Need to Increase Milk Supply

Pump,pump,pump!!!If she continues to pump no matter how small of an amountt she pumps at first,she will gradually begin to produce more milk.This along with dedicated latching on by baby will definitely increase her milk supply.I know it can be a little frustrating but if she sticks to it and remains calm,she will be successful at breastfeeding.Take this from a mom of 4 who has breastfed exclusively(while working full time!) all my babies.Good luck!!!

Have her call a breastfeeding consultant - should be able to get in contact through the hospital or ob/gyn.

Homemade chicken soup (boil an entire chicken to get the broth) and then add back the chicken meat and some thin noodles (any kind). Beer worked for my girlfriend. I drank a lot of water and milk and that seemed to do the trick along with homemade chicken soup. Also, she should pump a lot (in between feeding her baby). She got a bad start because the baby did not latch on very good, so she didn't get the help from the baby's suck, but she can get it from the pump! Tell her not to give up, the milk will come if she keeps working on it. My doctor recommended staying away from anything herbal.

I am actually having a similar challenge, and just found out that my boy has jondus (SP?.) I would love to hear what you find out! When doing some online research on increasing milk supply I found out that beer can be counter productive because of the sour taste it will add to your breast milk. The suggestions were to eat barley, carrots, some caffeine, avocados, and root beer. Good luck! If you can share your suggestions with me as well, I would really appreciate it!

Nurse, nurse, nurse and nurse some more. Her baby is still so young, she could try more frequent feedings...ie. every 1.5-2 hours. Nothing does it like the stimulation of a suckling infant. It is an amazing supply and demand system we have built in our bodies. If she could hold off on the formula feeds her baby will want to nurse w/ her...and thus increase her supply. I've heard wonderful things about "tincture of fenugreek" available at Henry's/Whole Foods, my friend said you have to make sure your dose is enough to make you begin to slightly smell like maple syrup...(check on the web for weight/dose charts) then it is the right dose. Also...when in doubt, get a consultation w/ a Lactation Consultant. Hope it helps.

Sounds like your friend is going through exactly what I went through. My pediatrician suggested formula, but I was set on making sure my daughter only received breastmilk. The pediatrician also tried to have me get a prescription for Reglan (or something like that, can't remember the exact name). I am not one for taking meds, especially when pregnant or breastfeeding. I was so stress about that whole thing that it made my milk supply even worse. Finally my mom put me in contact with a Le Leche League Consultant. This was the best thing I did! I strongly recommend your friend find a consultant in her area (just google it). A great book is called the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by the Le Leche League. I am sure that your friend would like this solved quickly without having to read a book. Here are some very helpful hints that the Le Leche League Consultant gave me. I followed her advice and my daughter finally started to gain weight.

*Drink PLENTY of liquids! She told me to drink at least 64 ounces a day. Fill a container with at least 64 ounces and make sure it is empty by the end of the day.

*Eat plenty of healthy protein and calories. Yogurts, cottage cheese, cheese, nuts, etc.

*My daughter was falling asleep while breastfeeding so wasn't getting enough and was causing my supply to weaken. Here is what she said to do: Feed for 10 minutes on one breast, then switch breasts (make sure baby wakes). Feed on opposite breast for 5 minutes then switch back and finish feeding on first breast. (Alternate this next feeding by starting with opposite breast). This really helps build the supply back up and makes sure the baby gets plenty of the fatty milk. She told me to make sure to wake the baby when switching breast and tickle the feet or something during eating. I also made sure the baby wasn't swaddled during feedings because it seemed she fell right to sleep when she was swaddled comfortably and nursing. Your friend doesn't have to continue this once the milk supply is back up and the baby has gained more weight.

These are some things I remember doing. I have an entire sheet filled with notes I took during my conversation with the consultant, but they are in my daughter's room and she is sleeping right now.

My heart really goes out to your friend because I remember how difficult and stressful this time was. My daughter is only 10 months old so I recently went through this. I was very glad that I stuck it and nursed successfully. I still never produced a large amount of milk and had lots of difficulty pumping. If your friend would like more information or would like me to put her in contact with the wonderful consultant I had, then she can contact me at ____@____.com

I would not recommend the tea unless the doctor said it was OK. Drinking lots of liquid and hand expressing it between feeding should help increase milk supply. When the baby is sucking, stroke the cheek to keep her sucking. Make sure you alternate breasts for feedings and pumping or use both each time.
H.

Hi,

Please tell your friend that the pump is not a good indicator of how much milk she is producing. I thought the same thing and took the baby to the Pump Station (www.pumpstation.com) and was reassured about the same issues she is having. She might enjoy the class as well: Lots of new mom's with babies there, all nursing and talking about nursing issues. I used the tea and More Milk Plus (available at the Pump Station and at Whole Foods- maybe even Rite Aid) and it helped. Lots of water and just kept at it and eventually it all worked out without any side effects. Unless the baby is losing weight or not gaining at all, I don't think she should worry. Please tell her that relaxing helps quite a bit too!

I too had a low milk supply. My daughter was in the NICU for 10 days and did not know how to suck. As a result, my milk supply was really low. Fengugreek is fine. I took the pills, not the tea. The pediatrician said it was fine. But the most important thing to do is PUMP PUMP PUMP. The lactation consultant told me to really dedicate 7-10 days to pumping after each feeding. Yes it was ALOT of work. I would feed my daughter every 3 hrs. and after each feeding I would pump. Sometimes when I pumped I would only get 1 ounce TOTAL out of both breasts. It was very discouraging, but in the end my supply increased. It helps if you have someone around to hold the baby while you pump. Also, I'd skip one pump session in the middle of the night so that I could get some sleep. But I seriously was feeding her 8-10 times a day and pumping at least 7 times a day. I was able to keep breastfeeding my daughter and we are now going 7 months strong. Also, there is some prescription drug you can get from Canada online. The lactation consultant recommended it. I can't remember the name, but it is something that is used for stomach ailments and a side effect is increased milk supply. I actually ordered it online, but by the time it arrived (15 days later) my milk supply was already better so I didn't take it. Good luck!

Hello, L.,

Your friend can increase milk supply with moringa oleifera. It is an extraordinary plant with many purposes. Increasing milk flow is one of its attributes. It is a very nourishing food as well. Look for Moringa Farms located in Sherman Oaks. If you cannot find it, contact me.

I also work with regenerative foods. They are extremely useful and superior in nutrition as well. I would be happy to help you further if you would like.

My very best to you and your friend,

T.

I would tell her to get in touch with her local La Leche League (search online). They specialize in everything you need to know about breastfeeding. Another alternative, but probably not as cheap is to contact a lactation specialist. I would be leery of teas, supplements, etc., w/o the specific advice of a specialist. A lot of those things aren't safe for baby. Lastly, it's a fine line between supplementing w/formula so baby can get enough milk and allowing baby to nurse exclusively. The more baby nurses, the more milk is produced. So, maybe mom should pump whenever she gives formula, and refrigerate or freeze for baby. It's a supply and demand thing---the more the breast is stimulated, the more milk is produced. But seriously, she needs to consult with experts ASAP.

