Breastfeeding, Low Milk Production

K.,

sometimes the best way to pump is to not think about it. i've successfully pumped for both of my girls for a year each and i did it by reading magazines while the machine did its job - when i tried the advice about looking at the baby or trying to relax, it just didn't work. but if i could take my mind off of it, the milk flowed more freely, so i put on my headphones and listen to music while i read parenting or other magazines or sometimes a book.

good luck.

When you're at home breast feed in place of pumping as much as possible. We can never pump as much as we can feed through the breast, my pediatrician calls my daughter the best breast pump in the world. St. Agnes has a breast feeding and pumping at work class on Tuesday's that they offer. I'll be heading back to work in Mid-Summer so I'll be attending to learn some things as well.

Remember how much you've given her already and be proud that you're working so hard. ((hugs)) it's hard but you can keep going. Giving her any breast milk is better than giving her none at this point.

Get in touch with someone who can give you good council on how to manage the pumping, build milk supply and keep bf-ing. You could also consider renting a hospital grade pump, it may not help but it's a possibility.

J.

Stress is very bad for extracting milk. I find that my pumping production is best, when I browse the net and am totally disctracted while pumping.

I have heard that warm water on your breasts, ideally from a shower, but I imagine compresses would work, will help. Again, I think it is relaxation.

Also, 2oz is not bad production, but you likely will need to pump more often.

Have you always had production problems or is this recent? If recent, give your pump a good scrub. When mine would get buildup, despite rinsing it, a thorough scrub dramatically improved the pump suction.

Also, 6 months is the hardest point with nursing. You made it past the hump. Your baby will gradually increase her solids and there will be less demand on your production.

The best thing overall for your production, though it won't help immediately with your pumping, is to curl up with your baby and get a lot of direct nursing. It is better for stimulating milk production than the suction of the pump.

Good Luck. I am still nursing my 16 month old.

Aww, I know how upsetting that is, I have good days and bad days with supply. The worst is when they fuss at the breast like "mom, give me more"
Just try pumping right AFTER each feed. That should help get your supply back up in a few days

Hi K.. I see you have already gotten some great advice, and lots of support. I would definitely get in touch with a lactation consultant in your area. I went through a similar situation with my daughter, and can clearly remember how upsetting it was. I tried all of the things you are already doing like the teas & fenugreek. Here are some additional things that helped me: hospital grade pump (my double electric started to give out after about 6 mo), eating oatmeal(don't know why), beer (one at night), one round of prescription meds (reglan or domperidone - can't remember which one). I attended a working mom's breastfeeding support group, which was run by a LC. I also found the kellymom.com website to be helpful. I pumped until my daughter was one - when she refused to drink breastmilk from a sippy cup - and continued breastfeeding until she was two and a half. If you end up supplementing during the day with formula, remember that you can continue to breastfeed at night and on the weekends. Even very small amounts of breastmilk provide important health benefits and a great bonding experience! Best of luck to you and your daughter.

I understand how you feel;(
You can take Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.
Congrats on your LO.
Good Luck!

The first thing you must do is try to relax. Milk production is reduced by stress. You are the best mother your baby will every have.

Call Pat Shelly at the breastfeeding center. She is wonderful and can help with all breastfeeding problems.

K., I'm hurting for you! You are NOT a failure. First, please, do what the other person advised about relaxation, fenugreek, acupressure, etc. -- all great advice. And I would add: Call a lactation consultant right now, today (a good one should see you the very same day you call or at the latest, the next day; they know that feeding/production issues need immediate attention). And of course, immediately ensure that your daughter is getting enough nutrition--are you supplementing with formula right now or do you have enough stored breast milk for a time? Is she on some solids now to help you out? I have to tell you, the first person to hand me a can of formula was my excellent lactation consultant, and it broke my heart a bit, but my baby would never get enough from me...There is indeed a prescribed drug that can increase breast milk production; HOWEVER, K., unless there's new medication since I went through this seven years ago, the drug I was given could only be taken for about two weeks. That's it. If it doesn't jump-start you in that time, it's not meant to be. K., I went so far as to wear a bottle of formula between my breasts and tape special tubes to my nipples so my girl could "breast-feed" while my doctor and the lactation consultant tried to figure out why my milk never came in -- but it never came in at all.If you've been able to give your daughter these seven months of fantastic breast milk, that's seven months of a terrific blessing for her. I'm certainly not saying to stop trying--keep on trying! I'm glad I kept working at it for months, despite the fact I never got more than an ounce or two of milk a day! But focus on the long term and on her nutritional needs, with the help of a lactation consultant and your pediatrician. And remember that infants can feel our stress; when you feed her she feels it through your body and hears it in your voice. What matters most is her long-term health--and your own mental and emotional health too. As someone who desperately wanted to breast-feed for at least a year but couldn't for even one week, I want you to know you are not a failure!!

