Milk Production.. - Fitchburg,MA

I second the baby's stomach size... it's barely the size of a ping pong ball! When my son was in the NICU, the staff was all about giving him too much food - most of which was force fed thru a nasal tube. Not all women feel a let down... so don't look for something that may or may not happen. Once you both are out of the stressful environment of the NICU, THINGS WILL BE BETTER!!

Congratulations!

When you supplement, you should use a supplemental feeder -- you put the milk in a bag, and there's a tube that goes to your nipple, and then when the baby sucks at it, he is still sucking on your nipple, stimulating your milk supply, and possibly also nursing. It's a way to supplement while having it also increase your milk production.

Don't give up. Try seeing a different lactation consultant, if the one at the hospital doesn't seem to be helping you, you can always call in a private one. I'm also in MA, and can ask around on the massdoulas list and possibly get some names for you if you need it -- message me privately if you want me to.

Congratulations on your new baby! Your body works on supply and demand, so the more you nurse him, the more milk you will produce. Once you are home, things should settle down and you will be more relaxed, (hospitals are not the best place to relax) and things should fall into place. If you are pumping and getting milk into the bottles, then you are producing. Just keep at it and it will work out! Make sure you are getting plenty of fluids. You didn't say if this is your first breastfeeding experience, if it is, it will take a bit of time to get everything all together, feeding wise.
Best of luck to you and your family!

Hi P. - congratulations! This is just to say that I had a very similar situation. I had to be knocked out completely for my c-section and when I woke up DD was up in nicu (she's stopped breathing twice). She was up there for 4 days, and I didn't get to visit her for the first 36 hours because of my condition. They were giving her bottles that flowed like a open can of coke (!) so even with mid-wives and lactation consultants I couldn't get her to latch on (I think by then she just saw it as too much hard work!). But.... I go the biggest and best pump I could and pumped like mad for 2 weeks so she could at least have breast milk from a bottle. I was being driven demented with everyone saying "you can do it!" and got really despondent, but low and behold, one night at about 2 am when the whole house was asleep and I was waiting for the bottles to sterilize, I tried again and she just did it - latched on and drank loads! I supplemented for a few days with the bottle, but the nurses told me she was gaining weight and it was fine. So there IS hope. He may just be doing things in his own good time. So keep your milk production up with the pump and your energy up as best you can (all the other suggestions for water, etc are right) and with any luck your little dude will come around soon! Good luck with it!

Yes, there is plenty of hope. c-sections can delay milk supply and of course stress contributes. Keep doing what you are doing. A couple suggestions, if you are supplementing after a feeding, put him back to the breast after the bottle so he doesn't get lazy and come to expect the bottle. It can make some babies work less at the breast if they know dessert is coming. If he is peeing and pooping, he is getting milk. Lots of skin to skin contact is great. Make sure you are drinking enough. Call a La Leche League leader if you continue to have concerns. You've had a lot going on there, once you get home and can rest with your new baby, hopefully everything will go more smoothly.

I NEVER felt let down, (or engorged or much else) but made plenty of milk. DO NOT go by physical sensation as an indicator of supply-- some of use never feel it and for others it comes and goes as their body adjusts. The more you nurse and pump the more you'll make (and do not trust the pump as an indicator of supply either-- I'd pump until I was "empty" Isaac would decide he was hungry and he'd get plenty of milk out of those "empty" breasts!)

I never felt a strong let-down at first, although I did get crampy from breastfeeding during the early postpartum phase. Just keep going with what you're doing, and don't be discouraged! Just producing a small amount is completely normal at first - keep in mind his stomach is very small!

Sending you strength, restful sleep, and positive bfing mojo. Congratulations on your little one!

There is hope. You might want to check out kellymom.com and the relactating section.

Good morning P.,
I had trouble toward the end of my breast feeding cycle with producing enough. The fabulous ladies onthis sight recommmended Fenugreek tablets (can be found at GNC, Vitamin World, etc.) and is supposedly all natural. I did have success with that but as Rose mentioned, I am sure once you are home and in your own surroundings, everything will fall right into place. Good luck and congrats on your new addition!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Like Rose said your body does work on supply vs demand. Feed the baby then pump for 10 min on each side, stay hydrated (drink your 8 8oz glasses of water and what you put out , also put back in on top of that) STAY AWAY FROM SAGE (drys you up) Take Fenugreek pills, or drink the tea. Pump Pump Pump. You body will get it.

But from what I gather is you have the milk there but not at the time he wants it. When are you pumping? You should pump right after he eats, not inbetween, this way you have stock piled for him when he is read.
If he eats at 8am and you pump at 930 then he wants to eat at 1030 you do not have the surplus you would have if you fed him at 8 pumped right after (830 to 840) then waited til he was ready for more then start over.

ALSO Properly Fitted Bra. If you are waring a tight fit that will cause issues too.
Talk/see a lactation consultant, if he is still at the hospital they are there just ask, it is nice to hear you are doing it right keep up the good work.

baby stomach is too small to take in really more than 2 oz...so don't think baby isn't getting enough. seriously, go to kellymom.com and find all the resources you need. or, join cafemom/breastfeedingmoms and they'll give you all the support you need. Don't give up and be sure you are drinking plenty water and having oatmeal for breakfast....