BF vent/question

teaforthree

I've had issues with breast feeding from the beginning.  My supply was never enough to feed LO, so we've been supplementing with formula and I've been exclusively pumping since week one.  In the beginning I would get 2 to 3 ounces per pump session.  Well, my supply has steadily tanked over time - LO is six weeks now - and it's to the point that I now get about half an ounce between both sides per session.  It is very depressing.  (This is on top of the physical ailments related to BFing; I've had nearly problem a person can have.)  It has taken a toll on me, but the thing is I like doing it.  It makes me so happy to pump and then feed LO what I've made, even though it is currently taking about four pump sessions to make a halfway decent bottle for her.  I never got to experience anything BF related with DD1, so this has been special for me this time around.  So, I guess that's my vent - I'm sad and disappointed that my body just won't cooperate with this. 

I've been deciding whether it's worth it to keep going.  As much as I love giving LO a bottle of my milk each day, at some point I have to draw the line and say that the tiny amount of output I'm getting does not justify the mental/physical toll on me.  So, my question is: can milk supply magically come back?  If there is any way I could make more milk I'd be thrilled, but now that it's dwindled down to almost nothing, is it a lost cause?  No one, from doctors to nurses to lactation consultants could ever answer why my milk supply was so low, they all just said that some women just don't produce.  I don't know if trying a bunch of special teas or herbs or whatever would even work this late in the game.  Would you try harder, even though it's probably hopeless, or would you just quit?  Is there a magic trick I don't know about?  Someone mentioned brewers yeast to me but I haven't tried it yet because I can't find it here, I'll have to order it.  Do any of you have any stories like this that have a happy ending?       

fish8412

I'm sorry you are having problems with your supply. How often are you pumping? The LC I met with said to pump after every feeding to boost supply. Even if nothing comes out, dry pumping stimulates milk production, so do this for 5-10 minutes. Try to relax when pumping-stress will cause you to pump less. Drink plenty of water and eat the foods mentioned in a previous post. I would meet with a LC one more time and maybe try for another week or two? But if you feel too stressed about everything then switch to formula only. There is nothing wrong with that and you are still a wonderful mom!!! Good luck!

teachermommy9967

My LC suggested either a combination of fenugreek and blessed thistle from the health store or taking domperidone which in canada requires a prescription. My cousin is on domperidone and said it definitely helps

ProudMommy030614

Mothers milk tea I swear by it.

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teaforthree

Thank you all so much for your replies; I really appreciate it.  I will try some of the things you all mentioned.  @babycaps and @TallAsh I have never heard of Domperidone or Reglan, but my PP check up is tomorrow and I will ask the OB about it to see if I can get some or if there are any similar Rx.  And thank you for the suggestions to try mothers milk/blessed thistle/fenugreek, @teachermommy9967 and @proudmommy030614 .  @fish8412 , I will try "dry" pumping because when I notice it going dry I usually just quit; thanks for the suggestion.  And finally, @laura8388 - not a dumb suggestion!  I've noticed that the motor seems a bit wonky when I turn it up to a certain level and I've been meaning to contact Medela!  Thank you for reminding me... 

Again, thanks to all you for your help.  I guess I was just feeling like at this point my supply was established and I wasn't sure if there was anything I do could about it.  I'll try all of these things for another week or two and if it doesn't work, I'll stop.  I have no problem with FF, my DD was exclusively FF (never got any BM - long story), and she's fine.  I am just enjoying this experience with this LO and am sad at the thought of it ending already. 

Have a great Sunday, ladies!

MA&CB

I had luck increasing with fenugreek and lots of oatmeal when I went back to work with my first.  Have you changed your membranes on your pump?  My pump gets a little wonky too - kind of a funny noise.  If you pop the faceplate off and push the letdown button, you may see that the white diaphragm isn't going in and out right, kind of lopsided.  When this is happening with my pump, I don't pump as much.  Might be worth looking at!  If this is happening, you fix it by turning the pump down on the letdown mode, and when the diaphragm goes all the way in, you unplug it fast.

teaforthree

@MA&CB - good tip about the pump!  Going to check on that right now...

ETA: Yes, it does that!  The white thing is totally not going in and out in a straight manner, but leaning to one side.  And when I turn it up high it starts going side to side.  WTF?  Definitely calling Medela tomorrow morning.  It will be so much easier to call now that I know what the problem is.  Thank you so much for pointing this out!

sopranoali

When I started, I was getting even less than you. Now, (2 months in), I am getting 4-5 oz or more total per 20 min session. I've also finally begun to build a stash which is a silent victory for me. The key to building my supply was a non stressful pumping environment and making sure I was eating well and staying hydrated. My supply didn't "gradually" get better. It was like I had really really low supply, then boom! Enough to keep up with her, then yay! Pumping more than she would eat.

So basically I went from 90% formula to 20% formula to no formula very quickly. But I was at 90% formula til a couple weeks ago.

RoxyV111582

Hi, so sorry you are having issues with bf, I think if you enjoy it I say continue, at my bf suport group, a lot of the ladies there said gatoraid helped them, don't know why but it worked. Also the fenugreek, lactation cookies and all the recommendations mentioned above. Good luck!! Keep us updated!

MA&CB

teaforthree said:

@MA&CB - good tip about the pump!  Going to check on that right now...

ETA: Yes, it does that!  The white thing is totally not going in and out in a straight manner, but leaning to one side.  And when I turn it up high it starts going side to side.  WTF?  Definitely calling Medela tomorrow morning.  It will be so much easier to call now that I know what the problem is.  Thank you so much for pointing this out!

Happy to help!  I think it definitely loses suction when it's moving like that, so I hope that makes a difference for you.  On my old PISA it only did it one time and was fixed like I described above.  But this new pump I have, it's done it 3 times already, and I've only used it a month.  I'm going to call Medela about it tomorrow also because it's annoying.

lizardknitter

Try power pumping too. Basically pump for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes for an hour 2-3 times a week. It will stimulate more production too.

CruiseGirl28

This is how I feel too. I LOVE giving her a bottle of my milk, but I find pumping so stressful. It was never my plan, but at 5 days old, my mom told me to do it as long as I can. 6 weeks later and I'm still pumping, so I like that.

In the beginning, I could pump twice a day and make enough milk for her whole day's bottles. I pump in the morning, which is stressful if she's fussy (I tried hands free and did not get as much). I pump in the evening when DH is home. I actually like this because it's my only alone time all day and I watch tv. But we have to plan any evening activities around it, or else I pump late and get less. Plus I only get so much time with DH each day.

Anyway, pumping twice is no longer enough as I am getting a lot less. Now I make 2-3 bottles a day with my 2 sessions. I still love giving those to her. I think I should try to pump more often, but I just don't think I can.

Also, she has been gassy and we are wondering if it's from something I eat. Since she gets the breast milk hours or days later, we haven't determined anything.

The past few days she has had only sensitive formula, and she has done well. I have a good storage of BM which she will get all day tomorrow. If she's not doing well, I am going to have to make changes in my diet.

I love giving her breast milk, but I just don't know.