Breastfeeding

~~Low Supply Ladies Check In~~

This is a weekly check in where ladies who are dealing with a low supply of breastmilk can share their successes and get support for their challenges and difficult days.

If you are looking for supply boosting ideas here is a link to a great post that JenniferJaneC posted rating all of the supply boosters she has tried.

How are you doing this week ladies?

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TTC#2 October 2011. June 2012 diagnosed with mild PCOS and both tubes blocked.
10/1/12 miracle BFP 11/12/12 missed m/c (9w2d), baby stopped growing at 7 weeks
1/16/13 BFP, EDD 9/27/13, m/c 1/19/13
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2/12/13 BFP, EDD 10/25/13 Please stick little one
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Re: ~~Low Supply Ladies Check In~~

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  • Well ladies, we are done. I haven't nursed DS since Sunday Sad. I think it was time, I know he was getting almost nothing at the end. There is part of me that is still so sad about it, last night when I was giving him his bottle I was just thinking how I wish I was nursing. For the most part though I'm okay with it. I gave it my best shot, hopefully I'll be one of the lucky ones that has a much different/better experience with #2.

    You ladies are doing awesome! Like I said last week I never would have gotten this far with out you and so I send my very sincere thanks to all of you. ((hugs))

    If there is someone who wants to take over the check in let me know.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    TTC#2 October 2011. June 2012 diagnosed with mild PCOS and both tubes blocked.
    10/1/12 miracle BFP 11/12/12 missed m/c (9w2d), baby stopped growing at 7 weeks
    1/16/13 BFP, EDD 9/27/13, m/c 1/19/13
    imagephoto rainbowleavesbadge-1_zpsa9246b63.jpg
    2/12/13 BFP, EDD 10/25/13 Please stick little one
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    A stowaway on board! :)
    Pregnancy Ticker


  • Pumping is going a little better, and we are starting to do some sleep training (no cry) so I can get to bed earlier.  Ordered another bottle of Special Blend - I can't believe I've already gone through a bottle.  
     
    I had ordered the softshields for my PISA because some internet people said they pumped more with them, and I pulled them out again yesterday and they gave me blisters after pumping three times with them.  :(  Putting those away pronto.  
     
    Good luck, ladies! 
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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  • Good morning. It's been a while since I checked in last.

    Quick recap, I had been trying to pump 8-12x a day to get my supply up, and started having post partum depression, so per my OB's suggestion I reduced the number of times a day that I pump to only when I'm at work. Within a week my depression was completely gone.

    So now I just pump 3-4x a day at work. I get about 4-7 oz a day by doing this, so the next morning I give her 4 oz and freeze the rest so that if my supply goes away i'll be able to give her bm a bit longer. She gets formula at daycare.

    What I've been noticing lately is that DD has NO patience for the breast anymore, unless she is nursing before bed or when she wakes up at night. I just put a post up asking for advice, but I think we are going to try preemie nipples on our dr. brown bottles so that she has to work harder at the bottle like she does at the breast. That's my theory anyway, I'll let you know how it goes in practice since she's already 6 mo!

    Also wanted to let you knwo that I've been using the techniques in that Stanford University Hospital video that someone posted on the bump, and it definitely helps me to get a bit more breastmilk out when I pump. I'm hoping that if I'm pulling more out, they will start to produce a bit more as we go! Fingers crossed.

    Hope all of you are doing well this week!

  • deltagirl - 7 months is great! You've done a WONDERFUL job!

  • imagedeltagirl79:

    Well ladies, we are done. I haven't nursed DS since Sunday Sad. I think it was time, I know he was getting almost nothing at the end. There is part of me that is still so sad about it, last night when I was giving him his bottle I was just thinking how I wish I was nursing. For the most part though I'm okay with it. I gave it my best shot, hopefully I'll be one of the lucky ones that has a much different/better experience with #2.

    You ladies are doing awesome! Like I said last week I never would have gotten this far with out you and so I send my very sincere thanks to all of you. ((hugs))

    If there is someone who wants to take over the check in let me know.

