Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Would love some BF Support! (Repost from BF Board)

Happy Friday! I'm a newbie here, hoping for some advice. I apologize for this being so long!

Sadly, my milk supply never really came in. The lactation nurse that I saw started me out using the SNS, in conjunction to pumping after every feeding session. At that point I would only be able to pump about 5 mL and they determined that my son would be able to get about 8 mL. After a few weeks of no changes, I went bottle feeding while continuing to pump. They also had me giving my little man "snacks" at my breast if he showed interest (Unfortunately, this ends with him screaming because he can't get what he is wanting; needless to say, he doesn't show much interest...).

All my blood work came back normal- my thyroid and prolactin are in the normal range. I finally started taking Fenugreek about 11 days ago (3 capsules, 3 times a day) and am going to an acupuncturist. I'm up to pumping about an ounce every two feedings (and that is an improvement!). My son is almost 7 weeks old.

 I've had a friend mention that they took Blessed Thistle along with Fenugreek. Has anyone tried this? If so, did it help? Is there anything else that you found to help? I've gotten some great advice re: eating oatmeal (will be making a big batch this weekend) and drinking dark beer.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts/suggestions. I do have another appointment with my lactation nurse next week. At this point, I'm feeling pretty bummed!

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

Re: Would love some BF Support! (Repost from BF Board)

  • I had the same issue, they contributed it to my c section and implants. But my milk never really came. 

    I was told all of that above, plus lots and lots of water and hot showers and warm compresses on my breasts as often as I could. I was also told to not wear an underwire bra.

    Hope it gets better for you! 

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • I'm sorry to hear about this - hang in there!!! I hear a lot of positive feedback about Fenugreek.  At first I was having problems with my milk coming in and my OB recommended this tea: 

    https://shop.traditionalmedicinals.com/Organic-Mothers-Milk/p/TDM-000149&c=TraditionalMedicinals@Womens

    I havent tried it because my milk ended up coming in and my supply is ok. 

    Good luck! 

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  • I had low milk supply too. I and was able to boost it by doing a bunch of things. I pumped every 2.5 hours (I did pumping and bottle feeding both bm and formula for awhile until BF started going well). Make sure you get some rest- I know that's hard but sleep when the baby sleeps if you aren't eating or pumping. Get enough to eat and drink especially protein, calcium, and water. Fenugreek helped me somewhat, but what REALLY helped was Goat's Rue. It's an herbal supplement my lactation consultant told me about. It's made by Motherlove. You can get it on Amazon. You take four pills a day and make sure you don't eat or drink 15 minutes before or after. Another idea I read about that I didn't actually try so I don't know if it really works was pump one side while you feed the baby on the other, that way your body thinks you are tandem nursing twins and so it produces twice the amount of milk.
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  • I drink Organic Mother's Milk by Traditional Medicinals. You can find it at your local grocery store in the herbal tea aisle. The day after (sometimes even that night) I drink it I have to pump a few times because my supply is overflowing. It tastes good too. So, that's always nice :)
  • I did not haven enough milk until LO was 5 weeks old!That's when I finally was able to switch to EBF+EP (I alternate bottle and nursing).

    I was devastated, I cried I just couldn't believe I had to supplement with formula (which DD did not take well).What I did was I kept nursing and pumped and nursed.I pumped after nursings to make sure I was completely emptied out.I was very-very determinded,lol.Within a few days my milk supply picked up and I was able to feed DD only breast millk.

    I drank Mother's Milk tea 3 times a day, sometimes I doubled the tea bags. 

    Don't give up, the milk will come!Good luck! 

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