Hi K.,

Stress and your emotional health contribute to your milk supply in addition to other factors that you are probably aware of already. I went through the same situation you did when I went back to work. One thing to be aware of is that milk supply does drop after you start work and are pumping. However, there are ways you can maintain your supply and it just takes a lot of discipline:

1. Ok so you are already doing a LOT of things right - drinking lots of fluids, taking fenugreek, etc.
2. Keep a picture of your daughter or something else that reminds you of her so that let-down is easier.
3. Be relaxed and calm when you are getting ready to pump and while pumping - this makes a big difference.
4. Pump at the same time everyday. Make sure that you can get this flexibility with your job/boss. For me it was really hard because I had all of these meetings to go to and I wasn't assertive enough with my boss to say that "at these specific times I just can't be there so can we work around it". So try to be as consistent as you can.
5. To get your supply back up - nurse your daughter as much as you can and then pump right after she's done.
6. One thing I had done for a while before I went back to work (and some people thought I was crazy : ) was I pumped once at night when I knew my daughter wasn't going to need to nurse. That helped build some store of milk. Now in your situation, I would not necessarily recommend doing that because you need your rest since you are working and taking care of a little one but I wanted to mention it in case you wanted to give it a shot to get your supply back up.

Lastly - just remember that you are doing the best you can for you little one. Clearly you have the best in mind for your daughter and she is lucky to have you. So if you have to supplement with formula, I would not worry about it - you've nursed her for 7 months and thats great. No matter what, she has a great mom looking after her and she is going to be just fine. Good luck!

M.

P.S. - Also checkout this site for additional resources and information on breastfeeding & attachment parenting:

http://www.kellymom.com/

K.,

I JUST went through that (last week). I spent about 3 days crying over no milk supply. My drop in supply was caused by taking an antibiotic for an ear and sinus infection. My daughter is 9 months old and everyone said, "Well you got 9 months in, that is much better than most moms." That just made me feel worse. I want to nurse for 12 months at least, too. I talked to a couple lactation consultants. Here is what they said:
1) pump every 2 hours, disregard the amount that you pump
2) keep drowning yourself in water
3) keep taking the fenugreek root or try mother's milk tea every 3 hours
4) your OB/GYN can prescribe something called Regglin (sp???)
5) increase skin-to-skin contact with your daughter
6) try to get your daughter to try nursing as much as possible in the evenings, it is tough when they are away from you
7) massage the balls of you feet, there is an accupressure point somewhere around there
8) keep breathing. It is really hard to hear, but the more you stress the harder it is to pump.

If you want to talk one-on-one let me know by sending a private message. It might help to know that someone has gone through the same thing, and now my supply is back to normal.

J.

K., your name sounded familiar & then I remembered you were the one who wrote in about the upcoming race in May & how to prepare for the tremendous physical demands on your body... first of all, guilt is not a productive emotion. Feeling guilty about one's choices, whatever they are, only compound the bad feelings... instead of restoring one to happiness & wellness again.
So yes, talk to a lactation consultant, be upfront about everything. There are no mistakes or failures in Life. What is most important is what one does with the LESSONS gained from the experiences...
A few facts: pumps are not as effective as baby at the breast, no matter what. They do not adequately stimulate the breasts as direct nursing does.
The suggestion for skin-to-skin contact is very helpful. Through the contact, your body is stimulated to release hormones that assist with let down & milk production.
Thirdly, yes, it is an awesome gift & a huge responsibility to be a mother. I used to wonder if something I was saying or feeling would put my kids on a psychiatrist's couch at the age of 40. I came to recognize to be easier on myself, that if there is the LOVE that is most important & that we are, after all, human... it helps our children to see us being real, making mistakes, choosing better next time, so we don't hand down to them the BURDEN of being perfect. That one can set one's sights on what one desires & be ok with what unfolds, striving to improve...
Take a moment. Go into the bathroom, outside, somewhere private... Just take slow deep breaths. Then connect with all the mothers over centuries who have held their babies at their breasts, loving them, nursing them... call on their Strength & Peace. Then when you are feeling clam, go back in to your office, focus on work... when you take a break to pump, think only loving, joyful thoughts, which is the best as far as stimulating production. Feel yourself holding her instead of the pump. Smell her smells, hear her coos & gurgles & words. Relax & enjoy. And whatever amount you receive is great! 2 ounces is better than 1 ounce.
You have the choice in this... only you can bring yourself up or tumble down. You are not alone. It is a gift we each have in becoming better mothers, women, wives.
Peaceful, Loving Blessings to you & your daughter.

I hear ya mama. I have felt your pain. Low milk supply and no remedies worked for me. I had to let go and let God. If you have breastfed since November, good work!! If your baby is ready to move on to something different now, you have to follow the leader. You have done a noble thing, but I stand here today to tell you that child will someday be 3 or 4, and there will be no difference if you started formula now or not. I've been there!

You are not a failure, this only proves that you are a loving and caring mother. If you are not able to continue bf you have already suceeded in 7 months of providing for your daughter. I do not have advice or tips but please do not beat yourself up.