You have gotten some excellent responses and advice here and I would reiterate and support it (water, increase calories, rest, extra nursing, extra pumping, etc., with Reglin and Dom as a last resort) but a Lactation Consultant is probably what your friend needs. If there is no Lactation clinic at the hospital where she had her baby, try the La Leche League or the Pump Station. I ended up going to a wonderful private (and, in my opinion, VERY reasonably priced) lactation consultant in Huntington Beach, so if your friend is local to Orange County, she might try her: Kay Gregg ###-###-####. She is an R.N. and Certified Lactation Specialist. I was referred to her by a friend, but I also found her through the International Lactation Consultation Association's website: http://www.ilca.org. She has a LOVELY nursing room and will weigh the baby before and after your friend nurses to determine how much milk she is actually giving the baby. Then she can help with increasing the milk or whatever else is going on.

As for Fenugreek. I used it with no problem. I tried the tea, but as much as I love tea I just couldn't drink that stuff all day! I took the capsules (but, you do not follow the directions on the label. You have to take several capsules five or six times a day. You need a specialist to advise you on this) and I was told that I would know when I was getting enough in my system when I started to smell like maple syrup!

Again, I would tell your friend to GET HELP and not try to do this on her own. Her situation sounds exactly like mine and I found breastfeeding extremely difficult. If she is very dedicated to the idea of breastfeeding, getting a lactation specialist's help is, in my opinion, invaluable. I managed to make it six months, and I knew that I had given my baby important immunities during that time and that I had done as much as I possibly could to make it work, stopping just short of trying the medications (due to the risk of side effects aggravating a previous condition of mine, I wasn't willing to risk taking the meds). And you can't just waltz into a doctor's office and expect to pop some pills that will increase your milk. I think your friend really should have someone who is knowledgeable hold her hand and walk her through the process. That way, she will be assured that she has done everything the right way and done all she can to assure success. A consultant will also help with the "disillusionment" and (for me) the "heartbrokenness" of it.

Please wish your friend well for me and feel free to contact me if she needs a pep talk or wants more information.

Warmly,
Lori

L., Fenugreek seeds are fantastic, they helped me a lot, I would soak the seeds in hot water, let it cool and then drink, I actually also heard that drinking beer brings in the milk to, I think it has something to do with the yeast, but fenugreek is fantastic, it can be bought at the Indian Spice shops.

Hi,
I had precisely the same problem and found that diet did nothing to increase my milk production -- just my waistline. I had heard that high carbohydrate diets are good, lots of milk, lots of malt, and just plain loads of food! For me it made very little difference, milk-wise. It might work for others, though.

I did find that using a good breast pump worked wonders. I would pump in between feeds to stimulate production and it worked well. If there wasn't enough left for the next feed, I'd let baby latch on to get what she could -- then feed her what I'd pumped. I've heard repeatedly that babies can get nipple confusion if they use both bottle and breast. But none of my kids had that problem.

I was someone who struggled on the cusp of drying up all the way through. I felt like a genetic failure! But it improved with each child and by my third child -- with LOTS of effort and lots of pumping -- I made it more than six months breastfeeding. I was elated! But it did finally just peter out and go away, no matter how I tried.

Tell your friend not to stress (that can shut down the works, too!). Looking back, I wasn't a failure or genetic reject -- I was just darn lucky to have been born in a time when my child could survive without breast milk! Your friend is, too. Hope this helps? Good luck!

:-)

You've gotten great suggestions. I would also recommend www.kellymom.com. It's one of the best breastfeeding sites I found. Keys to success:

1) Supply & demand - so even after the baby has nursed, pump, so your body senses the demand and produces more. I would let my child latch on for as long as she would stay on even if she was barely sucking so my body would respond.
2) lots of water
3) rest
4) good diet
5) lactation specialist

I took the fenugreek capsules and they helped me with no side effects.

Good luck.

I went to a nursing class run by lactation consultants. Everyone there was having one issue or another and she helped everyone. It was at the Mother Baby Assessment Center through St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange.

When I needed to boost my milk supply, I pumped for five minutes after every feeding. Yes... I was pumping nothing for a few days but the stimulation was all I needed. Eventually, my son had a full feeding and I aws storing 4-5 ounces. I am not sure that is the case for everyone but it has worked for everyone I've talked to about increasing milk supply.

Other than nursing every 2-3 hours and pumping, it's really important to get as much rest/sleep as much as possible - you can't make milk if you're not rested enough. She should nap/sleep when the baby sleeps as much as possible. It's also really important to eat well (you burn 600-800 calories a day while nursing), take prenatal vitamins, stay hydrated (drink a large glass of water & have a little snack while nursing, if possible), drink Mother's Milk tea. Fenugreek tea or capsules shoule help - I haven't heard about side effects.

Since she started supplementing, her body will make less milk. Your friend may want to call The Pump Station for more advice. They have stores in Santa Monica & Hollywood. She might also consider having a lactation consultant come to her house - having the consultant watch a feeding & check on the latch can be very helpful. The Pump Station can recommend someone.

Your friend might try pumping 3x a day - after the 6/7 am feed (milk supply is highest in the am), after the lunchtime feed and then after the dinner feed. She could try 5 minutes each time the first day and then increase the minutes each day until she works up to 10-15 minutes. Pumping will help but nothing helps better than a nursing baby. A baby will always drink more than what is pumped.

My sister had the same problem. Some ideas are mothers milk tea, which most health food stores sell (henry's and I think Whole Foods), some good chicken soup is supposed to work, I found that oatmeal works well. If none of these work then she could look into reglin. It is prescribed by a doctor for stomach issues I think, but I couldn't believe how much more milk my sister produced. Her friend told her about the trick. I suppose it is safe but your friend could ask her doctor. She could also get in touch with the Le Leche League. They might be able to help. Good Luck. Tell her she is not alone. Who knew something as natural as breastfeeding would be so difficult.

I myself had the same difficulties with my daugther. I would definitely suggest she see a lactation consultant. Often the hospital will have one on staff that you can see for a small fee. The lactation consultant that I saw put me on two products from Motherlove, MoreMilk Plus, which contains Fenugreek and other herbs that are supposed to increase milk supply, and Goat's Rue, which is supposed to help increase the synthesis of mammary tissue. I know how hard it is not being able to successfully breastfeed, I kept up feeding my daughter every 2-3 hours, pumping, and taking supplements along with supplementing my daughter with formula, but finally had to give up from exhaustion and frustration after the first 4 months and seeing no success. I wish your friend success. If she decides to have another baby I would highly suggest bringing this problem up with her OB/GYN next time, as well as scheduling to see a lactation consultant within the first couple days of having the baby.