    I'm sure it was time, but I tear up when I think about not nursing DD, so I'm sure it is sad at feeding time.  

     Someone did post once about making bottle feeding into a very bonding experience - rocking, low lights, eye contact, snuggling.  I try to do that now, although I get distracted sometimes.  

    Good job, momma! 

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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  • imageBrideInLondon:

    Also wanted to let you knwo that I've been using the techniques in that Stanford University Hospital video that someone posted on the bump, and it definitely helps me to get a bit more breastmilk out when I pump. I'm hoping that if I'm pulling more out, they will start to produce a bit more as we go! Fingers crossed.

    Hope all of you are doing well this week!

    Can you post the video for me?  I missed it.  Thanks! 

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    image
  • dusk, that's great that the pumping is going better! I didn't like the softfit shields either, I think it's a very hit or miss thing.

    BrideInLondon, that's so good to hear that your depression got better quickly with less pumping. We used the newborn flow nipples until DS was 7 months for that reason! I hope it helps for you guys.

    Thanks for the kind words ladies. I'm trying to look on the bright side. Now I can really work on getting my little weight loss chick moving on that ticker. I was afraid to work out too hard since I know that for some ladies it can cause a dip in supply.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    TTC#2 October 2011. June 2012 diagnosed with mild PCOS and both tubes blocked.
    10/1/12 miracle BFP 11/12/12 missed m/c (9w2d), baby stopped growing at 7 weeks
    1/16/13 BFP, EDD 9/27/13, m/c 1/19/13
    imagephoto rainbowleavesbadge-1_zpsa9246b63.jpg
    2/12/13 BFP, EDD 10/25/13 Please stick little one
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    A stowaway on board! :)
    Pregnancy Ticker

  • imagedusk42:
    imageBrideInLondon:

    Also wanted to let you knwo that I've been using the techniques in that Stanford University Hospital video that someone posted on the bump, and it definitely helps me to get a bit more breastmilk out when I pump. I'm hoping that if I'm pulling more out, they will start to produce a bit more as we go! Fingers crossed.

    Hope all of you are doing well this week!

    Can you post the video for me?  I missed it.  Thanks! 

    This is the overall site:
    https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/

    And this is the specific video that I was talking about. Be warned, they actually show bare breasts in the video, just in case you are at work. I watched it at work (it wasn't blocked) but I just made sure no one could see my monitor!
    https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

  • Hi

    Just a little bit about me.

    I delivered via c section..nursed on demand..went to Ped @ DD 1st check in @ 6 days old and she was down from 8lbs 7 oz to 6lbs 15oz..She was dehydrated and her urine was crsytalized..we began giving her formula and still BF..I went to lactation after she was over 2 weeks old and found out she was only getting a little less than  a half ounce from me.. Started fenugreek..supply increasing, but still not able to BFE..She is getting more than 20oz of formula a day and I still nurse 15 to 20 mins @ every feeding..

    I try and pump, but have never gotten over a half ounce. it makes me more sore.

    She still prefers to nurse over taking the bottle, but I am not giving her enough to satisfy her.

    I have accepted that we are going to BF and give her formula.

    Anyone else have anything similar and found a solution? I'd love to hear.


  • It is perfectly fine to supplement and BF.  Many of us have to do that.  
     
    I did find that the liquid version of herbs work better than the dried seeds (like most fenugreek capsules).  For a while I was taking dried versions of fenugreek, blessed thistle, shatavari, and Lactation Support, and it only helped a little (I started with fenugreek, then added BT, etc. etc.).  I switched to More Milk Special Blend (I have PCOS), which is an extract (liquid, I have the alcohol-free version), and I have been able to pump a lot more, nurse better, and use less formula (and it hasn't really increased as she has gotten older - we still do about 6-8 ounces per day, same as when she was about 2-3 months old).  A lot of people find that More Milk, More Milk Plus, or Special Blend works well for them.  
     
    If pumping makes you sore, make sure your breastshields are the right size - I had to go up to 27 mm (Medela).  There is a good video/pictures on correctly fitting pump flanges if you Google - the key is to look at them after pumping for about 5 minutes since you can swell.  
     
