BFing mamas - what are you taking to keep your supply up?

lylahlove · August 2011

Pumping at work is finally taking a toll on my supply This, paired with my daycare throwing out between 2-4 oz a day is making me an unhappy milk cow. I just ordered some mother's milk tea - any other recs?

smit3807 · August 2011

I took fenugreek and drank mother's milk tea when my girls were first born, and I just re-started the fenugreek. I've also heard that blessed thistle and lactation cookies can help. Good luck! This pumping stuff is hard work.

virginiagirl11 · August 2011

lylahlove:
my daycare throwing out between 2-4 oz a day

That would kill me.

ckolak · August 2011

Fenugreek, oatmeal, lactation cookies, anise infusion. Combining two or more of these is better than just one. I have also had to pump in the evenings right before I go to bed. Is there a way you can put your milk in smaller amounts so they aren't throwing out as much?

lylahlove · August 2011

virginiagirl11:
lylahlove:
my daycare throwing out between 2-4 oz a day
That would kill me.

Yea. I cry a little everyday when I pick him up and tally up the milk. I've had the "please do NOT throw out any milk" talk, and she still does. ugh.

lylahlove · August 2011

ckolak:
Fenugreek, oatmeal, lactation cookies, anise infusion. Combining two or more of these is better than just one. I have also had to pump in the evenings right before I go to bed. Is there a way you can put your milk in smaller amounts so they aren't throwing out as much?

I do this. I'm really not sure what she's doing. and she's already gone through the entire freezer stash I brought her (over 30 ounces) when I bring more than enough fresh everyday.

maddie789 · August 2011

My daycare was also tossing out a few ounces a day, they still do in the rare instance of DS not finishing a 5 oz bottle. Makes me want to cry!

I try and eat oatmeal daily and I do pump at night before I go to bed. I pump twice during my work day and once before work and my supply hasn't taken a hit yet. I will also drink a hoppy beer a few nights a week after I pump. I am not sure if this really helps or not, but I seem to think it does!

virginiagirl11 · August 2011

lylahlove:
ckolak:
Fenugreek, oatmeal, lactation cookies, anise infusion. Combining two or more of these is better than just one. I have also had to pump in the evenings right before I go to bed. Is there a way you can put your milk in smaller amounts so they aren't throwing out as much?
I do this. I'm really not sure what she's doing. and she's already gone through the entire freezer stash I brought her (over 30 ounces) when I bring more than enough fresh everyday.

Maybe she doesn't know how to handle breastmilk (and doesn't know it) and is unnecessarily throwing some away or something? That is so frustrating. Maybe print out BM handling guidelines for her.

KCKappa · August 2011

The throwing out the milk thing would make me crazy! I assume she's doing it when LO isn't finishing a bottle, right? Have you explained to her that an unfinished bottle can be used for the next feeding? If you talk to her and she keeps throwing it out, can you send really small amounts (like 1-2 oz) in each bottle so even if LO has to take 2 or more bottles at one feeding, at least he would be finishing them all?

I would really really have a problem with a DCP not feeding my LO as I asked - one reason we chose our center is that they explicitly state in their handbook/when we met with them that while they can't re-warm BM bottles due to state regulations, they will leave any unfinished ones at room temp to use at her next feeding.

To up supply, I've read eating oatmeal can help and have also heard drinking more water might make a difference.

ETA: I see you've already talked to her AND are bringing the milk in small amounts. That, combined with her going through the freezer stash, would make me have a serious sit-down with her about the feeding situation.

kaube · August 2011

I take fenugreek caplets and also a tincture made of the same things that are in mothers milk tea. You just add it to whatever you are drinking and do it like a shot

lilylow · August 2011

I think I would cry if my daycare lady threw away perfectly good breast milk.

I drink mother's milk tea. It's pretty bad if you don't like the flavor of licorice.

GenaBoBenaWife · August 2011

My DC has to throw out anything that is leftover from a meal, whne she was going through her "distracted eating" phase, we were losing 3-6oz a day as well Sad

For supply, I didn't find that the tea helped, but Blessed Thistle + Fenugreek (3 pills ea, 3x/day) did. Plus, I have to pump every 2-3hrs or my supply dwindles. Hands on pumping helped as well. I didn't find that it increased my supply, but it did help me go from pumping 30-45min a session to 20min a session. I also have a corkboard in my office, full of pictures of LO, which helps me let down faster.

