Breastmilk Supply Low...

Just FYI a friend of mine had thyroid problems and that was what interfered with her breastfeeding. If all else fails, you can get a blood test. Good luck!

Use Breastea from http://www.breastea.com. My milk supply has been great since I started using this product.

I had a lactation specialist the entire year I breastfed. The first 3 months direct on breast, since we started first foods at 3 months, I began pumping the milk every 2 hours to increase and keep milk supply in. With the pumping every two hours I had a large supply so much that I could keep a good stock pile in the fridge. I loved it so that my husband could also help feed the baby. I enjoyed expressing for the remainder of the first year; made travel easier too. Try pumping to increase supply due to your breasts are about supply and demand; keep hydrated, a well rounded diet, and prenatal vitamins.

I took fenugreek - I had to Google it to find out how much and how often, but it was a few times a day... ate oatmeal every morning, made sure I had 100 oz of water like you do.
Hang in there...

Great job nursing your baby, it is so healthy for both of you! She may not be crying because she is still hungry, there may be other reasons like a gassy tummy or she just wants to suckle for comfort even though her tummy is already full. You can inrease your milk supply by taking the herbal supplements fenugreek annd blessed thissle. I have taken these supplements before under the direction of a lactation consultand and they are safe (I asked my doctor) and effective. I took them in capsule form with meals three times a day, two pills of each three times a day, A LOT of pills! But I only needed to take them for a couple of weeks and then i had more than enough milk so I stopped. I have a friend who took the supplements in liquid tinacture form all the time, she only pumped and fed her baby bottles of breastmilk. She swore by the liquid form, she said it's more effective, but I have never tried it. You can also buy Mother's Milk Tea, an herbal tea that tastes good and improves your milk supply, but only by a little if you ask me, it is not as effective becasue it is a much smaller dose. Ther herbs may make your milk discolored (mine looked orangey-yellow for awhile) and fenugreek can make your body start to have a sweet smell, like maple syrup, but this is harmless, the milk is still good. Best of luck to you!

SHe sounds like she's priming your breasts to up the production. Allow this to continue!! Without this stimulation your body will not produce enough to keep up with her. Do NOT offer bottles if you are close enough to breastfeed her, STOP supplementing (you are only sabotaging yourself) and pump the other side while you are nursing. Then if she wants the other side too... allow her to do so after you've pumped it. Don't forget to alternate sides with each new session and feeding from both breasts is not necessary.

Pump after every feeding. This will help increase your supply. Also, any time you give her a bottle, pump! If you ever fear that she is still hungry and you have no more to give and really feel like you need to supplement, then give her a bottle of pumped milk.

Since you have already supplemented with formula, it will be so easy to use that as a crutch. Try to resist! The more formula you give her, the higher your chances of not producing enough.

Just a note, pump after the morning feeding. This is when most women produce the most milk.

Good suggestions here already. Here's an article which addresses exactly what you are saying...Where did the milk go? http://www.bosombuddies.com/index.php?main_page=page&...

suep
bosombuddies.com

Hi--
There's lots you can do: fenugreek, alfalfa, blessed thistle, milk thistle, goat's rue, increased protein intake, b-complex supplement, eat oatmeal (high in b vitamins) or take brewer's yeast. You can also get acupuncture to increase milk supply.
Good luck!
J.

Our pediatrician recommended an herbal supplement called fenugreek. It helps increase milk production and worked wonders for me with nursing my little guy (3 weeks old). I had really low production with my first and only slightly better with our second until taking this supplement.

Hope this helps!

I just skimmed through the other responses, and it seemed like you got some great advice.

I have an 8 week old and twice that same thing has happened to me, both times I did one cup of mothers milk tea and oh man I was overflowing!! It worked amazing for me!!

The directions say to drink it 3 times a day I think I would drown us all if I did that!!

Good luck and try not to stress to much, just know that you are doing the best thing you can for your baby and relax and enjoy it.

Traditional Medicinals Caffeine Free Herbal Tea Organic Mother's Milk always did the trick for me.

What is her output? Her output tells you a lot about her input. It may not be that you don't have enough but maybe she's teething and fussy? Or maybe the supplemented formula isn't the right one and it's making her gassy or she's overfull.

kellymom.com has a lot of good tips on breastfeeding.

the only way you will make more is your bodys natural process of trying to meet babies increasing need. The more your baby needs, the more you will make. Pump in between feedings to keep your body under constant demand to make more. stop supplementing! it's counter productive to the goal. Besides, She may not be crying for more. She might just have gas! If this doesn't work see your dr. Make sure your diet is sufficient to produce milk.