    We also use a preemie nipple for a bottle, and for the first 4 weeks, we use a supplemental nursing system - they nurse and get formula through a tube at the same time.  This helps them get more nutrition while nursing.  
     
    Good luck! 
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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  • imageBrideInLondon:
    imagedusk42:
    imageBrideInLondon:

    Also wanted to let you knwo that I've been using the techniques in that Stanford University Hospital video that someone posted on the bump, and it definitely helps me to get a bit more breastmilk out when I pump. I'm hoping that if I'm pulling more out, they will start to produce a bit more as we go! Fingers crossed.

    Hope all of you are doing well this week!

    Can you post the video for me?  I missed it.  Thanks! 

    This is the overall site:
    https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/

    And this is the specific video that I was talking about. Be warned, they actually show bare breasts in the video, just in case you are at work. I watched it at work (it wasn't blocked) but I just made sure no one could see my monitor!
    https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

    Ha!  Luckily i work from home - thanks for posting it! 

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    image
  • imagesummerne:

    Hi

    Just a little bit about me.

    I delivered via c section..nursed on demand..went to Ped @ DD 1st check in @ 6 days old and she was down from 8lbs 7 oz to 6lbs 15oz..She was dehydrated and her urine was crsytalized..we began giving her formula and still BF..I went to lactation after she was over 2 weeks old and found out she was only getting a little less than  a half ounce from me.. Started fenugreek..supply increasing, but still not able to BFE..She is getting more than 20oz of formula a day and I still nurse 15 to 20 mins @ every feeding..

    I try and pump, but have never gotten over a half ounce. it makes me more sore.

    She still prefers to nurse over taking the bottle, but I am not giving her enough to satisfy her.

    I have accepted that we are going to BF and give her formula.

    Anyone else have anything similar and found a solution? I'd love to hear.

    Welcome! Are you meeting with a board certified LC? If you find one you click with (it took us three different ones) they can help sooooo much. I would ask your LC about supplemental nursing system. It gives LO the extra they need while they are nursing so it also tells your body to make more. Alot of ladies have more luck with the fenugreek when they take it with blessed thistle. You can also try More Milk Plus it has the fenugreek and blessed thistle already in it. It helped me when I first started trying to bring up my supply.

    I'm sorry that the pump is making you more sore. Are your shields the right size? That was one of the problems that ntnylizard was having with her pump too. Here is a link to the Medela site that lets you know if they are fitting properly. If it looks right you may just be sore from getting started. GL!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    TTC#2 October 2011. June 2012 diagnosed with mild PCOS and both tubes blocked.
    10/1/12 miracle BFP 11/12/12 missed m/c (9w2d), baby stopped growing at 7 weeks
    1/16/13 BFP, EDD 9/27/13, m/c 1/19/13
    imagephoto rainbowleavesbadge-1_zpsa9246b63.jpg
    2/12/13 BFP, EDD 10/25/13 Please stick little one
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    A stowaway on board! :)
    Pregnancy Ticker

  • GEN1EGEN1E member

    I've been breastfeeding and supplementing with formula. I had issues with him latching on and was given a nipple shield. I have weaned him off the nipple shield. I now what to try to stop supplementing formula as well. The thing is, I hate to see him suffer and be hungry. Have any of you ladies done this? 

  • Dusk.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll definately be bringing it up to the pedi when we go in for DS's two month appt so DH can hear what she's got to say.  Hopefully since she's not a lc he'll be more open to listening to her.  KWIM? 
  • imageGEN1E:

    I've been breastfeeding and supplementing with formula. I had issues with him latching on and was given a nipple shield. I have weaned him off the nipple shield. I now what to try to stop supplementing formula as well. The thing is, I hate to see him suffer and be hungry. Have any of you ladies done this? 

    Welcome GEN1E! I'm guessing that since you have weaned him of the shield that you have been able to resolve your latch issues? If yes, the best, most effective way to bring your supply up and cut down on supplementing is to nurse, nurse, nurse. The longer you can get him to nurse the more it will tell your body to make because he wants it. Also make sure you are drinking a ton of water, at least 64 oz a day, more is better. I had a 32 oz water bottle that I tried to drink 4-5 of a day. It will take a few days so don't worry but you should be able to start decreasing the formula over time.

