Lowered Milk Supply?

Go to www.drjacknewman.com - he's a renounced breast specialist in Canada, and will answer questions online. He had me go on Domperidone, which I ordered online, and it did wonders, I had the same problem. I was on it for 4 months.

Hi. I have also had a tough time with milk supply. Worrying is about the worst thing that you can do - which is of course the catch 22... But if your baby isn't complaining, chances are he is getting enough to eat. I find that I have to eat huge amounts of food (complex carbs & protein), as well as drink tons of water and get a lot of rest to keep my milk up. Hot baths seem to help, and just thinking positive thoughts- focusing on how healthy my baby is. A lactation consultant told me to take a day off and spend it in bed with my baby- both of us naked (except for a diaper!) and snuggle, snooze, watch old movies, and breastfeed on demand. I did it (minus the movies) and it really helped to relax us both and get us back in tune.
Good luck!
Yours in solidarity,
J

Hi C.,
I totally understand where you are coming from! I had so many problems breastfeeding and it was soooo important to me that I was successful! Amongst other issues I had was one similar to you now. I was nursing while at home and pumping at work. I would pump one day for all the bottles for the next day. At first, I kept up well. Then my baby started eating more and more and my supply while pumping was staying the same and then started going down. I did have to start supplementing with some formula at about 6 months b/c I just couldn't keep up with him. He always got enought though from the breast. I have to say once I did start supplementing I was much less stressed about pumping. I remember, every day I would tell the nanny exactly how much to feed the baby with each bottle and was always so stressed if she went over at all b/c I knew I would run out of milk. Once I started with one bottle of formula a day it was just a bit more relaxing. I was able to nurse until 7 and 1/2 months. (I had to stop due to yet another problem). But my son is 14 months now and is thriving!
Best of luck!

well first off, dont even think about stopping bfing. even if you have issues, there is no reason to stop. you would supplement but everyone agrees, even a little bm is better than none.

however, i really dont think you should supplement either as most moms end up getting into a cycle where, like you, they dont make enough, so they supplement, and then the baby needs more, so they supplement more, ect.

i would def get in touch with a LC immediately and go from there.

pumping can never replace the baby, so the only other suggestions(as it seems you already are doing lots) is to pump immediately after he eats, even if you dont get anything, to try and get your body to think it needs more. i would do this every time. i would also try bringing pictures or video of your son to look at while pumping. i have heard this works wonders.

i would wonder how often you are able to pump. if he is still eating every 2 hours, he probaly is eating less at a sitting. so when you go to pump, if you arent going every 2 hours, your body only produces the smaller amount assuming you will be pumping again in 2 hours. what happens on the weekend. does he still eat every 2 hours? i really would think if you could pump more often at work, you may have luck.

dont compare yourself to your sil ,its very rare to not produce enough milk(assuming your are doing everything recommended). if he is happy and gaining, dont worry at this point. worry when he is crying for more. but i really would try to pump after feeding, and in the middle of the night. good luck, hope you find someone that help.

Think of the law of supply and demand. The more you pump/nurse, the more milk your body will produce. Lots of women think that they're not getting enough. YOU ARE!! Just because you see formula fed babies drink 8 oz at a time doesn't mean your boobs are giving your baby 8 oz exactly each time!! BF babies are different - they will drink enough to meet their needs. Do not worry!

If you are really concerned, go to kellymom.com, go see a lactation consultant and go to La Leche League. DO not feel that you have to give formula - you're probably ok...

:) It's a lot of work, but you're doing GREAT!!! :)

Hi, sorry if I repeat something! I had this problem around 5 months post partum (my period). A lactation consultant suggested "power pumping". (every hour). I couldn't get let down that often, but 1.5 hours worked for me, and my supply went up within a few days. After that I cut back to every 2 hours earlier in the day and every 3 hours later in the day,(there is more milk earlier in the day), so that I was pumping 5 times a day at work for the first few days, then down to 4 times a day, whereas before my period came, I had been pumping 3 times in a full working day. I did not want to suppliment, and this worked out well. There was never really any extra! We made it to 1 year like this and then I weaned gradually over a 3 month period.

All the best,
C.

