- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Repost from Breastfeeding: First Time Mom... Please Help
I'm a first time mom.. Sophia is 10 days old (weighed 8 lbs 2.6 oz at birth)... and I'm trying my hardest not to give up on bf/pumping.
We've had latch issues so I started exclusively pumping and feeding DD with a bottle (was getting about 2 oz total). DD's pedi wasn't happy with her weight at the one week check up (7 lbs 10 oz) and gave me 'til next Thursday to bring it up to 8+ lbs. I met with a lactation consultant yesterday and rented a Lactina to help increase my milk production also purchased the herbs she recommended. I have breast shields and have begun bf DD during the day (every 2:30 hrs) for 15 minutes at each breast. I also then pump for 10 min after bf. At night I exclusively pump for 15 min every 2:30 hrs. Suddenly, I am getting less than the 2 oz I was getting before. What happened??
Does anyone have any advice? Is my milk supply at a normal level for someone with a 10 day old? Will the supply increase if I continue with the routine described above?
Any help is greatly appreciated... I feel like I'm losing my sanity...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Repost from Breastfeeding: First Time Mom... Please Help
It can take a while for bf to become easy. You are doing great being proactive and seeing a LC!
Keep in mind your baby is FAR more efficient at getting milk from your breast than a pump. Also, putting the baby to your breast will stimulate production better than a pump. I would aim to nurse the baby at all feedings if possible rather than pumping. Save the night time pumping for when your supply is more established. Keep in mind you may not get tons at first as the baby just nursed.
If she is interested, let her cluster feed. Don't make her wait 2 1/2 hours if she shows any feeding cues.
If you are nervous about how much she is getting, rent or buy an infant scale so that you can weigh her before and after feedings.
GL - you and your baby can do this! It sounds like you are determined.
First, take a giant deep breath. Stress can negatively affect your supply.
Here is my suggestion, drink a ton of water. whenever you are nursing you should have a glass/bottle of water and drink the entire thing. Most of us think we drink plenty of water, but you need so much more while nursing.
Also, you may need to nurse more frequently. Are you counting the 2:30 from the start of each feeding? I know for me that was a mistake I made early in BFing my DS 15 years ago.
I have a very good friend who is a LC and she always tells me that the more you nurse, the more your body will make. Try and nurse more often. I know it seems like that is all you do, but honestly that is what will increase your supply.
As for pumping, you will always get less than actually nursing. 2 ounces sounds about right. I have just started pumping today while LO eats on the other side, and I average 1.5 - 2 ounces. But I also have milk left because LO can get more when I have finished.
Good luck, and good job. It is hard and can be nerve wracking, but you are doing everything right. This is my 3rd EBF baby and I still have doubts that I am making enough which is silly because she is growing and making a whole lot of wet/poopy diapers. But it is so easy to doubt yourself.
Congrats on your new LO! Babies are typically expected to be back at birth weight by 2 weeks of age, but this can take longer for bf babies. It does like you are on your way there, though. BF babies typically gain 4-7 ounces a week, so even 7 pounds 14 ounces at your next visit would be within normal range. So, unless your LO is not having enough wet and dirty diapers in a day, I wouldn't worry that she isn't getting enough milk.
Breastfeeding is hard work and you are doing a great job trying to keep up. I agree with the PP. Try to get LO to the breast as often as possible. At this age, don't put a time limit on it. Put DD to the breast anytime she shows cues and let her nurse until she pulls herself off. Make sure you are using lansinoh cream after each session to protect your nipples. 2oz is great for 10 days. You are probably getting less now because you have put DD back at the breast, so she is taking away from what you are pumping. Between bf more often and pumping the same amount, you are definitely going to get less. Pumping after each feeding will definitely help boost your supply. Make sure you continue pumping a minute or two after you get the last drop. This will signal to your body that it needs to make more milk.
You are doing a great job! Just be patient as your milk becomes more established. I suspect you will see great improvement in your supply in the next 4-5 days.
try and relax...easier said that done I know, but still if you are feeling ok things will get better. For me...I had LOTS of problems at first, it took a LC telling me that if it didn't work out it was ok, I was not a bad mother, my baby would be fine either way. It was like that released my mind to relax and then things fell into place.
Are you drinking lots of water? I drank over 90oz a day to help, and my Dh's Latin grandma said to drink Hot Cocoa...and Mothers Milk tea. I also did the herbs.
GL!