I need help!! My milk supply is diminishing. I'm not sure if it's because my daugther is sleeping through the night or not. I am only getting less than an ounce every 4-6 hours. There must be something I can do to help. My dr. said to try rasberry tea and I've tried that, but it doesn't seem to help. My daughter is 2 and a half months and I would like to continue to pump/nurse as long as I can. Thank you in advance for any help or advice. :)
I just got a herbal supplement called fenugreek. I'm trying it today and hoping it helps. I also need to drink more water. Thank you for all of the great advice. If this doesn't work, I will try something else. Thanks! :)
I am not trying to sound snarky, but this question has been asked millions of times on this site. Try searching "milk supply" and see what you can find. The same advice has been posted over and over. Most of it is really good advice.
Hi, I never tried this so I don't know if it works or not. The person that gave it to me swears it worked for her.
lactation cookies:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 TBSP water
4 TBSP flaxseed meal
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup almond meal
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups oatmeal, thick cut or old fashioned (no instant)
1 cup or more chocolate chips
4 TBSP brewers yeast (be generous)
Preheat over to 375 degrees, mix flaxseed and water, let sit 5 minutes.
Cream sugars and butter. Add eggs 1 at a time and mix well. Add flaxseed mixture and vanilla. Beat until blended. In a seperate bowl add all dry ingredients except oats and chips. Slowly blend into batter. Stir in Oatmeal, stir in chips. Scoop or drop onto cookie sheet or stone. Bake 8 to 12 minutes.
S.,
I'm not sure what your schedule is for nursing your daughter, but if at all possible, just nurse her (don't pump).Increase the frequency of your feedings and nurse a minimum of 10 minutes on each side, but 20 minutes would be even better-this "tells" your body to produce more milk; increase your rest and decrease your activities; insure a 2000-2500 calorie nutritious diet; avoid artificial feeding suppliments.Expect to nurse every 2-3 hours until solid food is introduced (not before 6 months, but even longer for most babies).
Herbal suppliments:
Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus) and milk thistle are herbs that have been clearly shown to increase milk production. 3 capsules of each per day should result in greater milk flow
Other herbs commonly used to increase milk production are: fennel, marshmallow, Goat's rue, blessed thistle.
Mega-Mom (Mother's Choice) contains milk thistle, chasteberry, fennel, red raspberry, borage and lemon balm to enhance milk production and relax mom for happy breastfeeding.
Hope this helps! You might also want to call your local chapter of LeLecheLeague.They often have experts who would be so happy to help you. They are a group of breastfeeding moms whose purpose is to support and help other mothers with their breastfeeding.
I had a similar experience. I ate oatmeal and drank a glass of milk for breakfast every morning. They are old wives tales, but I know many breastfeeding moms who swear by it. At least it is healthy if nothing else. Also, I took fenegreek capsules. You can get them just about anywhere. I took 2 capsules 3 times a day. The biggest help was pumping. It is all about supply and demand. It took a lot of energy to do it, but I pumped after every feeding for a long time. I usually never got much of anything (a few drops or so), but since I was demanding more from my body, it produced more milk. Lastly, I have never taken them before, but I know there are medicines out there will help. You should ask your doctor about it. I know they can make women lactate even when they haven't birthed a child, like when an adoptive mom wants to feed her adopted baby.
I hope things work out for you! I know how hard it is to struggle. Good luck!!
You need to drink more fluids, and RELAX ! With me, any time I stressed about anything, my milk supply would wane.
Beyond that advice, my mother used to make me drink a milk shake every day. I don't know if that really helped, or if it was her way of "treating" me every day, but it sure didn't hurt ! :o)
After trying it all with little success, I ultimately got on a prescription, called domperidone, to increase my supply. I started it when my daughter was 6 weeks and continued it until she weaned herself around 9 months. It worked WONDERS. If nothing else works for you, it really is a great option. Feel free to message me if you have questions about it.
I had to use a prescription with my first daughter (I think it was metacloprimide or something like that), but I now realize I was probably not drinking enough water. I'm nursing my second now, and I keep a thermos of water by me at all times. I try to drink at least 2 thermos-fulls a day which is about 64 oz. Try to drink at least 1 glass everytime you nurse - think of it as refilling yourself from what your baby has drunk.
Calcium is also important - try to get at least 3 servings of dairy each day. I've also heard eating oatmeal can help. And let her nurse as long as she wants - because she tells your body to make more.
Try fenugreek. It's an herb you can purchase at GNC or other health stores. I had to use it with my first son, and it really made a difference for me. Fair warning though, it makes you and baby smell a little like maple syrup! Research it online and see what your pediatrician says about it. Good luck!
feed or nurse longer periods. more milk she takes more u produce
Consider that this may just be a growth spurt. By the end of the week, your supply should catch up to her demand. Kellymom.com has great info on milk supply and growth spurts. Also, pump output is never a good indication of supply - remember that your baby can get out more than a pump can, and if she's growth-spurting, there's not going to be enough left to pump.