Hi C.-
you are doing a great job breastfeeding your son. EVERYONE thinks they don't have enough milk but really you do! my son was born at 31 weeks, i couldn't breast feed him for a few weeks because he was too little/weak, and also, i had no idea as a first time mom that I was suposed to pump right away since I couldn't directly feed him. ( i did not pump until day three!) Well, after many months of questioning my supply and stresing out ( which will diminish your supply!) my 8 month old son is still breastfed and things are great- but it took months to get here. things i did to "boost" my supply - take More Milk Plus (alcohol free). it really works! you can buy it at whole foods, mrs.greens or any health food market. i also ate alot of oatmeal, drank lots of water, avoided salt, & did not sleep on my belly.
my son ate every two hours for 40 minutes! until he was about 6 months ( when we gave him solids) now he only eats 3 or 4 times a day for about 10,15 minutes.
you said your son doesn't eat the whole 5 ozs at a time. make the bottles with only 4 oz.
If your son is adding weight, peeing and pooping- then you have plenty of milk. keep up the good work!
also- When i pump, i will only get 4 maybe 5 oz, even after many hours of rest and my son is 8 months! (he was born 4 lbs 8 oz and now weighs close to 18 lbs) pumping at night will not give you lots of milk either because you are tired and your body is maxed out. feed him in the morning and pump out whatever is left before you leave. if you are tired or stressed, that will lower your milk supply too.

C., I had the same issue with my last two boys. My oldest was 5 wks early and couldn't get him to suck and finally by the time he could drink and suck the bottle, my milk was gone. My second son, by 4 months I lost milk and noticed it was going whne he was 3 months. My third son, again was happening, I drank as much water as possible, but then I took Fenugreek and that helped but I also drank that special tea that helps with producing milk and I found out that peanuts (some helped through eating peanut butter) and garlic helps produced more milk too. I know that pediatricians say you shouldn't because of peanut allergy, but guess what from my experiences? I can't eat raw peanuts because of my allergy, but I can eat roasted peanuts and I eat Teddy Bear Peanut Butter which is natural and I have no allergy problem with them. I do have allergy reactions to other peanut butter which have junk in them ie. Jiffy, Peter Pan, etc. I have noticed that foods I am allergic to if I cook them, steam them or bake tyhem, no allergic reactions to them. I think that some form of heat kills the pesticides and other garbage on them. Interesting huh? Some ideas for you to think about. I'll pray for Jesus's Wisdom for you and your family...if you ask Him.

I read through your responses and felt like I had to add a little something. I think your real concern was slightly ignored - that you won't be able to pump out enough milk to leave a reasonable amount with your caregiver and I think it is a valid concern...pumping along with exclusive nursing can increase the supply and is recommended for a seemingly low supply - pumping in lieu of nursing (like while at work) can lead to a diminished supply. With my first three children I went back to work full time and gave pumping my very best. But after a little while, I just stopped making as much at work. Like you, I was soon only getting about a total of 4 or 5 ounces during the day with pumping every 3 hours. And you are right, this isn't enough. I totally believe that while you are exclusively nursing you most likely will make enough (and even then there are plenty of people who just don't fit into the supply and demand model and have a screaming baby and no more milk coming out - despite what all those other people say, they obviously haven't been there) Anyway, your concern is about not PUMPING enough, and this is real. So i plugged along for a couple of months and became too frustrated (yes, i had a double pump in style)and ended up HAVING to leave formula for them. However, they all nursed every morning, when I came home and when they went to bed - and at those times, I had more milk. In fact, there were times that I would have to skip one of our usual nursing sessions and I was shocked that at those times I got 6 ounces or so no problem. My body had adjusted to the baby's schedule and seemed to know that during the day we weren't nursing but were pumping. I don't believe in the all night snack bar and all of my kids were sleeping through the night by 3 months. So staying up to pump at night or co-sleep to nurse all night is so not my thing. My point is that yes, it may happen that you can't pump enough during the day - but enjoy what you can do and that is feed your baby when you are together. I am not working with my now 8 month old and I have lots of milk in the freezer that I don't even need - but it is proof that pumping is just not as efficient as the babies are. Don't stress about your breastfeeding experience - and things are going well - you are doing the best that you can. And formula is not poison (contrary to what many believe)!

When I started pumping I was able to get at least 7 oz. Within a couple months I barely got 4 oz from both sides. So I stopped pumping. The fact is pumping isn't as effecient as the actual baby. Try moving the pump around when you start to go dry. Sometimes the pump will stimulate other glands. There is also a tea you can try. It's called Mother's Milk. You can also drink 1 non-alcoholic beer a day. Both will help increase your milk supply. In the end, I ended up supplementing with formula. And with my son, I stopped breastfeeding him all together at 9 mos (he lost interest and got teeth and wouldn't stop biting me). My daughter I stopped at 6 mos (I wasn't producing enough for her at all. After nursing she still needed a bottle).

dearest C.,

know that your concerns are real and heartfelt. when i had our first child, who will be 4 in november,he never had a drop of formula. he nursed, i pumped, and even made his cereal with the milk or gave him a bottle of my milk. when he turned 1 then we gave him regular milk in addition to nursing until he was 22 months. (the joy of wearing a real bra again!)

the second child, who was born in march, is another story. by 4 months we had to supplement. after being on the small side, his appetite quadrupled and all my supply in the freezer was gone! it reached a point where i was pumping for the next meal. it was stressful and stress filled. i ended up asking the doctor to recommend a formula which she did (similac advanced). while i hated ito do so, we had no choice. after that, i was more relaxed and i still continued to nurse and pump.

