Low Breast Milk Supply - Riverside,CA

Fenugreek, it help me I had the same problem and it worked wonders. You smell like syrup but it helps. Good Luck!! =)

Fenugreek worked wonders for me. Available at Mothers Market or Henry's. I only had to take one twice a day but my doctor said I could take up to 4. Good Luck!

Drink tons of water and always eat something between each breastfeeding or pumping session. Eating oatmeal also helped me with production.

FENUGREEK GEL CAPS, Whole foods, 3 caps, 3 times a day. no side effects besides your skin smells a little like maple syrup! It totally worked for me as long as I drank a TON of water too.

I had the same problem and I was told by a lactation specialist to take "fenugreek" and "blessed thissle" (found at any GNC or whole foods store). Not only do they increase your supply but they will also make you smell like maple syrup! Good luck!

I used to nurse my daughter and pump (the other breast) at the same time. It gave me so much more milk in less time compared to if I double-pumped (w/out nursing). Also, pumping in the morning usually gave me much more milk.

However much milk you want to pump, drink that much water, plus one more glass, about 10-20 min before you pump...
Good luck
R.

I just read in Parenting magazine today that manually expressing some milk can help you get more when you pump. Massage the breasts where they feel firmer to help release more milk.

Keep up with the mother's milk tea and/or vitamins and drinking extra fluids as well.

K.
http://oc.citymommy.com - great site for OC moms

My lactation consultant put me on Fenugreek seed. You get it at Whole Food (or at least that's where I got mine).

Only side effect is that you start smelling like maple syrup.

I know this is an old wives tale but it worked for me and it's worked for everyone of my friends that have had the same problem with low breast milk supply. You have to drink beer! I'm not sure if it's the malt in the beer or what but my Mom and my mother-in-law both told me this and I had about 2 beers a day, everyday for about 2 weeks and then decreased to 1 beer a day. It REALLY increased my breast milk supply! Just don't breast feed for about 2-hours after drinking the beer! Hope this helps!!

Lots of fluids and a healthy diet. Eat frequently, every time you nurse or pump. Find a le leche league group near you, look on their site, TONS of info about MANY topics. Keep it up! Also remember your child nurses more than you can pump. For example if you're only pumping 2oz, that doesn't mean that's what they're getting when they nurse. They are efficient and may be getting 6oz...

Dear A.,
It sounds like you really want to exclusively breastfeed - good for you! To be able to best help you I need more information from you. How old is your baby? What makes you believe your milk supply is low? Have you gone back to work? Are you trying to pump when you are skipping feedings while at work? Is your baby 'reverse feeding' - meaning eating a lot when with you and not much when you are at work?

Mothers cannot use the amount of milk they are pumping as an indication of how much milk their baby is consuming so your baby might be getting as much milk as he/she needs. Is your baby wetting 6-8 diapers per 24 hours? I would love to help you, A.. I am a lactation consultant who specializes in exclusive breastfeeding. I can help you in the privacy of your own home very easily via SKYPE. Please visit my website to make an appointment: VirtualBreastfeedingHelp.com

I look forward to talking with you soon.

L., IBCLC

Dear A.:

As a P. or Baby nurse, I always recommend to my clients whom may have this tipe of issue, to first pump before feeding your child from your breast. With that you would have your supply for later at night but your baby would suck and would make your milk supply increase.

Every time you feed or pump, please, just have some fruits to snack and a bottle of water next to you, so you cand also nurture yourself .

If there is anything that I can help you with, do not hesitate to contact me at ____@____.com please feel free to visit my website at www.BabynurseandDoulaservices.com

Thank you

you might be like me and my solution was to stop pumping. When I pumped I would get barely anything but my son would get full on "direct from the tap" so I stopped.... it is harder on you because you have to be there all the time to feed....

the other suggestion is to drink a ton of water... it will help increase the flow.

I would pump during the day once in replacement of my daughter's nursing and I would look at photos of her while I did it. Also, I would pump once at night after she was in bed just to trick my body into thinking it needed to produce more milk. I was never able to get a full bottle for her with pumping just once, but I was able to use those two times to replace the one time I didn't nurse her during the day. I have also heard to drink a lot of water.

Hi A.. First of all, BRAVO to you for choosing to breastfeed. You obviously know how beneficial it is. I breastfed my two boys for nine months each and I'm so glad I did. Well, I know this advice is sort of unconventional but a glass of beer might help. Hops are known to increase milk supply and alcohol helps you relax, thus encouraging a good let-down reflex. Just keep it to one or two beers though. Also, breastpumps are not as efficient at getting the milk out as your baby. So while you may only see two ounces, that doesn't mean it's all your baby is getting. Good Luck, and keep up the good work!

