Hi - since starting back at work, my milk supply has reduced drastically, even with pumping. I am down to producing a total of about 6 ounces a day where I used to make 6 ounces every time I pumped. I heard there are remedies out there (herbal or medication) that can help increase milk supply. Does anyone know the name(s), where I can get them and if they really work? Thanks for any help you can provide.
I decided to try the Fenugreek because I had problems finding the Mother's Milk product in a non-tea form (I don't like tea). My milk supply has increased but not substantially. I use a good breast pump and at most get 7-8 ounces a day versus the original 6 I had without the Fenugreek. I am currently taking 2 pills 4 times a day. I may increase to 3 pills. If that doesn't do the trick, then I'll probably stop the Fenugreek and live with the 6 ounces I get without it. Thanks for all your help.
I've had great success with Fenugreek (sometimes spelled Phenugreek). The formulation varies from brand to brand, but I had best luck with the stuff ordered from www.herblore.com. They also sell it at WHole Foods. I was taking 9 pills a day (3 with each meal).
I had lots of milk supply issues with my second son. I used Fenugreek (available at all GNC and Whole Foods markets)drank lots of water and good old fashioned oatmeal. Fenugreek is great cause you will see results within 48 hours. Start out taking 2, three times a day. If you still don't think it's upping your supply enought, increase to three, three times a day. Good luck!
I am also starting to lose a bit of my supply. My son, however is 9 1/2 months, and I only pump 1x per day (work PT). A woman I know suggested Mother's Milk from Whole Foods/People's Market (Wild Oats). She said there is another brand as well but I am not sure of the name. She said it would be by the prenatal vitamins. All I can recommend, and what I am doing, is nursing on demand, night nursing, and nursing BEFORE I feed solids. I was doing that after I fed him and I believe that is why I am losing my milk. I have seen some improvement in the last week. Good luck. I know what your going through!! If all else fails I would see a lactation consultant asap if you don't want to wean yet.
I had this same issue when I returned back to work. I ate oatmeal, took fenugeek and mothers milk herbal supplements, drank tons of water, and made sure that whenever I could nurse my daughter, I did instead of pumping or pumped at the same time she nursed off one side (It is a challenge but you can learn to balance both). I was able to continue nursing until she was 12 months, but I did have to supplement 1/2 breastmilk with formula sometimes just to keep up. My sister in law just had to stop nursing her son at age 7 months cause she just couldn't keep up. Good luck!
Drink water and pump, pump, pump. Then pump some more. Pump even when nothing is coming out. Keep pumping!!
My midwife recommended Fenugreek, which you can get at any health food store, no prescription needed. She suggested 3 capsules 2-3 times a day. I only needed it for a couple of days and I've been able to keep up my milk supply since then.
I found this great website, and it really boosted my confidence in knowing that I will get enough milk, even if I don't pump the 12-15 oz that I send with my daughter each day to school.
http://www.workandpump.com/
I found pumping first thing in the morning when I get up, then showering, then feeding helps me get a little extra that I need. Even pumping after he goes to bed, before you go to bed, may give you a little more. After 2-months of pumping, I finally got the hang of it and pump between 2-4 oz 2-3 times at work. I get most of my milk in the AM when I wake.
Just hold confident that you will produce just enough to supply him (as long as your diet is good, you are taking a pre-natal vitamin, and drinking tons of water).
Fenugreek does work, but I think only temporarily. Hope the website helps you a bit.
L. P.
Mother of a 4-month old baby girl.
THE BEST WAY I FOUND OUT WAS INCREASING YOUR WATER INTAKE. HONESTLY. THAT WORKED GREAT FOR ME.
Definitely drink as much water as you can handle. I drank the Mother's Milk tea (tastes awful in my opinion -- sometimes I made it as iced tea). I also got a good boost from oatmeal. When I went back to work, I had a dip in supply also, so I started making a big batch of oatmeal cookies every weekend to eat throughout the week.
Good luck!
Aimee
No matter what you do, you have to increase YOUR water intake (not coffee or soda). If you are having difficulty getting enough fluid intake (noncaffinated) now that you are back at work...I had that issue...consider boiling fennel seeds and drinking the water. You find fennel seeds in the seasoning isle of the grocery store.
After boiling fennel seeds in a pot of water, drink the water. It tastes a bit like weak tea. This will give you the fennel in fennugeek (sp?), but also make sure you get more water. You can make a bunch and refrigerate it and then drink it cold or warm it up.
This worked for me. Good luck!
L.-
I've heard of something called Fenugreek but I believe that has to be prescribed. My pediatrician gave me a of foods to increase my milk as well. I'm sure you can search online. I was also told to go to Whole Foods and buy a tea called Mother's Milk. Good luck!
B.
I used Fenugreek...it works well. Any health food store sells it, like Whole Foods.
Hi L.,
I relactated when my daughter was 9 months old, due to the fact that she was getting lots of ear infections and I just wasn't happy giving her all of those antibiotics....I took Motilium/Domperidone and Fenurgreek....
Domperidone is available in the US through compounding pharmacies, however I chose to get it online...It is not readily used in this country, however it is widely used in Canada and in Europe to increase a woman's milk supply....The Fenugreek is a herbal supplement which you can find at Whole Foods....
Domperidone really works....It is a bit scary taking something while you are nursing, however, it has been given to infants to help with acid reflux....Reglan, a drug readily available in the US, has proven to be dangerous not only for the baby, but also the mom...It causes depressions and anxiety....Reglan is often given to increase lactation, however, I wanted no part of it when I found out about the side-effects....I also found a good website asklenore.com I wrote to her directly and she answered my lactation questions almost immediately...
Dr. Jack Newman is also a great source of info....on lactation and relactation....I also emailed him and he wrote back to me the next day, answering my questions about Domperidone...
Please feel free to email me directly if you have any questions.
____@____.com
M.
L.:
my first question would be what type of pump are you using? all pumps are not equally effective. Many moms find that switching to a hospital grade pump helps increase their milk suppy.
yes, there are herbs and pharmasuiticals that can be used. as mention fenugreek is one/ blessed thistle/ more milk by mother love.
milk is made by the removal of milk so if the milk is not being effectively removed more milk will not be made.
P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
800 LACTATE
My doctor prescribed reglan by mouth (prescription). This was reccomended to me by another mom and I told ob and it does work as long as you are taking it.
Hi L.,
You should take the mom's advice that said to PUMP PUMP PUMP. Even if nothing is coming out - keep pumping...it will eventually make a difference. I did 15 min at a time an extra 3-4 times a day...I also supplemented with Fenugreek for short periods of time. You should be able to get it at GNC (you didn't need a script when I used it last year). After about a week of pumping and the suplement, I had a dramatic increase. Also drink water until you can't drink more and that should help. I went through dry spells 3 or 4 times in the year I nursed...it's frustrating - relax as much as you can and your body should accomodate.
Good luck!