Oh K.,

First off breathe :) Its going to be OK!! Its SO great that you are nursing your little girl and so dedicated to making it work!!! I have 2 kids, ds 7 and dd 2, nursed them both, still nursing the 2 yo. Yes, there are more things to try, I never have been a huge producer either. Get some Brewers Yeast tablets, you can get it in powder form too, but tablets are easier to take I think. I got mine from the Heritage Store but I think the Organic Food Depot has them too. I used to take them 4 or 5 at a time several times a day. I think you can take up to like 50 a day. I would take them and then literally about 20 minutes later I could feel my breasts get full with milk, it was like a miracle. Other things are to keep doing the water like you said you are and make sure you are eating lots of greens and protein too. Are you still taking a prenatal vitamin? Those help as well. Also, some good websites for more info are www.kellymom.com and www.llli.org. But seriously, try the brewers yeast, it was the 'miracle cure' to my low milk issues. Good luck to you!! Hang in there!!!

Hi K.,
I know exactly what you are going through. I have a 3 year old and tried to nurse her for five months before I thought I would have a meltdown. I tried everything you stated above and my body just did not produce milk. It would take twenty minutes to pump two ounces. Horrible! The thing to remeber is that you tried! You cannot believe that making it 7 months is nothing. You have given your baby a great start. Now might be the time for you to consider other options.
I will tell you that 11 months ago I had a second child and have had enough milk. I was pumping nuring and still full. So every pregnancy is different as they say!
Good Luck!

I read a "Mother's Nursing Guide" which offered lots of solutions for low milk supply. I experienced this with my daughter and it stressed me out too. I had to supplement what I pumped with formula until I could pump enough. It was fine. I hated doing it but it was necessary. I took fenugreek, I pumped both breasts for a few minutes after each feeding to stimulate more milk, I drank tons of water (I'd nurse and then down 8oz. of water) I pumped at work every two hours, and then slowly but surely my milk supply increased. I remember it being a frustrating time. Hang in there it will be okay. Good news is with my second child I had the opposite problem...too much milk!

K. I feel your pain. I am the mother of a 15 month old boy and last year my milk supply was low to the point that I became agitated with myself, my body, just everything! I drank water, natural juices, mother's milk tea, nursing tea, lactation tea! anything I could find to help me out. Pumping was a joke! I was never able to get more than 2 ozs from a breast. I was told that the baby could empty my breast better than a pump could and since he didn't have a weight issue, I nervously complied with what the doctors said. I was never engorged or leaking either. As a matter of fact I gave all my nursing pads to my sister who had a daughter just 6 weeks older than my son. Of course she was "milking" like a pro! That didn't help my state of mind at all. I ended up supplementing my son with Soy formula when he was 6 months old and started day care. He had formula while I was at work and I breastfed him in the evening, at night and early in the morning. We did this until he weaned himself at 11 months old. I was trying to make it to that year mark too but I'm proud of how well I have done considering my circumstances and you should be proud too! Most mothers are not able to breastfeed as long as you have and your daughter already has that extra boost that most babies now a days don't get at all. She is lucky to have a Mom that cares so much about her health and nutrition and is willing to do what ever it takes to make sure she is healthy. Kudos to you Mom! keep your head up and keep on trying.

Is it better now?

First, be proud that you have nursed this long. Second, can you get in touch with a lactation consultant? A lactation consultant can even give you great ideas for increasing milk production over the phone. I lost my ability to pump enough at around 7 months. I still made enough to nurse (still nursing at 18 months) but lost the ability to pump. When I had surgery when my son was 11 months and couldn't pump enough I really freaked out. I wouldn't take formula and I thought he was going to starve. The pediatrician told me to just go ahead and give him whole milk. It worked out fine and after 24 hours I was able to start nursing again. Your kid is younger so whole milk is kind of out of the question. I know you feel that way, but formula until he's 12 months old is not the end of the world. But I totally understand your reluctance and wanting to nurse until at least a year. That's why I'm suggesting talking to a lactation consultant. Somtimes all these herbal things that are supposed to help milk production are bad for you. A LC would be able to tell you what to do. I am sorry you are going through this. It is very hard. I'll be thinking of you. Best of luck

I know EXACTLY how you feel -- I went through the exact same thing and tried all the things you tried above. I always struggled with the pump. Really the only thing that made a big difference was staying hydrated (but don't drink TOO much water b/c that can make you pee too much and have the opposite effect on milk supply) pumping for a long time (which was hard at work, but I just brought a laptop with me and used a handsfree pumping device) and maybe eating lots of oatmeal helped a little. OH... and massaging the breast while pumping. I'd press firmly, starting up by the arm pit and work my way towards the nipple -- It was amazing how much more milk would come out.

Seriously though, I'd pump and have a let down and then a few minutes later it was just like little drops coming out and I was so depressed b/c I'd only have a couple ounces, then someone told me -- keep pumping until you have a second or even third let-down and sure enough, I doubled how much I could pump.

