Supply issues?

jwittwer

Today we had our 2 month checkup and pedi was concerned LO had only gained 9 oz in the past 5 weeks. As a result, she is having me pump every 2-3 hours, offer that breast milk, and then offer supplemental formula afterwards. I've been getting 2 oz each time I pump (every 3 hours). Should I be worried? I'm terrified that come Monday she is going to tell me my supply is too low and make me switch to formula. To make matters worse, DH just doesn't seem to understand how I feel about this. I'm devastated. What do you ladies think? Any advice/tips are greatly appreciated!

Abenedict2011

I'm sorry you are going through this. When you say you get 2oz each time you pump is that just after feedin your baby? Or an hour or more after feeding?

My LO had gaining issues the first month and pedi wanted me to supplement too. (The rule of thumb seems to be the more you pump/feed the more your body will produce to meet the demand. )What we did was I would feed LO then pump what was left. 2 hours later I would bf again and use the 2oz from the pump session to supplement. To help with time so you get a little break between pumping and the next feeding I would bf, hand LO over to my husband to give the supplemental bottle while I pumped for the next feeding.

Also have you thought about seeing a lactation consultant?

Good luck.

jwittwer

The 2 oz is each time I pump, not after feeding LO. Pedi is having me hold off on that while we do this experiment over the weekend. It's been less than 24 hours and I feel worthless.

jwittwer

As of today I'm just pumping per pedis instruction. I'm hoping to still have my sanity come Monday because all I really want to do is nurse LO. I don't think talking to a LC would hurt. How do I go about finding one in my area?

jwittwer

As of now I think the pedi's main goal is to see how much LO is getting as opposed to how much LO wants to be eating (though it doesn't make much sense to me as I thought LO was more efficient than the pump). I think then pedi will make a plan. Based on what I've seen in the few hours I've been doing this, it feels like low supply. Guess I have to wait and see...

jamie5709

I've been going thru the exact same thing due to low weight gain. I've been seeing a LC and my pedi every other day. We tried nursing and pumping and supplementing with the pumped milk and that didn't help. Then I did 24hrs of exclusively pumping and measuring that, so they could see exactly how much she's getting. Amounts came out good but still not enough weight gain. We do a weighed feeding at every visit too. Not sure why she's not gaining...she's almost 4 weeks. If she doesn't gain 1.5oz over the weekend then they're doing some kidney tests and testing for anemia on Monday. Good luck!

springbeduk2

Were the nurses at the hospital where you delivered helpful with breastfeeding? Did you deliver with a midwife or an OB who seemed pro-breastfeeding? If so for either question and if Googling for a lactation consultant doesn't give useful results (doesn't where I live) they might be able to help you and/or help you find someone who can help.

Good luck, know you are very very worth*full*, and start nursing again right now!

Even the most pro-suplementing docs/nurses I've encountered so far with my very thin baby were very clear that she should nurse first and as often as she shows interest /hunger cues.

jwittwer

So today I decided to go against what the pedi said. I let LO nurse for 20 min on each side (since that was how long I've been pumping) and then offered the supplemental formula. While offering the supplemental formula, I pumped for 20 minutes with yields from .75oz to 1.5 oz afterwards. If LO seemed hungry between the feed/pump cycle (every 3 hours), I offered her the breast milk and then formula. This routine seems to be working much better than what pedi suggested. As for weighted feelings-- any idea where I could buy a scale and do this myself? I'm also making an appointment with an LC this upcoming week, just to be on the safe side. Thank you momma's for the support. It's been a rough 48 hours!

CNYBride05

Pedis often are relative idiots when it comes to BFing. I'm glad you've found something that works, even if it's temporary.


FWIW, I nursed/pumped/supplemented from 0-9ish weeks and then went EBF and we are still going strong at almost 14 mos. You can do this!

flcl

CNYBride05 said:

Pedis often are relative idiots when it comes to BFing. I'm glad you've found something that works, even if it's temporary.

FWIW, I nursed/pumped/supplemented from 0-9ish weeks and then went EBF and we are still going strong at almost 14 mos. You can do this!

I completely agree!  Sometimes pedis advice just aren't very BF friendly.  I'm glad to see that you've found something that's working better for you and LO.   GL and hang in there!

24Trishap

I rented a scale from a LC for $3 a day. I didn't look into buying one because I figured I would drive myself crazy weighing her everytime we nursed!! Good luck momma, you are doing great!! I promise it gets easier!!

jwittwer

Update:
Met with the pedi today and with the supplementation LO gained 11 oz since Friday morning. Apparently the pedi said even if I get my supply up, I will probably have to supplement anyway. I don't think the pedi is very knowledgeable about bf, so I have an appointment with an LC today at 2. Hopefully she'll be able to get me some better info and a better game plan.

jwittwer

I completely agree. She said it was catching up for the weight she should have been gaining all along. LO was born at 6.11, went home at 6.5, and was 6.14 at her two week appt. Pedi didn't have us come in til the 2 month mark which kind of irritated me because I feel this could have been caught sooner.

I met with an ibclc today and we've put a plan together to work through this. At least she made me feel like bf was possible. Pedi made it seem like I should just give up and do formula. LC said it is a supply issue so we're using fenugreek and blessed thistle. I'll meet with her again Thursday morning to see what kind of progress has been made.

jwittwer

We're actively searching for a new pedi that is more knowledgeable about breastfeeding!

jwittwer

Update #2- went back to the LC today and LO had gained weight with just breast milk. The supplements seem to be helping! I'm also nursing more frequently and pumping more often. I think this should boost my supply enough to avoid supplementing and hope it gives me an over abundance of milk. We will see how it works!

NADA-H

Almost every pedi i went to except for one, pushed some type of formul on me although my baby's weight is great and i pump for given BM bottles