I just had a baby two weeks ago. I have done all my prenatal care with a midwife, natural childbirth at home, pretty much have been traditional with this pregnancy. My problem is that my body is not producing enough milk to feed my daughter. I am very disheartened that I will not be able to breastfeed. I also have a 5-year-old who I did breastfeed for 6 months until the doctor took out my gall bladder. After the surgery my body wasn't producing enough milk to feed him but at least I was able to do it for that long. I am just wondering besides drinking tons of water if anyone out there has any solutions for my problem. I also have been using a breast pump and putting my daughter on my breast to stimulate the milk glands but nothing seems to be working. I am really desperate to breastfeed my daughter because that is what is best for her.
Thank you.
I recently got the flu and have also had trouble with my milk supply. Here are a few suggestions that may work. First, I have been taking an herbal supplement called "More Milk Plus" that I got at the health food store. It seems to be helping me, but definitely consult your doctor or midwife before taking it just in case. Also, eat oatmeal and try drinking beer (non-alcoholic is probably best). Something about the oats and hops in beer helps the milk supply. Keep pumping and nursing because the best way to get the milk to come in is to have your daughter nurse. Try taking your daughter to bed with you and nursing a ton for a day or so. Lastly, relax. It's hard I know, but sometimes the more we stress the worse it gets, so try to relax and take deep breaths and imagine that you have lots of milk to give your daughter. I had a very hard time and stressed a lot and even had to give my son formula a few times (not the end of the world) but my milk seems to be back to full strength. I continue to take the herbal supplements, as well as eating oatmeal and drinking the non-alcoholic beer. Good luck!
When I was nursing my son, I too had problems unknowingly due to my thyroid, but I invested in a device called Lact-Aid www.lact-aid.com/prodcat.htm#systems . You can use expressed milk and/or supplemental formula. I was able to keep nursing until about 4 1/2 months, but I think that was more because I pretty much gave up. I was told not to pump but nurse, nurse, and nurse. Good luck and don't let the stress get you down because that in itself can cause a problem. My prayers are with you and your daughter. Good luck and God Bless.
There are a few things you can try. There is the 24 hour cure. Try to get someone to help you with your son so you can stay in bed for 24 hours with your baby and nurse her every time you think she is interested. You can also take fenugreek it is an herbal suppliment you can find it in tea form at Bashas it is called mothers milk tea. The pill form may be better but you have to take alot enough that you start to smell like maple syrup. :-) For me that was at least 2 pills 3x a day my girlfrind took alot more. I got mine at GNC. As far as the beer is the darker the better. Try to relax and drink lots of water and keep eating try to remember to eat lots of small meals. You can also try to contact a lactation consultant your local hospital should have one on staff. Good luck I hope all goes well for you.
Hi Janelle, First, just try not to stress because that will make it worse. And remember, it's all about supply and demand so either keep trying to feed and keep pumping to try to get your milk supply back.
Are YOU drinking enough water??? YOU need at the very least a 1/2 gallon. I would go for more. It's starting to get really "warm" in Phx. So that should help you at least want to drink more. I never had your problem, sorry. BUT my son did stop nursing cold turkey, for that you need parsley and sage and you can take it in capsule form, available from the health food store. You end up smelling like a chicken for a few days, but its worth it! lol. Good Luck, I hope you can get some good advice.
How do you know that you are not producing enough milk for your baby? Have you been counting the number of wet and poopy diapers she has? The La Leche League website will have the number of dirty diapers she should have. The number is different for cloth and disposable diapers, because disposable ones are more aborbent and don't have to be changed as often.
Remember that in most cases, the more your baby nurses, the greater a supply of milk you will develop. If your baby is nursing all the time, that's good! She is building up your supply to meet her needs. Remember that your milk supply will lag behind your baby's demand for a day or so.
I agree with the suggestion to spend a relaxing day in bed with the baby, nursing whenever she is remotely interested. Other moms also have good suggestions to stay hydrated and eat small, nutrious meals.
the same thing happened to me. I did the same things you did and I even tried taking an herb called fenugreek, which one woman told me made her breasts overflow... but still nothing. some people say brewers yeast works. maybe I'll try that next time. the pediatrician said it was probably stress-related. all I know is I felt horrible about the whole situation! best of luck to you :0)
I don't have any advice personally, but I would really recommend contacting La Leche League and looking for a certified lactation consultant. They should have some great advice for you. Also, have you asked your midwife? Sometimes they too are lactation counselors or consultants. If you call the store "Babies Mother and More" they have a lactation consultant on staff who gives free advice over the phone.