I know how you feel -- pumping can be SOOOO frustrating and no matter how good the pump is, it can never get out as much milk as the baby, but that said, I did manage to keep my baby 100% on breast milk until he was 12 months and then I quit the pump and only nursed morning and night. Since I'd had such struggles with pumping/ my supply, I thought for sure that my milk would dry up completely, but here we are 3 and a half months later and I still have milk.

By the way -- you have already done a really fantastic job! 7 months is a long time to nurse and you should be proud of yourself!!

I used domperidone with my last. I had to have a friends father get it in Mexico becuase most peds or obs in USa will not approve it for Brst feeding. But it works and I had no, absolutely none of the side-effects...and neither did my friend or two of our of our other friends who used it.

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml

Hi,
I know this is can be a huge problem as a new mom.My daughter was born 4-6 weeeks early and stayed in the hospital for a week. I pumped a litle. Every bit helps!

You may want to talk with a lactation consultant from the hospital where you delivered. There are many books w/ good advice, but talking to a live person who is familiar w/ your concerns can be a big help!

Since my daughter and I were separated, I wasn't producing enough milk. She wasn't gaining weight, so the pediatrician suggested nursing her and then offering a bottle to see if she were still hungry. That was the answer for us. She nursed, then took a few ounces of formula and was fine. She weaned herself at 9 months.

Don't beat yourself up. Talk to a professional, take some time to yourself to relax, and do the best you can.

Take care.
A.

Hi K.,

First of all, I would say, sit back, take a deep breath and envision your baby in your arms. I always had a hard time pumping with both of my boys, now 3 1/2 yrs. and 11 months old. I am still nursing the younger one and I nursed the older one 'til 13 months. I know that they both nursed and got enough milk but I could rarely get more than 2 ounces at a time from pumping and I had the high grade pump as well. I was able to nurse them and not have to pump often so that helped my situation because I am home with them, but I think that had I had to go back to work I may not have nursed as long or at least not full time. Most of my friends talk about leaking and overflowing as well and I have never experienced that. We are all so different. You may also want to look into different sized pump parts if your "cup" size is larger. I have heard that has helped a few of my friends. Good luck!

First of all relax. You have done a great job nursung for 7 months. Just relax and pump as much as you can and supplement the rest. I would cut back on the supplements. Try to take a day off or on the weekend nurse at will with your daughter. That should help rebuild your supply. She can drink yorgut smoothies that you mix. yougurt and juice or fruit. My little ones live them. 31yr mom of 1yr old twins and 3 yr old. Good Luck.

Hi K.,
First off, you are not a failure!! You are doing great. I had the same thing happen - my milk supply dropped off when my dd was about 6-7 months and suddenly I could only pump an ouce or two at a time. It is so discouraging and stressful. I spoke with the LaLeche counselor who said that was very normal. I would recommend attending a LaLeche meeting for some support and advice as well.
I found that doing all of the things you said in addition to making sure I was eating enough and taking vitamins helped after a few days. The other thing that helped was thinking about my daughter eating while I pumped. I had to close my eyes and imagine her nursing and take deep breaths and relax while pumping. I think I was so stressed about not pumping enough that it was making it worse. I hope this helps - kudos to you for continuing to nurse while you are back to work!
L.

Sounds like you are trying everything. One hidden cause of low supply is iron-deficiency anemia. Are you taking vitamins daily and eating enough iron-rich foods? You might want to get your levels checked if you have other symptoms of anemia. Read this:

http://www.mobimotherhood.org/MM/article-anemia.aspx

For the breastfeeding woman, anemia presents itself as a contributing factor for low milk supply, plugged ducts and mastitis, and delayed healing of sore nipples.

Call your local La Leche League leader you can find them on line. They are the best breastfeeding resource. Don't give up. 2 oz. is actually very good. pumps do not work as well as babies at emptying breasts your baby gets more than 2 oz when she nurses. some babies will eat less during the day while mom works and nurse more in evening and at night when mommy is home. I would look at how your baby is doing. To pump more you need to relax. you can also try taking chlorophyll available from natural type stores. A LLL leader would be able to suggest a wide range of other things to help with production. The thing is you are probably making more milk than you realize. Another good thing to increase supply is let baby nurse at will so I would take this weekend and spend it with baby close and let her nurse as often and as long as she likes. It will do wonders for supply.

Dear K.,

I don't have any suggestions for you b/c it sounds like you are doing EVERYTHING to increase your production but I just wanted to give you some support and encouragement. I know it is such an emotional thing when you are trying to produce milk for your baby. I had similar experiences and my husband was like "no big deal, I'll just give him formula". It's hard for anyone else to understand it. Try to give yourself a break. Can you take a moment and leave the office and go for a walk or something? Can you call anyone for moral support? I think it would help to just get your mind off things and take some of the pressure off of yourself. That may even help the milk come, you never know. The body has a hard time doing things when forced, I think. Know that you are doing your best and have made a lot of sacrifices already to do your best for your daughter. Pat yourself on the back!

