Ok ladies, here's my delima. I'm a runner and just got back on the road, so to speak. My daughter is 3 weeks old and nursing well. I noticed that the 2 times I have gone running, my milk supply is quite lower the next day. I have upped my water consumption and also have added an extra snack during the day. Is there anything else I can do or take (supplements?) that will help with the low supply?
Thanks for all the great advice. I have started pumping after each feeding and during naptime/bedtime and that is doing the trick!
Here's the thing. Breastfeeding burns calories at a high rate which is why you are supposed to have such a high caloric intake to keep your production up with your child's demands.
Running also burns calories. I would suggest that you are probably needing more than one snack and some water to make up for the extra burn. You may need to eat a few snacks (healthy of course) and drink more milk.
I hope this helps some ;-)...Good Luck!!
I agree with both responses - you need to increase your caloric and fluid intake, but if you are still having problems, you can take fenugeek and/or drink "Mother's Milk Tea" which is available at most healthfood/nutrition stores.
Good luck and God bless!
Eat oatmeal, drink milk, eat almonds, drink more water than you ever thought you would need in a day.
Also, I am not sure if you have a pump, but if you do, pump your breasts empty after your daughter's first morning feeding. The more you empty your breasts, the more milk you will produce.
Good luck!
I feel for you. I am having the same dilemma. I eat and drink plenty (3L a day), but my milk supply still drops. I drink mothers milk tea and the only thing I have changed is that I started to make it cold and I drink several cups during the day. Hopefully it will make a difference. I wish you all the luck.
I second the recommendation for an extra snack - one high in protein...I personally try to avoid the 'protein bars' because they tend to have more sugar than I care for.
Make sure you're getting enough water! Rule of thumb is Drink 64oz of water, and to thirst after that. If you don't keep your fluids up, your body will have a really hard time making milk for your babe. Water and teas count towards your daily 64+oz of fluids. Milk, coffee, etc do not.
How long are these runs? If you're missing one or two nursing sessions, then it's more an issue of Supply changing to meet the Demand, or lack of it. Your 3wk old is still needing to nurse about every 90 minutes. That's how long it takes breastmilk to digest...and those feelings of hunger are new and uncomfortable to your baby, so she likes to keep her tummy filled.
You said your supply is low the next day - Do you think that because of how much you're pumping? Or because your babe is nursing more often the next day? IMO, unless you had serious supply issues at the onset of your nursing relationship, there's nothing much to worry about.
There are lots of things you can do to increase milk supply (pills, teas, herbs, etc) -- but my advice to you is to double check your caloric intake and your water intake first.
LLL says to nurse early and often to ensure a well-established milk supply. Your local LLL Leader is there to help. They are volunteers with lots of bf-ing experience.
http://www.lllusa.org/AROK/oklahoma.html
HTH and if anything I said needs clarification, don't hesitate to email me
K., mama to
Catherine, 4.5y
Samuel, 17m
I too am a runner with a 3 week old baby, boy though! I noticed the same low milk supply, and have been pumping like crazy to make up. (plus extra water and snacks) My weight is just falling off this time, and so the running is only making it harder for my milk supply (and yours) to keep up. If running was not such a big part of my life I may have waited a little longer, but if your like me...you just have to do it!
Good Luck and let me know if you find out any great secrets!!!
