Supply issues....again..ugh

brads_diva

Okay ladies, give me your supply advice.  After about 4 weeks of constant crying we have ruled out acid reflux and have determined that I just have one hungry baby on our hands. He is growing fine which always let me believe that he was getting enough but as soon as we started giving him an extra bottle of breastmilk after nursing he has been so much better. So darn, baby number 2 where I can't give him enough.  My boys are going to be linebackers.

Anyways, we have totally gone through my frozen stash now and have started having to supplement with a little formula.  I need some advice on trying to keep the supply up since I'm still determined to give him that breastmilk as long as I can. Going to go see the LC hopefully next week too.  This is what I'm doing so far:

letting him nurse until he stops or starts getting ancy and pulling off, then pumping after he gets the bottle

started taking some Fenugreek

drinking plenty of water

stopped the elimination diet (didn't seem to be working) and concentrating on getting more calories in there

And if you have no advice to give please just send some supply dust if you can spare some.    Thanks in advance.

Taytee

First, try to get as much sleep as possible. I know this is easier said than done with 2 kids but it's one of the first things do do when your supply is low. Rest!

Get some Floradix (iron supplement) from Sprouts. While you're there, pick up some Mother's Milk Tea and More More Milk Plus drops. 3-5 cups of tea a day, drops according to the package instructions to start, up a dose a day if you don't see results after 3 days (ohhh but I'm sure you will!) I was engorged for awhile in the mornings until I got a good pump and feed routine down. I prep Abby's breakfast the night before so I can get to it ASAP.

Pump after every feeding, especially in the morning when your supply should be the highest. I know the temptation is to leave some milk in your boobs so you won't have to give a bottle during the day or the next feeding but believe me, you want to tell your body "I need more milk here!".

Absolutely make sure you're getting 60g of protien, not just calories. Drink a supplement drink like Muscle Milk (20g) if you need to, especially on days that get crazy and you don't have time to sit down with a chicken breast.

I was struggling for awhile a little back too and the above has helped me build a stash of 340oz. I hope to have double that when I have to stop BFing in 3 months. Maybe TMI- I get about 8-10oz in the morning when I nurse on my weak boob and pump my "monster" boob =P. I get 5oz at night pumping both before going to bed. So if there is a boob that doesn't seem to produce as much and is harder to pump, make him nurse that side the most often then pump after to stimulate.

I also discovered the "massage-stroke-shake" routine from the LLL! I wish I'd known with Abby. I've always had to give external compression while pumping but the lean over and shake thing gives me at least another 1/2.

"Remove the pump once the milk stops flowing. Then massage each breast from the armpit to the nipple, then again from the center of your chest towards each nipple. Stroke each breast gently towards the nipple a few times. Bend over and cup your breasts in your hands. Give each a good shake (a relaxing shake, not a painful shake). Then put the pump back on - you should see more milk begin to flow. "

I'm just going to keep adding stuff as I think of it =P Pumping and nursing at the same time gives me A TON more milk than just pumping. I've always had simultanous let-down and I think that helps. I sit in a recliner with the foot part up, the pump on that part so it's not so noisy close to Emily's tender little ears. I have a boppy behind me (so my breasts are more forward for milk to flow downward to the nip) and curl my left leg up to support my arm and have Emily sort of between my legs so there is room for the bottle on my right. With her in the boppy in front of me like for a normal feeding, there is no room for the bottle. Also, do not watch the bottle. I'm serious here. It's been shown that watching the drops makes you anxious and not as much milk flows. I'm sure we've all overflowed a bottle or two watching TV =P I only allow myself to peek every 2 minutes or so. I'm always surprised.

fjaril

oatmeal can help. eat a bowl a day

emmy2779

Texas Medicinals makes a tea called Milk Mama. Drinking 3 cups a day helped me get at least 1.5 (more often 2-3) more ounces each pumping session. I get it at Wheatsville Co-op on Guadalupe, but you can also get it at Austin Baby. The owner has a website you can check out.

brads_diva

Taytee, you are a pumping queen! Thank you so very much for all of that information.  I'm definitely going to try all of that.  I just pumped a measely 1 ounce tonight after BFing and a bottle. *sigh* time to get my boobies in line!

Thanks also fjaril.  I'm going to start eating my DHs oatmeal tomorrow. ha!

2happy4words

I'll second the oatmeal idea. It made a huge difference for me. But I couldn't take eating oatmeal every day, so I made oatmeal cookies. I used the recipe from the top of the Quaker oatmeal box (minus a lot of the sugar). I would eat 4-5 cookies a day, and I could definitely tell when I didn't have my cookies. I was able to nurse my son until just recently (almost 20 months). Then he actually decided to wean himself.

smb29

Ditto on the protein, and make sure you are drinking enough water.  My LC also recommended fiber for helping increase supply.  I rented a hospital grade pump from Special Addition, if that is in your budget.  Just that alone gave me several more ounces/day. 

brideonjuly8

Make sure you're getting your calcium in.  I was taking two caltrate a day, morning and evening, and that seemed to help me a little.  A good dark beer helped me a lot too.  Sweet potatoes seemed to help me too.

CollieJade

I was going to suggest breast compressions while pumping, but Taytee's suggestion will very likely give you the same benefit.   Ditto all her suggestions!

brads_diva

Awesome advice! Thanks to everyone.  Had my bowl of oatmeal today and scheduled some meals with high protein and calcium.  And definitely going to make me some oatmeal cookies. Yum!

He is doing sooo much better with getting more through a bottle after I nurse so I think we are on the right track. Now just to get my boobies up to speed.

monkeylamb

I'm new to the board but just wanted to give you a pat on the back for the persistence!  That's awesome!

 

I agree with the oatmeal and water suggestion.  Also, I read that even if no milk is flowing at the end of your pumping session to keep on pumping.  I pump 30 minutes several times a day.  I pumped every 2 hours when my DD was 3 or 4 months old.