 2.5 ounces per pound. So my baby is 11 lbs. If I feed her 7/8 times a day she is getting more than enough. The only way to get more milk is to start pumping more frequently. But if you are getting 3 1/2 oz each side I am sure your baby is getting enough to eat.
If you are saying that your baby doesn't seem happy...my baby is going through that phase right now too. She has seemed a little bit more fussy lately. Everyone tells me they can be that way anywhere between 2-6 mos. Then they just grow out of it, so if you are in that boat don't get frustrated we all go through it. Just try to enjoy your little one while he is little.

I used Fenugreek pills when I thought my supply was low - it made a difference, but I felt like I got headaches with it. I thought I read that the pills were more effective than the tea.

Also - make sure you have a really good pump. A lot of pumps aren't really made for full time pumping and start to lose some power over time. You could rent a hospital grade one from either a hospital or some stores and see if that makes a difference also.

Keep working at it - you will be so happy you provided breastmilk over the winter cold season when you kid stays healthy!! :)

Lactation is a demand-supply thing. If baby wants more, he'll ask to eat more often, increasing milk supply. Try pumping every 1.5 to 2 hours. You will start producing more milk and then you can go back to every 3 hours.

There is a product called "More Milk Plus", a natural, herbal liquid you just take a dropper or two with a small amt of water. I think it's even made by a local company.
I know Vitamin cottage has it, and maybe some other places, too.
Also, there is a very simple technique with acupuncture, a specific point in your pinky, where if you just get poked right there, let a small amount of blood out, it is associated with the breast and glands, and can help clear things out and produce more milk. Both of these worked for me! If you need a name of the acupuncturist I use, it is Rachel Blunk, LAC, at ###-###-####. she is amazing with women's issues. good luck.

You may want to add in an additional pumping session. Also, when you pump go until you are only seeing a droplet every now and then or are dry and then pump for an additional 5 minutes. This will tell your body it needs to start making more milk. You can also try to latch your son with a nipple shield since he is used to a bottle nipple which is much longer then a natural nipple. Good luck.

I really don't have any new advice other than pump more often. I really just wanted to say that you're doing awesome still pumping for your son. My daughter was also a month early and never latched on and I pumped until she was about 6 months old and it's hard to do as they start to require more. Keep it up as long as you can. It's worth it!

When I was losing my milk when my fourth baby was just 4 months old, I asked my midwives what I could do to increase it. They said feed more often, drink plenty of water, mega-dose on vitamin C, try the mother's milk tea (but according to those instructions you have to drink A LOT), fenugreek capsules, and brewers yeast might help as well. But I'm very sorry to have to tell you that pumping is very different than a child breastfeeding and your milk supply may fizzle out when it's being stimulated by nothing but the pump. When I was researching how to increase my milk I had found articles that said the loss of milk was common in women whose babies are in the NICU and they could only pump to get their milk to them. Pumping exclusively for long periods of time, may actually cause you to lose your milk. So really the best thing is to get your son to latch on. And I know that can be really hard, because my first would NOT latch on to me at all at first either. When he was born and we were in the hospital, the nurses there insisted that they watch him drink a certain amount of formula from the bottle before they would let us go home. Stupid I know. So I had a major fight with my son for the next week or so. I would start every feeding trying to nurse then give in and give a bottle. I eventually had to say if you don't get it from me, you're not getting it at all (sounds mean I know) but eventually he got hungry enough to take. It really didn't take him long. :)

breastfeeding can be soooo frustrating .. especially when you have to pump. that just makes it extra work. the plastic nipple shield is a good idea and you could also contact la leache league. or bussom buddies. they specialize.
another thing i would think of doing is to slit a nipple and add some baby food . start witht therice ceral. that may satisfy him. my oldest started feeding when she was only 3 weeks old. so it's worth a try.
good luck and god bless

I am currently breastfeeding and had milk supply issues as well... I just ate well, drank water and made myself feed her often and not give into formula too often. I started to notice right away that the milk supply got better. Even when I thought I was "empty" I just let her suck away and sure enough a few minutes later, my milk would let down.

Anyhow I think your issue is 3 hours is just not soon enough. My daughter was seriously feeding off of me like every hour those first few months. Can't say for sure what she was getting, but it made her happy.
I still feed her all day long but now that she is 6 months I can go about 3 hours between; but some days it is only 1-2 hours. I think that depends on what kind of day she is having.

I pump once at night before I got to bed and I get out 4 ounces. I assume that is what she is now getting most feedings.
So key is more often for sure! Your body is working off the demand you are asking of it. It will do more if you make it :)

You can also discuss supplementing with formula. I had to do this with my son as he was one hungry kid and large baby! At three mos your son could maybe easily do five ounces each feeding so you can mix formula with breast milk. If you really do not want to do that then talk to your OB or lactation specialist.

Both of mine after four months were on formula and while breast milk is best they were fine, healthy and happy babies.
My daughter was early and tiny at birth and wanted no part in nursing she wanted immediate satisfaction that the bottle could provide. I pumped for three months with her and then she had tummy issues and we put her on a special formula. She thrived after that! :)

Not a problem, we still bonded we still had a very special connection. I don't believe it changes that level with moms and babies at all! Do what you can but don't stress yourself out, if you have to supplement, so be it. If your baby won't latch on, it isn't the worst thing. Just you feeding him, singing and rocking him is all he needs.

I would try to pump a little more often for a while. I know that sounds like you will be pumping all the time. but the milk comes on a supply and demand bases. So after he eats wait like an hour then pump again. Do that a few times a day and that should help bring you milk supply up. Plus that will give you extra milk to add to his next feeding which might help to hold him over longer. Also have you ever tried the nipple shields? I never have but you put them over your nipple and they help with latching on. Plus if your baby is used to plastic nipples he might like them. And that would save you lots of pumping.

There are so many things that you can do to increase your milk supply, don't give up! Fenugreek and blessed thissle are two great herbs that you can take, but you have to take enough of them to make a difference, I took two capsules at each meal when my milk supply was low, it was a lot of pills to swallow but it worked. When that is not enough, there are prescriptions that you can ask your doctor for, Domperidone (Motilium™) is a drug that has, as a side effect, the increased production of the hormone prolactin. It is the best one because unlike some of the drugs previously used to increase milk supply, it can not lead to depression.

Talk to a lactation consultatn or lactation educator about your baby's latch, there are things that you can do to improve that as well, it will make your breastfeeding experience so much better. A nipple shield may be nessesary at first, it is kind of like a bottle nipple that you put on your breast so it is good for babies with nipple confusion.

Good luck, you are doing such a great job as a mom!

I would recommend contacting the La Leche League in your area. My first son was 5 weeks early and I had no idea what I was doing. They showed me how to position him so that he would latch on and it gave me the confidence to do it on my own at home. It was a little rough at first since he was in NICU for awhile and was used to a bottle. In my experience I always had enough milk when he was nursing but when pumping it seemed like it was a lot less. Call them....they're a great resource, and they may help you actually nurse your baby which is a lot more satisfying than pumping

Try to eat 100 gram of protein a day -- high in protein is cottage cheese and chicken. Other good options are almonds, yogurt, other meats, edamame, beans, protein drinks.

There is a great diet and/or lifestyle change to be healthy found at www.slimbodycoach.com. I was the Round 1 winner in 2007, and I know it works. You feel better when you eat right and exercise. I know it really helped me to increase my protein intake to at least 100 grams per day. Women especially should eat that way. It takes a few adjustments to change how you've eaten all your life, but it is possible.