Hi L.,

I see you have tons of replies. [I'm behind in reading my Mamasource :o)] If you are still interested, I have some websites of info I can email you for your friend. I have had the same problem with both my sons. I know you can't pump as much as a baby can suck, but I'm still convinced my supply is lower than demand. I know my body after two kids! Fenugreek and Mother's Milk tea didn't work very well for me...but Goat's Rue and More Milk Plus seemed to work better. My OB said some women are just not large milk producers no matter what--it doesn't matter what everything else says to do to increase milk. (I have resigned to accepting this fact.) I know More Milk Plus is available at Whole Foods, but Goat's Rue will need to be purchased online (Amazon has it). They come in little bottles or capsules (but the capsules are way more expensive). You can find info on any of these products and side effects by doing a google search. Anyway, if you like, email me at ____@____.com luck to your friend!

Y.

Drink LOTS of water!

I took Fenugreek capsules which I believe I purchased from GNC or similar store. I only had to take it for several days and I had so much more milk. I'm sure your friend knows that breastmilk is a demand/supply sort of thing so the more the baby sucks, the more milk she will produce. So maybe she should let the baby suck as as long as she can, some babies will keep sucking even if there is no milk just for the comfort.

Healthy nursing tea by secrets of tea was the only hope that worked and increased my breast milk production.

Hi, L..

As a mom to a 10-month-old daughter who was strictly breastfed, I experienced a drop in milk production when she was about 5-months-old. She wasn't gaining very much weight and the doctor suggested I start her on formula, but I was intent on sticking to breast feeding. I tried fenugreek and continued pumping, but it wasn't enough. What I didn't realize was I wasn't consuming enough calories to make enough milk. Translation: I simply wasn't eating enough. I don't know if your friend has a fast metabolism like I do, but in order for me to get my milk supply up, I had to eat 5 meals a day including snacks. I am not kidding. That is how much it took for me to increase my milk supply. I think new moms will all agree how difficult it is to actually sit down and have a meal, let alone a hot one. I can't remember what a hot meal was like because all my meals have had to sit for awhile due to the multitude of distractions that happen when you have a newborn.
Please tell your friend that she needs to eat more. A lot more. She may tell you she eats, but I can almost guarantee it's not enough because I wrote down everything I ate for a week and figured out I wasn't eating nearly enough. As a new mom, it was so easy to get distracted and forget a meal here and there. With milk production, you can't skip meals or snacks and if you miss a meal, you risk the chance of your milk supply dropping further. Lots of food, lots of fluids and lots of pumping is what I would suggest. When my milk supply went back up, my daughter rebounded and gained almost a whole pound at her 6-month doctor's visit. It was obvious my milk supply increased I hope this helps your friend!

All the best,

E.

Hello -
I have had several friends who have successfully used fenugreek with no problems (other than the fact that it tends to make you smell like maple syrup! :) ) I had a similar situation as your friend and opted not to use the fenugreek, as one of the cautions is for people with asthma, which I had worse at the time I was nursing. I also was not able to pump, even when my milk supply was at its peak. I was happy to supplement all three of my boys, and still was able to nurse them for at least a few months. If she really wants to nurse, something my sister-in-law used along with fenugreek was a thing called Supplemental Nutrition System, or SNS. She got it from a lactation specialist. It is basically a small rectangular "water bottle" type thing that you wear around your neck (it rests on your chest between your breasts) Two little plastic tubes attach to the nipples, and work like teeny-tiny straws. This way, the baby is being supplemented by receiving a small amount of formula at the same time they are nursing. This also helps milk production, since there is sucking at every feeding, rather than giving a bottle separately. My sister-in-law did this with all three of her kids, and it worked really well for her...good luck!
E.

Buy the Mother's milk tea at Henry's. it worked for me :)

the more they nurse, the higher the milk production. nurse, nurse, nurse. eat loads of food, drink alot of water, and rest. herbs: red-clover, borage, fennel. also barley.
dd

I had the same issue when we had our little girl. I did everything to help increase my supply....fenugreek, mother's milk capsules, took some prescription that I can't remember the name of, and even drank a dark beer a day. I was very stressed about the whole thing. We had to supplement as well because our daughter was very jaundice. Anyway...it really took a toll and prevented me from enjoying breast feeding. Once I just stopped trying and came to terms with supplementing, the whole process became much more enjoyable. My daughter is now 4.5 months old, I still BF and supplement. I enjoy every moment with her whether bottle or boob. She is healthy and growing and I am doing great and am able to just relax and enjoy.

So whatever happens with your friend, I would just let her know not to stress and that there is nothing wrong with supplementing if she needs to. I also have heard that many woman will produce more milk for there second child. We will see!

I agree with Hilary below.. :) But here is my story if it helps her too!!!

Tell her that she's doing her best and not to give up! Tell her to feed as often as she can but try (I say try--I know that is hard because I stressed anyway) try not to stress out about the milk supply because it will only decrease it. With my first son I was able to "breastfeed" (I put that in parenthesis because I breastfed and pumped but I always had to supplement--I think that at my best I was able to pump 3.5 ounces!) I stressed out so much about it and always felt like a failure...my second son my milk was even worse and I stopped producing at about 4 or 5 months. I had to tell myself that I could be a good mom and that my baby would be fine even if he some formula and not 100% breastmilk! I tried Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle (herbal remedies/pills) and neither worked for me :(

For you I'll tell you what I did with both of my kids. I fed them on both sides till I was dry and then supplemented with a bottle. Neither of them ever thought twice about formula. Do whatever you need to do to keep your kid happy and not leave him hungry. He'll still get the good stuff from you and the additional nourishment that he needs from the formula. My 8 month old loves the Kirkland Formula (it has the from Costco (19.99 for two 25.7 oz cans)--it's the cheapest that I can find and it matches up with Similac's Advance Infant Formula http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/237515/similac_a...

Good luck in whatever you decide! Keep breastfeeding! Keep pumping! You're doing great!

p.s. I just read some people that said that if you just nurse more and more and more that you will make more milk. I nursed and nursed and nursed until I bled, took every supplement that promised to help you make more milk, drank more water, pumped every time after feeding to "increase" my milk, and then finally figured out that not everyone makes enough! It took my 87 year old grandma to tell me that (she didn't make enough milk either) because EVERYONE else was telling me that I just needed to feed more or that I was crazy or not holding him right or something and I cried about having to give him formula for FOUR months! You do what you need to do to feed your kid. He will love you no matter what and will grow fine! And you are doing your best and that is good enough!!! Your worth as a mom isn't based on whether your body is like other's whose bodies produce sooooo much milk! Good luck!

When I nursed my daughter 9 yrs ago I had a similar problem. I also tried the fenugreek tea, I think it helped but I think your friend should speak to a lactation consultant. I was set up with one while in the hospital Kaiser). If she doesn't have one through her insurance she can find help through La Leche League or contact a Medela Representative. I never used La Leche League but friends have. I did use some Medela products and the Medela Rep was very very helpful. You can find both online.
I nursed my daughter for 10 months. I would have gotten through it without the lactation consultant and my medela Rep. The were so good and had alot of experience with nursing.
I hope this helps. Tell your friend to stick to it and don't give up it will work out!!