my advice is take a deep breath and if the need arises, supplement. forget what it is, just do it so that your baby does not starve. thank God you can afford formula.i had to put my pride aside and tell super mama to relax and be real.

continue to pump, drink water, etc. you are doing the right thing. even if it is one drop, celebrate it and pump it out. you are working, you have a demanding life, and when you add a baby to it.... it is a lot. geenrations ago did not have to do so much. you are doing a lot and so the body may be fighting to catch up. please don't be h*** o* yourself. just do what you have to do and even if it is one drop, it is a blessing! bless your breasts and give thanks for the precious gift that comes from it. i can't wait to see what others have written. i may learn a thing or two.

all is well and will be well.

love, me+

My 4 1/2 month old will only take 3-4 oz from a bottle at a time, but is at 50th % for weight & height -- he is exclusively breastfed and seems to get massive meals when direct from the breast. I know nothing more than my experience, but I thought I'd share. Good luck to you! Don't let ANYONE sabotage your breastfeeding or enjoyment of parenting!

This is my fourth baby, and I have run into the same problem on all of them. I eventually started supplementing on the others, but this time around I seem to have a bit more. I think the answer for me has been protein drinks. I'm not sure if it's the extra calories or the extra protein, but my milk supply is much better than it has been in the past. My metabolism is very high, so I drink them once or twice a day for a snack, not meal replacement.

Are you pumping while you're at work? i've heard it's important that you pumb as regularly as he would normally eat. Therefore, you should pump every two hours at work. They call it pump and dump. (But that milk is so valuable I couldn't imagine dumping it!) Take a little cooler to work with you, with an icepack, and store it with you at work and take it home with you.
Does baby continue to grow, poop and pee and seem as fat and jolly? Maybe he needs less right now. When he goes through a growth spurt, he'll eat more. And they usually go through them every 3 weeks or so. Good luck and great job!!!!!!!

Do make sure, in addition to drinking plenty of water, that you snack throughout the day at work. Eat high energy snacks, nuts, granola or protein bars, cheese, yogurt with fresh fruit, etc. I like the suggestion one of the moms had of drinking a protein shake. Try to pump 2 to 3 times a day, I know that's probably difficult. While you are pumping, try to look at a picture of your son, or even better, listen to a recording of his voice, turn the phone off (don't forget to turn it back on!), and get as relaxed as possible.

If your son isn't finishing a 5 oz bottle, he probably isn't that hungry right now, babies go through growth spurts which seem to dictate their hunger level. So long as his ped. says his growth and weight gain are good, you should have no worries.
Best of luck,
A.

Hi,

I had the same problem with producing enough milk and not being able to pump enough for when I was going to be away from my son (I worked part time and wanted a decent supply if my son needed it while I was not with him). I took Fenugreek also and that did help with more production. I also had a problem with the let down whenever I tried to pump and I put warm wet clothes on the top of my chest and that helped with the let down of milk. I gave my sister the same advice when she had a problem with let down even when she was nursing. Hope that and all the other good advice helps, too. I was able to nurse without supplimenting for 13 months.

Hi C.,
It sounds like your baby is eating well! A lot of babies reverse cycle, eating less at daycare from bottles and more at home with mom. Many women find that their milk lets down better for baby than for the pump. My suggestion would be that anytime you feed your baby at home, finish with a pumping, taking advantage of the letdown you already have. This can help to add to what you have pumped at work.
I don't see why there's any need to think about not breastfeeding anymore. Is your baby satisfied with how much you are able to leave him while you are at work? While it's best to give breastmilk only, if he's polishing off his bottles of pumped milk while you're at work, and needs more to eat, obviously you have to feed the baby and getting a little formula with mostly breastmilk is going to be much more beneficial than simply weaning to formula entirely
Good luck! Please go and see a lactation consultant

Hello,
I was as well a breastfeeding working mom and was able to breastfeed my first son until he was one and the second one until he was 2 1/2 years old without giving them anything but my milk until they were 6 months old and managing to never give them formula.

What worked for me is first of all getting an electrical pump which made the pumping much easier and faster. Have you tried pumping as soon as you get home and then feeding the baby? Ditto in the morning. I found the babies were much more efficient at getting the milk then the pump and this is why i would always pump first then feed which would in turn stimulate the milk production.

Good luck with it, I am sending the positive waves your way.

A. M

Check out kellymom.com if you have a chance. There's a forum there for exclusively pumping moms, they will have great advice. I think I read that a baby only needs an once an hour for the amount of time they're away from mom. Sounds like you're doing great! Hooray for you, for being so dedicated and hardworking!

