Are There Ways to Increase Supply When the Baby Is Already 4 Months?

See a Lactation Consultant, a professional who can address all of your concerns.

Main thing is that your baby is feeding on demand... no matter what that is, or how. They need proper intake daily and calorie intake etc.
Is he latching on fine? Getting enough intake? Does he now take a bottle fine?

With breast and bottle...some babies get nipple confusion, because the baby has to use 2 different "techniques" for sucking. So, maybe your son has to get used to nursing from breast. And even if he is, is he nursing properly? Can you hear him swallowing? How is your milk supply? Direct breast nursing is the best way to build up supply. But yes, as you said he will NOT nurse the rest of the day.

I really feel for you. It is a unique situation, considering all the you have gone through. So that is why, I feel a Lactation Consultant would be your best bet, for problem solving this. See what they suggest....

All the best, and take care,
Susan

I am so sorry for your losses...I understand loss after birth and how difficult it can be. Also, my son was born 8 weeks preemie and was combo fed for the first year of life, but mainly breastfeeding. You didn't make a mistake when he was born, you made a choice for your son's well-being and for yours. Don't beat yourself up over it!!

As for the breastfeeding, it can be done...I enlisted the help of a support group and lactation consultant at the hospital where my son was born. I had a hard time finding him the right formula, but we stuck with Enfamil Lactofree. Going to the lactation consultant got me out of the house and helped me understand what I could do differently to help my son bond and attach to me.

Pumping is tough and can be self-defeating...talking to a coach who does this for a living is enlightening.

I would also suggest some kind of grief counseling, if you aren't already seeing someone. Support groups have gotten me through this last few years, and so has seeing a good therapist. Being a single Mom to a preemie has been tough, and losing close family members only added to my blues. Getting things off your chest will help with your depression, and help you find the joy that you should be finding in your little bundle of love.

Good Luck and please get in touch if you need help with finding someone or just to talk!!

Hi J., Depression plays a big part of every part of a woman, formula will not hurt your baby, so don't feel like your baby is missing out or that you are missing out, baby's are all different, so it is not unsual for you to have diffrent experience with this baby than with your first. If you have to bottle feed your baby, he will still feel nurtured and loved, I bottled fed all 3 of mine, I held them in the rocking chair and sang to them while i was feeing them, If you really feel like it is not an option for you, I have heard that the more activity nursing, pumping keeps the milk coming, talk to your doctor, he/she witll be able to give you the best advice for you and your baby, loosing 2 family members so close together is alot for any onwe to deal with, so just focus on the positive things in life, your husband your children, the fact that you can work at home and be near your family. Mamasource is a great source for advice, I do beleive that any kind of medical advice, would be better coming from a doctor or pediatrition, becasue things very between one woman and the next and one child and the next, what works for one may or may not work for another, I wish you and your family the best, Love goes a long way, and I can tell by your request that really love your baby/family. J. L.

I was not dealing with everything that you are going through, but there were times that I struggled with my milk flow as well. I had great success with doubling my water intake everyday, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, pumping like crazy (don't get discouraged if only a little comes out, you will eventually get more), meditating and visualizing my milk flow while I pumped, taking Fenugreek, and drinking "Mother's Milk" tea (made by Traditional Medicinals and available at health food stores).

Stress is a huge factor and it sounds like you have a lot of that in your life right now. Do everything you can to relax - especially while breastfeeding and pumping. And just keep at it. Don't give up. Your body will go through cycles and you will eventually be able to increase your supply.

Good luck, and I'm sorry for the losses that you have experienced. Enjoy your precious children.