-C.

Hi K.,

There is the La Leche League that helps moms in your situation. Give them a call or write them.

www.lllusa.org/VA/WebTidewaterVA or 1-800-525-3243

To help you stop worrying, get the book, "The Enabler: when helping hurts the ones you love" written by Angelyn Miller, MA

Get into a support group for moms and take some parenting classes. You need some help with your self-esteem.

www.kidspriorityone.org or ###-###-####

www.chkd.org/classes or ###-###-####

Good luck. Hope this helps. D.

First, even if all you give the baby is two ounces, that is really good for the baby. Seven months is a great accomplishment, much more than many women. I think that if you relax and keep at it, you will be fine.

Pump more frequently at work, and after every feeding. Pump past the point where nothing comes out to fully drain the breast. Supplement if needed. It is important to the baby's comfort and your stress level that the baby is not hungry while you are trying to resolve this. Eat, drink, and nap often. If you can, take a day off just to focus on the baby and nursing. Cluster feed and offer the breast often, even if the baby does not ask. A lactation cunsultant will be able to help and if nothing else, will give you peace of mind that you are trying everything you can.

I have been there - I had a wretched time starting to nurse with my first child. Then I got the flu and didn't nurse for around 30 hours. I thought I had weaned her. Then I just got lazy about pumping after I went back to work and felt so guilty when my milk diminished. I ended up nursing for a year. I bet you can do it, and you have done a great job so far!

I can see you are discouraged, but don't panic. It could be two things you didn't mention. You didn't mention how many calories you are eating. Every single time I lost all my body weight from my pregnancy, I could no longer nurse. This is different from a lot of other moms, but I've met others who have this issue as well. We have to eat MORE calories to nurse than to grow a baby, or no milk. Also, if you're too stressed out, your body could react that way. Evaluate your stresses to see what you can emotionally let go of. For starters, let go of the need to be a perfect mom who can do all exactly the way you had invisioned it. If the problem resolves, I'm glad for you. If not, just have certain feedings where you nurse and other feedings where you don't, and your baby is going to be fine.

Hang in there, I went through some similar issues, I could never pump effectively although because I wasn't working at the time that just meant I didn't get to be away very long. Since you already do all the things I was going to suggest tea, fenugreek etc I think the only question I would ask is have you talked to a lactation consultant, I have noticed that there seem to be quite a few in Mamasource so maybe one will get in touch but I would think that might be the best thing for you at this point maybe they have some ideas to help you and also make you feel better about yourself as well. Just be proud of your self for nursing her in the first place!

R. A

I third La Leche League's help.

There are several things you can do to start with. The first, is to put your baby to breast more often when you are at home. That is the BEST way to stimulate milk production (even if it isn't a full feed, every time they suck, they are stimulating production)

Sometimes adding a pumping session in the middle of the night (around 4 am or so) if the baby is sleeping through, helps because that is when our supply is the most abundant.

Be sure you are well hydrated, stay ahead of your thirst (don't over do it but be aware of it)

Stop all caffeine. And eat well.

You can try breast compressions during pumping (search 'breast compressions' at kellymom.com)

You can also pump on the opposite side when baby is nursing.

There are fenugreek supplements you can take, and there is medicine your OB can prescribe but I'd try the above techniques first.

There's also Mother's Milk tea that you can find in natural food section, which may help (it has Fenugreek in it) .... it can't hurt :)

Good luck.

Is your daughter actively nursing in the evening and at night? (ie not too distracted by everything) My son's period of distractions and colds caused my supply to go down too at times. One suggestion I read and it did help is to pump more often (every 2 hours) just for less time (10-15 mins) until your supply is back. I have also just pumped for 30 mins straight to get a second let down. Relax too...If you need to supplement with formula you are NOT failure. I started supplementing at 9months by choice. I know it is not for everybody. Until the end of one year I was able to feed at night but eventually cut out all my time pumping at work.

please don't beat youself up. breastfeeding for 7 months is an amazing acomplishment! my only advice would be to drink more water (which it sounds like you are) and maybe wait a little longer in between pumping to let your breasts fill up a little more. when i went back to work i would sometime have to wait about 5 or 6 hours in between pumping. usually more stimulation leads to more milk production but it really is just torture to pump every 2-3 hours and only make a small amount. good luck and please recognize that you are not a failure!!

I was/am in the same boat as you. I have a now 9 month old son and was never able to pump very much. I breastfeed in the mornings/afternoons/and at night, but he does take a bottle of formula during the day. I sometimes still beat myself up that I have to give him formula, but he is thriving and I figure that any bit of nursing I do is beneficial to him. Pumping is hard - try not to beat yourself up!!

I do still pump - just once during the day to keep the stimulation up. I only get about 4oz, which my son drinks during the following day. But, that bit of stimulation has allowed me to continue nursing during the day on the weekends. Good luck.

