Low Milk Supply Following surgery....please Help!

I had the same problem following a recent foot surgery! I am not sure WHY this worked but it is THE only thing that worked. More frequent nursing just turned me into an all night pacifier! The pump didn't work, stimulating the glands didn't work, drinking more water didn't work, avoiding pain meds and caffeine didn't work. This Maxi Milk herbal stuff worked. I'm not one that uses only herbal supplements for things. I've always been hesitant but in my desperation a friend recommended it and it worked! Almost worked TOO well!!!!!!!! Now I have a freezer of excess from when I took it!
Here is the link where I got it.

http://www.mountainmeadowherbs.com/maximilk-4oz-p-153.htm...

Good luck! That is a frustrating experience but you will get through it! :)

One thing that can help is oats. If you don't like oatmeal, you can soak the oats in water and use it to make juice or tea. Usually works within a few days. I'm a midwife, mother of four and grandmother of two. You can check my website for lots of stories and info. inspiringbirthstories.com Best of luck with your family.

D.

Lyn,

I struggled with my mild supply for a couple of months, I am so impressed that you are working & breastfeeding! Good for you!

My MD prescribed Reglan, which did not increase my milk supply-- just made me drowsy. What did work for me was a combination of fenugreek and an herbal supplement called More Milk Plus. I have only used them together, so I don't know if it was one or a combination of the two that caused my milk supply to increase in a matter of days.

If you have not already, contact a lactation consultant, most hospitals & some pediatricians offices have one that you can talk to for free. Find a local vitamin shop/herb store, they may have a recommendation. More Milk Plus is made by Motherlove Herbal Company, www.motherlove.com.

I hope that helps--best of luck to you!

R.

I just remembered one other thing... my yoga instructor specializes in pre & postnatal yoga gave us all cookies from the dutch bakery after we delivered...I want to say they had fennel (I hope I am remembering right) on them, she said these cookies are served to women in the hospital after giving birth in Holland. Worth a try, besides the cookies were yummy!

Anesthesia and pain medication decrease milk supply. You are doing the right things to increase your milk supply, but you may not be taking enough fenugreek. Do you smell like maple syrup? If not, you are not taking enough. Talk to your OB our pediatrician about how much to take. You can also ask about a perscription medication called reglan. It is used to treat nausea, but also increases milk supply. Hope this helps. M. Marcy, registered nurse

Hi L. -- try Motherlove's More Milk Plus to boost your milk supply. It's great in the convenient veggie caps and available as tinctures as well. Pick it up at Whole Foods or Pharmaca or directly from Motherlove at www.motherlove.com

Keep nursing... don't stop! Your supply requires continued nursing to develop. Also: "MORE MILK PLUS" is a god send! I know women who have had NO milk and it has helped so much. Call Motherlove or www.motherlove.com to talk to someone, and do it today, get it started asap! If you want to continue nursing your sweet baby, I believe this will help. You are such a good mom to continue nursing, and I am so glad you asked for help. I always remind women, it requires so much support to breastfeed our children, and asking for it is half the battle.

Good Luck and happy nursing!
S.

HI! I had an issue when I was nursing with producing milk - I was told to take Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle twice a day -within a few days I was able to keep up with my baby :0)

Try eating some oatmeal if you like it. For some reason I craved oatmeal and ate it with peanut butter every day for the first 3 months of my daughter's life. Then later read an article that it has been shown to increase milk supply. i Probably not a miraculous increase, but every little bit helps. It sure is tough to nurse and pump while working- I had to give up at 12 months. Kudos to you for hanging in there, and good luck!
Lisa

Hi L., I'm new to this site but your request for help caught my eye - it's something i may have some advice on. One of my friends did try a prescription for the problem, but it caused her so much anxiety (a side effect) that she had to stop - it wasn't worth the quality of life shift. Other, less invasive things that have worked for myself or others include: Fenugreek (like you said), any Mother's Milk teas you can find, More Milk Plus (a short-term solution, a tincture to be taken several times a day) and ... get this ... oatmeal water. It works - I tried it! Boil 1/4 cup oatmeal very slowly with oh, say 4 cups of water, until a lot of the 'essence' of the oats has come out into hte water. Strain the liquid, then drink and try to enjoy. Yeah, it's nasty, but when my milk was low this was my mom's suggestion - she used it after she had surgery when I was a baby, and it worked like a charm. Good luck - I know low milk is stressful!

S.

