Breastfeeding

weatheash

Hey y’all! So I’m pregnant with baby # 2. My last pregnancy I wanted to breast feed so bad and I tried to. I made colostrum, but it never turned to milk no matter how many times I pumped or let her suck. So I just gave up. I never had painful boobs either from not breast feeding, so I’m not sure what happened. This time I really want to try again. What do y’all recommend I take to help build my supply? Is there anything I can take while pregnant? Has this ever happened to anyone else & you were able too the next time around? 

aloha_mama

Hey there! I’m an IBCLC and I can tell you, this is a loaded discussion. I need a lot more information from you! Before we even consider supplements, herbal remedies, or anything like that, we need to look closer at the breastfeeding itself. The short version: No, there is no supplement or anything you should be taking while pregnant. I’m also very hesitant to tell my clients to take anything while breastfeeding unless under the guidance of an IBCLC or CLC, regardless of what Google or your local mom Facebook group tells you. Low supply is a very common problem among a lot of moms, so you are definitely not alone. Very often it has to do more with the mechanics of the breastfeeding dyad itself rather than something being wrong with mom or hormones or anything like that. Every once in a while I will see a tongue or lip tie that interferes with successful breastfeeding, although usually the first sign is intensely sore nipples, which you said you didn’t have. Like I said, I would need a lot more discussion with you to get to the bottom of it. Please don’t take any supplements or herbs at this time unless okayed by your OB or CNM, even if it appears safe. Anything promising to help you increase supply before you have delivered is a gimmick and is probably not safe. 

I’m planning to do an “ask me anything” board in the next couple of weeks once the majority of us hit our third trimesters. In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to reach out to your local La Leche League or see if your OB or CNM has recommendations for an IBCLC or breastfeeding class. Taking a class before delivering, whether virtual or in person, greatly increases your chances of a successful breastfeeding journey, and I highly encourage my clients to find one in their area (usually one associated with their hospital or birth center is best, as you will most likely see the teaching staff again). 

weatheash

Thank you so much for the info, I actually did have pain in the nipples with her sucking. It hurt really bad. My nurse when I delivered my daughter told me that I was going to have no problems breast feeding because she was latching good & my milk should come in 3-5 days after birth, which it never did. & I pumped & let her suck the entire time, & nothing ever came. I go see my ob on Wednesday so I’ll definitely ask her if there’s someone local I can talk too. Thank you again ☺️

aloha_mama

I’m so sorry to hear that! It always makes me sad to hear of moms getting discouraged and having to stop because they don’t have any other options. The vast majority of nurses that work labor & delivery and postpartum are not lactation specialists, so their knowledge may be very limited. So what looks like a good latch and a good breastfeeding relationship to them might not necessarily look good to a professional. I was that nurse— I thought I knew it all, until I took my IBCLC boards and discovered how little I knew and how much false information I had been giving out. AND I was that mom that thought everything should be so easy and natural and couldn’t figure out why I was struggling so badly to feed my baby. I never reached out for help because I was so embarrassed and defeated. I don’t ever want anyone else to feel that way, so I would love to hear if you’re able to connect with anyone local— doing it now will help you build your village for if you have issues after baby arrives and you need help. You’ll know where to go and hopefully feel comfortable asking them for guidance! 

Sore nipples in the first few days are normal and expected. Anything past maybe day three or four and it would make me suspicious about latch. The number one cause for sore nipples is a bad latch; I would even venture to say that, in the early weeks, the number one cause for low supply is a bad latch. It could be due to how baby is positioned, nipple shape, (occasionally) a lip or tongue tie… But it’s so hard to tell, so my main priority would be to have you come in with baby so I could sit with you and observe a breastfeeding session. Sometimes I can do it over the phone if mom is able to describe things really well. During COVID I have done quite a few latch observing sessions over Zoom calls. We’ve gotten really versatile and hopefully you’ll find something that works for you!

Keep me updated, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions— I’m more than happy to help you, as much as I can over an Internet chat board, that is!

weatheash

It’s okay! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to respond to me & for being so thorough! I’ll definitely let you know how it goes! & I really hope I can find someone. I’m from a small town so there isn’t many people around that do stuff like that unfortunately, but hopefully my ob knows someone! 

winterviolethope

Do you have a lactation expert who can come to your home and help?
did you know the baby wasn’t gaining weight? 

knottiea6ab3787549d60d4

I was going to say my only advice is getting consistent support in the very beginning from a lactation consultant!  Mine was absolutely critical in us breastfeeding and I'm honestly eternally grateful for her support, it was a gift I never knew I wanted.