Breastfeeding

Those with Low Milk Supply

Where you at?  I love you guys!  I have a low supply but still work my butt off to get more.  I am going on five months.  I have to supplement with formula, but I'm not giving up! 

It depresses me when I see people talk about being able to pump 9 ounces AFTER they already breastfed.  Times like those I think why don't my boobs work?  Am I flawed?  

Re: Those with Low Milk Supply

  • i have the same issue, LO is 2 weeks old and it os so frustrating to not be able to just BF 

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  • With DS had major low supply and like you had to work my butt off. I ended up going until 16 months.  This time with DD, I dont have low supply but I can only make exactly what she needs and that is on weeks that AF is not coming. Otherwise I have to go into my stash.

    Just wanted to say that you are doing so good . :)

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BFP 7/6/09. M/c at 10w5d (8/14/09). Had D&C 8/19/09.
  • We just had to start supplementing this weekend, but i'm not giving up!

    I figure any BM I can give her is better than nothing and I feel ok knowing i've tried just about everything to get my supply up with no luck!

    Keep up the good work ladies!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • For those of you who 'worked your butt off' to get more milk... what worked best?
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  • I am a lurker, but truly appreciate this post. My supply is low, and it is so frustrating (dd is 5 wks old). I pump, supplement bf sessions, and tonight she even needed a second supplement. I feel grateful that she is getting as much bm as possible, but there are such frustrating moments.
    m/c#1 07/16/08 (11 weeks), m/c#2 10/10/08 (8 weeks). and then nothing since except every test possible (no answers). IUI#1 and #2: BFNs Super lucky to be buddies with Peetie. Our out of nowhere, surprise DD born 5/29/2011
  • I've basically been supplementing with breastmilk since week 2. His weight dropped so much due to low supply that he spent 5 days in the NICU with jaundice, so I now really need that peace of mind from seeing a bottle drained. Proof that he's eaten enough. 

    I pump 20 minutes per side and average 2 ounces total. And he's eating 4+ ounces at a time. It's insanely frustrating. But I've made it to 9 weeks, although I think about quitting almost every day. I figure some breastmilk is better than none, and that's also what the LCs tell me every week.

    I was having a little luck with domperidone (sometimes up to 3 oz!) but it made me way too drowsy. I'm back at work half-time already and would nod off at my desk. Not an option. 

    I can relate to the "flawed" feeling. It's pretty depressing. Even more all the people who insist that you're just not trying hard enough or you just need a different LC and everything will magically turn around. 

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • We had to supplement with formula after each nursing session for most of the first month of LOs life.  Now we've been able to drop the formula while I am home - but I have really no freezer stash (less than 30 oz).  I am gone from 5am to 9pm and feed LO before I leave and when I get back.  While I am gone I am only able to pump 2-3 times.  I usually get 3oz the first 2 times I pump and sometimes up to 2oz if I can pump a third time (I'm a nurse).

    Having a hands free bra helps, I have a Medela PISA and I can do compressions/massage while pumping, and also get some charting done.  So it helps.  I take fenugreek, More Milk Special Blend, and drink TONS of water.  LO eats every 1 1/2-2 hrs I am gone (with an occasional few hour nap)... and generally takes 3oz each time.  So she'll eat roughly 27 oz while I'm gone.  I pumped 6 yesterday :(  But I know she gets 100% BM when we are together, and gets some when we are apart... so I just tell myself it's whats best for her.

    I don't pump at home because she eats every 1 1/2-2hrs and I just get so stressed because I don't get more than 1 1/2-2oz at home after nursing.

    Oh - and FWIW my LC told me the smaller (21mm) flanges would pinch, but I knew the regular ones seemed large.  I figured for $15 it was worth knowing one way or another.  It helped - pumping is SO MUCH more comfortable now.  I'm glad I didn't listen to her.  So if you think you might need to size up/down - it's worth it to know if you can afford it!

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