Need More Milk - Pocatello,ID

Hi D.,

Do you know for sure that he is not getting enough? Is he falling off of his growth curve? Does he have about 6 pee diapers each day? The first thing is to find out if this is really the issue. When kiddos go through a growth spurt, they can be insatiable, and just because you can't get much from pumping, doesn't mean that it's the same when your baby nurses.

There are many ways to increase milk supply. The first thing is to make sure you are getting enough to eat and drink. You need extra calories and water to make milk. Don't worry about losing weight right now.

Second, find ways to minimize your stress level, because feeling tense can decrease your supply. (With 3, I know how hard this part can be!)

If you suspect that your baby's latch is the problem (clucking sounds, popping on and off the nipple, choking, etc.) then see a lactation counselor (IBCLC's are usually the best trained). Here's a list in CO: http://www.breastfeeding.com/directory/states/colorado.html

Another very important thing to know is that 12-4 am is the most hormonally sensitive time for stimulating milk production. So if you're trying to get your baby to sleep through the night, it may affect your supply.

Feeding on demand keeps your supply up, too, because it's the stimulation your body needs to know how much milk to make. Scheduling feeds can interfere. One thing you can do is spend 24 hours back in bed with your baby. On a day when someone else can watch your older child and take care of everything else, you can just relax, snuggle, and nurse, and get back into the rhythm of the nursing relationship.

Also, if you are already introducing any solid food (and you don't need to yet, btw), then make sure your baby gets the food AFTER a nursing session. At 5 months, this probably is less important, since they are likely to just taste things and spit them out, but as they get older if they eat food first and then nurse, they won't be as hungry, and will nurse less, and supply will decrease.

This applies to giving formula, too. Anything the baby eats that is not your milk will mean less stimulation and less supply.

There are herbs that help with milk supply, too, if everything else is in place. Traditional Medicinals has a tea called Mother's Milk that has fennel and fenugreek, two herbs used to build milk supply. You can drink one to four (or more) cups per day (and it is actually pretty tasty).

It sounds like you are really committed to continuing to nurse and I'm sure you can! Make sure you have the support you need, from your partner, from friends, and from a lactation counselor if you need it. And if your baby is losing weight or seeming dehydrated or listless, check in with your doctor to make sure there isn't something else going on.

Best wishes!

L. Caron
(mom of 3 and naturopathic doctor)

First of all are you sure you don't make enough milk? Why do you feel like you baby is hungry? Your little one is still young and may still want to nurse alot. So if he is nursing every 2 hours that is normal and doesn't mean your milk is drying up. The best way to keep your milk supply up is to nurse a lot and eat lots of protein. But if your baby is still gaining weight and having lots of wet diapers he is probably getting plenty to eat.

I've heard that drinking a beer a day can increase production.

It is a myth that drinking beer will increase milk production. I'm surprised that lactation consultants would still recommend this. What happens is that the alcohol increases prolactin levels, but decreases oxytocin levels. So while your breasts feel fuller (making you think that you have more milk) you baby is actually getting less milk. It's fine to have a drink now and then when you are breastfeeding - the effects are very short-term - but it is NOT a way to increase production.

http://tinyurl.com/yjcfhyr

I agree with the people who said just to rest and spend a lot of time nursing. Milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis. If your supply has really dwindled - based on baby loosing weight, not the way he is acting - then you need to find out why, and seek out professional advice.

I used herbs called Marshmallow and Blessed Thistle (whole foods, sprouts, or possibly vitamin shoppe). One thickens it and one makes more. Start by taking 3 of each three times a day and then you can adjust to do more or less depending on how your body starts acting in regards to the herbs. They are natural and work-- I used them with both my kids.

Keep in mind that you get MUCH less when you pump versus when your baby actually nurses - the little guys are just more effective at getting milk out that the goofy machines are. The two herbs I use are Fenugreek and Shatavari and both have helped increase my supply (I work full time and so have to pump and just don't pump out as much, everything is fine on the weekends). Other things to consider; are you drinking enough water, taking in enough calories, are you anemic, and are you on any birth control? Consider talking to a lactation consultant, as they can help you figure out why you might be low. It also might be that your little one is hitting the 6 month growth spurt a little early and so wants to eat more... best of luck!