I come from a long line of avid breast feeders.My Mom was one of the original Le Leche members so when it came to me breastfeeding I had a big support group.
I actually lost all my milk when my son was about ^mo old due to medication from a inner ear infection.I was devistated.I began pumping like a maniac,taking fenugreek pills,which is known to increase milk 100%,and taking nursing mothers tea or fennel tea.There are so many natural ways to increase milk.There have even been stories of woman who didn't even give birth but adopted and through herbs and will were able to lactate.
I got my milk back and thats all my sone had untill he was one year old and continued to breastfeed untill he was 3 1/2.The only side effect from fenugreek was the maple syrup smell it gave you,but I would actually get compilments on it.Don't give up.You can do it.Goodluck!

My youngest had a really hard time gaining weight as an infant. She gained less than a pound in her first two months. I'm a huge fan of nursing and I know that suplementing with a bottle is not a good thing if you are trying to get the baby to nurse better and increase your supply, however if they need more than you produce it can be a problem. I ended up using a device (which I'm sure your friends pediatrician can give her - I got mine from Kaiser) that you hang around your neck. It has basically a bottle attached and thin tubes that you tape to your breasts. The baby nurses as usual but in addition to breastmilk they also get formula thru the tube simultaneously. This has the benefit of stimulating milk production as well as supplying the baby with the needed calories to gain weight. In my case the doctor gave me a specially prescribed high calorie formula but that may not be necessary in all cases.
I breasfed all four of my kids and didn't have this issue except with my youngest. It was frustrating but I also found out in the process that my baby was allergic to dairy products. When I eliminated all dairy from my diet her stools turned normal (or at least looked like the "normal" stool of my other three breastfed babies) and she began gaining weight normally. I only had to use the tubes for a few weeks. It was inconvenient but well worth it to keep nursing!
One final thing - I would caution against assuming that what your friend can pump is what the baby can get in a feeding. I know that the best hospital grade pump was not half as effective at emptying my breasts as my babies were!
Good luck to your friend! Hope you get great advice to pass along to her!

I nursed both my kids for six months and had such a HARD TIME. I took the fenugreek pumped after nursing, increased water everything but I still always had to supplement w/formula. It was very difficult because I took personally as a reflection of me being a mom.
You have gotten some great advice. Again I just wanted to add not to take it personally and try not to stress. If she is taking supplements and pumping after nursing and her milk still isn't increasing she may just have low milk supply. It sucks, but let her be assured she's not alone.

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/galact.asp

L.,
I took Fenugreek to increase my milk with my first Daughter and it worked!! 2 cap. 4 times a day is what our Pediatrician recommended. I now have a one week old little girl and needed to increase my milk again, and it is working agaig. Also recommended is that she drinks water or other healty fluid while nursing..... Good luck! PS.. the fenugreek will make her urine and other areas like underams smell like artificial pancake syrup....

All can advise is FENUGREEK the capsules! It works great! The ONLY side effects I had were thirst! I had to drink lots and lots. With these very HOT days her intake of water needs to be very high! Is she taking good prenatals? Those are a must while nursing!

Hi,
Congrats to your friend for breast feeding it is a lot of work but so good for baby. Like the other repsonses mention, fenugreek and lots of water help.. I've also seen my milk increase with oatmeal (in a cookie, or breakfast bowl) and when I drink one guinness stout. Plus honestly the best thing for my milk supply is a rest! I know rest for mommy is not always easy to come by but seriously helps. Massages/ pedicures too.
Good luck to her.

Hi L.,

I found when I nursed that if she give her baby one breast for five minutes, which is when a baby gets the majority of the milk the breast has to offer, and then switches to the other breast and let's the baby nurse for as long as she wants, she'll have more milk. Also, this aids in having more uniformed breast. I hated looking like one breast was a D cup and the other one looked like a B cup.

Good Luck ~ F.

Please tell her to be extremely careful with ANY herbal supplements. For some reason people think natural means safe. I had the same problem and tried fenugreek and I ended up in the E.R. I am not saying everyone will develop this, but it made me have severe heart palpitations. I had never had ANY heart issues whatsoever before taking that stupid stuff. I would advise her strongly not to take it. I did so much research before taking it and could not find alot of negative until after I went looking for negative stuff, it is there. I am not alone. Alot of people told me oh it is great take it and I wish now I would not have. I ended up under the care of a cardiologist and now have this condition, most likely, permenantly! So, that is my experience with it. As far as things TO do. Please tell her to drink a TON of water. I can't emphasize this enough. I use to drink at least 10 to 12 8 oz glasses a day before pregnancy, but it was not even enough once I got preggo. Diet is also VERY important, if you don't have the proper nutrition you won't produce milk. I found all this out from personal experience because as a new mommy you are so busy trying to feed and nurture your baby you forget to do it for yourself, but you have to for your babies sake. SLEEEEEP though is # 1, that is when your body replenishes your milk so you need as much as you can get. If she is able to tell her to just stay in bed all day one day and nurse and then (if she has a bassinet just put her in there next to you) and that will help her supply. It is a supply demand process. I may not be explaining myself well so if she had any ?'s have her PM me or something. Trust me, I went through a REALLY, REALLY hard breast feeding process and I am happy to report I am stil giving my daughter breast milk at 6 and a half months. We call it The Boobie Juice!! LOL

Hi L.. Your friend is lucky to have you. These early weeks of nursing are so challenging, and I know I had a lot of intense emotions churning through me at that time. (Still do, sometimes. LOL) I remember feeling like it was my sacred duty to nourish my precious baby, and any problems with nursing felt like a fundamental failure on my part.

First of all, a new mom needs lots of support. I had a wonderful lactation consultant come to my house when my daughter was a few weeks old. She watched me nurse, helped me fine-tune my technique, and gave me lots of suggestions for maintaining milk supply. I'll tell you what I have done in the early nursing weeks with my 3 children.

I'm not sure why she feels like her milk supply is inadequate. Pumping, in my experience, isn't a true indicator of milk supply. If I'm nursing my baby, my body will continue to produce milk for as long as she is sucking. With a pump, my body produces whatever milk is there, but then stops. It can help to think about my baby or about nursing while I pump. However, pumping WILL tell her body to produce more milk, even if she doesn't get a lot during those sessions. If she starts using more formula to supplement, she needs to make sure she pumps more often, or the formula will fill up her baby, ensure that she doesn't nurse, and tell her body to reduce supply. Unless she has a truly insufficient supply (ie not enough wet diapers per day or dehydration), the best idea is to just spend as much time nursing as possible. If the baby happens to sleep for a good chunk of time, pumping for a little while can jump-start her production. With my body, it takes about 2 days for my body to react to the increase in demand.

