Milk Supply? - Arlington,TX

You can also take an herb called Lactate Support or Fenugreek seed to increase milk supply. I heard that sometimes the pumping amount can be different than what the baby is drinking. My lactation consultant would have me weigh the baby naked. (then put a diaper on to breastfeed) Then breastfeed, then weigh the baby naked again. The difference in weight would be how much he drank.
Oh- while taking the fenugreek you will smell maple syrup. It's normal!!!!!!!!

If he's growing and seems satisfied and is having enough wet diapers, you're producing enough milk for him. Like others have said, you won't pump as much as you think he should be eating, but he's getting what he needs.

sounds to me like he is just fine. I went through the same thing with my son. The doc told me he was fine. your body is producing enough to feed him...just look at how chubby he is> :)

Please, Please don't put that guilt on yourself... You should use Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea. Natural tea that improve your milk supply frequently.

I would also recommend seeing a lactation consultant. They have special scales to weigh the little ones when you're breastfeeding to see how much milk they are getting. Sometimes they are covered by insurance, but not always. Good luck!

Hi, J.!

Our bodies are made to take care of our babies, so I would imagine you're giving him exactly what he needs. That's not to say, though, that it's not possible that he needs more. If you're concerned about not having enough for him, you can always pump after you feed him. That should definitely let your body know that you need more milk. I hope this helps!

S.

Your milk is always enough for your own baby and he is growing so why worry. But after he is finished and burps, try one more time. Then say ok you're done and get him interested in playing in a jumper cyzer or with toys, etc. Maybe he needs chew toys or a pacifier for more sucking . You are doing great. I nursed my first one 6 months but was given bad advice 42 years ago and began solids way too soon. He weaned himself off breast in a month. My second one years later, I nursed 11 months and loved it. Keep up the good work and don't worry.

I had the same problem! I bought a tea called mother's milk from central market and it really helped! I also increased how much water I was drinking! My son is fine and was always growing fine, but I felt like I wasn't producing enough. The milk really helped. I have also heard of a pill called Fenugreek that you can buy that is supposed to help too! But in the end, the results are if the baby is growing and happy! If he is happy and seems satisfied I wouldn't worry if he is getting enough! He will tell you!

My baby is 5 1/2 months and I have been going through the same thing off and on. I have seen mentioned on here the Mothers Milk tea and that helps me some (but not as much as some other moms I have talked to) Taking Fenugreek Seed capsules has helped tremendously! Also after a bout with swine flu, my milk almost dried up all together (even though I was still breast feeding and getting enough water) and I found this tincture at Central Market called More Milk Special Blend. I'll warn you it tastes terrible, but it gets the job done. It took two weeks for my full supply to come back, but it increased daily. Not everybodys body is the same, not everyone naturally makes what is needed, as some have stated. You need to breast feed often and pump a lot in between feedings. With patience and determination you can get your milk supply going strong. Good luck!

Hello J.,

if you feel like your milk supply is not enough, there are a few things you can do. make sure you're drinking enough liquids. at a healthfood store (wholefoods, sprouts, etc) they have "mother's tea" that would help increasing your supply. also, star anise tea will help increase your milk supply. you can try that for a few days and see if your milk supply increases and if he looks like he's getting enough. Good luck! ~C.~

There is also a prescription medication that you can get from your ob/gyn called domperidone. It has worked wonders for me. Message me if you have any questions about it. :)

He's most likely getting enough, but the two best ways to tell are: having enough wet diapers (at least 6 a day, some soaked -- the previous post is wrong, maybe a typo) and gaining weight. At 4 months, I think he should still be gaining about 5-8 oz a week, but that will slow soon. I bought a baby scale to check my son's weight because I DID have insufficient milk with my first son (but not my second). Given that he's already 15 lbs, I imagine that he's getting enough. Good luck!

Don't worry. He is growning fine. My son was the same way. Large and ate quickly (10-15 minutes). Be happy that he gets the milk so quickly. I've had friends that had to nurse for 30 to 45 minutes each time!

Does he have adequate amount of wet diapers? If he is gaining/thriving then he is fine as well. Height and weight. If so, then you and him are fine. I was in your situation once as well. A year ago. Make sure you are drinking a lot of water. Drink a bottle every time you nurse and after. Make sure you add 500 additional calories to your normal diet. Very Important to milk production.

There's some herbal remedies as well: Mother's Milk Tea and Fenugreek (herbal). Really...drinking lots of water will make a huge difference.

Also, don't stress about pumping. It doesn't equate. If you can and have the energy, you can pump in between feedings to give your milk supply a little boost.

When you switch to your other breast, burp him then as well. Try the La Leche organization-those girls are crazy about breastfeeding and can give you great advice as well.

Yes, the small amount of pumping is unfortunately normal. I can hardly get anything out when I pump, but my daughter can get a ton out. And I have a hospital grade pump. Some moms are so lucky to be able to fill a bottle! My doctor always said, if she seems satisfied after a feeding, she's getting enough.

kellymom.com

check it out -- it's a breastfeeding mother's *dream* site

happy reading!

I was worried too. My son is now almost 4 1/2 months old. He weighs 19 lbs and is 27 in. long. I have exclusively breast fed him, he's just a big boy too. Several weeks ago he started eating fewer times throughout the day and I had the same concerns. I was told that as long as they have plenty of wet diapers at least 1 every 6 hours (my son has about 1 an hour sometimes more it seems) then they are getting plenty to eat. Your son may have hit several growth spurts and is not going through one right now. I hope this helps. I think you are doing great! Of course your doctor will be able to tell you more. With breastfeeding babies will let you know how much they want and your body adjusts the milk supply according to their needs.

i think is very good weight that your son has and if you are woried about you milk supply drink mother milk tea that will help you.

Sounds to me like he's thriving! 15-20 mins of breastfeeding is normal. Babies that breastfeed stop when they are full, period. Don't go by how much you can pump by how much is coming out when you nurse. Your body doesn't respond as well to pumping, so getting less out during pumping is normal. If you want to be pro-active in making sure your milk supply will last as long as your baby wants to breastfeed, start drinking Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea. You can find it as most traditional grocery stores ( I know Tom Thumb has it). Also, stay away from trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils) as they can deplete a mother's milk supply as well. Also, don't get all attached to the "charts" at the pedi's office. They are just guidelines by how a baby should be growing. Your son sounds as if he's healthy and thriving, so unless your dry up completely, don't supplement because that will definitely start to dry up your supply. Milk is on a supply and demand basis. You will supply as much as your baby demands. So, as he gets older, he'll need more and your body will respond accordingly. Trust in your body and the natural process that God intended. Oh and by the way, stressing over it can also deplete your supply!! *SMILE* Hope this helps!

It could be a growth spurt. Mine (now 6 months) went through one at about 4 months. He never seemed to get enough and would get frustrated towards the end of a feeding session. I offered a breast every 1.5 to 2 hours for about a day and a half and then my body seemed to catch up to what he needed. Just hang in there and trust your body and your baby.

Sounds like he is getting plenty if he is weighing in at 15lbs. Do not worry, his suction is probably stronger now, so he is still getting what he needs.

Are you pumping after feeding him? That could by why you only get a small amount. I never could pump very well.

Unless he is constantly fussy and acting hungry all the time, then I would say he is fine. You can help your milk production by drinking plenty of fluids, and after he is finished nursing try pumping some... this will increase the demand and tell your body you need to produce more.

I was always told that nursing babies need more sucking time because they do not have to suck as hard as with a bottle, so try a pacifier when he is finished and some cuddle time.