Trying To EBF but having a hard time with it

a003vp · July 2009

Hi, I would like some help with trying to EBF. I have a 3 week old that is 10 pounds 3 oz (she was 9 pounds 13 oz at birth), and it seems that my breasts aren't producing enough for her. Every other day it seems my breasts are dribbling small amounts of milk, and then other days it seems like I can't go anywhere because I am leaking. I sometimes supplement with formula because I feel like she has drank all of the milk.

I do drink the organic mothers tea daily but would like to have some advice on anything I can do or take that would help me up the milk a bit more so I don't feel like a failure at EBF and totally go to Formula.

TIA!!

Lilo06 · July 2009

Consult a lactation consultant, stop second guessing yourself, feed your DD on demand, and stop supplementing!

What you're describing sounds normal to me. Once the initial engorgement goes away, your breasts should feel softer and more confortable, and it's normal not to leak as much as you did at first. But there are also days when your breasts might be fuller and leak more, especially if you feed DD later that usual, she sleeps longer at night, or you skip a feeding.

Your DD's weight looks fine to me. The goal is for babies to be at or past their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. Your DD is only 3 weeks old and is 6 oz past her birth weight. Double check with your pedi if you're concerned about her weight gain.

You really need to let your DD tell you if she's getting enough milk or not. Does she seem satisfied after a meal? Does she sleep well and relax at or fall asleep at the breast? Does she keep gaining weight? If so, she's getting plenty, regardless of how much milk you think you're making.

Also, let her suck as often as she wants, for as long as she wants. Don't try to get her on a schedule. Feed on demand. Nurse her around the clock whenever she wakes up. Your body responds to her sucking by making more milk. But if you give a bottle of formula instead, your body will "think" your DD isn't eating as much and will make less milk! See what a problem that could be?

Good luck, and really, if you're serious about EBFing your baby, talk to a professional. Or at the very least, pick up a good book on BFing. Today. Good luck!

Mr. & Mrs. RN · July 2009

Are you eating well and taking good care of yourself? No dieting, getting good (haha, okay "adequate") sleep, light exercise, those kinds of things? My supply tanks when I'm not taking good care of myself and eating too few calories in the day.

The best way to get your supply up (if you know you're getting enough calories and fluids) is to get more stimulation to your breast. So if you are supplementing, pump also, even if nothing comes out. It's time consuming, but seems to work.

p.s. I think most of us feel like failures at breastfeeding at some point. I did for the first 1.5 months. Now we both have it down.

Niffer666 · July 2009

First, congrats on your LO! Like the pp said, while you may feel like you aren't producing enough, if your LO is gaining and is happy you are probably doing fine. Your milk supply is the result of demand, so if you are supplementing, you are decreasing demand and potentially hurting your supply. Just keep feeding on demand, and make sure that your LO empties your breast, otherwise it signals your body that you don't need as much. Your supply will increase over time along with your baby's needs.

As for anything you can take, I'm really no help here. Just make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids and getting as much rest as possible (easier said than done, I realize). Both of these are really important for maintaining supply. (I've heard good things about lactation cookies from other bumpies, but haven't tried them myself.)

I think it was about 6 weeks before I really felt like EBFing would work for us (I also supplemented in the beginning for the same reason as you, but stopped at about 4 weeks). I'm glad I stuck with it. GL

DestinationWeddingKeyWest · July 2009

Lilo06:

Consult a lactation consultant, stop second guessing yourself, feed your DD on demand, and stop supplementing!

What you're describing sounds normal to me. Once the initial engorgement goes away, your breasts should feel softer and more confortable, and it's normal not to leak as much as you did at first. But there are also days when your breasts might be fuller and leak more, especially if you feed DD later that usual, she sleeps longer at night, or you skip a feeding.

Your DD's weight looks fine to me. The goal is for babies to be at or past their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. Your DD is only 3 weeks old and is 6 oz past her birth weight. Double check with your pedi if you're concerned about her weight gain.

You really need to let your DD tell you if she's getting enough milk or not. Does she seem satisfied after a meal? Does she sleep well and relax at or fall asleep at the breast? Does she keep gaining weight? If so, she's getting plenty, regardless of how much milk you think you're making.

Also, let her suck as often as she wants, for as long as she wants. Don't try to get her on a schedule. Feed on demand. Nurse her around the clock whenever she wakes up. Your body responds to her sucking by making more milk. But if you give a bottle of formula instead, your body will "think" your DD isn't eating as much and will make less milk! See what a problem that could be?

Good luck, and really, if you're serious about EBFing your baby, talk to a professional. Or at the very least, pick up a good book on BFing. Today. Good luck!

This is all so true. It's hard to know what is going on with your bm and there's no way to tell, so if your LO continues to gain weight there's no reason to worry. If you are then make an appt with aq lactation consultant at your nearest hospital and they can have you come in and weigh LO before and after eating to see how much you are making. If you keep supplimenting you WILL have a production problem though so try to stop doing that. Maybe for 2 days, pump when you give LO the formula to increase your production. Just FYI, I don't leak much anymore...maybe once a week if that so leaking is no indication (and I am EBFing a 20lb almost-6-month-old! She was 10lbs 8ozs at birth). Don't worry, it sounds like you are doing great, just keep at it. BFing is hard work but SO worth it and it will get easier and enjoyable!

If you ever feel like you need to increase production you can take fenugreek suppliments (take 9 capsuls per day) until you feel your production is up. Also, visit the breastfeeding board and www.kellymom.com. GL!

christie.h · July 2009

I agree 100% with previous posts.