I used More Milk Plus by Motherlove with my first daugther and it worked great. Do check to make sure your milk is actually low. I thought it was with my 2nd daughter and it actually wasn't. Also, if you happened to get pregnant your milk will go away, so check that possibility.

Try to nurse more often. I never had luck with those pumps I always needed the one on one. Also, do you have him on any solids yet? Around 4 months you can start to introduce solids, maybe he just needs more food not more milk.

Good luck!

Hi D.,
I started running low on milk as well. I went to see a lactation consultant and what they had me do was HARD but it worked. They told me that I needed to pump every two hours (atleast during the day and at night if I could) to bring my supply back up. I had to start pumping and go until the milk stopped and continue on for ten minutes after the milk stopped coming out. Then I would start all over again two hours after I started pumping the first time. Basically, I would pump, clean the equipment have about an hours break and start again. I did it for five days straight before it finally came back up and then I was overflowing with milk. They say that it usually takes 3-7 days to work. Don't know if you'll be able to do that with a 3 year old AND a five month old. It was really hard on me and I only had my three month old at the time. Good luck to you!

You can try feeding your baby in the football hold. Your baby's head will be held in your hand and his feet will be resting along your side and sort of behind your back. My lactation consultant taught me this technique when my little guy seemed like he wasn't getting enough milk!

Also, pick up some Mother's Milk tea at Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage and drink up often! It will help keep your supply ample.

From HerbNet.com comes this suggestion in response to a mom's question:
I suggest you use fenugreek and milk thistle seed, drink the tea, about 4 cups per day, use half and half of the mixture, they are non toxic, and do work on making more milk.
& another: QUESTION: Do you know of an herb that will help increase breast milk production?

ANSWER: I have always used with great success the herb, milk thistle seed, and milk thistle herb.
Drink, 2-3 cups two times per day and this will promote the production of milk. Make sure you eat well, avoid caffeine, soda, and processed foods, drink lots of pure water, and drink the herb tea, as suggested. Eat nuts, fruits, fish and some red meats, if not vegetarian.

Hi D.
There is a prescribed medication out there that can increase your milk production, it is called Reglan. I have twins and had low milk production so my doc put me on this and what a difference it made!!! Prior to being on this, it didnt matter how often I was trying to pump and feed, it just didnt increase my milk..... might be worth a try.

Good Luck
K.

There is a dietary supplement called Fenugreek that is supposed to help increase milk production in lactating mothers, there is also an herbal tea that helps as well. Both can be purchased at Fred Meyer in their natural/specialty food section.

My lactation consultant suggested that I spend a whole day doing NOTHING but laying around. When you are resting your body can make milk. Have someone take your older son for the day and just stay home with the baby and nurse on demand but just stay in bed, all day long! She also suggested that in the evening after the last feeding to drink 1/2 a beer. The brewers yeast and malt in the beer, not to mention the alcohol, stimulate the milk supply. Not that you should do this everyday but it does help. I had a friend that couldn't drink beer while she was nursing at all. If she did she would be able to feed a whole village of babies. It really works and is safe. There is not enough alcohol in it to affect the baby in a 1/2 a beer otherwise she would not have suggested it. She is a certified lactation consultant.

S.

Hi, D..
Part of increasing your supply will come from determining why it is low. Are you taking any medication? Birth control (even prog. only), decongestants, cold medication, and large amounts of sage or peppermint are all known to decrease supply. Drinking too much water also can reduce supply (have some drinks with calories, too). A baby who suddenly sleeps more at night, or has long stretches between nursing during the day can also reduce supply.
Once you figure out the trigger, then you can try and switch it. Many good herbs have been listed. Two medications by prescription are reglan and domperidone. Herbs and medication will only work if there is frequent nipple stimulation *and* nothing interfering with supply (like other medications). You might visit the milk supply page at www.breastandbottlefeeding.com, too.
A.

Make sure you are eating enough and drink tons of water. I had that problem too. Just keep at it, and make sure you drink that water!