I've recently started working out and eating healthier to try and lose a few pounds. Im not starving myself but have decreased calories just because Im eating better. Im eating more frequently and smaller meals. I have also started working out. I walk 1-2 times a day and will be starting to lift weights. I've noticed that if my daughter needs an extra meal in the evening I dont have enough milk and the let down is slower. She has been getting very frustrated. She is 4.5 months and I haven't started solids because I was going to wait till at least 5 months. Is there anything I can do to help with my milk supply? I've noticed that my milk does let down but there just isnt enough for her to eat. I drink a ton of water and have been increasing how much I drink to make sure thats not it. Im hoping to breastfeed as long as I can but its really hard when she wants to eat and I have nothing to feed her.
My milk supply started to let up around 4 months and I took Fenugreek 3 times a day - it makes you smell like maple syrup, so if you take it and you notice that smell, don't freek out. It does work if you are consistent with it.
Moderate exercise will not, or hsould not, affect your supply. Your body will make what your baby needs... so if she is eating an extra meal only once or twice a week at night, your body isn't going to adjust and make milk for that feeding.
One thing you can try is eating a bowl of oatmeal once a day. I swear it works, sounds goofy but it does. However if you have an extra nursing only occasionally, your body just isn't prepared for it, so you won't have as big of a letdown, but you will and do have milk, so nurse her when she wants. Also 4 months is prime growth spurt time, so she may eat more and seem more frustrated justr becuase of that.
I am currently breastfeeding my 6th child. I can tell you that the quicker I lost my pregnancy pounds, the sooner my children weaned. With my first child, I was determined to get back into my jeans pronto and quickly found myslef supplimenting with formula. The child I stayed "chubbiest" (28 lbs over my normal weight) with (child #3), I nursed for 14 months. She never needed a drop of formula and I joined the Y and Jenny Craig when she was 2 years old and fully weaned. Child # 6 is 3 weeks old and has been nursing well and gaining weight. I meanwhile have been eating at least one and often two Mounds bars a day (ugh!) Yesterday was the first day I tried to get the extra "empty" calories out of my diet because I gained more weight than usual with this last pregancy, I thought maybe I could start firming up now . I increased my water intake, cut the candy and the gatorade out to see if I could start losing weight. She absolutely fussed all day. In the evening, my husband even commented on it saying "is she suddenly hungry like she might be going into a growth spurt?" and "Her soft spot looks a little indented, do you think she's dehydrated"? It's not enough evidence to say for sure and I can't speak for everyone, but for me, I'm going to attempt not to GAIN any weight, but I'm giving up actively losing weight until she has nursed as long as we can. I intend to start working out again, but I'll probably eat more on those days so I don't screw things up for my baby. I'm just considering myself pregnant for a second year.
There is no shame in starting to supplement a few formula feeds when you need to! With my son, I started to dry up for no good reason right around 3-4 months of breastfeeding--no matter how hard I pumped or what supplements I took. It got to be really frustrating for him, and so I began to supplement when he needed it. Good luck--do what you need to do for you and your baby!
Not sure how many calories you are cutting, but when you are breastfeeding, ONLY cut out 500 calories, or you could lose your milk. And don't supplement, or your body wont get the cues from the baby to produce more. Your baby may be going through a growth spurt and that happens. It just takes a day or 2 for your body to catch up and produce more. Just let them nurse whenever they want so your body gets the cues that they WANT more! Hang in there. I just went through all of this and now have to wean my little one. Also just a side note, when you start solids, they will not nurse less. I thought that also. It just adds to their diet (sorry to burst the bubble if you were hoping for that). Milk is still their main diet.
I had a problem similar to this when I returned to work and had to try to pump there. It was difficult because I always felt like I was in a hurry to get done because I didn't have my own office and always had to ask someone to leave so I could use their office. My doctor prescribed Reglan for me to boost my milk supply and I only needed to take it until my supply was back to normal. It worked great! I was back to normal in 2-3 days. It worked for about a month or so and then I had to take the pills again to get it going again. I would ask your doctor what they think. Good luck with it.
B.,
I don't think that cutting a few calories and walking will affect your milk supply. I walk almost every day, and haven't noticed any difference in my mlk supply. I also know that sometimes I don't drink enough water, but still make plenty of milk - I just end up super thirsty. How do you know that she isn't getting enough? How are your late day feedings different than early ones?
Your body should adjust to your babies needs, so try feeding her that extra meal every day, rather than just occasionally. Your body should adjust.
Here is a link to Dr. Sears (a good breastfeeding resource) website with info on milk supply.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022800.asp
Good luck.
J.
SAHM to 2 year old Charlie and 6 month old Joey
You can try fungreek (I think thats how its spelled) or Mothers Milk tea. It helped me after I went back to work.
I had some supply issues as well - the lactation consultants at Methodist hospital told me to take fenugreek. It helped a lot. I think cutting calories and working out do affect your milk supply - if you cut 300 calories a day and burn 500 - that is a total of 800. Your body uses an additional 500 or so more to produce milk...that adds up. Maybe eat a little more :)
Good luck!
You can buy Fenugreek tablets or Mothers milk at GNC or a healthfood store. The lactation lady I had in '04 said to take Fenugreek but the bottle doesn't tell you how to take it for milk supply. I think I took 3 tablets 3 times a day but contact the local hospital and speak to their lactation consultant. I noticed that a week before my cycle into my cycle my supply is horrible. I'll pump like 1-2 oz total at work. It could be hormone related. Pump after each feeding to stimulate more milk. That may help too. Hope this helps. Patti C.
As long as your active you shouldn't be cutting calories if your nursing. True eating healthy will do this naturally but you have to keep your calories up, just like water intake, to keep you supply in demand. Eating more doesn't mean eating badly, just eating more.
Supplimenting some cereal isn't a bad idea if she is still hungery ( I was nursing full time and had to start cereals at 4 mos., just make sure you nurse her first!