The more often she can empty her breasts, the more cues her body gets to produce more milk. I'd nurse my baby first thing in the morning, often only on one side. Then I pump. I go about my day with normal feedings, and if my baby sleeps for a few hours, I might try to pump again some time during the day. I've always given my kids a bottle of breast milk as the last feeding of the day before I went to bed, so that they are comfortable and familiar with bottles, and to make sure they take LOTS of milk and hopefully will sleep for longer. As I'm usually up for a couple hours after I put the baby down, I would always pump right before I went to bed. After my little one gets to be about 3 or 4 months, I drop the mid-day pumping, but keep the morning and evening ritual for as long as I'm nursing.

I know that it can be exhausting, and that pumping isn't much fun. However, it is so important to get your milk supply off to a good start while the baby is little. Her needs will only increase, and if your friend gets too far behind her needs, it only gets more challenging to bring her supply back.

I really suggest that she ask her baby's pediatrician to suggest a lactation consultant, contact LLL, or ask girlfriends for support. I've tried More Milk Special Blend and fenugreek teas. I've had friends rave about the results they got, but I'm not sure if the products worked, or if it just helped that I was better hydrated.

Hope this helps, and feel free to contact me if you or she need more support.

L..
My mother gave me lots of cooked fish, tofu and Miso soup. She and the doctor also recommended lots of REST (which is difficult to do with a new baby) and lots of WATER.
GOOD LUCK!!
W.

Hi. When I was having problems with my milk supply my son's nurse told me to get the fenugreek capsules. They worked. When I pumped my milk supply went down. I think that I needed the actual baby for my milk to flow and not a machine.

hi L. - i don't have anything to offer on the pills/homeopathic/herbal supplement front, but i CAN tell you this..... as hard as it may be, she needs to REST, EAT, AND NOT STRESS OUT. sounds simple, but it's really not at this stage in her game. my milk supply dropped dramatically after just 2 wks w/my little girl. i can tell you FOR SURE that it was a combo of : me not getting enough sleep, me not eating enough, me being stressed out (my dog was dying of cancer when my daughter was born), and too many visitors (i felt the need to "hostess"). with my 11yr old son, i had similar issues but it was due to him being jaundiced (had to be re-hospitalized & then put on formula to increase his fluid intake) - so i VOWED to continue breastfeeding w/my girl for at least 6 months. i didn't last 1. even when i pumped, i was only getting ONE ounce out of each breast! i was very dissapointed & soooooo sad about it. your friend needs to make SURE that she rests & stays as calm as possible to keep up that supply. if i could give advice to myself back then, i would say "be selfish for you & the baby" & "take all the help that is being offered from others & don't feel guilty about it!"

Is she getting her daughter getting weighed by a lactation consultant or pediatrician's office? I ask because I had the same issue nursing my twin boys. They were really slow to gain weight - but they did gain slowly but surely. We had to supplement as well quite a few different ways. Pumping didn't help because I literally got nothing when I pumped. I was so worried by my fantastic lactation consultant assured me the boys will be fine - and so would my milk. My boys finally got above the 3%ile when they were around 8 or 9 months - and now they are at the 50th%ile! I used Mother's Milk tea and took the Fenugreek pills. I say keep going but keep in check with a professional. I have two I can recommend - one in Long Beach and one in Irvine. By the way I am still nursing and I have plenty of milk for them!

Wish her luck and encourage her to keep with it.

P.

When my son (now 4 months old) was born I also had a low milk supply so I tried Fenugreek. It worked very well for me and he's been well fed since. I didn't see any side effects and the doctor wasn't very concerned since he was gaining weight. If your friend would rather stay away from herbs, tell her to try eating oatmeal. Believe it or not oatmeal has worked for a lot of mothers I know (I personally don't like oatmeal so I didn't eat it). Another thing she may want to try is anise tea. Mother's Milk has anise in it (in addition to a couple of other herbs that are fine for the baby) and is a good way to increase milk production regularly too.

Good luck!

B. Dabney -- mother of 4 month old Noah.

When I was nursing many years ago, I was told by a La Leche League helper that the act of sucking stimulates & builds the supply of milk. There were times when my son nursed around the clock. I thought that he must be starving & not getting enough milk. It turned out to be the prelude to a growth spurt & when he slacked off a bit, I was producing too much milk! That's when I was able to sucessfully pump & store milk. Feeding formula my be defeating her purpose by not letting the baby stimulate milk production by sucking. Your suggestions about staying hydrated are very good. It really takes time to build up the supply, sometimes as long as 2 months to really be comfortable & assured. I nursed my son (now 24) & my daughter (just turned 19) so you can see- we all survived.

My sister-in-law used Fenugreek (the capsules) while nursing her first baby. She had a low milk supply, but it helped her get a sufficient milk supply and she nursed her daughter to well over a year (maybe even 2). She has a second baby now and has an abundant milk supply (I am not sure if she is taking the Fenugreek). I had a very low milk supply with my first baby and quit nursing early on. With my second baby, I used Fenugreek from the day he was born and didn't have any trouble with milk supply. I didn't nurse him very long (I quit for other reasons), but I had an abundance of milk while I did. I had not heard of any side effects, so I'm sorry I cannot help you there. There is also a "Mother's Milk" tea, maybe that will help.

First of all, pumping is no indication of milk supply. And to increase milk supply, drink plenty of water and eat good healthy regular meals and .... BREASTFEED. Supply and demand, it's an amazing thing.

Also, I know when I am not relaxed or if I feel rushed my baby seems to need to eat more frequently. So for me I have made that connection between milk supply or more accurately milk let down is directly related to my mental state. And my intake of food/water. Tell her to stop feeding formula and nurse on demand until they get into their own rhythm. She also could be going too long between feedings, which could account for her weight issues. In the beginning they eat every hour and a half to 2 hrs. So perhaps 3 hrs. might be too long. As for herbs, I have not used any remedy to increase my supply.

I wish her luck, breastfeeding really is so much hard work and does not come naturally to most of us. It is something you have to work really hard at in the beginning, and even later there will be times when you begin to have issues--sore nipples, teething, engorgement etc. I think we get tricked into thinking we have "low milk" and like to use that to fall back on. I do believe with some perseverence, determination and hard work, almost every woman can do it! I know, I have been there... to hell and back with preemie twins. I didnt breastfeed until they were ready to come home from the NICU(they were 2 months old at that point and I pumped the whole time they were in the NICU) and it took me 2 months to get it right once they were home. So believe me, I know it is not easy. I know the feeling of wanting to give up, thinking you are not producing enough etc. For most women, that is simply not the case, even tho they think it is. I hope she can get thru this. I send her my best.