I'm a lactation consultant. I 'planted a tree', an offer from a long distant friend and ended up on this site. I just caught your question and thought I'd respond.
Having surgery and going back to work are big 'hits' on your milk supply. First, what kind of pump do you have? Brooklyn is 7 mo. How often does she nurse? I like to try first with more stimulation both with the baby, as much as she will nurse. Keep her close to you whenever you are around and let her nurse whenever she and you can do that. She is the best stimulation you have. Then use the pump at least 15 min, double pump (for the most hormone release) after each feed, if possible and as often as you can....up to 8 times a day. I know this is lots....but if you can focus for two-three days of just being nuts about stimulation and physical closeness, often times that in itself helps. You said you had difficulties with supply to start. I might help to use a herbal product. I know of Lactaflow (at Baby, Mother and More), take two droppersful in a small amount of water (doesnt' taste great, just down it!) 4 times/day.

Under 'edits'...the pain pills don't hurt milk supply, antihistamimes do, for sure and lack of stimulation for a day or two does. Maybe having your wrist out of commission kept you from nursing?
Mother's Milk Tea is a fairly weak, but sometimes effective help. Lactaflow is better for more severe situations. Let me know what you think. B.

Don't forget the excess calories.....I had a horrible stomach virus less than a week before I went back to work. Between not nursing for three days (and using 1/2 the supply in the freezer) and not eating for those three days, I was barely keeping up even w/ nursing for all feedings. I was really worried with starting back to work and going to pumping during the day. My peditrician looked me right in the eye and said drink a milkshake per day and load up on other high calorie, healthy food (like nuts) for at least a week. Who was I to argue with a milkshake a day? :) It worked as we did okay and I nursed her until 18 months. I also had a lactation consultant once tell me that 1 (and only one) beer per day can be helpful - something about the yeast can improve milk flow.

I'm not sure about the surgery thing but I do have a few suggestions. I also had issues with reduction in my milk supply when I returned to work. If you are taking Fenugreek you are supposed to take 2-4 pills 3 times a day... sometimes the bottle says to take 2 and that won't do anything. I took 4 pills 3 times a day and it helped. i think it could affect your stomach but i never had any issues with it. Also there is a tea called mothers milk and you can find it in health food stores. It tastes a little funky but I put honey in it and it helped a lot also. I think the pills helped the most and it seems like a lot of pills but it works. There is also a website that has tons of info on breast feeding and i wish i had known half of what i know now in the beginning and i think i could have breast fed longer. If you want the website let me know... i have it saved in my favorites at work. Hope this helps

Hello,

I had an RX for my milk supply (I can't remember the name of them, though). All I had to do was call my OB and he called it in for me. I didn't even have to go in. However, the meds had some pretty bad side affects for me. I would talk to your doctor about the possible side affects before deciding to take them. Good luck!

Hi L. -
From personal experience: nurse and pump at work every time you can, even if nothing comes out. Increase the healthy calories and protein, I noticed my milk had more fat, therefore baby was more satisfied when I ate 3 solid well balanced meals that had good protein and calories. Have a beer with dinner (unfiltered microbrew, what boosts your milk supply is the yeast in it), mothers milk tea and a ton of water. It will take a few days. Best of luck!

Hi L. -

I struggled with my milk supply with both of my kids. I found drinking TONS of water helped, as well as the Mother's Milk tea. Maybe you could brew a batch to take to work in a thermos? Also, reducing my stress level and getting enough rest helped - I know, easier said than done.

Also, I tried taking Reglan after I had my first child. It made me really tired and kind of funky emotionally, and didn't help with my milk production all that much. The lactation consultant I was working with at the time is not a fan of Reglan - she said it can worsen post-partum depression or contribute to depression.

Good luck - hang in there!!

My last child Jon, was a ten month baby, the placenta shut down and he lived off his own fat for about 3 weeks. He was 23 inches long and only 5.6 oz. His sister had been 9.4 oz...(he was supposed to be 10lbs) I nursed well, but was ill at 2 months and was hospitalized. I used an electric pump, it made all the difference, the strength of the pump stimulated my mild producing capabilities. A hand pump did not do the job. Also because he was catching up, at 2 months I started adding rice cereal before bedtime. He then started sleeping through the night. Now you have all the protien and fruit juice blend nutritional drinks. Remember if you don't have these nutrients in your body, your baby cannot recieve them either.Pay attention to whole grains, fresh fruit, veggies ( remember cows eat grass and produce milk)

I eventually got on a 12 hour nursing cycle, once at night and once in the morning when I went back to work.You might want to have the doctor check your hormone levels, you may need addtional hormones to be a more prolific milk producer. Agressive pumping was my solution. Also, you might want to call LaLeche League, they are a good resource.