We had a homebirth with a midwife too here in the East Valley. Cheers! :)
please contact LeLeche League. Do a web search and there are some very active chapters here that can help you. Also, there are herbs and things that can help, I am with a naturapathic doctor that can tell you what to take at www.naturallynurturing.net.
Le Leche League can really help though.
Dawn
Janella, check out this website. There is a lot of great advice on it. Be aware however that this site is extremely pro-breastfeeding. Some of the advice I had to take with a grain of salt. http://www.kellymom.com/ Also, check into taking alfalfa tabs. I believe they can be helpful as well. Another resource is the lactation consultant at Baby, Mother and More. Her name is Mary and she's wonderful. You can email her with questions and she is available for private consultation for a very minimal fee (I believe it's $30). http://www.milksmile.com/ I didn't see her email address on the website but you could probably call the store and Chuck would give it to you. If not, and this is something you're interested in, let me know and I should have her card at home somewhere.
Hi Janella,
I found when I breastfed my son that eating oatmeal every day increased my milk supply as well as drinking one beer a day. Have you spoke to a lactation consultant? I found my best resource was a place in Mesa called Baby, Mother and More on Gilbert and Southern. You may want to try calling them and seeing what they suggest. What kind of pump are you using? They have the hospital grade pumps you can rent for $30 a month. Maybe the pump you have is not enough stimulation. I hope it works out. Good luck.
Have you consulted La Leche League or a breastfeeding specialist? There are herbs and teas that are good for encouraging milk production. A knowledgable person at a small herb store could be a source of information. And of course rest is important, but how many mothers of newborns who also have another child can claim they get plenty of rest?
Hi Janella I know that breastfeeding is such a sensitive subject for women but it isnt something you can force. The thing is if you are getting frustrated about it, then it is time to supplement with formula. Formula is made for those who cant nurse or who choose not to but it made to be as close to breastmilk as possible. I nursed my daughter until 6 months and am so happy I was able to do that, I know it doesnt happen that way for everyone. Nurse until you have no milk left but make sure your baby is happy and well fed you will both benefit from that in the end!! Good luck
Hi Janella,
Good for you for not giving up! I ditto the advice on calling the lactation consultant at Baby Mother and More. They are located on the SE corner of Gilbert and Southern; phone number is 480-890-1870; website www.milksmile.com. I have heard many, many good things about the consultant there. Also, I had a friend that drank Mother's Milk tea to help her production, and she swears by it. She said it is available in regular grocery stores (not sure if it is in the tea aisle, or the natural foods section).
Someone also mentioned 'how do you know you are not producing enough'? She is right. Remember that you can't judge it by how much you are able to pump. Your baby can get WAY more out the pump can (unless it is a true hospital grade pump). If she is making enough wet and poopy diapers a day, that is your gauge. (I'm not sure what the count should be - the Baby Mother and More store will be able to tell you).
Lastly, something that really helped me a lot was going to a mom's support group every week. I go to the one at Banner Baywood on Fridays from 10-11:30 (walk through the entrance to the Women's Center, and immediately turn left into the conference room). You do not have to have delivered there to attend. It is informal and supportive, and there is a lactation consultant there to help you out. It helps to talk with other moms who have gone through the same thing. I have heard Gilbert Mercy also has a Friday mom's group, but I don't know the details. Banner Gateway is starting one on Thursdays at 10 starting in a couple of weeks.
Are you demand feeding? Feed as much as you can, as it is supply and demand. Also, you can drink Mother's Milk Tea http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=TT-1017&source=FGTT-1017&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=TT-1017 which is avalable at sprouts, and many grocery stores. I would call your midwife and get some suggestions too. Drink tons of water, take naps when your baby does as much as you can (maybe someone can watch your five year old for a few hours so you can sleep), and eat lots of protein and veggies. Good luck!!!
I also had my gall bladder removed, but just two weeks after giving birth. I had no problems breastfeeding after that, in fact breast fed til he was over a year old. So I don't think your milk drying up the first time had anything to do with the surgery. I've heard of other mothers who didn't produce enough milk too, so it must just be a body thing. They make good formulas now a days, so try not to feel guilty about it. You did your best and it is beyond your control.
Janella,
Hi! I want to share with you a way to help your milk production- alfalfa! It works! I have a health and wellness company and have testimonies of ladies on alfalfa having better milk when thier milk was drying up. Let me know if you would like to hear more...jeannie
Hi Janella,
I applaud you for your efforts and concerns. I would suggest talking with a lactation consultant. I know of an excellent one who offers free support groups as well. Her contact information is:
Doris Christensen
(480) 833-2262 http://www.pump-n-go.com/