I had the same problem as your friend. I tried a lot of the things that people have suggested. I went to the pump station for a consultation and they told me that I was not producing enough milk and suggested a supplemental nursing system where you strap on a bottle filled with formula, tape the tubes to your breasts and try to keep nursing. I had a doula helping me and I could not handle it. As I said, I tried everything and because my son was not "thriving" I supplemented with formula. I had to accept that my body and I were doing the best we could for my son. He weaned himself at 6 1/2 months when he discovered solid food. He was just so hungry! He is now 4 and a half and is HUGE and healthy. Please tell your friend that she just needs to do the best she can and that's enough. Good luck!

Good for L. for wanting to continue with breastfeeding. My milk supply was limited in the beginning as well. I was told to nurse on each side for at least 20 minutes, pump for 10 minutes on each side several times a day, increase my water in take, and get plenty of rest. That worked great for me. I never had a problem with my milk supply again.

Good luck!

Hi,
I used both fenugreek capsuls and a tea called mothers milk tea. In combonation they worked wonders for me and were recomended by both the La Lachie org. and by my health food store. I also checked with my pediatrcian, and they had no problems and knew of no side effects.
Jen

I worked with great lactation consultants at Mission Hospital. Very Supportive...and helped me with my milk supply. I am one of the those people that their body doesn't make enough milk so I did have to supplement, but some of the things I did beside all the great suggestions that the other ladies wrote are-
Whole Food sells a product called - More Milk Plus which has Fenugreek and other herbs to increase milk supply.
Also if extra pumping, herbs, oatmeal, beer, lots of water, rest and eating right doesn't work there is a drug in Europe that they use ( and I used as well) called Domperdidone. It can be Rx'd by your Ob and then you have to go to a compounding Pharmacy to make it. It will increas your prolactin which will increase you milk supply. Prior to that I use Reglan ( also and rx) which is use for reflux but also increases prolactin however that made me feel loopy. The only challenge with Domperidone is that is is very $$$$ about $125 per month and it is more of a drug of last resort.

I would go tell your friend to go to a supportive nursing class like I did. They would weigh my baby prior to nursing I would nurse which they helped me with and then weigh the baby again to determine exactly how much my baby's were getting and how much I need to supplement so they could continue to thrive.

Best of luck to your friend, and if she really wants to nurse tell her to hang in there and be patient.
Best-

Hi! I know how consuming the thoughts of low milk supply can be when you a have a new baby. I went through the same issue when my son was born. In the end I learned that it was really not an issue at all. I would first suggest to stop supplementing, that is the fastest way to cut down your milk supply. The more the baby is on her breast, the more milk she will make. Also remind her that the pump is not an indicator of how much milk you make, the baby gets way more out of her breast than the pump does. If baby needs more milk, she will get it. My son was sometimes feeding every hour on the hour! Its like he knew how to build up my milk supply when he needed it most. Other times he would only drink for 3 minutes and couldn't be bothered... Your advice is great. Eat well, drink fluids. There is a tea called mother's milk that has fenugreek in it, but a more controlled low dosage. I drank it, and I think it had more of a placebo affect on me than it ramped up my milk. In the end breastfeeding can be more of a mental challenge than a physical one. I am control freak, I finally had to tell myself that my body would figure it out, I couldn't drink teas or pump to control my milk. Mother nature always wins. Before pumps and formulas existed babies and moms just figured it out. For some its easier and for others its harder, but baby will be just fine! My son is now 7 months old and I feel like we just got the hang of it. We were on the slow side. Alot of moms pass most hurdles at 3-4 months. I am so glad my husband encouraged me to stick with it. Tell your friend to do the same, and reassure her that everything she is feeling is normal and it will pass. My top tips are: breastfeed more often, don't time the baby, just feed her when she wants. Eat well, worry less. And, call La Leche League for a support group.

Milk supply is based on demand. Have her pump after each feeding, even if nothing comes out, the body will figure it out in about 48 hrs. Also eat and drink A LOT!!! More than she thinks is normal. The body needs food for her and the baby. I eat and drink more than when I was pregnant. Whole oats help too. There is a drug she can ask her doc about too, forget the name, it starts with an R I think. Good luck, remeind her not to give up, it's THE BEST thing for the baby!!!!!!!!!

I can speak from experience that the teas do not do much to increase milk suppy. What has helped me is to drink a large fresh juice in the morning of carrots and some greens such as lettuce, chard, and kale. These have lots of protien and are high in calcium. I was amazed at how much calcium these have.
Also, having some fish really helps. Avocado is very high in calories and has good fat. I will have 1 avocado every other day. Just think about it, cows produce lots of milk, and all they eat is grass, so have her eat lots of greens.
I will do a large salad with some cooked asparagus or green beans. Chicken soup is great to increase milk supply because of all the veggies you add in there.
I will have a daily shake with some raw tahini, it is very high in calcium and has protien and does not give colic.
In my shake, I add: hemp protien powder, raw tahini, 1 tablespoon of Udos Oil or flax oil, rice milk, kefir(like yogurt but eaisier to digest), berries, green powder, agave nectar for sweetness or banana. A nutritionist gave me this recipe for nursing, I was actually having 3 shakes a day plus 3 to 4 meals when I started out nursing. It really helped a lot.
I must say that the fresh juices are my biggest boost for milk. Carrot juice is so complete that I read some people give it to babies if they are allergic to all milks.
Best of luck to your friend, it gets eaisier after 2 1/2 months of nursing. Just stick it through and all will work out.
I always remember about the cows when my milk supply is low and I just stock up on fresh greens, fruit, juice along with my other regular foods. I read that tip in "The Raw Food Detox Diet" book by Natalia Rose who also had low milk supply until she added lots of live foods in her diet.
Good luck!!!!

Hi L.,
Tell your friend, if she wants to increase her supply, stop giving the bottle. The body makes milk as the baby is drinking, it. It is very much a supply and demand thing. Any time she gives a bottle, her body is being told it doesn't need to make more milk. Have her take 24 hours, crawl into bed with her baby, and not get up for anything! (unless to go to the bathroom! :-) During that time baby is to have full reign on the breasts. The more she stays latched on and feeding, the more the body will make. She needs to drink lots of liquids as well. Have her drink a large glass of water with each feeding. During this time, someone else needs to take care of the household duties, she needs to focus on her baby. Also, the breastpump does not get as much milk out as the baby does. It should not be used to judge how much she is producing. If she wants to know how much she is eating during a feeding, she can go to her pediatrician's office, before a feeding, strip the baby down to clean diaper, weigh her, and then feed her. After the feeding, weigh her again, without changing the diaper (since that was in her when she was wieghed before) and you will get an acurate number of oz, she ate during that feeding. The more she feeds, the more mom will make. Also, tell her not to look at the clock. Don't worry about how many minutes she is eating on each side. Let her latch on demand, and self separate.
I Hope she is able to take the time needed. It will work. Also, help her find a lactation consultant in her area. The La Leche League is a good resource for that.