There were times when I thought I wasn't making enough because I wasn't leaking or my boobs felt really soft and not full, but that is actually normal and you're still making plenty of milk for your LO. My LO was also 9lbs when he was born, so I know how it feels to wonder if you're making enough for your big baby!

Indications that she is getting enough are good weight gain, relaxed and happy after a feeding, and plenty of wet and poopy diapers. As she gets older you'll worry less and trust your body more.

Like previous posts said, you should stop supplementing now unless otherwise directed by your pedi or LC. It sounds like she is doing great by her weight gain, and you need to have her on the boob only to keep your supply up. Her eating habits will tell your body how much to make.

Drink plenty fluids and if you want to help your supply try eating oatmeal 4-5 times a week. It can be reg oatmeal, instant, cookies, granola bars - any of that stuff. I like oatmeal too much and have to be careful how much I eat so I don't get engorged every other day lol. There are also prescriptions you can get or herbal remedies but I don't know much about them.

Also, pick up some breast pads to help you deal with the leaking so you can get out. Don't let the leaking keep you locked up!

Congrats on your LO and BFing for 3 weeks! It is very hard and takes a lot of dedication so you are already doing great!

bethCT · July 2009

I agree with the other posts but just want to say that if you have to give her some pumped milk or furmula it will not make you a failure at EBF. Why would you totally go to formula? DD gets 4 oz of formula every night and I had to convince myself that it was ok. The bottom line for me was that DH could feed her - ah bliss, freedom

and that she was getting fed. I was 100% breast fed and DH was 100% formula fed, so our daughter is a hybrid model

Hang in there and god luck!

MidwestTexan · July 2009

The more you supplement, the more issue you'll have with your milk supply. I would recommend stop supplementing and put your daughter to the breast whenever she show signs of hunger. THAT alone is what will increase your supply! Your body will do what it needs to based on your daughter's demand.

eml569 · July 2009

What you're describing is actually one of the most common reasons women stop BFing. You go through the initial engorgement, get used to thinking that your breasts should have some outward signs of milk production, stop being engorged all the time, think that you aren't producing enough milk, and start supplementing. The supplementing w formula decreases demand on your breasts which then decreases supply.

You've gotten great tips for getting back to EBFing your LO...the biggest thing is to stop supplementing and put her on the boob every time she acts hungry. I would also start pumping after feeds. My son only took one side (still often will only take one side) so I would pump the other side after feeds, both to get a stash going and to increase my supply.

BFing is a total supply/demand activity. I second eating oatmeal and drinking tons of water. I can always tell if I've done enough of both based on how much I can pump.

Good luck!

rease. · July 2009

Lilo06:

Consult a lactation consultant, stop second guessing yourself, feed your DD on demand, and stop supplementing!

What you're describing sounds normal to me. Once the initial engorgement goes away, your breasts should feel softer and more confortable, and it's normal not to leak as much as you did at first. But there are also days when your breasts might be fuller and leak more, especially if you feed DD later that usual, she sleeps longer at night, or you skip a feeding.

Your DD's weight looks fine to me. The goal is for babies to be at or past their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. Your DD is only 3 weeks old and is 6 oz past her birth weight. Double check with your pedi if you're concerned about her weight gain.

You really need to let your DD tell you if she's getting enough milk or not. Does she seem satisfied after a meal? Does she sleep well and relax at or fall asleep at the breast? Does she keep gaining weight? If so, she's getting plenty, regardless of how much milk you think you're making.

Also, let her suck as often as she wants, for as long as she wants. Don't try to get her on a schedule. Feed on demand. Nurse her around the clock whenever she wakes up. Your body responds to her sucking by making more milk. But if you give a bottle of formula instead, your body will "think" your DD isn't eating as much and will make less milk! See what a problem that could be?

Good luck, and really, if you're serious about EBFing your baby, talk to a professional. Or at the very least, pick up a good book on BFing. Today. Good luck!

This!

you never run out of breast milk, as long as the baby is sucking your body is making milk. never judge how much milk you are actually making by what you can pump out. even the best pumps are babies and cant accurately judge what you produce. STOP supplementing! Your breasts make the milk your baby needs based on how often he/she drinks. bf babies typically take longer to gain its weight back than formula fed babies and that is totally normal, since your baby is gaining weight you are just fine. if you do have to pump for whatever reason, dont forget to save the milk, but really try to stay away from pumping until your milk and baby are established.

the leaking will stop once your body adjusts, just try to keep pads in your bra and change them FREQUENTLY! Dont let a wet pad sit on your nipples. also, try to let them air out for a minute or two after a feeding to help keep them from cracking.

the first 6-8 weeks are the hardest. you feel like your baby is constantly at your breast, and they are! and thats ok, its natures way of healing your body at the same time, so just enjoy it as much as you can. soon you will be 5 months into it and this will all be a memory!

emaria · July 2009

do you eat oatmeal? the reason i ask is because i'm relatively new to this whole breast feeding thing and dd and i have had no issues with it. she even gained 3 oz. by her first pedi appointment. i found out that oatmeal helps boost your supply and i've eaten that for breakfast for pretty much every single day of my life. it's the only thing i do along the lines of making sure i make enough breast milk and i've been doing it on accident! and you should never feel like a failure! being a mother is difficult in all aspects so the fact that you're doing your best to stick with breast feeding is really a wonderful thing. good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

Trying To EBF but having a hard time with it

Re: Trying To EBF but having a hard time with it

Choose Another Board

Search Boards