Question About Milk Supply

Updated on December 27, 2015
D.M. asks from Creedmoor, NC
19 answers

About a week ago i came down with what the doctor told me was a stomach virus before than breastfeeding for me and my baby was going great then afterward i noticed my milk supply had slowed down significantly the doctor prescribed reglan for me and ive been taking it for about 4 days now and havent seen any results what should i do ive already tried drinking the mothers milk tea and fenugreek!!!

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So What Happened?

Well today after many many fenugreek tablets and drinking as much mothers milk tea and other fluids such as water, orange juice and any other fluids oo and oatmeal i noticed that slowly but surly my milk supply is coming back in. i am still pumping frequently and whenever baby crys i put him to the breast. i would like to thank everyone for taking there time to actually take the time to have read an replied to my concern i couldnt believe the feedback i got i wish i would have learned about site sooner it went to my favorites. AGAIN THANKYOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO ALL THE MOTHERS WHO GAVE ME THEIR WISE ADVICE IM A FIRST TIME MOTHER AND I FELT SO MUCH BETTER AFTER ALL THE FEEDBACK. THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS

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P.H.

answers from Charlotte on

D.,
I had the same problem. I used fenugreek as well.I found pumping between feedings to be of benefit.It took several days but my supply balanced back out. If you do not have a pump, shorter more frequent feedings will help as well.Stick with it mom you are doing great!!

2 moms found this helpful
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G.M.

answers from Raleigh on

hey, i had the same thing happen after i had mastitis (YOUCH) and the dr told me to take milkthistle and fenugreek and it came right back.

Good luck

1 mom found this helpful

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S.W.

answers from Johnson City on

Oh I am so sorry for your stress!!! have you tried eating oatmeal? And sometimes blessed thistle taken with fenugreek really helps...it takes a lot of fenugreek though! Try looking over at bfar.org--they have lots of good info! Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Greensboro on

I nursed my daughter until she turned 2 yrs old and right after she turned 1 we both came down with a stomach virus. My milk supply deminished significantly as well. One thing that you need to make sure that you are doing is getting enough liquids (water). It is very easy to get dehydrated when you have a stomach virus. In addition, for a week or so I had to increase the amount of times that I pumped and nursed until my body caught back up to the supply that was necessary. In the end, it all worked out. I pray that the same happens for you!!!!!Water, Water, Water, nurse, pump, nurse, hopefully this equation will = success.

Be BLESSED...

2 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Hello D., you can also contact someone from nursing mothers of raleigh http://www.nursingmothersofraleigh.org/
I have found these counselor moms to be very helpful.

Best of luck ... try not to worry :-)

D..

1 mom found this helpful
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B.O.

answers from Nashville on

With my 1st my milk supply was always low. I too tried the herbs 1st fenugreek, blessed thisstle, etc. - didn't make a dent. My endochronologist thought that it was b/c of my thyroid issues. Anyway, I was put on regulan (took about 2 weeks to fully work into my system) but was great. I stayed on it for 14 months (took the full dose when he was exclusively nursing, 2/3 dose once we started foods, and 1/3 dose when he started drinking other liquids). Stopped taking it at 14 months and my supply started to slowly dry up and we quit nursing by 17 months. A great thing as well, was that I never had any pain or engourgment when we would cut back. The reglan worked great for me - just beware that depression could be a side effect, just something to be cautious of - but fortunately doesn't effect everyone.
side note - with my 2nd son, I was ready for the same thing (had my prescription filled before he was born). Took it the same - but after a long chain of events - I started drinking this high nutrient high anti-oxidant juice for some digestive issues and b/c the nutrition is so great in the juice I stopped taking the reglan and have still had plenty of supply for my son. Just a thought - if you want to check it out you can buy it at https://www.mymonavie.com/monavieformommies - it is pretty expensive, I am now buying it in bulk staraight from the manufacturer which cuts the cost down b/c I will be drinking it as long as he is nursing - b/c I am convinced that this is the most nutritious breast milk that I have ver produced.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.G.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi D.
I'm so sorry that you have been ill. Sometimes medications can affect your metabolism, hence affecting your milk supply. It sounds like you're trying the right things. Have you also tried pumping in between feedings? This can also help stimulate milk production. Also drinking a ton of water should help as well. If you're still having troubles ask your doctor if you can try a different med. Also, it may help to talk with a lactation consultant. If you don't have a resource, try calling the facility where you delivered and ask to speak with a LC and they should be able to help you.