R. Q

LOTS OF PROTEIN AND WATER! With my first baby I started to dry up at 7 months, so I drank an herbal tea every day called Mother's Milk (I got it at GNC or Hi Health) and my milk came back full force. There are also stronger concentrations of herbal mixtures that aid milk production (like Fenugreek) you can take that might even be more effective. Try Baby Mother and More on the SE corner of Gilbert and Southern. They have liquid herbs you can take and can refer you to a lactation specialist. Try to eliminate stress from your life (real easy to do with triplets, I'm sure! :), as that can hinder milk production. And if you worry about this too much, it will only make it worse. But I got very stressed when I started drying up because I really wanted to nurse for a year, so I know it's easier said than done.

With my second baby I asked my doctor upfront what I can do to prevent drying up and she said her biggest advice was LOTS of WATER WATER WATER and PROTEIN in my diet. So I eat a whey protein shake every day (bought the powder at Costco) nuts, peanut butter, beans, fish, tofu, and meat. I don't like meat much, so my diet was very deficient with my first baby, but now that I'm aware, I'm very careful and eat high-protein and high-caloric foods since I went underweight last time. I think that's why my body started drying up last time. I've also heard brewer's yeast can help.

Good luck! I was able to produce milk and nurse my first child until he was 1 year old after thinking it might be over at 7 months. I hope you have success as well.

I am not a wine drinker personally, but when my friend had the same problem, her doctor told her to consume about 1/2 cup of red wine each day. I hope that helps! :)

I got hospitalized when my daughter was a few weeks old and was trying to pump and couldn't get much. One thing my doula told me & La Leche League was that a pump is not as efficient as a baby at expressing your milk, so it is not a good judge of how much milk you are producing. Also, stress can affect your milk supply. So relax, nurse her as much as you can, for as long as she wants. Make sure you are drinking a ton of water and have a cup of coffee. Caffeine stimulates milk production. I also got a liquid herbal supplement that I drank 3-4 times a day and it really helped. Your baby might be going through a growth spurt too which could be why she is waking up. Breastfeeding babies do wake up more because breastmilk is more easily digested than formula. If you still have questions, call the local la leche league. When I was having trouble, I called them and they were very helpful.

P.S. By the way, I work from home so I can be home with my girls and I understand your longing to be home with them. Babies need their mommas!

Hi L..
I just sent you a message, but I also wanted to add.... I tried the rx medications from my OB and they messed me up HORRIBLY. I"m sure that some people can take them without the side effects that I had, but I was unable to sleep, I was depressed and extremely moody. In the long run, I felt that a happy, active mom was more important than breast milk. But they may work for you- just be aware of the possible side effects and know that if you feel that way, it may be the meds. GOod luck!

I had a similar problem in the past when I had a surgery followed by a critical blood transfusion. The only thing that helped was getting a HOSPITAL GRADE breast pump--I had a double electric Medela--they are pricey--and every time you nurse--pump on the other side simultaneously. This really increases the demand which in turn will begin to build up supply. Make sure you drink A LOT of water. I mean a gallon a day. I've also heard to chew on or consume fennel seed. Good luck and best wishes.

Hi L., I experienced a low supply with my first and got a prescription from my OB. It worked really well and I felt no side effects. Best of luck!

Try pumping (even if nothing comes out) after you nurse for a few days. Also drink a lot of water and have some patience. If you stick to it and don't give your baby formula, your milk will catch up. Change can take 4 - 12 days.

Hang in there!

Your milk supply may be low if you are taking pain killers. They tend to dry you out. I had really good luck increasing my milk supply with a combination of Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. I took 3 capsules of each three times a day. It was a lot but I did get results and they don't have any side effects to the mom or the baby. Your OB could give you some Phenergan but that makes you tired. Not great for a mom with 2 kids!!! I got a lot of support through my local Breast Feeding Support Group associated with the hospital. You might also try contacting La Leche League for help. Questions like this are their specialty. Good luck! Andee

I don't know much about the milk supply, but you also posted you wanted a prince. I will tell you that it does make for a busy household, BUT a wonderful fullfilling busy household. I have two girls and my youngest is a boy and they are all exacty 2 years minus 10 days apart, (9-21-02, 9-11-04, 9-1-06). Adding the third was not nearly as hard as adding the second, you are already used to multitasking. And when your oldest enters kindergarten life is way simpler, you are used to trying to run things with three little ones tapping at your toes, then all of a sudden there is only the two little ones and amazing what you have learned to get done and you can take a little break and not feel guilty. I LOVE the close (but not too close) age span on my kids, they all get along and play together, the girls get a little frusterated when the boy knocks down their castles but they have learned fast that it will happen over and over and they have a chance to build it better. I wouldn't have life any other way, crazy busy or not!! Good luck!

