Breastfeeding - Muskegon,MI

Congratulations on your new little one. Your situation sounds a little complicated by having a history of breast reduction surgery and your daughter having Down syndrome. Down syndrome can affect baby's ability to milk the breast effectively. Sometimes it's from low muscle tone, other times it can be an issue with the tongue etc. I'd strongly suggest you contact an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Her initials would be IBCLC, RLC. She can more accurately assess your baby's intake at breast. This would be done using a very fine tuned baby scale (Typically one called BabyWeigh by Medela.). By the way, there are herbs and there are medications your Dr. can prescribe that will help to boost the milk supply. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me back. Warmly, S.

eating oatmeal helps, as does drinking mothers milk tea (you can find it in health food stores) Domperidone (spelling is off but I think that's close) can be used to boost supply, as can an anti nausea medication...I believe it starts with an R...Reglan maybe?

Also, have you tried to NOT supplement her with formula? Just let her feed as often as she needs, that will give your body the signal to produce more milk. It might mean breastfeeding more often but as long as you are feeding her on demand and letting her nurse as long as she wants/needs she should boost your milk supply and get what she needs.

Hi A.---From what I am learning in a series of Wellness classes offered by a naturopath with a PhD in nutrition, I would recommend you concentrate on the totality of your diet, making sure you are eating mostly fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes. Use animal proteins sparingly, like a condiment or a flavoring for soups or stews. You will need more calories as a breast feeding mom, but the ratio of carbs to proteins to fats should stay the same. So you really don't need to increase protein consumption to help make more breast milk. Our diet, optimally, should consist of 90% fruits, veggies, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts. Our fat intake should be much less than the recommended 30%. 20% is healthier and research shows that it should be no more than 10-15% if trying to reverse degenerative disease.

Too much animal protein actually increases the risk for degenerative disease like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorders, so I ask you to do some research on the subject. If you are interested, you should read the book, The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell. This 20 year study showed a direct correlation between animal food consumption and rates of disease in rural China. It is scary.

When you make sure that you get an adequate supply of good healthy food, every organ system in your body will work at peak efficiency. Unless you are told that your daughter is failing to thrive, I wouldn't worry about it too much beyond making sure your diet is as healthy as it can be. And be sure to eliminate foods that don't contribute to optimal health, so as not to negate what you are doing in terms of eating healthy.

If I can be of any further help in helping to help explain this post or learn more about optimal health, feel free to contact me at any time. I am passionate about helping others to learn how to be healthier, particurly since there is so much misinformation out there that can actually harm us.

Good luck and blessings to your family. In health, D.
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Everytime you breatfeed, make sure you drink a full glass of liquid. Also adding malt to your glass of milk has been known to increase your milk. Good Luck.

the best way to increase milk production is to nurse - frequently. Put a sleepy baby on the breast.. Let her stay there and snooze. the more milk she takes the more milk you will produce.

I had very good luck with fenugreek. You can buy it at health food stores.. Start with a low dose.. 1 or 2 capsules a day.. I think it upset my stomach a bit. It will make you smell like maple syrup if you take a lot of it..

There is also mothers milk tea that is supposed to help.. but fenugreek is the most widely known herb to increase milk supply. My dr said it was safe.

Hi A.. I've been told by lactation consultants when it comes to pumping to increase milk supply; do it every 2 hours for 10 mins. I know, not easy when you have a newborn. Also, drink TONS of water. Good luck.

I had a similar issue shortly after my daughter was born. I spoke to several lactation consultants. I too am a nurse and found it so disappointing when I had to supplement with formula knowing the benefits of breast milk. But, having some breast milk is better than none; and that's what a lactation consultant shared with me. There are a few herbal supplements that may boost your milk supply. Have you tried Fenugreek or Blessed Thistle? I used Fenugreek for a few months and I am still breastfeeding and my daughter is 10 1/2 months now. It can be done! Also, in the beginning a lactation consultant recommended "Power Pumping" to boost my supply. It can be very time consuming, but if you have help with the kids, you can manage. Here's how to do it: you pump for 10 min. then rest for 10 and repeat for a full hour. So, when all is said and done, you have pumped your breasts 3x within 1 hour. I hope this helps! I was in your shoes not too long ago and can sympathize with your frustration. Good Luck!