Good luck
P.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.R.

answers from Asheville on

Put your baby to breast or pump every two hours round the clock.

In a couple of days you should see a significant increase in your milk supply. Remember to rest, eat well and drink water when thirsty. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Raleigh on

you never stated how long you have been nursing. Sometime between 2-6 months your supply evens itself out. (not running out just tapers to match your child) If you have been exclusively breastfeeding and on demand your supply should be fine. If you are truly concerned you can do a few other things. Relax to have a better "let down (stress doesn't exactly help production), pump because it a use it or lose it supply and demand (a baby always gets out lots more than any pump), weigh your child before and after a feeding whether its a lactation consultant, nurse, or even at home to determine how much the intake is, hydrate yourself, and try to remember that your body was made for this. It is very very rare that a mother does not have enough milk.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Charlotte on

I had the same thing happen about 2 weeks ago. It took my milk supply 5-6 days to pick back up. Hang in there!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

The best way to bring your milk supply up is to tel your body you need more.

The most natural way to do that is to feed the baby as usual, when the baby is all done with his/her regular feedings use a breast pump for about 10 minutes on each side. Your body will quickly realize that the demand is high and needs to produce more. I did this so that I could store breast milk and I ended up being able to pump 8 oz (each feeding)AFTER my daughter had breast fed for 20 minutes on each side.

The important thing to remember when doing this is drink tons of water.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Louisville on

My number one suggestion is Almonds! Almonds contain a lot of calcium which a nursing mother needs. But they are also very high in calories and do not cause irritability in children, but do wonders for your breast milk. Give it a try! And of course, lots and lots of water too.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.O.

answers from Fayetteville on

pump more and breastfeed more when you body knows that when there is more of a demand for the milk (in other words frequent feeding) it will supply more. Sort of like supply in demand thing. I went thru the same thing and the doctor told me that women that didn't even give birth can breast feed when they milk or pump their breast. I tried it and I'll be damed, it worked. The more I pumped and fed the more milk I got. It takes about 24 hours to resupply but even if you aren't getting anything out of it keep pumping and masaging your breast cause the next day you will find that you are getting more and the next day even more.
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.F.

answers from Lexington on

Not sure how old your little one is, but I would recommend nursing more. The more often you nurse, the more milk you will produce. Also, rest as much as you can and drink lots of fluids.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.J.

answers from Raleigh on

I would call a lactation consultant or a LLL leader. I'm sure there is a solution, but it sounds like you need to have a conversation with someone who is an expert in breastfeeding to find out exactly what is causing your decrease in milk supply. Though your doctor is trying to help, many doctors do not have a thorough knowledge of how to resolve problems with breastfeeding.

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Clarksville on

Hi D.,

You have gotten some excellent suggestions so far and I just wanted to say, I second the suggestions to eat oatmeal, drink plenty of water, nurse frequently and pump between feedings. Fenugreek, mother's milk tea are beneficial as well. You are doing great. Try not to stress as that affects your milk supply too. If you are in doubt contact your local La Leche League Leader. They will share similar advice but having the real life suppport is invaluable.

http://www.lllofnc.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&a...

Here is an article from kellymom on low supply with some links, suggestions and information on supply issues. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

Peace,
J.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.O.

answers from Charlotte on

There was a recall on Reglan. It is linked to tardive dyskinesia. Some medications decrease your milk supply like antibiotics. Hang in there. May be pump and try to get it back up. I would ditch the Reglan. I had a puppy die because of that stuff.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.C.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi D.-
First of all hang in there and do not get discouraged-

I need more info to help figure out what is going on. How old is your baby? Milk supply always decreases at about 8-12 weeks and again when solids are introduced- do either of these apply for you? The best thing for increasing your supply is to feed a hungry baby- they get more milk than pumping- after you have fed your baby then pump- this is what Moms of twins do to keep up supply.

I know it is hard but try to keep a sense of humor as you work through it... you can always laugh about how the fenugreek makes you smell like maple syrup. Hang in there. Have you seen kellysmom.com ? this is an excellent and very practical place for info to help.
Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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C.Y.

answers from Providence on

Did you try healthy nursing tea by secrets of tea? If not yet, give it a try and hope your milk will get a boost.

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