Milk Supply Dwindeling..

Get a referral from the hospital to a Lactation Consultant that is familiar with NICU baby situations. She will do everything she can to help you keep your supply up, and she'll have tools and knowledge that you don't. Good luck!

I have problems keeping my supply up. One thing I do is pump often. Also I hand express after pumping because I am able to empty the breast mote. I also take fenugreek- nine capsules a day. I recommend seeing a lactation expert. They can be worth the money if you have a good one. Make sure you are taking care of your self. Eat well and make sure you are are drinking a lot of fluid. No caffeine! Certain foods (like peppermint) reduce supply so Google for a list to avoid those things. My lactation person recommended ovaltineMALT if I could not handle the malt o meal. Barley and oats help. She also says chicken noodle soup. And potatoes too. Good luck and congratulations. Sorry for the typos and poor grammar .. I'm using a touch screen phone.

PLEASE don't blame your body - you are producing fine... it's the pump. Doesn't matter how great and expensive a pump is, it is still just a machine. It is only able to get 25-30% of the milk out whereas an infant suckling can get 100%.

I'd start assertively broaching the subject of allowing the twins to start nursing and (unless something is very wrong with their health) even request/demand a weaning of artificial feedings so you can get them on the breast as they should be. Don't let them cow you - it's easier on the Nurses and Drs if they have the infants on a scheduled forced feed (I'm assuming they aren't being given bottles... if they can suckle a latex nipple, they can suckle from the source) where *THEY* had a set time and where *THEY* can monitor every single thing going in and out.

If something is very wrong with the health of your twins, other than being twins and being born 37 weeks-38 weeks, then forgo trying to force the issue but still be more assertive about your children's care. You are their strongest advocate.

When my son was in the NICU one of the nurses suggested taking a hand pump into a warm bath and pumping there. So I had many bath time pumping sessions...Good luck :)

Fenugreek was my answer - by more than enough! you can get a huge bottle from GNC for like $6 (well...ok...5 years ok it was like $6). talk to a pharmacist or dr or somebody to makesure you get a caplet with limited or no fillers. Good luck Mama! :D

I am so proud of you...REALLY. I nursed twins in the same situation. I am still nursing at 28 months! Your babies are most likely having a growth spurt. It will take 2-3 days to a week for your milk to adjust. Ok, so I know that oatmeal and almonds increase your milk. Someone once recommended brewers yeast, but I didn't try it. As another mom suggested REST is very important, though I am sure hard while they are away, but it really is good for them and you. I know you are pumping more often, but are you pumping long enough? The pump is probably strong enough. Can you contact the lactation consultant at the hospital? She will definately be able to help. I found this for you and hope it helps.

What is the best way to handle a growth spurt?

Follow your child's lead. Baby will automatically get more milk by nursing more frequently, and your milk supply will increase due to the increased nursing. It is not necessary (or advised) to supplement your baby with formula or expressed milk during a growth spurt. Supplementing (and/or scheduling feeds) interferes with the natural supply and demand of milk production and will prevent your body from getting the message to make more milk during the growth spurt.

Some nursing moms feel more hungry or thirsty when baby is going through a growth spurt. Listen to your body -- you may need to eat or drink more during the time that baby is nursing more often.

Feel free to PM me anytime along the way. Blessings, M.

I've noticed my milk decreases when I don't get enough rest. I'm sure this is a very stressful time for you, but you need to try to get as much rest as possible.

Herbs can work wonders and you can adjust the dosage to how much milk you need to make. I have taken both fenugreek and More Milk Plus, which is a combination of herbs. Fenugreek can be found in just about any pharmacy and also health food stores, like Good Earth. It is not very expensive. If fenugreek doesn't work for you, there are several others you can try. Good Earth usually has an herbalist/nutritionist who can point you in the right direction. I wish I had known to take herbal supplements with my first baby. I spent so much time and frustration trying to keep my milk supply up just by nursing and pumping. Then ended up supplementing with formula on top of all that. Good luck with your new little angels!