Fennel is a very good natural remedy to increase milk supply. It also helps with digestion for both the mother and the baby. Good luck.

fenugreek, fenugreek, fenugreek! I used it and it did increase my milk supply! My sister-in-law used it and it increased her milk supply more then it did for me. You can find it in pill form. Most health food stores carry it.
Either of use had any side effects other then the fact that we smelled like maple syrup. It's somthing to laugh about!! At any time I could smell my arm pit and I would be reminded of pancakes. LOL As far as it being safe for a baby, it's all natural, so I don't see the harm.
It may take a few weeks to kick in so tell her to give it at least 3 weeks to see a difference of a few ounces.
My other suggestion would be to pump, pump, pump like a mad woman. Pump after she feeds as well.
Good luck to her!!

Hi L.,
It's great you're there to be supportive to this friend. Fenugreek is safe for baby. There are actually tablets that are more concentrated that she can take. The Rx is 6 tablets to start you out and then 3 tabs 3x/day for as long as needed. Also, your friend shouldn't judge her milk supply based on what she was able to pump out. Many people struggle to pump successfully. Baby does a much better job at emptying the breast. La Leche League is a great resource for making sure baby is latched on correctly and for offering advice on how to change holding position that may help baby get a better latch.

You're right about the drinking water part. Very important. Also, mom's breasts need to be stimulated to produce more milk. If she's giving formula, milk supply will continue to diminish unless she's putting baby to breast OFTEN or pumping in between feedings. She can succeed in breastfeeding. It takes effort and determination, but the rewards for mom and baby are amazing and well worth the effort. Mom needs support. Especially in this heat it's important that baby be hydrated and mom not feel guilty about supplementing.

There's some kind of feeding contraption on the market where mom holds baby to breast and there's a tube that attaches to the breast that feeds in supplemental formula while baby nurses. That way, breasts are being told to produce more milk and baby gets that extra fill from the supplemental formula.
I think it's called something like that, "supplemental feeding system" or something like that.

Best of luck. It's too bad breasts aren't see through so you could see how much milk is in there and getting into baby.

J.

Fenugreek is perfectly safe. I have been breast feeding for 10 months now. I am not sure which teas you are using, but the mother's milk is the best. Your friend might want to invest in a lactation counselor.
I am not sure where she lives, but I used
Milkin' Mommas in the San Fernando Valley. They saved my life! They make house calls. Here is their website: www.milkinmommas.com.

You can find Nursing tea's at any health food store. Maybe at conventional one's too.
Traditional Medicinals makes a Mother's Milk tea. 3 or 4 glasses a day.
Lots of water of course is necessary.
I believe her diet should be 500 calories more a day to produce a good milk supply.
Fenugreek is in some of the teas so I'm pretty sure if it's taken in the right dosages it's not going to hurt the baby.

She can look up the La Leche League online for ANY info on breastfeeding. There might even be a representative in her area she can talk to.

http://www.llli.org/

Speaking from experience, supplementing w/formula actually harms your efforts to breastfeed successfully. With my 2nd child I nursed him more often and pumped after every feeding. Tell your friend not to focus on how much milk she pumps. The pumping just helps increase your milk little by little. Tell her that as long as the baby continues to have wet diapers with light colored and odorless urine, she's doing fine. The bottom line is breastfeeding is a supply and demand function. Your body will communicate with your baby. It just takes some time.

I ate cinnamon oatmeal and it worked lika charm.

Have her try an herbal supplement called More Milk Plus. It's a tincture that she can probably find at her local Whole Foods, Henry's Marketplace or online. Just add 1 to 2 dropperfulls of the tincture to juice or water according to the instructions on the label. My lactation consultant was the one to recommend it to me. It worked like a charm for me within about 2-3 days. She can also find it at most Women's Health Centers or her local lactation consultant. It costs about $10. She will only need to buy the small bottle since it will work within a few days. It's all natural so it's not harmful to her or baby.

There are some side effects if you take too much fenugreek. But the amounts in the More Milk Plus are not enough to give her the side effects. I think the common one would be headache if you have too much fenugreek.

I nursed for a year and did run into times that my milk supply would drop. Often I was on the phone with Hoag Hospital Babyline which is operated by registered nurses and I think most(if not all) of them are lactation nurses. Here are two suggestions that I tried and it seemed to work. For 24-48 hours (which ever it takes) after nursing, follow up by immediately pumping for 10 minutes. It is a lot of work but it really helped, especially after work. I waited until the weekend so that I would have my husbands help with the baby after nursing and I could pump without any interruptions. I remember when I first started I began to resent the whole nursing/pumping thing because I felt like there was so much clean-up with the pump supplies so my husband took over cleaning all the stuff and that helped!!! I guess it was only fair since I spent at least 45 minutes a day pumping. Also when I first started nursing I added an extra pump "session" in the morning 30 minutes after my first nursing. I know that it is hard work and the fact that she is willing to try any nursing is amazing.

The problem with supplementing with formula is that you're just creating a cyclic problem. Breastmilk production is a supply and demand system. The more your baby nurses and stimulates your nipples, the more milk you will produce. If you are supplementing your baby with formula in a bottle, your body isn't accounting for that extra need. Also, don't gauge your milk supply by the amount you can pump. I could produce LOADS for my son when he nursed, but could barely squeeze out a drop for the pump -- and I was using a very high end one! The whole emotional component is missing when you pump -- I just couldn't have a let down for the pump at all. My son was much more efficient at getting milk than the pump was! In any case, there are things you can do to stimulate your milk supply. My best advice to you is to get in touch with your local La Leche League leader. These women are fabulous! They are so knowledgeable in this area and will meet with you to get your problems resolved. You can find your local leader's name and contact number online at http://www.lalecheleaguescnv.org/phonenumbers.htm

Good luck to you!

If she hasn't already try going to www.lelecheleague.com
It is all about breast feeding.
Tell her my prayers are with her. And give her a high five for me that she is seeking the help to continue one of the greatist gifts she could ever give her baby.
Take care
B.

hi L.... i had the same problem.. but instead of breastfeeding i was pumping because my baby was born a preemie and i had to pump while he was in the NICU. i was taking fenugreek pills and yes there safe for the baby or else the lactation nurse wouldnt recommend them. has your friend tried going to any breastfeeding classes?? there a big help. also my lactation nurse also recommended eating alot of oatmeal in any form like oatmeal cookies or oatmeal for breakfest. anything with oatmeat in it will increase milk supply. it did for me. i hope this helps. good luck

I will probably just say what others have said but oh well. LOL! There are ingreadients to producing milk

-LOTS-O-WATER!!!!!!
-A healthy diet
-being active
-pumping for at least 20 mins after every (EVERY) feeding

I too was concerned about my little girl (5lbs 8oz at birth) not gaining weight as fast as I THOUGHT she should...and did notice that when I pumped I didn’t get very much milk...therefore I supplemented with formula. When I talked to a lactation specialist and did everything she told me was the key to milk production (the above list) by the time my girl was about 2 1/2 to 3 months old I produced enough milk for quadruplets!!! OUCH!! LOL! I ended up being able to freeze my milk (lots of it!)....it was a God sent when it came time to go back to work or having to leave her for any reason.

