I have been ill with this "lovely" virus for about 3 days now, diarreah and naseau, but I am feeling better today, however, I took a supplement to clean and detoxify and now I am not producing enough milk for my 6mth old. The name of the supplement is called Greens, it has lots of different herbs in it. Is there something I can do so I can continue to breastfeed. My baby won't take formula, at all!! I was considering using my emergency supply in the freezer, am I going to be ok if I skip a feeding.
Ok, so I took some advice last night, I was able to nurse the baby in the middle of the night, and I seem to have my supply back today. I think it was lack of fluids in my body, and of course being sick too. I am not going to pump, I am feeding ON DEMAND! I appreciate all the feed back!!!
just nurse nurse nurse, let her nurse whenever she's hungry or even bored right now so get your supply back up. hole up in hte house for a few days and just nurse all the time, your supply will come right back as long as its demanded. So no, don't skip a feeding alltogether.
I would call the hospital where you delievered and ask to speak with the lactation nurse. They are incredibly helpful!
Yes, it takes your body about 48hrs to catch back up. When you're ready to increase your supply just nurse & pump as much as you can. Don't forget to EAT & DRINK to help your body.
I would ask your doctor about the supplement to make sure it's safe and about the milk situation. Supplements are not regulated and herbs don't always = good, so you need a doctor's opinion on this situation.
pump!! if you have a pump, try doing a couple pumps in between feedings to give your funbags a little 'push' and motivation.
fenugreek + oatmeal ALWAYS helped me! fenugreek is a supplement that is great in helping restore and produce lactation and oatmeal, for some reason, seems to really aid in that as well. not sure why? but I always had problems and if I did the fenugreek + oatmeal regimen for a couple days; I'd almost be overflowing and in pain from TOO much milk lol.
The best way to get/keep up your milk supply is to keep nursing. I've also tried 'lactation cookies' that are super yummy (just google it - it'll have lots of oats and brewers yeast in the recipe) that seem to help a little. Make sure you're eating healthily (lots of veggies, fruits and proteins) and drinking sufficiently (about 2 liters a day). Rest is important as well.
It might be more the fact that you were sick, and therefore dehydrated and not eating enough, rather than the supplement....but I'd steer clear of anything (except for tylenol or advil) that isn't approved for nursing mothers by your doctor.
I'm sure you may feel your breastmilk has diminished, but I assure you - with constant suckling it will quickly return to normal even if things had changed a bit. 6 months is around the time of the second growth spurt - - she will feed and feed and feed and seem unsatisfied - but that is only to get your body to up the milk production.
Keeping hydrated, eating healthy foods (especially oatmeal) will go a long way. If you STILL feel your aren't producing enough, the supplement combination of Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle will increase most womens milk production in under 4 days.
I'm sure you are doing fine... and keep your stockpile of frozen milk for emergencies!! Goodness knows you can't pump much now (which is also normal, most women can't pump past 4 months).
I wouldn't skip the feeding all together - at least pump for a while. Your supply will rebound again as long as it is still being "demanded" like before. Hope you are better soon.
You are probably more dehydrated over anything else. I would make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids.
Whenever I feel my supply is dwindling/not enough I pump after my baby feeds. I let her have what she wants on the first side then switch and pump the first while she nurses the second then pump the second when she's done. This helps the supply (even if you only get a few drops, the stimulation will help) and will give you more to freeze. If she still seems hungry after nursing then you can give her some frozen milk, but skipping feedings won't help.
There is a tea made by Yogi called mothers milk that will help get your supply back up. You can google it and it will tell you where you can purchase in your area usually at health food stores. Very naturally will not hurt baby works great.
Definitely DON'T skip feedings. The way to increase supply is to nurse more often. Pumping after feedings will help, as well. As others have said, you need to be well nourished and have plenty of fluids (healthy ones) on board. Also, keeping baby skin-to-skin (as much as a 6 month old will handle) is good for you, too.
Have you tried mixing your breastmilk with formula to see if your baby will take it that way? I didn't produce enough milk to keep up with my baby so I had to supplement her with formula by mixing it with the breastmilk. Also, I have heard fenugreek works too. You can also google lactation cookies for a recipe that is supposed to help increase your production of milk. Definitely don't skip a feeding, that will only signal your body to produce less milk. Good Luck!
