[alg76]

My little boy is just over a week old, and I am not producing a lot of milk! Is or has anyone had this issue, if so what if anything did you do to help yourself produce more?

[dizzyb]

I had low milk supply. Talk to a nurse at your pediatrician's clinic, see if one is a lactation specialist. I tried fenugreek (didn't work) I also pumped every two hours...which sucked, litterly and figuratively. I pumped after each feeding. I stuck with it for 6 months, but suplimented with formula.

[HRMS MOM]

at first not very much comes out but I agree with Dizzy, I would pump on each side after the feeding to work up my supply. I also agree you should talk to a LC if you have questions they can be very helpful.

[bunniswife]

You can try asking your doctor about Domperidone, it's a motility drug but is often given to help promote lactation. Pump lots also but be prepared that not all women can breastfeed due to supply issues. I had very little milk with my first daughter and after my colostrum came in with my twins, I had nothing at all, even after a solid week of pumping every three hours. I ended up putting my baby on formula because she was starving and crying constantly because she was hungry. Good luck.

[infertilitynovice]

It is very unnerving when your milk is slow to come in. Mine didn't really come in til about day 9 or 10...and supply has always been an issue. DD is nearly a year old and we're still nursing, so overall it has been successful.

If I'm able to do this again, then there will be some things I do differently. First, I will nurse as frequently as possible. I let DD sleep too much the first 2 or 3 days and I think that hurt the development of my supply. I would have leaned on my lactation consultants more. They were fantastic and called me but I also felt like I would be bothering them if I called them. Next time I'll remember that is what they are there for and I won't wait for them to call to see how I'm doing.

I started Fenugreek when DD was about 7-8 weeks old. I really believe that helped tremendously.

So my advice is to get DS latched on as often as it works for both of you and get in touch with your hospital's lactation consultants.

DD lost 10% of her birth weight and we ended up supplementing the first week. I really had a hard time doing that at first but then she started putting on weight and my milk came in. If you are concerned about weight gain, contact the Ped, get a weight check and discuss supplementing with formula if need be. If you and your Ped decide formula is needed a little for a couple of days, please don't take it personally. We're all different, our bodies, our babies...all have our own experiences and stories. No one can judge any one else. You just do what ever is best for your family. '

Good luck!!

[MaggieMoo]

I pumped and took hot showers. The warmth made my milk supply come in more and quicker. Does your local hospital have a lactation group that you could go to? That really helped me gain more confidence and also got loads of information.
Good luck and try not to get too discrouraged...it will get easier.

[alg76]

thanks ladies for the great advice!
I am supplementing if he still seems hungry after a feeding, I guess just hanging in there is the best advice. I will try the pumping after the next feeding as well. I wasn't to impressed with the the lactation consultant at my hospital, she didn't really say anything more than what I have read in books or online!

[joy_bugg73]

Breastfeeding is such a wonderful gift to provide your children.
I have 3 children 13yrs, 11yrs, 7yrs and God willing a set of IVF twins…on the way. 3dp5dt.
I breast fed all 3 of my children. 1st baby milk came in on day 6, my breast were bigger than melons and as hard as basketballs. Nursed for 16 months. Baby #2 milk came in day 3...had so much milk and such a strong let down that I had to nurse my daughter in an over my shoulder position so she would not gag on my forceful ejection. Nursed for 19 months. Baby #3 Stopped nursing all together at 6 months. This baby had NEVER had anything else in his mouth other than my breast and his hands and feet…We never did figure out why this had happened. I continued to pump every 2 hours for the next year and gave him my milk in a cup. Never did supplement any of my children.
Low supply is most often attributed to lack of stimulation or incomplete let down. If your baby is a week old and you feel like your supply is low talk to a lactation consultant or call the LLL. They are all very helpful. It can take about 6 weeks to establish a good supply and then your baby is likely to go through a growth spurt which will led you to wonder if you are not having a supply problem again. Between now and the time you talk with someone try placing your baby on your chest with nothing on, the skin to skin is wonderful for stimulation. Try and put your baby to your breast every hour regardless of your baby’s request for food. Try watching for your baby to suck on his lip…if he starts to do this offer your breast. If you offer your breast not only for food but for comfort as well it is likely to up the production. Also it is very important for you to take care of yourself. Drink some water or juice or milk while you are nursing your baby. And most important don’t stress out. The natural stress hormones that we produce are counter productive to milk production.

Joy

[dlrust1]

I also had low supply.
Breastfeed often. Try just having a breastfeeding weekend were you lay in bed with little one next to you, skin to skin. Nurse ever 1-2 hours. That was hard to do but, it helped.
Pump after every feeding and feed that to your DS after nursing. Try to stay away from the formula as much as possible. Formula is more filling and will cause your DS to go too long between nursing sessions. You may end up nursing constantly until your milk catches up.
If none of this helps call your OB. You may need to have your Thyroid levels checked.

[HallieL]

hope your supply comes in soon. Have a question, you ladies are saying to pump after feedings but i was told to pump before feeding to help with the engorgement? what is better or should I do both. thxs

[alg76]

Thank you so much for all the advice! I went today to a mommy and me support group at my hospital and got some more great advice from the Lactation consultant(she was much better then the one that visited while I was in the hospital) and the other moms that were there had great tips as well! I look forward to going next Monday!

[imagiccat]

The best advice I can give:

Let your baby nurse and nurse and nurse. Don't set time limits on it, unless the baby wants to nurse for over an hour. In the beginning, a decent breastfeeding will take approximately 20 minutes on each breast, so be willing to commit 40 minutes at a stretch. Let the baby nurse whenever he/she wants it.

Stay well hydrated. Find a comfortable chair or place where you can really relax.

Pumping is a good tool, but it's not as effective -- physically or mentally -- as the baby itself.