I had a problem with low milk supply after starting the mini-pill. The doctor had me take an herb called fenugreek. You can find it at GNC or Vitamin Cottage. You have to take a certain dosage schedule that I forget. Something like 3 pills 3 times a day (Yes 9 total!) for the the first 2 days, then for day 3-7 you take 5 pills 3 times a day. They taste kind of gross, but it really works well. I would give your ObGyn a call and tell them your milk supply is really low after surgery and ask what you can take. They might suggest Fenugreek or maybe they have a prescription. Good luck.
R.

You’ll need to mix equal parts of the following herbs:
Alfalfa
Dandelion
Fennel
Catnip
Mint
Milk Thistle

Bring the water to a boil before adding the herbs. Boil them in a tea bag in water to make a tea. If you don’t have a tea bag just boil them in the water and strain the water from the herbs. Add some sugar and drink it at least 3 times a day until you feel that you have enough milk I usually takes about 24-48 hours to see and feel the results. Then just drink the tea as needed which for me is every 3-4 days. Good luck. B.

Surgery tends to dehydrate so you may want to boost your water intake and calcium intake to get more water into your system. Try calling a local Leche League or some other breast feeding support network as they may have more information on what to do and who to call. You can try to go to a naturopath as toxins from surgery may be blocking your production.

Your OB or your Midwife can prescribe an rx for you that helps incredibly if the herbs are not working!

Hi L.,

Good for you for nursing. Remember- the law of supply and demand. The more often you nurse or pump, the more milk you will have. Also, drink water, at least 6-8 glasses a day (which is good for all of us!)

You can do it!

From an old La Leche League leader :-)

You might want to try contacting the le leche league, or your local hospital to see if they have a lactation consultant. Most are very happy to help. Usually the only thing to do to build up your milk supply is to nurse or pump more often, about every 2 hours until you build back up your supply. You should also make sure you are drinking A LOT of water and that you are eating frequent, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Best of luck!

Brewer's Yeast is a vitamin that is supposed to help and a tea called Mother's Milk is also supposed to help. I had the same problem with my first child and was so frustrated. These two things did help. Just follow the directions on the vitamins. Brewer's Yeast is a type of B vitamin. The Mother's Milk tea is not the best tea but for a little while it helped. I found it at a health food store. I could not find it in a regular grocery store or at Wal-mart. A lactation specialist reccommended them to me.

L.,
Was this cyst removed from your breast? If so, did they do an incision vertical on the breast, or horizontal? A horizontal incision cuts, and damages many more milk ducts than the vertical (chest to nipple.) This can cause a severe drop in supply. I would drink the mothers milk tea, still nurse on that side, but realize that the other side will have to provide the nutrition. Good news is that one breast can handle it, it will just take a few days to regulate the supply.
If this surgery was not on the breast, all the other responses are good sugguestions.
Good Luck and don't give up.
T.

Hi L.!
Though I have not had this experience myself, I would recommend "Milk Maid Tea" from Earth Mama Angel Baby. Also, if you are stressed out, this will negatively affect your supply. It may be difficult to take time to relax everyday, but maybe just taking a few quite minutes to sip your tea will be helpful. You might also consider contacting your local le Leche League Chapter to get some more suggestions from them, as they would have some great solutions for you. If you need help locating your local chapter, let me know and I would be happy to find out for info for you.
Good luck!
H.
www.naturalchoices4baby.com

I took Reglan to increase my supply. It worked, but there were some serious side effects. It made me sleepy and depressed, which wasn't a good thing. It was recommended by a lactation consultant but prescribed by my OB. Unfortunately nobody supervised it or knew much about it, so I took it for much longer than what is recommended. Turns out it can have neurological side effects on the baby! Had I known, I wouldn't have used it. I worried that I had caused permanent damage to my son when he had what appeared to be seizures. I got no results from Fenugreek other than feeling like I had strange BO. I had twins and never had enough supply to do more than just supplement the formula with a little breastmilk. Nevertheless, my kids were far healthier than any of their 100% breastfed peers. You did a great job of starting your daughter out in life and whatever amount you give her is good. My advice would be to just stick with whatever supply you have and be grateful for a healthy child.

Mothers milk tea worked wonders for me- its at sunflower market- inexpensive and very mild taste

Have you tried contacting the La Leache league? They seem to be the most knowledgable about breast feeding and are great with all kinds of support. If you want I can dig up the numbers I have but I am pretty sure you could google them and find the contact info.

R.