Hi K.,

I, too, had difficulty getting much when I pumped at work. I guess it is just difficult to relax. They do say bringing a piece of baby's clothing & a picture may help w/the letdown response. I was able to get more pumping if I pumped on the opposite side while I was feeding my babies-challenging, but worth it, if it gets them enough milk. I didn't have a problem w/supplementing with formula while I was at work, however, my daughter could not tolerate it due to a protein sensitivity. On the days that I worked, I made sure to feed her right before we left & then she ate mostly solids in addition to the little bit that I had pumped for her. I made up for it with extra feedings in the evening (my middle child was actually up in the night to eat until he was 1 as he refused to drink from a bottle period!) So, don't beat yourself up...your daughter is old enough to eat solid foods & bide her time until you can come home & feed her again. Try not to stress as that will only exacerbate the problem. Best of luck!

Sounds like you are on the right track. Relax! Are you getting enough rest? I am a small lady with small breasts. I was concerned I would not be able to produce enough milk to breastfeed my babies. So I asked God to fill my breasts for them. He did! I never had extra and leaking, but I always had enough. My babies grew healthly and well. I will pray that God gives you peace and fills your breasts too. Also, I never could pump. The emotions were not there. But my babies could suck all they wanted. AF

Are you drinking plenty of water and eating a little extra? I would also recommend increasing the number of times that you pump or bring your baby to your breasts. If you increase the frequency, your body will start producing more milk. I would also try to relax and not tense up (as hard as it is to do) prior to a feeding or pumping session.

You shouldn't feel like a failure. You are a caring loving mom. What else can your baby ask for?

Hey K., I just wanted to tell you that I was in the same boat. I lasted about a week BFing my youngest son (10 weeks) I just couldn't produce any milk. My OB put me on prescription pills to help my milk come in, but all they did was cause me to become extremely (and incredibly painfully) engorged, and they gave me insomnia and depression. I looked up the drug on the internet and every negative side effect you could get I got. It was awful. I was already battling post partum blues and then that just made it worse. My son was jaundiced and lost a whole pound in the first week because he wasn't getting enough to eat and he was so tiny already. He wouldn't latch on to breast feed so my nipples were cracked, raw, and bleeding so I decided to pump. I would pump for 45 minutes at a time every hour and a half (because the engorgement was so bad) and never got more than 1/2 an ounce at a time. It caused SO much pain -- both physically and emotionally. My poor little boy was getting more jaundiced by the day and getting smaller instead of bigger and I couldn't feed him. And I felt like a dairy cow -- always hooked up to a machine. And the engorgement was so bad that I couldn't even hold my son. After about a week of this (and nonstop crying) I told my husband I couldn't do it anymore. Luckily he was supportive of WHATEVER I wanted to do. I quit taking the pills, the engorgement eased up, my depression went away, I started sleeping, and then I FINALLY got to enjoy my son.

I am sorry I wrote a novel, and I didn't really answer your question, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in the low milk production boat! We started formula (with everyone telling me it wasn't as good for my baby) but the jaundice cleared up in a week and he gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks. He is now a beautiful chubby HAPPY 10 week old and I am glad I decided to give up the breastfeeding because my son is thriving and I know in my heart is was the right thing to do for our family. :)

I don't know where exactly you are in the DC area but you should check out the Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington in DC. They have free classes and the lactation consultants there are great. If that is too far to travel then look for a lactation consultant in your area and make an appointment. They should be able to help you out.

Hi K.- I have been there! The most important thing to remember is that you are doing a great job- nursing moms need pats on the back more often than they receive! It's not always easy and it's very demanding to moms.

I returned to work when my son was 6 months old. I never seemed to pump enough. Always rushed during pumping sessions and one of my breasts barely ever provided anything. Some suggestions I got was to relax and look at a picture of your baby during pumping. These never seemed to work- also the Fenugreek didn't work for me either.

What I started to do is was when I was at home and nursing, I would pump the other breast. A little tricky, but I definitely got more milk that way (with lots of "squeezing" too). That way I could store some and not be so stressed that I was not getting a lot at work. That's what worked for me.

Lots of things can affect your milk too, lack of sleep and stress. Personally, I think not everyone responds well to a pump. You can always talk to lactaction consultants at your hospital. It could also be that your pump is not fitting well to your breast.

Good luck- and know that you are not alone! And if you have to stop earlier than you had planned, ask you doctor about starting whole milk prior to a year of age.

Good luck.
H.

Have you met with a lactation consultant yet? You might just be someone that produces less milk than the average person, but if your child is gaining weight appropriately this might not be the issue.

I pump and breastfeed....I feed my younger son and then pump before I leave for work, and twice during the day. I typically will get about 20 oz of milk (pumped) during the day, if I'm working.

Make sure you are well hydrated, relaxed when you pump, too. It is vital that you are well hydrated, I cannot emphasize that enough. Are you eating well?

Definitely touch base with a local lactation consultant. They will likely have good suggestions as well. Either your local hospital and/or your child's peds should have suggestions.