Have you tried breastfeeding and pumping in between? That worked for me. Also a lactation consultant told me to drink ovaltine and plenty of water.

I had this happen to me for a few days and I dramatically increased my water intake and ate bowls and bowls of oatmeal. I know there's fenugreek (sp?) and other things like that but water and oatmeal worked for me. Hopefully this helps you as well. Good luck!

That sounds like how I did with a pump. I was unable to pump, which is actually more common than the media lets on. My daughter and son could breastfeed just fine and get enough that way but pumping was impossible. The way i knew my child was getting more than what I was pumping was by weighing myself before and after breastfeeding. When you lose about 1/2 a pound every breastfeeding session you know that your little one is getting more than 2 ounces.

2 oz is really not bad at all for pumping for the first time.Remember, babies are far more efficient nursing than any pump is in getting milk from your breast. Make sure you are thinking about your baby when you pump, pictures work great if they are not with you. It spunds weird, but being ina good mood and happy and thinking of baby produces more milk that feeling frustrated that you can only get x amt of milk. Try to pump at the same time every day to train your breast to up the supply at that time. Pumping after the first feeding of the day is a god time too since that is when you have the most milk. You can also contact a local La Leche League chapter for more help amd support. Good luck

When I was having this problem my OB suggested 1 beer a day & I would drink after my daughter went to sleep after pumping I would wait 3 hours after that drink to pump again. Also my sister in law suggested the Mother's milk tea but I could never find it...since then I have seen at Henry's or Trader Joe's
Good Luck!!!
I remember those months were hard :)

First off, try to get yourself to stop worrying about your milk production. (I know I hardly did, even when told not to worry) Stress can have an effect your production. Secondly, know that you will always make enough for your baby (even if you're pumping two ounces).
My understanding is you produce on demand, and of course the best stimulation for production is latching your baby directly to your breast.
I turned out to be an underproducer, but I never stopped nursing my daughter. I would try to pump more often (three times at work for 20-30 min.) and longer than my lucky sister in law who was an overproducer and could pump 40 ounces.
I took fenugreek tablets, tried all the old wives tales such as warm beer, oatmeal, etc... I found that eating oatmeal really did help me. My sister would make a drinking form of it, not the solid breakfast.
You too will find what works best for you, but very important to try not to worry.
Best of luck in milk production.

If you have a mechanical pump, pump on one breast while the baby is eating on the other. (You get used to it, lol.)

The let down is MUCH better with the baby there, and you're "demanding" 2x as much, so you'll supply more. Especially do this for the 1st feed in the a.m.; you'll have the most milk then.

Good luck!

Drink a pot of Mother's Milk Tea every day. Eat Oatmeal for breakfast, and drink non-alcoholic beer. Pump one extra time each day, even if there is little milk. And most importantly - you need to relax about it. The extra pumping, will trick your body into thinking that the baby is nursing more often.
Give that a try, and see if that helps.
I wish you luck, and MILK!

K.

Hello, I don't know if doctors are recommending this any more, but the doctor I had for my fourth child told me to get lots of rest, drink plenty of water, and to take Yeast Tablets. This would all help to produce milk. I would ask your doctor first, but it helped with mine.
Good luck with your precious baby.
K. K.

Lots of Water and LIQUID fennugreek There is one called More Milk Plus
If you need more personal help I am happy to. Just email me

I did not get alot of milk when I pumped alone, but if I nursed on one breast while I pumped I was able to get much more. That is the only way my milk would dropped.

It looks like you got a lot of responses about fenugreek, water, hospital grade pump, etc. Now try these first, but if they don't work, talk to your OB. The doc can prescribe you with a medicine which you take for only a few days, and it would work wonders.. In any case, I would talk to your doctor about your desire to increase your milk supply. I was in the same boat, but unfortunately none of the "natural" ways really helped much.. Good luck!

One thing I think we always forget about is so simple...drink lots of water. No fluid in, no fluid out! I have found I generally need to drink more than I did when I was pregnant to keep my supply up. When I don't hit it, I notice a difference pretty quickly.

