Cincinnati Babies

BFing/supply issues

I'm finally home and headache free for 24 hours!  Still having some back pain from 6 or 7 different needles in my back..but it's good to be with my boys finally!

Unfortunately due to being in the hospital and away from Levi for almost 48 hours I'm having some supply issues.  I was BFing him for the 3 1/2 days I was with him before I went back into the hospital, but because we had to do it laying down I don't think he was latching that well.  I wasn't able to pump/nurse for those 48 hours, but we started back up last night when I got home.  He's doing better latching on with me being able to sit up, but he's pretty lazy since he got used to the bottle for those 2 days.  He's willing to breastfeed, but he falls asleep quickly, and I don't think I'm producing much now.

Earlier today I fed him from the left side, then 2 1/2 hours later fed from the right and pumped the left....I got a few drops, that was it.  Does anyone have any tips on trying to reestablish my supply?  I never had any issues with Noah so this is all new to me.

We're having to supplement with formula right now because he's still under his birth weight and still a little jaundice.  I'm not against switching him to formula if that's what he needs, but I just want to try to make BFing work....I'm just angry that we had to go through that separation and it could cause us not to be able to BF.  Ok vent over....

Re: BFing/supply issues

  • I would try pumping 20-30 minutes every hour or every other hour at the  very least.  It's not fun, but it will help increase supply. 

    C was a lazy eater, she would eat every two hours and sometimes take 45 minutes to an hour to eat, so that helped me establish my supply when I was breastfeeding.

    Other than that when I started taking Fenugreek (I think it was like 8 pills a day!- beware, you'll crave waffles!) that increased how much I pumped. 

    Just keep putting him on the boob and then pumping as much as you can stand afterwards or between feedings.

    Good luck!  It's not fun but hopefully it works out after a few days.

    image Momma to Ms. C age 16 months and Mr. C age 3 months!
  • Have you talked to a LC about it?  I would try to nurse him as often as possible.  Strip him down and do skin on skin to help him stay awake.  DH used to play with DS's feet while he nursed and that helped him stay awake too.  I don't know if there's such a thing as too early for fenugreek or mother's milk tea, but that worked for me when I was having issues around 10 months with DS.  Drink a whole glass of water every time you nurse/pump and load up on protein.  Oatmeal may also help.  Have you thought about renting a hospital grade pump for a few weeks?  Maybe you'd have better luck with pumping.  Hope you find something that works soon.  And glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.....hope it continues to improve.  Congrats again!
    image
    Jennie Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
  • Loading the player...
  • As soon as DS's jaundice was gone, he latched and nursed like a champ, but before that we had no luck. I had a hospital grade pump that I rented.I tried to nurse every two hours, then pumped while H gave him a bottle of any pumped milk I had, then formula. GL!
    image
    Welcome to the world Finley Michael - born 2/13/2010 Lilypie Third Birthday tickers pregnancy
    Baby Sister is coming soon!
  • Good Luck! I'm still having supply issues. Nolan gets a total of one breast milk bottle a day. I've tried everything (still have hospital pump, water, oatmeal, fenugreek, every 2 hours, 10 minutes on then 10 minutes off, etc.) & nothing gets me past only producing about 50ml total a day - it's so frustrating.

    They said he would not get a good latch until he hit his gestational age of 40 weeks but Mr. Overachiever showed them. He latches really good but I do not think he is getting anything. I think he just does it to soothe himself which is fine - we are bonding. I don't have a choice except to supplement with formula since he is a preemie & needs the extra calories.

    I hope it works out for you really soon!! Good to hear you are back home & feeling a "bit" better! 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I would do as others have suggested and contact a lactation consultant or a la leche league leader.  Hope it turns around soon!!  I'm glad your headaches are better now!! 
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • imageJLPT830:
    Have you talked to a LC about it?  I would try to nurse him as often as possible.  Strip him down and do skin on skin to help him stay awake.  DH used to play with DS's feet while he nursed and that helped him stay awake too.  I don't know if there's such a thing as too early for fenugreek or mother's milk tea, but that worked for me when I was having issues around 10 months with DS.  Drink a whole glass of water every time you nurse/pump and load up on protein.  Oatmeal may also help.  Have you thought about renting a hospital grade pump for a few weeks?  Maybe you'd have better luck with pumping.  Hope you find something that works soon.  And glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.....hope it continues to improve.  Congrats again!

    I 100% agree with all of these suggestions. Exactly what I was going to say.

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"