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Austin Babies
Keribells
member
Can I get my supply back?
Keribells
member
In the beginning we were doing good...I pump and she eats...it all worked great. She had a great latch but didn't have the patience to nurse which was fine with me. I wasn't feeling the BF bond and was completely on board with pumping all the time if that is what worked and needed to happen for our situation.
However, a week or two ago she hit a slight growth spurt and I wasn't able to pump enough to keep up with her demand so we were slowly supplementing with formula. I grew weary of the pump + being bummed about not being able to fulfill her needs = my not being so on schedule with pumping. I was able to pump a good 4+ oz bottle from both sides each time and sometimes more. Now...not so much.
Oh...and let's not forget the on call pedi getting on me about not BF'ing. ugh...
Just so many frustrations that I've slacked off quite a bit and now pump a couple of times a day when I have the spare time. I might get 2 oz though which is becoming another bummer.
So...I know this is my fault- please no lectures on that. But I recognize that I need to get back on my schedule if getting my supply back is even an option (is it?). I'd like to give her more breastmilk than what we are right now if I can supply it.
Am I doomed or can I still amp up my supply at this point?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Can I get my supply back?
I'm sure you probably can, it will just take quite a bit of pumping on your part. If you can (and are willing) I would try and pump every time she eats, for as long as she ate (or at least about half an hour or more).
You can try the herbs (More Milk Plus, Mothers Milk Tea), real oatmeal, a dark full-bodied beer, and really just tons of pumping. Have you tied putting her back on the breast lately?
And that on-call pedi would have gotten a big WTF look from me.
((hugs)) BFing isn't for everyone, so don't beat yourself up at all if it's just not for you.
What would really be best is if you could directly nurse her. Skin to Skin contact is important. Yes, emptying your breasts with the pump can help, but at her very tender young age your body is still learning to make milk. It relies on a number of cues that are not only regulated by the emptying of your breasts. You make different hormones when you hold your baby. Smell her. Listen to her breathe. Think happy thoughts about your future together. Even her scent sends signals to your brain. Those lovey hormones are just not there when you're listening to the pulsing of a motor stressing over every ounce.
Now, if you don't think directly breastfeeding will work for you at all (even with a LC or whatever), then all is not lost. You can still do dozens of things to get back on track and make milk. Your body is only just now beginning to reach it's full milk making potential! If you get back on schedule and take some herbs, eat enough protein, up your iron, drink plenty of water - you'll be asking why Medela makes bottles that only hold 5 oz! BTW - there's an 8oz gerber bottle that fits the PISA. I could never use a hands free bra because I had to do a lot of compression to pump. When I was serious about upping my supply, I even did hand expressing at the end to get out every last drop (a trick the NICU nurses told me about to up supply) There is just so so much you can do and you're at the right point to start, early. At 5-6 months, not so much. But your body is prime to respond!
So, no guilt. Just decide what you can handle and what you think your daughter can handle. Make a plan. Set some goals and get to it. YOU have to believe it. Your body can make enough milk. It really can!
Ditto PPs. Definitely nurse her as much as you can and drink a ton of water.
We had a hard time BFing in the beginning. I think my boob was too big for his tiny little mouth! I had to use the shield b/c he had trouble latching. He would also fall asleep after about 2 minutes and it was SO HARD to keep him awake. An LC told me to feed him for 30 minutes, then pump for 15 while DH fed him a bottle of EBM. She could tell I was totally stressed out and that was not helping us at all. I did that for several weeks and finally got to a point where i only pumped after every other feeding b/c DS got so much better at nursing. Now, it's pretty much my favorite thing ever and it's so easy (wow, I never thought I would say that!). Maybe you can try the 30 min feed, 15 min pump schedule. It really helped with my anxiety of BFing.
And like PP said, BFing is not for everyone so don't beat yourself up if you decide to go the formula route. There is nothing wrong with that! That nurse needs a dose of STFU from the Bumpies. GL!!
ETA - Let me clarify, I no longer pump after every feeding and haven't for a while now. I meant BFing is my favorite thing.
If you're committed, it can be done. You will just need to work your a$$ (boobs) off... A friend of mine re-lactated after several months of only pumping once a day and once her supply was back EBF'd for a year...It's hard, tons of work and requires extreme commitment but can be done.
Here's an article on Kellymom on increasing milk supply - https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html
Since you're still pumping some, it might not be as hard for you, but will take some time - you can try Power Pumping and that might work.
Google Re-lactation and you'll find tons of tips/forums/instruction to help.