Good luck and try not to stress too much!

Hey there, number one you are not a failure. Don't quote me, but I believe the American Academy of Pediatric recommend a minimum of six months of breast feeding. With my first child, he only wanted to nurse at night, so I had to pump during the day. I only made it five months with him. My daughter was an animal and made my nipples scab and it was too painful to continue. We only made it 2 months. I know breast is best, but you tried. Like you said most mothers don't even attempt to nurse. She's already eating some baby food right? You can transition her to formula until 12 months and then she can start drinking whole milk. Don't ever feel bad about this. Our bodies are strange things. Do you feel overwhelmed a lot? Maybe deep down you have some postpartum depression, maybe you should try to talk to your doctor about it and they can also discuss with you why you aren't producing enough milk.

K.:

HELLO! Okay - first things first - YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! You are putting way too much stress on yourself!! Take a deep breath.

1. DO NOT drink more thank a gallon of water/fluids during the day - you WILL drown.

2. Keep your caffeine intake (coffee, tea, Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc.) to a MINIMUM!

3. Take another deep breath. YOU WILL BE FINE!!!

Pump regularly. Pump after your daughter nurses.

With my first son - I was like your girlfriends,, I could feed Ethiopia! :) No kidding, he would nurse for 20 minutes on each side then I would pump and still get 10 ounces EACH! YIKES! I lost 65 lbs after he was born and I only gained 13 during pregnancy (bed rest, premie).

With my second - I was like you are now. I was comparing myself and my children. I can't tell you the stress I put on myself. When I finally took a step back and realized my 2nd son was happy, healthy and growing well, things changed - my milk supply came up (no where near like it was with my first) but it came up.

Your exercise routine, diet and stress has everything to do with your milk production. You may be taking too much (fenugreek, etc.) and instead of producing more, you are cutting your milk supply because your body is getting too much stimulation from the fenugreek and other things. Too much water is bad too - I've read others telling you to drown yourself in water - that is bad, way bad. Ask your OB and/or regular physician about how much fluid you should intake on a daily basis, seriously - too much water is bad for you.

Now, with that said - RELAX - fix yourself a bubble bath, play some classical music, light some candles and JUST BE! EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD!!

Take care. Know you are a GREAT mom!! Put yourself in a "happy place" when pumping at work - that will also help relax you. Whether it be shopping on the internet to listening to a book on tape. You can't imagine the stress you are putting on yourself. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU PUMP!! It will be okay.

K.,
When my daughter was not gaining sufficient weight, my pediatrician wrote a prescription to increase my milk production. It was so much better than Fenugreek, and I didn't smell like maple syrup! I wish I could remember the name of it, but if you call your pediatrician's office or primary care provider, they may be able to help you. I hope it works out for you!

Tried meditation? I had this problem with my fifth daughter (and the first to be nursed through to 18 months of age.) The second was a breeze. Thank God for the internet support systems. I totally failed with the first four. What helped with her was to pump early in the morning on one breast while she nursed on the other. Same thing in the evening. I also took fenugreek and more milk. The doctor also had some stomach medication that medicine had discovered the glorious side effect was more milk production. But I really think that the pumping while she nursed worked the best. I was able to learn to associate the pump with her nursing and milk just flowed. I was fortunate to have an office on my own so I was able to close the door and take deep breaths before starting to pump. Voila - milk!

K.~
Ask your doctor about Regland (sp?). I've had two friend take it for milk production although it's normally a drug for reflux (I think that's what they told me) and both had their milk supply increase! Don't feel like a failure! You're doing great to have nursed your child this long! I have a 9 week old and I recently gave up nursing b/c she has a milk allergy and I couldn't stand not having anything with milk in it! If anyone is a slacker, it's me! Just remember, you've done a great thing for your child!

Hi K.,
I am going through a similar problem with my mil production. I have gone through times of leakage and engorgement but lately I have not been producing much milk at all. I also really want to be able to feed my little girl (4 months) until she is at least 1 year and so I talked to the doctor about bringing my milk back. I have been under a lot of stress lately and that may be the reason why my supply is diminishing. I was told to put her on my breast every 3 hours and have her suckle away. This will help my body to know it needs to produce more. I tried the pump to stimulate me but the doctor said it is not as productive as having the baby on my. While you are at work use the pump and then go home and have your baby "feed" off of your breast as often as you can. Hopefully this will work for both of us. Good luck and I hope it works out for you. I understand the disappointment you are feeling as I share in those feelings but don't feel like a failure. I think this is more common that we hear.