Good luck!
-M

Dear A.,
I know how it is to want to increase your milk supply! My baby girl turns one this week, and I am so excited to start weaning her because it will be a load off of my mind!
Here are some of the things that have helped me over the past year:
1) Do you have a hospital grade pump? I rented mine from the hospital and I found it easier to control the strength than with the others I used. With that in mind, I would recommend having the pump turned up, so that it really draws the milk out and pumping until every last bit is out. (I did 1/2 hour each time). Massaging the breast to help get the milk out helped me too. If your nipple gets too sore you can turn the pump lower again and put olive oil or the breastmilk itself on the sore spots. Remember, never stop pumping when there is milk coming out. That "teaches" the breast that your baby doesn't need the milk.
2) I have found that when my stress is less and I get better sleep, I produce more milk. For what it's worth, try not to worry, you're doing all you can...
3) Do you know what brewers yeast is? It is a powder that I get at Whole Foods in the vitamin section. I was told that it helped with milk supply. Even if it doesn't, just a tablespoon has tons of protein in it (and B vitamins), which is undoubtedly good for your milk. I would mix two tablespoons with water to make a paste and then eat it with an apple or pretzels. It's got a unique taste but I think it really is a "miracle powder".
4) Mother's Milk tea -- hydrating is important and the tea is more relaxing than taking pills.
I have pumped exclusively for about nine months, since my daughter stopped taking the breast. Don't listen to people who tell you that your milk supply will dry up. It may or it may not. Mine didn't. I'm still getting 24oz down her a day. Good luck! You can email me directly if you have more questions -- ____@____.com

Take Fenugreek and also Blessed Thistle herbs. Also you can pump right after nursing to increase your supply. Since it is a supply and demand system, the more suckling and or pumping you do the more milk you will produce. Good luck. Nurse your infant as often as possible and the milk will come.

Good for you! I'm in the same boat. I do make a lot of milk, but it gets less and less as the day goes on. I see that when I eat really well (fruits, veggies, protein, good oils, etc) and tons of water, I make a lot more milk and I mean a lot! I nurse on demand through the day and after baby goes to bed I pump at 9:30pm before I go to bed. I know the pumping helps too. I hope it works for you too. -www.weelicious.com

Hi,
I had to use a supplement called FENUGREEK, you can get it from a health food store. It mimics the natural hormones in your body that cause you to lactate. Worked very well for me. Take the supplement, try to nurse all day long and/or pump, drink lots of water, and eat plenty of CARB/PROTIEN combination foods right before you nurse or pump,as they help bring the milk down.Think positive, imagine your milk flowing when you nurse, try to relax!!=)

A.

My girlfriend used a hospital grade pump for three days and would pump every three hours. It kick started her supply so she was able to go back to work with plenty of back-up. I've also been told having half a beer while pumping helps. Anything you can do to help you relax is good. If you don't have it, get the bra so you can be hands-free and do email, listen to music or watch TV.

Hi A., I'm a lactation consultant and a midwife so here's the advice I give my BF'g mamas. First, remember that what you pump is only an indication of how you respond to your pump - not how much milk you actually make when your baby is at the breast. You may need a more efficient pump. There are several types from manual pumps, single side pumps, and double-sided electric. Some are hospital grade some are retail grade. The More Milk Plus in a tincture (liquid) is very effective - more so than the capsules. I recommend my moms take a full dropperful every 2-3 hours. Also, make sure you drinking at least 64oz of water daily. Another big key is to NOT look at the amount of milk you're pumping - this causes more stress which in turn decreases the amount of milk you can actually express. Instead of watching, close your eyes and picture your baby - maybe even have a piece of the baby's clothing with you so you can hold it to help you think of your baby. Your body will have a stronger hormonal response which will increase both your prolactin and oxytocin - both of which determine who much milk you make and express. If you would like some pump recommendations, and more detailed advice please feel free to email me off-list and I'd be happy to give you some suggestions. I do not rent or sell my own products so this isn't a pitch :-)

Hope this helps.

R. Sicignano, LM, CPM, LC
California Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife
Lactation Consultant
www.gentlebeginningsbirth.com

I had the same problem. Make sure you are pumping or breastfeeding often. My milk supply didn't start to increase until I started using a product called Breastea. You can find it online. My milk supply went from 1/2 ounce per pumping to over 5 ounces.

My doctor told me to take fennugreek seed tablets and some recommend drinking dark beer (though I'm sure there are non alcoholic ways of accomplishing the same effect). However none of this helped me. Are you by chance taking any prescription meds? I took Vicodin after my C-section. When I suspected it was slowing my milk production I stopped taking it. But I was never able to recover from low milk production. recently I brought this up with my pediatrician and he said that while most OBGYN's will tell you Vicodin does not slow milk production, most pediatricians will tell you that it does.

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/galact.asp

This site is great for tips on increasing milk supply.

Do you have to pump? Your baby can get much more milk out of you than the pump can. I could never produce much milk when pumping -- it was too uncomfortable, frankly miserable. But if you have to do it, then you have to -- you are a champion Mama for trying to make it work!

