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What's the point of no return (with respect to supply)

bahamamabahamama member
in Breastfeeding

I can't seem to find the answer to this question anywhere... Does anyone know when it is too late to increase supply? We've had major breastfeeding issues and after lots of time and money spent trying to address the problem, I still see my supply falling. I hate to sound so negative, but is there a point where it becomes pointless to continue trying?

My LO isn't even three weeks old yet. I used to get maybe an ounce from each breast when I would pump, but now it seems to be a fraction of that amount. We've had to supplement with formula because she wasn't returning to her birth weight on my breastmilk alone. I'm using both a PISA and hospital-grade rental in order to know what I'm producing and to help stimulate my supply. The only time the pump is able to get anything from me is during the stimulation phase - the let down never happens. I've already met with a lactation consultant a few times. I've attended a breastfeeding support group. I'm taking fenugreek. I've massaged. I have the soft version flanges. I've bought bigger flanges. I'm thinking to start seeing another lactaction consultant and buy the smaller flanges tomorrow. Part of me feels like I need to do everything I can to increase my supply ASAP or it will go away completely. Part of me feels like I'm delaying the inevitable and should just give up. And all of me is sad about it... Sad

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Re: What's the point of no return (with respect to supply)

  • PAmiler82PAmiler82

    I know there are women that re-lactate after a time of no breastfeeding.  It's very difficult, but not impossible.

    Since it's hard to determine when just reading - please know that my next question is not meant to be snarky or sarcastic.  Rather I'm asking sincerely:

    Are you able to nurse the baby directly?  Have you seen an LC?  That's probably the best way to stimulate supply and ensure that your body knows how much milk to make.

    I never responded well to a pump.  There were literally times I wasn't able to pump anything at all.  But I BF'd Drew for 13.5 months with no formula.  He obviously was able to get the milk out, even if the pump couldn't

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  • SueandDanSueandDan

    i think you are still very early on and you can still increase your supply.

    i can totally relate to how your feeling. i was so sad when my supply was very low in the first few weeks and i had to supplement.  i pumped every two hours for 20 minutes, took fenugreek, ate oatmeal, tried reglan (prescribed by my obgyn), had a dark beer every night...basically everything to increase supply.  By week 6 I saw a small increase but it still wasn't enough as i was only giving her 1/2 breastmilk and had to supplement the other 1/2 with formula.

    many women on hear recommended taking domperidone (which you can purchase at inhousepharmacybiz.net) and once i started that things totally turned around.  i now only have to supplement with one bottle of formula a day. i'm producing about 24 oz of breastmilk a day.

    good luck with whatever you decide to do!

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  • sarahandeddiejune212008sarahandeddiejune212008 member
    Stupid bump - What I was attempting to say is that I had to supplement with formula early on as well.  I was really upset about it, but I worked really hard and now do not have to supplement at all.  I take fenugreek and domperidone.  The combination of the 2 really helped.  I also spent tons of time nursing DD, even if she was just comfort sucking I kept her on the boob.  I don't think its too late.  Keep working at it.  I also found the pump was my enemy.  I thought I wasn't producing enough based on how much I pumped, but I quickly learned that I was (after some work).  The pump cannot get out as much milk as baby.  Have you tried doing weighed feedings?  It will give you a better idea as you go along how much baby is really getting.
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  • abear2abear2
    The pump is not an adequate indicator of your milk supply, particularly this early in the game.  The best way to up your supply is to put the baby to the breast, constantly.  Let her nurse as frequently and as long as she wants.  This is how your supply will be established.  It won't last forever, but I do remember both my kids hitting growth spurts at that age, so it is SUPER important to let them nurse through that.
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  • bahamamabahamama member
    Thank you everyone for your responses and advice! I'm feeling a little better about things now and will try to get some of this domperidone. I have been letting LO just suck at my breast in hope that it will stimulate supply, so I will try to keep that up. I just can't believe how frustrating this can be... Sad
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  • Allie30Allie30 member

    Count me as another woman who never responded well to a pump. Initially it helped me with my supply, but all the "power pumping" in the world didn't help me increase it after a week or two. I would pump after every feeding and get nothing, but if I put her back on my breast I could hear her swallowing.

    I have taken everything but Reglan and dom, and it hasn't really made a difference -- the only thing that has made a difference is drinking LOTS of water. 

    After a while pumping hurt so badly that it was affecting my breastfeeding. so I stopped pumping and concentrated on breastfeeding. We supplement about 6-8 ounces a day now and I almost never pump. 

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  • MrsCAAMrsCAA member

    It took my a long time to respond well to the pump (2+ months) but if you keep at it (with massage) it will get better. I had a really bad supply, and i would nurse, then pump for 20-30 minutes (10-15 heavey massage on one side, then do a 2nd let down phase and 10-15 massage on the other side- even if nothing came out) every 2 hours. It was a ton of work put it slowly (2 oz more a day over 1 wk) So eventully i didnt have to supplement anymore. Also high fiber, water, reglan, try to rest/sleep as much as possible.

     

    https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

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  • berrybuzzberrybuzz member

    keep at it, you can do it.

    my daughter nursed for the first 3 weeks and then i eped for 3 weeks and i dried up one day no reason, i started relactating 3 months ago almost and my daughter is on more breastmilk then formula now. it is possible and takes lots of patience. my daughter was able to go back to the breast at 5 months old, however it only lasted a week and my supply tanked again so we just EP.

    know that some woman are not cut out to pump. one of the girls that checks in with us relactating woman can barely get anything from the pump, but is slowly able to nurse her son where he gets more.

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