low milk supply:(

boodapug77

My baby just turned 2 weeks old. When she was born she weighed 6 pounds and 6 oz. Of course she lost some weight as they do. But at my 2 week appt. she was at 5 pounds and 15 oz. still. I have been breastfeeding only. So my pediatrian gave me formula to supplement and I go back in 4 days to weigh her. I am still BF and I give her 2 oz. of formula after every 2 hours. I pumped to see actually how much milk I was making. I pumped both breasst for 15 minutes and just barely got 1 ounce(that's 2 breasts combined!!) I feel so bad that she wasn't getting enough milk from me...:( Has anyone else had this problem? Why am I not making enough milk??? My sister said she was making 3 to 4 ounces when she pumped...

JTGochnour

Can you go to a Lactation Specialist?  They can do a naked weight, then have you feed her, and then weigh her again so that you know how much she is getting.

Litasail

What you pump is not indicative of what the baby gets. Babies are much more effective because they both suck and stimulate the areola, whereas a pump only sucks. Also, if you were pumping an ounce after the baby ate, that's great and is right in line with what is expected. It will increase over time and the best way to do that is to nurse nurse nurse.

kelly422

Litasail:

What you pump is not indicative of what the baby gets. Babies are much more effective because they both suck and stimulate the areola, whereas a pump only sucks. Also, if you were pumping an ounce after the baby ate, that's great and is right in line with what is expected. It will increase over time and the best way to do that is to nurse nurse nurse.

This.

LoveActually4

The best way to stimulate milk supply is to do lots of bare chest skin to akin contact and nurse her exclusively. Formula is only going to hurt your supply.

I would see a lactation consultant ASAP but in the meantime at least 2 hours a day of skin to skin

trudibell

The same thing is happening to me the pediatrician said to start supplementing as well.  I get about the same amount pumping as you do 1-2 oz tops which I feed to him before I give him formula.  

ncbelle

If your pedi's advice was to give 2 oz of formula every 2 hours, he/she is not very interested in you being successful at breastfeeding!  Yes, your LO needs to gain weight.  But supplementing that much without addressing the underlying issue that's preventing baby from gaining is only going to dry up your milk completely.

How often were you nursing?  First rule - nurse more.

I agree that you NEED to work with an IBCLC pronto.  She can evaluate baby's latch, evaluate baby's milk intake, and get you on a proper supplementation plan that will support your milk production and get baby gaining. 

AmCheri

I am dealing with this identical situation.  Our poor baby was hospitalized because she lost 14% of her birth weight of 6 lbs 6 oz. We didn't know that my supply was so abysmal and I feel just terrible about it.  

We are supplementing every feeding. I breastfeed to start each feeding, too.  And I pump.  The most I've ever pumped in one session is 2 ounces and that happened just once.

I'm taking Reglan and occasionally drink Mother's Milk tea. The Reglan helped a bit, but it wasn't dramatic.  I've also upped my water intake.  

I've also worked with an LC and I know LO has a great latch.  I guess my supply just stinks. It's frustrating.  Wish I had some advice for you, but I can only commiserate.  

ChristyML

JTGochnour:

Can you go to a Lactation Specialist?  They can do a naked weight, then have you feed her, and then weigh her again so that you know how much she is getting.

Do this! I hate it when pediatricians jump directly to formula, and don't try to find out if they are actually getting enough milk or not.