Healthy nursing tea by secrets of tea helped me greatly too;)

here is my list i compiled when i was bfing..if you're not using a good pump that could be the problem...also the last thing i mention onthe list will definitely raise your supply..it's called Motilium..u can order it online..u take 2 a day for 2 weeks..

ok good luck
here u go..

1. rent a hospital grade pump..Medela Classic is what i used..it's
$3 a day and totally worth it! OR better yet buy one off ebay and
when you're done you can re-sell it on ebay and get your money back.
i bought one and it works great..the medela classic is supposed to be
the best pump out there.
2. get the Easy Expression bra www.easyexpressionproducts.com it
holds both cups over you bb's and it's better to pump 2 at a time
3. eat oatmeal ....get the healthy kind i add bananas also i would
think pasta would be good b/c it retains water
4. Take "Lactation Supplement" by Gaia Herbs you can find it at the
health food store
5. try to pump at the same time every day...also try power pumping..
10 minutes pumping..then stop for 10 then 10 again and then stop and
so on. even pump if you aren't getting anything.
6. Make sure the white membrane thingies that attach onto the cups
are fairly new ..over used ones affect how much milk you get
7. Drink lots of fluids including Nursing Mom's tea or Mother's Milk
tea or the tea i prefer is www.breastea.com ..also drinks with
electrolytes like Recharge...Smart Water...Gatorade i notice on days
i drink a lot of fluids i have more milk
8. Eat barley..Barley Grass supplements are great. also..they have
barley bread at Trader Joe's if you have a Trader Joe's where you
live..or just buy barley. I buy a delicious barley tea at the
japanese market and i drink a couple of cups a day..it's decaf and
yummy.
i also drink Healthy Mom's drinks by Ensure
9.A warm wash cloth helps too ..apply to breasts before pumping or
try the breast heating pads that you heat up in the microwave.
10. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin..not getting a lot of milk
could mean a vitamin deficiency
even if you pump just a little ..save what you get and start adding
them together and then supplement with the milk that you pump..that's
why it's also good to pump after they've gone to sleep..then you help
build your supply and you also have more bb milk for baby..
11. nurse nurse nurse..triple up on nursing..you're going to have to
dedicate a week to it
the more you pump the more milk you'll begin to make.
12. LOTS OF REST..nap if you can ..milk builds when you rest
13. DHA supplements also are great for lactation..also found at the
health food store*
14. Alfalfa supplements are also great.
i think that's it..
15. Try a whey protein powder drink.. i use "Whey to Go" by
Solgar..you mix it with milk add some berries and a banana. it says
to check with your doc before using if you're bfing..so ask your
doc..i only drink one a day and i add a some Motherlove's "More Milk
Plus" to it.
16. Again you should double pump when you're pumping so make sure you
get the bra to make it easier on you!
17. Goat's Rue herb is also supposed to help boost
honestly drink LOTS of liquids
keep yourself moist ...don't take any birth control pills.
18. there is also this stuff called Motilium aka DOM a lot of mom's
use this ..it's for reflux but it builds up your supply.. you can
read about it on Kellymom.com http://www.kellymom.com/newman/19a-
domperidone1.html
and you can buy it here... http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/
motilium.html

Continue to pump, even right after nursing. Drink a stout beer at night, and stay hydrated throughout the day. Eat plenty of nutritous foods, especially quinoa and oatmeal. Stay positive and continue to nurse on demand. Good luck!

Pump for 5 minutes after every feeding. Yes... AFTER. You won't get any milk at first but our bodies run on supply vs. demand... you demand more, your body will make more. Don't stress when there is no milk coming out of the pump. In a week or two, you'll be filling up those bottles! RELAX! Pumping is no fun. Read a magazine or photoshop pictures on the computer while pumping - when you relax it is easier. Good luck!

A.,

Check out www.kellymom.com and search "low milk supply" it is the most comprehensive info I've seen on increasing milk supply. Everything from herbs to medications. Good luck!

T.

fenugrek seed worked the best for me. you can get it in health food stores, or indian groceries. you just put a teaspoon in a cup with boiling water and steep like tea, then drink. I think it is in the traditional medicinal formula for breast milk too that is available at most Whole Paycheck (whole foods) stores. Also beer and just drinking water MORE. That and trying to get more rest and relax...

cheers, M.

I had the same situation with my first child. Since I had gone back to work I needed to pump. I took fenugreek and drank the mother's milk tea. This helped and I was able to breast feed her for 12 months. Since I wasn't working when I had my second child I was able to breast feed her on demand. I had so much more milk. I actually had extra milk that I was able to pump and freeze. Try nursing your baby as often as possible to stimulate the breasts. Your baby's sucking will help you to create more milk. You are really a terrific Mom for trying as hard as you are. Breast feeding is not an easy task. Hang in there!!!