What helped me besides the things you already mentioned that you are doing is eating more and getting lots of rest. If possible,sleep whenever he sleeps. My milk supply always is higher after a nap and I noticed that is goes down if I don't eat enough. I hope this helps! Let us know how things turn out!

C.,
Try La Leche League - if you google you'll find the number.

http://breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

This article helped me a lot. Does your baby nurse or do you pump 100%? Sometimes getting your baby to nurse on one side and pump on the other does work wonders. Or having baby start nursing one side then switching to the other & pumping. I've tried both and regularly use the former. I don't get anywhere close to 5-6 oz. Haven't yet. I am happy with 2-3 if I am lucky,for cereal.

Don't stop, just keep researching - you will find more information than you know what to do with. The more your baby nurses the more you will make.

Visualization might help, too - a picture of your baby or pumping while watching him sleep (if the pump isn't that noisy :)

Best yet though: Take a deep breath, relax and maybe get a backrub from your other half. STRESS is a great reducer of milk supply. So if you lessen your stress, that great gut feeling that your milk is going away (and it hasn't yet) you will feel better.

Fenugreek, blessed thistle, Mother's milk tea, all are good. Oatmeal is another good one - having a bowl of oatmeal with an 8oz water chaser is a good deal.

You might make sure you are not drinking gallons of water though - too much dilutes your hormones. A VERY rough guideline: If you are drinking roughly 8 oz an hour (unless you are thirsty) you're doing a great job.

Drinking while nursing or pumping will help too.

That's all I've got - there's more in the website and with La Leche.

Good Luck,
M.

C.,
You are fine. Your milk is fine. The baby is fine. Trust this! You even said that he rarely finishes 5 oz when you are at work, saving himself for you. Feed him every 2 hours when you are together, bless your determination!. BF babies of working moms can get 50% of their calorie needs just overnight co-sleeping or feeding often as you are. If your LO is gaining well and is content, strong and alert as you say, he is fine. The real breastfeeding professionals are La Leche, the pediatricians and hospital LCs dont know a 10th of what LLL does. Find a leader in your area for positive, proven knowledge based support. You are wonderful to work and want to breastfeed, there is no reason to stop, keep up what you are doing and love every minute of it!

Hi C., I understand your dilemma but sadly you getting stressed will add to your lowered milk supply. Try to relax. You don't want to stop and you don't want to supplement but it is not about you. If your baby is hungry you have to do what is best for the child. He seems to love nursing as much as you do. I hope it all works out. Grandma Mary

Hi C.,

I am a new mother as well and my son is approaching 5 months old. At times my milk supply seemed to go down and I would grow a bit concerned. I have a lot pumped, but I know what you are going through. I am not a Doctor, but my advice to you is to relax about it all and talk to yourself about the fact that you are the life source for your child. Be positive, I have read so much about this and a lot of it is mental. Try to not think about your sister -- you may be giving it too much energy. I often talk about (to myself and my son) about how important it is to be healthy and rested and Mommy is trying her best to do all of this so he can learn great habits as well. There was one day when just nothing was happening with my body -- but I realized it was during our move from NYC to NH -- I was exhausted and was really stressed from job negotiations, moving logistics, etc. I finally said Uncle and had my sister give him a bottle. It gave me a break and I wasn't so worried about him being hungry.

Relaxing about your milk supply, speaking encouraging thoughts and when I pumped I would massage my breasts all over, trying to stimulate all the ducts. I would also have a picture around if I wasn't home and/or just really think about my son and/or hold a conversation with him in my head.

Keep it up, it really is the best nutrition for your child and so healthy. You are doing a wonderful job, keep telling yourself that as well -- make sure your partner is encouraging too -- make sure you are rested, keep up with the water and your vitamins, exercise -- all very important.

Laugh a lot and smile -- I find that helps too.

Have a lovely day.

A.

A lot of people think that they have less milk around this time and mistakenly give up. But it's actually that your supply has regulated, so your breasts feel less heavy. There is still enough milk there. You have to remember that your son is getting older now and is able to suck stronger so he is getting out every last drop, whereas before, maybe he wasn't getting out as much, so there is less to pump out. Also, for some reason, you just stop being able to pump as much after a while. I think the fact that the pump stays at the same power, and the baby gets stronger, so the pumping action does not stimulate your breasts as much as it used to because your breasts are now used to your son sucking much stronger. Don't be discouraged. Your son will still get enough. You may have to start leaving some formula during the day, but it's not necessary. He will get enough milk. Don't worry yourself over it and get enough sleep because you make the most milk while you sleep. You may want to try pumping in the morning before your son wakes up and you may get more this way. Also, if you don't have it already, get the Medela pump in style double pump. You can pump more when you do both breasts at the same time. Another thing is to massage your breasts in a downward motion- from the outside of the breast toward the nipple while pumping. This pushes the milk from the ducts down into the nipple.