HI A.,

I see you got lots of insight and input but wanted to add a little more. You mentioned where you live in Lansing, there is little or not as much support as when you resided in CA. Have you tried connecting with a La Leche League group? I know there are several leaders in the Lansing area. Try going to the LLLI.org website and finding a leader in your area. They are a wealth of info and could help suggest some ways to bump your supply up. Keep up the good work!!

S.
Saginaw

Hi,
my lactation consultant had me try the Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle...I took both 3x a day for about 7-10 days. I also drank more water and nursed/pumped as often as I could and my milk increased. She said there is also a Rx that your Dr can give you but it is sometimes linked to making women depressed, so I opted not to get that; but some women it had not negative affect on. Best wishes to you and your lil' addition!

As other people have suggested, nurse as often as you can. Fenugreek worked for me, though two days ago my 4yo told me I smell like syrup, lol. I bought it at GNC, I'm sure there's one in your area

It's great that you've chosen to nurse your daughter despite the complications from having a reduction!

A., it sounds like you are on the right track. You could also try eating oatmeal, or drinking mothers milk tea. You can find it at health food stores or Babys R Us.Supply usually equals demand so keep pumping. You could also try talking to your Dr or Pediatrician. Given the fact that your little one has Downs Syndrome and a heart defect it is doubly important that she gets as much breast milk as possible.
That being said, dont drive yourself crazy if you have to supplement occasionally with formula.You are doing the best you can for your daughter , and supplemeting with formula will not erase the benefits she is getting from your milk.
S. C

I would nurse her as often as possible. A baby's sucking is much more effective than pumping. Anything else by mouth (formula, water) effects your supply, even a pacifier. Breastfeeding is a supply/demand activity. Hooray for you!! You are doing the best thing for you and your little sweetie, especially with the challenges she has. Your breastmilk is THE BEST thing for her heart too. That said, I certainly am no expert. I nursed my 3 babies but didn't have the added difficulties that you have. I would contact a Le Leche League leader or lactation consultant. Keep up the good work!!

Hi A., There is a natural tea called Mother's Milk that helped me. On the fun side, the nurses in the ICU told me to drink vanilla milk shakes! Also, get as much rest as possible. I was able to breast feed both of my babies, now 4 and 7 years old, until they were 3 and a half years old. However, I was not able to breast feed until my son was 1 month old, so I had to pump every three hours for those weeks. You sound like you are doing all the right things.

I was an older mom (my children were born when I was 44 and 46 and they were conceived naturally.) I was determined to make it work and had huge support from my husband. For most of that time I beast fed from one breast because the other quite producing after a a year or so. My babies never had formula. We lived in Berkeley CA at the time and there you have a huge support system for older mom's and breast feeding. Having support really helps you push through the tough times. Unfortunately, here in Lansing, there is not that kind of support. Many folks think my children are my grandchildren!

A little about me: When my 7 yr old was born he was on ECMO and barely survived his first two weeks. We held him the first time when he was a month old. He had severe meconium aspiration and pulmonary hypertension (born 2 weeks over his due date). My nephew is also Downe Syndrome. He is such a beautfiul and joyful child! You are blessed.

There is mothers tea out there and other tinksher suppliments. But you have to be careful with the tinkshers some babies can have reactions there was a reaction posted a couple or last week. So be careful. But I am not sure of anything else. I mean you can ask your doctor he can put you on a medication I have tried that before. Theres another medication called dephramine I didn't spell it right I am sorry. But if you know someone in Canada they maybe able to get it for you. It hasn't been approved here yet. Good Luck.