Holli,
I take Fenugreek because, like you, I am pumping and breastfeeding. It is normal for your supply to go down when you begin pumping, it happened to me too. The pump isn't exactly the same and we send signals to our brains differently when pumping as opposed to looking at your baby feeding from you. Fenugreek can be bought at certain Walgreens and at natural food stores. I have to get it at a natural food store off Curbaril in Atascadero on the frontage rode to the freeway.
Melissa
Many people take the Mothers Milk Plus and extra fenugreek to boost their supply, but I never found that to help me. Instead I took brewer's yeast, which you can get in pill form at any health food store and sometimes even a regular grocery store. In Europe, they encourage new moms to drink dark lager to increase lactation, so this is basically the same idea, without the alcohol! It really upped my milk noticeably and had no side effects of which I was aware. Good luck!
I was in the same boat as you, and like you, I am not a breast feeding fanatic. I pumped what I could and them supplemented the breast milk with formula. Needless to say, all 3 of my kids are fine! Good luck.
Hello!!
I had the same problem. The good news is is that your body will correct itself and you will see more milk some weeks...and then less milk on others. Try not to stress about it too much. Trust me...I stressed about it a ton and in the end I always had enough milk.
Two things did help me tremendously:
1. Lactation Blend Nursing Support pills. These are fennel and fenugreek and they totally helped in increasing my milk supply.
2. Drink lots and LOTS of water. Always be drinking water...even when you don't think you can anymore. This will TOTALLY increase your milk supply in a hurry. Days that I didn't drink as much as I should were definitely lower than the days I did drink a ton of water.
Good luck and have fun. I work fulltime and I am still breastfeeding my little one and she is 14 and a half months. Granted she also is drinking cows milk as well...but I am still able to produce milk using my two methods.
Take care!!
-Victoria
Eat and drink ALOT, especially now that you're working, your body is under stress and it takes more than you'd think to produce healthy milk. Snack and drink plenty of water... Keep breast feeding it is THE BEST thing you can do for your child.
I'm wondering why you think your milk supply has gone down? It may have, because pumping does not stimulate milk supply like nursing does, but you cannot judge milk supply by the amount you can pump. OR by the way your breasts feel. The body adjusts to nursing over time and you will not get that "full to bursting" feeling that you did during the first few months. When my fourth was 3 months old I went back to work full time for 4 months (a tax time job) while my husband stayed home with the kids. I didn't pump much, but I did breastfeed while at home and at night. Never affected my supply, and when the job ended I went on to nurse for another 1.5 years. The important thing is not how often or how much you pump, but how much you nurse when you are not working.
Fenugreek is all natural. I know they have it at Sprouts.
I used More Milk Plus from motherlove.com. I think it helped increase my supply, but it's sort of expensive - about $60 for a few weeks' supply.
Dear Holli,
Greetings!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ARRIVAL! : )))
I truly commend you on nursing your son. I sooooo love nursing my dazzling son, Dylan Orion. And.....don't laugh, but I call him my LUSCIOUSLY VORACIOUS MILKY MONSTER because he loves to nurse with wild abandon! Nursing is the most amazing communication I've ever experienced with another being before.
There are many things that will naturally help enhance your milk: Brewer's Yeast, Fenugreek, Oatmeal, Hops (as you'd find in beer but can buy separately in a health food store) and of course, drinking lots of water is essential!!! TRADITIONAL MEDICINALS ORGANIC MOTHER'S MILK TEA and MOTHERLOVE'S MORE MILK PLUS are also AMAZING.
I also love the LA LECHE LEAGUE for all the help they've given me, and I highly recommend calling them! If you haven't checked them out already...here's their website for California: http://www.llli.org/Web/California.html
Hope this helps! Please free to call me anytime: (323) 906~2784 or e~mail me at [email protected]
LOL,
Leah (Mama to 46 week old Dylan Orion) : )))
www.kellymom.com is a great place to go for this kind of info.
Congrats on continuing to breastfeed while working!
Michele
Hi Holli,
I'm not sure about the herbs, but Brewer's Yeast can help increase the milk supply. I used it while breast feeding my three kids.
I used an herbal hot tea called Organic Mother's Milk. It kinda tasted like black licorice (anise) but I think it worked on those days/weeks when I was feeling low on milk. They have it at Ralphs but I'm not sure of the brand name.
I would not take unknown herbs; but for me, the keys to increasing milk supply were; more frequent feedings, drinking lots of water, and being relaxed. It may take a day or two, but its really a supply and demand-regulated thing. The more you pump/feed, the more milk you will make. Dont get discouraged; you'll be glad you perservered.
Hi Holli,
I nursed all four of my children...my first two were exclusively nursed. With my last two, I returned to work and so I did the pumping thing too. As long as your baby is gaining weight, you really do not have any things to worry about. I know that my kids would hold off and wait until I got home to really want to nurse...my son was always content when i was at home nursing him, but when he was at day care, the day care lady always said he wanted more...(usually more than what I had left)...so I just started leaving some formula for him, in case he was extra hungry. I know it was just because he had to work harder to get out the breastmilk rather than the milk in the bottle. Another thing to consider is if you are finding it difficult to pump...I finally got to a point when my baby was about 7 months old, I just nursed him when ever he was with me and he at food and formula while at daycare. So, when he was with me, he nursed and when he was at daycare, he got formula....it worked out fine for him and me.
Best of luck, pumping and working is a very doable thing, if you want to keep on nursing.
'
Trish
Holli,
I bought some "Organic Mother's Milk" tea, but didn't really use it much. It turns out, I produce more than enough milk even now. I just moved away from Anaheim to San Diego, but if you'd like I could send what I've got left to you (about 25 packets left). You could try it and if it works, buy some more. I bought it on e-bay.
I'm not a "fanatic" about nursing per se, but I do sing it's praises: My baby is now 10 months, almost 11 months old and has only been sick 1 time. (3 days of cough due to my sister's severely sick child being in my house for 1 week when my baby was 3 months old.) I have been sick 3-4 times lasting an average of 2 week each time and even now feeling a bit under the weather, but she never has caught anything from me! Not only does it help your little one be healthier, it will definitely help your family financially. My advise to you: nurse her as long as you possibly can, but if you feel that it is too much then consider supplementing with formula or stopping nursing alltogether. It's about how much you're willing to put yourself out because after all, continuing to nurse and pump while working adds a heck of a lot to your plate.
Good luck to you.
I tried mothers milk and it did not help me. I was told to try Fenugreek and I did and I ended up in the E.R. with severe heart palpitations! I still have them to this day and I and quite sure it was the Fenugreek. That was just my experience, but after this happened I googled Fenugreek and heart palpitations and apparently I am not alone. Make sure you drink tons of water. That and consistently feeding and pumping were the only things that helped me. I feel your pain and wish you the best.
Hello, Holli,
Moringa Oleifera is excellent for nourishing the body and helping moms produce a greater milk supply.
contact:
My very best to you,
Tina
Ask the pediatrician. I had the same problem, and wanted to try fenugreek (sp?). And, I choose not too. My son was gaining weight just fine. And, there are side effects from herbs that can be pretty scary, jnust because it is natural doesn't make it safe.
The herbs do help but I would call the pump station and talk with them as well. Just an fyi..I have gone through a few days where it feels like my milk supply seems lower and I ride it out and it recovers. Remember to pump at work each time your son will be eating at home. Good luck and drink plenty of water,juice and milk if you tolerate it.
My sister in law had low milk supply and had great success with Fenugreek (found in herbal supplement sections of health food stores) and "Mother's Milk" tea from Traditional Medicinals (also at health food stores).