I am in the military, and I have to leave my 3 month old son with my Mother for 5 days while I go on a mission out of state. He's breastfed and a week ago I tried intoducing formula, Isomil, but he didn't agree with it. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on how I can increase my milk supply so I am able to store/freeze pre-pumped milk for my Mom to give my son when I am away. Any advice would be useful. Thanks!
Thank you so much for all your responses. I experimented with the suggestions, found some that worked and some that didn't. This just goes to show us mothers (and lactation consultants) have to stick together! I was able to increase my milk supply, I don't know if that's too much information, LOL! And I was able to pump enough milk for my Mother not to have to resort to formula, not that formula is bad or anything. I did make it through those tough times. Tough times meaning leaving my son for those 5 days. Once again, thanks for all the feedback!
J.,
Things I learned was the more you do it, the more it will come with ease. and the more liquids you intake the more you can express. Good luck with it all.
I dont know how you could produce more milk except perhaps drinking more liquids. However something you could try is doing 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula while your gone. It wont taste exactly like either so he may respond better to it, and what you do get to freeze will last twice as long. Good luck on your mission, both of them!
Hi J., My sister-in-law is very good with breast-feeding advice, I emailed your question to her and will respond to you again as soon as I receive a reply from her. Good for you for trying to stick with breast-feeding through your busy schedule; that is something of which you can be very proud!
Hi J.,
I'm not sure how to increase your milk supply. If you are o.k. with the formula, you can try adding breastmilk to it...your little bubba might like it a little better. Once you've done that for several days, try introducing it with water.
Good Luck!
J.
J., don't feel bad! My job once took me on location (photographer) when my boy was 4 months, I had to do the same thing. You can increase your supply by pumping more frequently. If you can, pump every two-three hours ( think in terms of nursing twins or more). It will start slow, but will increase in a few days of repition. Hot showers help too! Good luck! God bless for what you do! F.
Keep pumping in between feedings to increase supply. Pump after feedings as well and freeze everything you pump. Check with lactation specialist on how to properly freeze and store milk.
Hello there,
I am actually doing the same thing, planning for a vacation. To increase milk supply, I am taking fenugreek, blessed thistle, and trying to pump more -- they call it power pump, if you can take a few days and feed your baby, then pump right afterwards or in between feedings. Also my son sleeps 11 hrs at night so I pump once before I go to bed. A place that I have found to be wuite helpful is the breastfeeding message board on babyzone.com I am also a neonatal RN. Remember to drink lots of water. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello, J.. I have a 8 month old and when I got sick and had to stop breast feeding, I ran into the same thing. Here are some suggestions:
Take Fenugreek(herb). I think you can buy it a Whole Foods Market on Sawmill Rd. Also after you baby feeds pump. And make sure he feeds every 2 to 3 hours. I found that Mother's Milk Tea helped too. (found at GNC) Good luck. H..
J., I mixed formula with breastmilk to get my baby to take formula. I continued to breastfeed at night. Don't be hard on yourself. Your baby has a mother who has committed herself to her country. What a wonderful role model. Babies are flexible. If you're happy he'll be happy!
I noticed that you got a lot of good advice on this question however a few suggestions could actually decrease milk supply. While making sure you are drinking enough fluids, over hydration can interfer with aldosterone one hormone that regulates kidney function and urination causing a decrease milk production. The advice is to drink to thirst (usually keeping a glass of water, juice or milk with you when nursing or pumping)and make sure your urine stays a very pale color.
Another comment implied that heat makes milk. This is not actually what happens. Heat pulls more fliud into the breast and can make the breast look bigger but more milk is not made this way. Also, it could cause the breast to become engorged creating back pressure on the milk making cells and causing the breasts to stop making milk. More milk is produced as milk is taken out of the breasts. To increase milk supply nurse or pump more often. Fenugreek does help some moms but the correct dosage should be followed. Remember that it is an herb and dosage and purity is not reguulated. Purchase only from a reliable source.
I hope this information helps.
A. Twiggs, RD, LD, IBCLC
Ohio WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator
You can take Fenugreek, which is an herbal supplement. You only need to take it for 2-3 days and your milk supply should increase. I would call a breastfeeding helpline to find out how much you should take, and be prepared to pump the extra b/c for most people, it does increase your milk quite a bit. That is what was recommended to me when I was pumping at work and not getting enough. There's quite a bit of info on the web about Fenugreek so that you can read up on it, but my understanding is that it is pretty widely used for that purpose.
Good luck!!!
hello my name is D.. I have a four year old son and a 2 year old daughter. I breastfed both my children for as long as I could...8 months each. The advice I have is first and foremost contact a lactation consultant...they are wonderful.. You can contact any hospital and they will have someone available to you. NExt I suggest pumping, pumping, pumping. Your milk production depends on need. So if you pump more than you feed your beasts will produce more milk. Thirdly, my lactation consultant advised me to take a herbal tea. Unfortunately i cannot remember what is was called at this very moment, but if you go to a health food store or a GNC they will be able to help you out. Sorry i just remembered what it's called. Long night of work I apologise for the scattered brain...Fenugreek!!! It's made with fennel seed which helps increase milk production. Stay away from fennel OIL though! That will actually inhibit milk production. Hope I was helpful to you. Good luck
Hey J.!
A site that I found to be SUPER helpful when I was breastfeeding my kids is www.kellymom.com Lots of advice there.
Good Luck! I hope it helps!
When I thought my supply was going low, I drank Mother's Milk Tea (if you have a Kroger's grocery store, they usually have it there in the organic foods department--if not, any place that sells organic foods usually sells it), and I thought it helped a lot. You have to drink it a lot, though, and it's terribly disgusting unless you use a lot of sugar. They also have the active herb available in I think pills or some other kind of form--check with La Leche League for the accurate information. I also used warm compresses on my breasts (heat increases supply, cold stops it) and pumped a whole lot while my son wasn't feeding. I'd nurse him, pump an hour later, then nurse him an hour after pumping, and so on. It can be grueling, but you'll only have to do this for a few days, probably. Also, a double pump is better than a single pump, so invest in one of those if you can. Also, electric is better than hand-held. I hope this helps!
Maybe try pumping more often to increase production and storing in the gerber breast milk bags. They lie flat in the freezer and then you can save more. I'd also ask your OB/Gyn or pediatrician for suggestions.
I wish I had advice to give you! I just wanted to say "thank you" for your sacrifice to our country! I understand the guilt you feel- I'm sure your a great mother and an outstanding soldier!
