Hi Moms,
My supply has always been low - my milk didn't come in for 6 days after my son's birth and always has been low. Since birth we've had to supplement with 6 oz of formula each day. I've tried adding water to my diet, pumping more, eating oatmeal, etc. but nothing gets me up to the point that I can satiate him. I've made peace with the formula feedings, though at first I felt as if I were pouring orange soda or battery acid down his throat.
Lately the baby (5.25 months) has begun to resist the breast. He seems frustrated by the slow flow (I've never had quick flow, never forcefully let down) and occasionally has some pain due to reflux issues (addressed with meds). My supply is lower than ever. I get one or 2 ounces, total, when I pump (that's both breasts pumped at the same time).
I return to work in 2 weeks and had hoped to pump enough at work to provide his milk for the 8 hours I'll be away. Has anyone else had supply issues like mine and still gone on to pump enough to meet the baby's needs? Any suggestions/thoughts for me? Unfortunately, I'll have only one 30-minute pumping session at work each day. I am concerned about pumping in non-work hours because that won't leave enough left over for the actual feedings I'll do.
ETA: A few people who have responded have suggested that the formula feedings are responsible for my low supply. Just to clarify - my milk didn't come in in any way, shape, or form until Day 6 and wasn't really there until about Day 8 or 9. Colostrum died off after Day 2. By then the baby had stopped even trying to get milk out of the breast. I finally gave him formula on Day 4 when he was up, screaming for hours at a time and clearly hungry (he was a huge baby, too). We hired a private lactation consultant to work with us then. She helped us to get the baby back on the breast once my milk came in, but confirmed for me that my supply was simply abnormally low and said she thought it was due to low levels of prolactin. In my case, formula was an absolute necessity for my child.
Thanks!
Nothing is ever hopeless:) ... remember how important it is you can do it! I tried pressing down on the side of the breast and it helped to get more to the baby.. and they say that the more you feed the more you will produce.
Hi H.
I have from time to time experienced lower milk flow, and I am also going back to work soon. One suggestion I have is to begin pumping milk now for when you return to work - you can freeze it and it stays good for a couple of months. Also, by pumping more you will increase your supply, so you can get an extra head start on freezing it. With regard to formula, I breastfeed as well as use formula each day. I'm amused when you say you felt like you were pouring orange soda or battery acid down your baby's throat, since I felt the exact same way at first. Though I wanted to breastfeed, I also felt like there was a pressure in society to do so that was bigger than me - that every time I popped open that canister of formula that I should go to Confession afterward (haha). Then, in a conversation with my sister (who's about 12 years older than me and an OB RN), she told me that my mother (now deceased) used exclusively formula with all 3 of us because back then (mid 60s to mid 70s), nobody really encouraged breastfeeding at the hospital, etc and she didnt know what to do.
Then I stopped feeling bad - my sister is an RN, my brother teaches Calculus, and I am completing a PhD in psychology. Not bad for 3 old-school-formula-fed babies. I say pump it up, and crack open that formula powder canister with a clear conscience whenever the spirit moves you...A.
Hi, I am new here, nice to meet you and meet someone else in my shoes! My daughter is 4 1/2 months old and I am having the same problem. Unfortunately I was back to work within 7 weeks after she was born, so it is much harder. My supply was also always low. I am so excited if I get three oz. after a half hour of pumping from both breasts! I felt the same way when I had to supplement with formula, after a few weeks you get usedto it and stop beating yourself up over it. I was referred to Dr. Smiley who is in Stratford (i don't have her number off hand) and when I called they had some great advive. The number one thing was to pump as often as possible, every 15 minutes if you could, but obviously with your work schedule, that can't happen. They also told me to start drinking Mother's Milk Tea, it is made by Traditional Medicinals and can be found at health food stores, 3-5 cups a day, seep for about 10 minutes until very dark. I tried all of these things and I still do not have a lot of milk. So this is what I do.. I feed her all through the night if she wakes up out of her sleep, I feed her in the mprning before i go to work, at work I try and pump, sometimes its only 2-3 oz. I cut my work day short, so my mom gives her my breats milk at about 12, then I get home by 4 so I can feed her off me , feed her off me all night- then for her last bottle before bed I give her formula and I pump so I have enough for the next day. Another tip for going back to work is bring your baby's blanket with u , a picture and get your mind clear before you start. Try to visualize your beautiful, smiling baby and hopefully that will help with the milk flow. I don't want to discourage you by any means- but my milk flow is still poor, but it could just be me! Try these things, they should work. Then try to catch up on the weekends, In between feedings pump. Its hard but it is worth it. If you can't do it, don't beat yourself up- stress is another thing that stops the flow. And don't let anyone tell you the formula feedings are bad- you are doing what's right for your child because you don't want him to starve and if you know he is not getting it from you, you wanna make sure he eats! Good Luck, let me know how you make out!!
hi H., you got a lot of good advice here, i dont want to repeat... just wanted to add... what kind of pump are you using? it makes a big difference, make sure you are using a good one. my medela pump in style is worth its weight in gold, much better than even the hospital one, imo. pump as often as you can, the frequency will help more than the quantity in boosting your supply. you can even do both sides twice in one session, even if the 2nd round is only a couple of min on each, the extra stimulation will help. add in another overnight feeding or pumping. it also might help you to build up a stash if you can pump first thing in the morning when you have the most milk. maybe you can pump one side before feeding, and give the first feeding from the other side? alternating each morning. remember that the baby is often much more efficient than the pump, dont judge what he is getting at the breast by the amount you can pump. and massage/squeeze your breast while pumping, towards the center, dont forget from underneath. and DONT STRESS!! it has a huge effect on your supply and let-down. you have done a great job, formula is not poison. i am a huge bf advocate, but i am the first to say that i think formula is not nearly as bad as unhappy, stressful feedings. just do the best you can and enjoy that baby, he is growing before your eyes!