    Good luck with the pedi ditzydi!

     

    ETA: Anyone who is missing a post, you did post but an earlier post in the thread was deleted. When that happenes everything after that post is also deleted. Feel free to post again, we would love to have your input. Smile

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    TTC#2 October 2011. June 2012 diagnosed with mild PCOS and both tubes blocked.
    10/1/12 miracle BFP 11/12/12 missed m/c (9w2d), baby stopped growing at 7 weeks
    1/16/13 BFP, EDD 9/27/13, m/c 1/19/13
    imagephoto rainbowleavesbadge-1_zpsa9246b63.jpg
    2/12/13 BFP, EDD 10/25/13 Please stick little one
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    A stowaway on board! :)
    Pregnancy Ticker

  • I am now on my second week back at work.  I work PT and am pumping 3x/day on my full days and 2x/day on my half days.  I've pumped enough each day to make 2 out of DD's 3 bottles milk.  I am continuing to supplement 1.5 oz. after each nursing session and I pump after each session still, except for one during the day.  Most of our supplementing is pumped breast milk but we're probably giving 4-8 oz. of formula per day.  I think I make somewhere around 20 oz. of milk per day, which will hopefully be almost enough to not supplement when DD gets firmly established on solids sometime after 6-7 months.
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickersLilypie Pregnancy tickers
  • I BF and supplement as I don't produce enough either. ?I tried mother's milk tea, but didn't notice anything different. ?This More Milk Special Blend you mentioned, would you suggest trying that? ?He's 6mo old and I'm about ready to give it up... although really don't want to. ?

    ?So any advice, I'd appreciate.?

  • beffysky, that's great that you are down to 4-8 oz of formula a day!! Congrats!

    rachelphoto, Welcome! There are lots of things you can still try if you want to! The easiest are drinking more water, and eating oatmeal everyday. This is the website for Motherlove. They make More Milk Plus and More Milk Special Blend. I would say a majority of ladies here have used the MMP but several have had sucess with the Special Blend too. The Special Blend has goat's rue in it which helps if you have something like PCOS or have had a breast reduction. With both, the liquid seems to be more effective for the ladies on this board. It tastes terrible but I would just put it in 1-1.5 oz of cranberry juice and shoot it. The juice helped cover up the taste. You can check the original post in this thread, there is a like to a post by another bumpie listing all of the supply boosters that she has tried. Hopefully they will help. GL!!!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    TTC#2 October 2011. June 2012 diagnosed with mild PCOS and both tubes blocked.
    10/1/12 miracle BFP 11/12/12 missed m/c (9w2d), baby stopped growing at 7 weeks
    1/16/13 BFP, EDD 9/27/13, m/c 1/19/13
    imagephoto rainbowleavesbadge-1_zpsa9246b63.jpg
    2/12/13 BFP, EDD 10/25/13 Please stick little one
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    A stowaway on board! :)
    Pregnancy Ticker

  • imagedeltagirl79:

    beffysky, that's great that you are down to 4-8 oz of formula a day!! Congrats!

    rachelphoto, Welcome! There are lots of things you can still try if you want to! The easiest are drinking more water, and eating oatmeal everyday. This is the website for Motherlove. They make More Milk Plus and More Milk Special Blend. I would say a majority of ladies here have used the MMP but several have had sucess with the Special Blend too. The Special Blend has goat's rue in it which helps if you have something like PCOS or have had a breast reduction. With both, the liquid seems to be more effective for the ladies on this board. It tastes terrible but I would just put it in 1-1.5 oz of cranberry juice and shoot it. The juice helped cover up the taste. You can check the original post in this thread, there is a like to a post by another bumpie listing all of the supply boosters that she has tried. Hopefully they will help. GL!!!

    FYI, the alcohol-free version of Special Blend (probably the others too) is basically tasteless in orange juice.  :) 

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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