I hope I helped a little....make sure and ask your friend if she is doing the things listed.....if not then no wonder! :0) Oh and a lactation specialist will be the best resource she will have.

Peace~Love~Light
V.

Go to the pump station and talk with Wendy or Corky in Santa Monica

Tell her to ask her dr. for a prescription for Reglan and it should help within a few days. She can stop taking it after that and just continue to feed often after that. Tell her not to go longer than 2 hours in between at the beginning or else her supply will dimish. I was in the same situation 2 months ago and it worked.

HI there.

don't let anyone tell you or your friend that this is easy. But it is so worth the effort! I stimulated lactation for my baby boy who came to us via surrogate. It was hard, but I swear I would do it again!

Mother's milk tea (contains fenugreek) is what all of the lactation consultants recommend. Side effects? Not to worry. There is also a tincture called milk plus, or something like that. Get it. Also, different cultures believe in different things, but for sure whole grains like oatmeal and Quinoa are great stimulants. Even chocolate. or chocolate milk made with brown rice milk is even better.
the next thing is to pump after nursing. Each time, if you can stand it. Sounds crazy, but pump after nursing to simulate higher demand. The boobs should respond within a week. It is a pain in the butt to wash all of the bottles and attachments, but you will be so happy you did it!

Finally, if you have lots of questions, call the Pump Station in Santa Monica. Corky Harvey and Wendy (can't remember her last name) have been doing this for 20 years. They are the best of the best. one on one consults, support groups and of course the shop! Well trained staff too.

Good luck!

Hi, how nice of you to take the time to look into things for your friend who most certainly doesnt have very much, if any, free time! i myself used fenugreek. i bought it loose in bulk and brewed it in a french press and would keep it in the fridge so that it would be ready to drink a few times a day. it is the most common galactagogue in india, and is actually beneficial for baby's digestion. the only 'side-effect' i experienced with it is that it made my sweat smell very pungent, like anise. i also tried the Mother's Milk tea from Nutritional Medicinals, and enjoyed it. Yogi Tea also makes a Nursing Mother tea, but I didnt enjoy the flavor as well, and didnt feel as though it was as effective. Both teas are made with fenugreek, fennel and anise, all known to be galactagogues and are helpful for baby's tummy. and plenty of water is of course vital, as you mentioned. Exercise is helpful too, to help keep the circulation flowing and the proper balance of hormones. Support for your friend is very important. I know a lot of women give up on nursing when it becomes challenging, but the benefits are so so worth it. i treasure the bond created between my son and i during the 17 months that i nursed him. even if she is only able to nurse sometimes and supplements, it is worth it. sometimes the body just needs a little time to catch up. help her stay relaxed, and encourage her without putting any pressure on. relax relax relax is key. when i felt like my supply was low, i would just sit with my osn at my breast and let him suckle on my nipple even if he wasnt eating and that would help stimulate production, and then when he was ready to eat, there was milk!! its a wondrous thing how the body works! Good Luck to you all!

L.,

My favorite site for all things breastfeeding is www.kellymom.com

There is a really good article on increasing milk supply here.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

This is another really good, really breastfeeding friendly resource:

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/galact.asp

and here is another good one:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp

between www.kellymom.com www.drjaygordon.com and www.askdrsears.com you can find out just about anything. And they explain it better than I ever could.

In general, what worked for me was nursing and pumping as much as possible, getting enough fat, calories and protein in my diet, and drinking plenty of water.

The main thing to remember about Fenugreek is that it is a legume like a peanut so if you've got peanut allergies in the family, watch for allergic reaction and quit taking it immediately if you see signs of allergy. It can also cause lots of tummy turbulence in both mom and baby. If that happens, she'll have to decide if it is worth it. Most of the women I know (I'm on a couple of breastfeeding list serves) who have used fenugreek end up getting tablets of straight fenugreek and taking it that way. The teas often don't have enough fenugreek in them to be effective. For the maxmimum benefit, you have to take enough of it to start (you) smelling like maple syrup. If you don't smell, you aren't taking enough.

But the answer is there are lots of ways she can try to increase her milk supply. Check out the links above.

:-)T.

Hi - I would suggest you tell your friend to hang in there and don't give up. Tell her to keep feeding the baby every 2 hours and her milk supply will increase. I know it's not easy but I can tell you if does work. My baby girl is now 8 months and I'm still nursing her now just in the morning & at night. Good luck!

This is the best websit ever and I have been to them all in the past 7 years! Dr. Jack Newman is a doctor in Canada and has a clinic up there. I have had trouble nursing all 3 of my girls. I even used a medication that increased my milk and it helped with all 3 of them (I am actually on it now and nursing my 10 month old). This website even addresses fenugreek. I took it and it also helped my milk, but you have to take it often about 2-3 capsules 3 times a day. Tell her not to give up and to go to the webiste for help. It's like having a lactation consultant in your home!
Geneva

http://www.drjacknewman.com/breastfeeding-help.asp

Hi
I wanted to respond but you already have great advice. I will reinforce some of it anyways:
1. See a lactation consultant/ or La Leche League
2. I took fenugreek and blessed thistle capsules
3. keep up with the mother's mild tea and drink lots of fluids.
4. Nurse frequently, maybe the baby wants to nurse more often. this will help with supply, it takes a couple of months to get into a nursing routine. if possible, pump after feeding the baby. you can always store the milk and the extra stimulation really helps.
5. the baby is still very young, the breastfeeding takes time. believe me, if your friend keeps at it when her baby is three months, she will notice the dramatic difference.
6. also, and most importantly make sure the baby stays awake when nursing.
good luck

Hi,
I had a low supply of milk when my baby was 4 months old. She was very sick, and almost stopped eating, which reduced my supply. As she recovered from illness, I had to increase my supply for her - this is what I did:
Funugreek is great. I took it twice a day (although it made me smell really funny...) It was recommended by my lactation consultant. There is an herbal tea out there called mothers milk tea. Take a mug about 2 or 3 times a day. A dark beer will help. Some people like to stay away from alcohol while nursing, but my lactation consultant assured me that one beer would be ok every once in a while. It should be dark - not just any beer. Also, rest and relaxation helps a lot. How old is the baby? If it is under 3 months, just the stimulation on the breasts will help out too. Older than that, it is all about milk flow.

I can give you the number for my lactation consultant - email me...
Good luck!
LL

Dear L.:

The amount that comes out when you pump is no indicator of your milk supply. I could pump for hours and only get 1 ounce yet my kids would smile at me while nursing and gush milk all over the place! I, the one who was unable to pump, tandem nursed my kids to age three and both thrived. The solution is to keep nursing frequently (more than every 2-3 hours for a newborn, in my experience) and to relax. Some kids just don't gain weight that quickly. Your friend needs to stop thinking she's not "enough". Her milk is just what baby needs. And you sound like a wonderful friend!

Best wishes,

M.