Hi H.,
I suggest you read the recent Request by:
Melissa C
Tuesday, March 18,2008
Breastfeeding
Her request and responses on mama source, address the low milk issues. Give them all a good read and see if there are any options there for you. I found them to be very interesting. Good Luck to you.
Hi H.,
I, too, had a very low milk supply and had to supplement my son with formula before my milk came in. He actually lost nearly 12 percent of his body weight by the time he was six days old because he wasn't getting enough milk from me. I also hired a lactation consultant and spent hundreds of dollars having her help me nurse and help teach my son what to do. I can totally sympathize - you have the benefits of breastfeeding drilled into your head the moment you become pregnant and if you aren't able to nurse, you feel like a failure. Trust me when I say that you are doing great!
Even with my low milk supply, I was able to nurse my son until he was 11 months old. I did supplement at night when my supply was the lowest. Like you, I wasn't ever able to pump enough. I tried and tried to no avail. Some women aren't able to pump whereas others, like my sister-in-law, could pump enough to donate to a milk bank and keep my niece full and happy. Don't let the low supply when you pump lead you to believe that you aren't producing enough for your baby. Your baby nursing is better than a breast pump any day of the week.
Are you able to leave your job during that day and go nurse your little one over your lunch break? Then you can pump during your one break and give that to him the next day. I did pump during the day while I was at work, but I would only get maybe 8 ounces throughout the day, which was enough for one feeding. I never was able to get a good supply in my freezer. Everything I had went to feeding my hungry kid!
If you do decide to give up nursing, just remember that you were able to nurse your son for nearly six months, which is so wonderful! Don't allow anyone to guilt you into thinking your decision is wrong. Breastfeeding is hard - truly one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - and your dedication to your son shines through!
Good luck to you both.
I'm so sorry for what you are going through right now. It must be stressful. But don't get to stressed. Stress can affect your supply also. There are herbs you can take that are suppose to help and certain teas. I would contact a Le Lache League leader and they can give you a lot of information and help. Also, if you try pumping after your son has eaten you'll ensure that you aren't cutting into his supply. You'll also be stimulating your breasts more, which is needed for more milk production. Also, while you're home don't have the baby on a strict feeding schedual. Offer the breast a lot.
Wow- I see where the issue started. If you hadn't supplemented from birth, your milk would have come in sooner and in greater supply. One of the biggest problems is that people are told or made to think they have to supplement from birth because the baby is hungry- but in those first few days, the colostrum is all they need, and the baby sucking triggers your body to create milk- the more they suck the more your body produces. My milk started coming in by day 4, and was completely milk by day 6. I had nurses leaving bottles of formula in my son's bassinet in the hospital, but I never gave them to him. I spoke with a lactation consultant and she is the one that told me that it was a good thing I didn't otherwise I could have supply issues.
Anyway, I think that you are going to have a hard time if all you have is one 30 minute break, you might do better to split it up to three 10 minute breaks if you can. It is not impossible, but it will not be easy.
As for the extra pumping at home, try to add pumping sessions in right after you nurse, 2-3 time a day. You will not get a lot from it at first, maybe just an ounce, and it shouldn't interfere with your current feedings. But if you do it consistently you should increase your supply enough that your son may be satisfied just by nursing, and even be able to store some for when you're at work. The key here is pumping right AFTER the baby has nursed, that way he has eaten and your body is still getting the message that there is more milk needed.
Another thing that can impact your supply is if you are losing weight or exercising. If you are dropping weight too quickly or you are over exercising, that can hinder your milk production. One of my friends is a Curves manager, and she went back to work 4 weeks after her son was born. By the time he was 8 weeks old, she stopped producing milk.
If at all possible, find a lactation consultant, breatfeeding group, La Leche League, or all of them. They can give you the personal support you need in order to help you work through your issues and reach your goals.
Good luck, and if it doesn't work, don't beat yourself up. Your milk is best, but formula has come a long way. There are some organic and all natural choices out there, and I have heard of people using goatsmilk instead & supplementing with vitamin drops (goats milk is much closer to human milk than cows milk).
Don't beat yourself up - you've done such a great job for your baby so far! And don't let anyone tell you you've made mistakes... you've done the best you can each day. I went through similar feelings when I had to supplement with formula, but you get over it and realize it's NOT poison. ;) My advice is: give it up! Your baby is old enough that you made a great difference, and it sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth at this point! You're done - you did a fantastic job... now enjoy having one less thing to worry about and do during the day (especially with your return to work). You're a great mom!
hi H.,
if you don't want to give up, try the following (i have a varying supply due to early menstruation when my gal was 2 months, and these have really helped. She's ten months now and still breast feeding well):
fenugreek and blessed thistle tinctures (available at the health food store)
calcium/magnesium supplement (2cal to 1mag)
acupuncutre and chinese herbs (this REALLY helped - ask about Blood Syrup, an herbal mixture).
good luck, and like someone else said, you've done a great job, you're doing a great job, and if you decide to just let it go and call it enough, that may be the most stress free option. many wonderful kids and adults in the world were fed ONLY formula as babies, and they live happy, healthy lives (my wonderful husband being one of them!)
When I was having similar issues, my pediatrician suggested mother's milk tea and fenu greek. Both are all natural and can be purchased at GNC.
I eventually had to alternate feedings...1 breast, then 1 bottle. This way I had more milk built up when it was time to nurse.