Also, lots of water. I drink no less than a 16oz glass every time I pump (6x/day).

lylahlove · August 2011

lilylow:
I think I would cry if my daycare lady threw away perfectly good breast milk.

I drink mother's milk tea. It's pretty bad if you don't like the flavor of licorice.

eeek that just made me gag Oh well...all for a good cause, right?

thanks everyone else for the comments and suggestions. I've already pointed her to the kellymom chart on handling instructions and I've mentioned to her my supply issues so I'm feeling defeated. I'll be making oatmeal as soon as I get home today.

vanfox · August 2011

Nothing, since I'm not pumping, but I've heard good things about real oatmeal mixed with flaxseed. You should be able to get the flax at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc. or order online.

lilylow · August 2011

lylahlove:
lilylow:

I think I would cry if my daycare lady threw away perfectly good breast milk.

I drink mother's milk tea. It's pretty bad if you don't like the flavor of licorice.

eeek that just made me gag Oh well...all for a good cause, right?

thanks everyone else for the comments and suggestions. I've already pointed her to the kellymom chart on handling instructions and I've mentioned to her my supply issues so I'm feeling defeated. I'll be making oatmeal as soon as I get home today.

I let it cool and then chug it college frat boy style.

vanfox · August 2011

lilylow:
I let it cool and then chug it college frat boy style.

That's what I did when I was still drinking it, too. Down it! Maybe teach your LO to chant "chug chug chug."

lylahlove · August 2011

lilylow:
lylahlove:
lilylow:

I think I would cry if my daycare lady threw away perfectly good breast milk.

I drink mother's milk tea. It's pretty bad if you don't like the flavor of licorice.

eeek that just made me gag Oh well...all for a good cause, right?

thanks everyone else for the comments and suggestions. I've already pointed her to the kellymom chart on handling instructions and I've mentioned to her my supply issues so I'm feeling defeated. I'll be making oatmeal as soon as I get home today.

I let it cool and then chug it college frat boy style.

classy

youngnewlywed · August 2011

does the mothers milk tea really work???

Kimberly92405 · August 2011

I take mother love more milk special blend herb capsules and eat oatmeal every day. I pump 5-6 times and average 15-20 oz per day. Good luck. It is hard work but worth it!

Gatorney · September 2011

I've been doing the cookies, or a spin on the cookies anyway... Basically an oatmeal cookie recipe with brewer's yeast and ground flax seed in it. Regular oatmeal or oatmeal cookies will also help, but the combo of the flax and yeast are supposed to help more. I get bored with things quickly so I found recipes for cookies with enough oatmeal and add the flax and yeast. The one I'm currently using I've also put in chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, and extra cinnamon (I REALLY like cinnamon!). I stopped eating the cookies for a few days and I was barely pumping anything. I'd be happy to post the recipe tonight if you'd like, but I found the basic recipe with a general internet search.

I could only find the Brewer's yeast in pretty big canisters, but it has other health benefits if you put it in smoothies and things like that (my husband used some for that purpose) so it won't necessarily be a waste if you don't keep making the cookies.

I bought the blessed thistle but keep forgetting to take it (you are supposed to take it with meals). Bought the tea to try too, and I actually don't think it's that awful (or that it tastes like licorice - I taste the fennel more than anything) but keep forgetting to make it too. So I can't say for sure if any of those are working. I also heard the blessed thistle works better if you take fenugreek at the same time, but I hate the idea of smelling like maple syrup

I'm pumping after the first feeding in the morning, usually two times at work, and usually one time right after I get home b/c it's usually too early for Allie to eat, I'm pretty full, and she seems to get enough if she eats after I pump.

I'm also bad about drinking enough water/fluids during the day, which will make a HUGE difference.

On a good day, I pump about 6-8 oz (only have one breast working), so I'm still having to supplement one formula bottle/day at DC.

Good luck!

nlwhite99 · September 2011

Mother's Milk did not work for me. Plus, I had to drink too much of it. Instead, I got Lactation Blend pills from Whole Foods and i love it!! My son is 5 months and I am producing 35+ oz each day. Also- why is the daycare throwing out milk? I send my son with milk and gave the direction that ANY leftovers are given to me when I pick him up. I then use that left over milk in his next feeding at home.

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