Don't beat yourself up! By breastfeeding your baby for the first 7 months of her life you've done exactly what's best for her. Trust me....there are Mom's out there that can't even make it 7 months. With my first, I went back to work around 12 weeks and experienced the same thing. The lack of sleep, added stress and decreased natural nursing just about dries some Mom's up....myself included. Buy some formula and start combining with your breast milk. It'll at least put you at ease that she will be getting what you have to give her. Then relax.....I finally gave up with my first at 10 months as the well dried up, and she's just as healthy as any child nursed through the first year! My second is now 4 1/2 months old and I'll probably be in the same boat as with my first.....So you are not alone! :-)

Hi, K.. I hope that some of the other great advice you have received here so far is helping to ease your mind a bit. First of all, I want to echo the others in saying that you should not feel guilty. Your daughter has already received many benefits from seven months of breastfeeding, and if for some reason your supply is truly dwindlng, then you should still congratulate yourself. Really. The fact that you chose to breastfeed in the first place is admirable.

Now, as for my two cents, I have heard of the prescription drug that others have mentioned, and it is called Reglan. I think that the woman who mentioned that you can only take it for a few weeks was right. I ended up not taking it, but I was close to doing so while my daughter was in her three-month stint at the NICU. I was so stressed that the milk just started to drop. At any rate, I did the fenugreek and lots of water, low caffeine, etc. I also made sure that I was pumping, at minimum, six times a day, allowing for no more than six hours sleeping straight through at night. (My daughter, due to her craniofacial birth defect, was never able to nurse at the breast, so I pumped exclusively for eight months.) Anyway, when all of the above did not work, I realized, with the help of the lactation consultant, that I was not taking in enough calories. I was in fact drinking so much water that I felt too full to eat properly. Could this be an issue for you? Eating more helped a bit, but I wanted even more, so I turned, as a last resort, to my mom's "Irish remedy": I had one pint of Guinness after my last pumping before bed. Now, I am sure I might catch some criticism for even admitting that, but I really did experience a jump in production for the next day each time I did this. That, in turn, made me worry less, which kept my supply sustained for many days thereafter. I was told that stress really does affect production, so Iowering my anxiety with a jump in milk supply really helped. I reserved the Guinness for days where my production had been especially low, so it was not an every night occurrence. It had the lovely side effect of relaxing me for an extra sound sleep as well.

Anyway, I hope that you will soon find your answer and some peace.

You are doing wonderfully -- breastfeeding for 7 months is an amazing feat. I spent much of my daughter's first months crying too, (I nursed for 9 months) and everyone was telling me to supplement with formula, (my husband, my mother, my sister...) and it always made me feel more inadequate.

What I'm going to say may sound counterintuitive, but are you perhaps drinking too much water? I was really worried about my milk supply with my daughter (I also could get only 2 or 3 ounces with the pump -- so demoralizing) and someone told me to drink, drink, drink... I was guzzling gallons of water, peeing ALL the time, and my milk supply seemed to be diminishing! I read later (in the "What to Expect When You're Expecting..." book) that sometimes, too much water can actually reduce your milk supply! Definitely stay hydrated, definitely drink plenty, but don't try to force-feed yourself too much water. It may backfire.

Please don't feel bad -- you are so wonderful to breastfeed for so long and you're doing the best you can do pumping at work. You are a terrific mom, because you care so much!

Have you taken the proper dose of Fenugreek? 3 pills 3 times a day for 3 days? Have you tried Fennel pills. That should work as well. Unfortunately pumping doesn't work nearly as well for milk production as actual nursing. I had your same problem... but I was lucky enough to be able to quit working. Also stress. Stress can majorly affect milk production. Are you drinking enough fluids? If none of this works don't feel like a failure. I really think it is just the fact that you have to pump. You've already given your child such a gift with nursing for so long. If you have to quit then be proud of yourself for doing it as long as you did! So many women don't even try.

You poor thing! I had the exact same problems with nursing mine. For months and months we had poor latching and then terrible trouble with my milk supply for pumping. I always had plenty of milk when I fed my son directly (which is hard to realize becasue you CAN'T SEE IT) but I could never pump more then 2 ounces. Maybe if I went all day without pumping I would get 3 or 4 ounces but that was rare. My body just never responded to the pump. What I did was mixed what I was able to pump with soy formula to supplement during the day and then nursed when I was home. Supplementing while I was at work never hurt anything and it did not diminish the amount of milk I could provide during the evening, night and early morning. Just the fact that you care so much to try so hard is what makes all the difference. I ultimately ended up nursing my son for almost two years and once he got on regular milk or solids during the day (at about 10 months) I stopped pumping altogether and just nursed him when I was home. My body responded perfectly by not being engorged during the day but having plenty to nurse him in the evening, night and morning. I never had engorgement either, really, and the pump never did start working for me. One thing that helped a little was to get one of the handheld pumps because it worked better for me than the electric. The noise and pressure of the electric was too unsettling but the handheld worked well for me and I got more milk with that than the electric (and it only cost about $40). I really, really feel you rpain because I went through the same thing and my best friend was able to pump enough for a half dozen babies. Everyone is different, but you really can fulfill your child's needs if you are flexible about supplementing as needed and just stick with nursing on demand. I was sorry to give it up at 22 months and was so glad I had stuck it out. Good luck! Don't get down on yourself. It is so emotionally trying but really you will look back on this and be proud of yourself.