Supply advice

shani0112 · July 2013

So due to either improper latching or something else I am having to pump to feed 7 day old DS. Started EP yesterday after I talked to a LC on the phone. She suggested I mix a combo of creams to put on my bleeding nips and pump until I could come in on Monday to be seen. Since then I've gone from pumping over 2 ounces every 3 hours to barely 1.5 every 3 hours. I do not want to have to give him formula! I'm drinking water, yogi nursing tea, and eating well. I am using a medela pisa to pump, DS was breastfeeding great but it got to be so painful I was crying when I was nursing. Any advice or suggestions? I did post this on BF board as well but I know some of you ladies may be experiencing the same thing. TIA

kaylakim · July 2013

It sounds like you're doing all the right things, BFing is so frustrating! Oatmeal can do wonders for your supply and if you're interested in takingsupplements you could try fenugreek or a product called More Milk Plus. Both of those made a difference for me when I had supply issues with DD1.

good luck!

PrimRoseMama · July 2013

You are doing everything right. Follow the LC's advice about the cream/pumping. You don't want to deal with mastis/infection on top of this. I hate telling a new mama to "just relax" but honestly it helps supply to try to meditate/pray/breathing exercises.

The more you get worried or stressed the harder it will get. Keep doing what you are doing.

I know you want to avoid formula but it's the difference between being fed or not I see no shame in supplementing a little bit. It's a personal decision but I can't stand to hear my baby be hungry so it's not a defeat for me anymore. It's a sanity saver.

You can still pump as you supplement but it will give your nipples a chance to heal and avoid infection. You need to see the LC when you can but I see crying through nursing sessions where your nipples are torn up as torture. Don't do that to yourself. It might make healing delayed etc.

shani0112 · July 2013

kaylakim:
It sounds like you're doing all the right things, BFing is so frustrating! Oatmeal can do wonders for your supply and if you're interested in takingsupplements you could try fenugreek or a product called More Milk Plus. Both of those made a difference for me when I had supply issues with DD1.

good luck!

Thank you. I just called GNC to see if they're open today so I can send DH out to get some fenugreek and blessed thistle. My friend suggested I do a couple power pumping sessions today and start pumping every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes. Oh the next few days should be hell... But it's worth it.

cwhitloc · July 2013

I would still try to get the baby to nurse if possible. Try a different BF hold. And since he's still working on his latch, bottle feed an oz or so before trying to get him to latch since he won't be so ravenous.

Oatmeal is great as well. Lots of water. I would stay away from supplements for now since they can cause gas (for the babe) and if the baby is so young, that might introduce further issues.

When you pump, try to relax and grab some article of clothing that smells like the baby to sniff.

je2161 · July 2013

I didn't have supply issues but I did have the toe curling pain when BFing early on so I have some advice on dealing with the pain. I know it can be controversial but I found that nipple guards really helped me get over the initial irritation. They provided just enough of a barrier to allow me not to dread feedings. Once my nipples healed I slowly weaned the nipple guards. Also make sure you use lanolin cream on your nipples and let it all air dry between feedings.

cwhitloc · July 2013

Also, see if the LC can get you an RX for Apno (all purpose nipple cream). It works wonders on healing cracked nipples and will prevent infection.

shani0112 · July 2013

PrimRoseMama:
You are doing everything right. Follow the LC's advice about the cream/pumping. You don't want to deal with mastis/infection on top of this. I hate telling a new mama to "just relax" but honestly it helps supply to try to meditate/pray/breathing exercises.

The more you get worried or stressed the harder it will get. Keep doing what you are doing.

I know you want to avoid formula but it's the difference between being fed or not I see no shame in supplementing a little bit. It's a personal decision but I can't stand to hear my baby be hungry so it's not a defeat for me anymore. It's a sanity saver.

You can still pump as you supplement but it will give your nipples a chance to heal and avoid infection. You need to see the LC when you can but I see crying through nursing sessions where your nipples are torn up as torture. Don't do that to yourself. It might make healing delayed etc.

Thanks Prim! I know trying not to stress is probably my biggest issue and if I have to we do have some samples of formula I can mix with what I am pumping. I will def do that before I don't feed him enough. I had supply issues with DS2 but I was young, not taking care of myself, and uneducated then. I thought I had better prepared myself this time.

flkong · July 2013

Try increasing your pumping to every 2 or 2.5 hrs. Also, massage your breast while you pump. This should help you get more milk. Btw, if you're gonna EP for an extended period of time, you should rent a hospital grade electric pump to help keep your supply up.

kmc217 · July 2013

I agree with all of the above -- but above all try not to stress because the more you stress about producing enough, the more your supply can be affected. And I know you said you are drinking-- make sure it is truly enough. Like several liters. I also hugely recommend the All Purpose Nipple Ointment for healing your nipples and helping the pain -- it is RX and was a lifesaver with my DD1. Definitely increase pumping to every 2 hours and maybe after you have pumped a little and your LO has had an ounce from a bottle you can offer the breast if tolerable every couple of feedings.

Good luck! I think breastfeeding issues can be one of the most stressful things to deal with!

equinus · July 2013

Sorry you are dealing with this, I had similar issues with DD. 1.5 oz is still a pretty good amount, he is only a week old! the amount of milk you pump at each session will vary a little bit, especially with time of day, I always felt I pumped more in the morning, so try not to stress if you dont produce the same amount each time. Make sure you are doing breast compressions when you pump to encourage more milk to flow. (Kellymom.com has articles on how to do this) I would honestly still try and get baby to latch on at least once a day, nothing drains your breast as good as a baby does. I used to take ibuprofen 30 minutes before a feed and ice my nipples before the initial latch on. If you have a correct latch, the first 30 seconds are the worst, then the rest of the feed should be bearable. Make sure your LC checks LO for a tongue tie, that could be a reason he is not latching properly and damaging your nips. Good luck and hang in there!

shani0112 · July 2013

Thank you ladies! I don't plan to EP for any longer than I have to. The LC gave me this concoction to use on my nips and after only about 24 hours it has worked wonders!
Bacitracin or
Polymicician or polysporin
1 hydrocortisone
Miconazole
Mix together equal parts and put in fridge. Put in post pump for 34 days 34 times a day.
I'm sure half of that is misspelled but I found it all at Target yesterday. Pain aside I want to EBF so I'll be setting an alarm for every 2 hours to get this ball rolling. And yes we are doing lots of skin to skin time, I'm eating steel cut oats twice a day, and drinking liters of water. I pee every 5 dang minutes lol. MIL is making me some lactation cookies today as well. I will try having him latch on later today after I've used the nip cream a couple more times.

kwub · July 2013

Everything everyone has said! And definitely try and pump more frequently like you mentioned you would. It sounds like you don't have a good latch as that is what would likely create the pain, cracked, bleeding nipples, etc. There are a lot of good resources online to help you know if you're getting a good latch and ways to encourage a good latch until you can meet with your LC. But definitely meet with her as they can really diagnose what is going on. Sometimes if your LO has a tongue or lip tie it can make a good latch impossible and it is something that has to be corrected in order to fix it. Hang in there and that is great you are so persistent!

PrimRoseMama · July 2013

shani0112:
PrimRoseMama:
You are doing everything right. Follow the LC's advice about the cream/pumping. You don't want to deal with mastis/infection on top of this. I hate telling a new mama to "just relax" but honestly it helps supply to try to meditate/pray/breathing exercises.

The more you get worried or stressed the harder it will get. Keep doing what you are doing.

I know you want to avoid formula but it's the difference between being fed or not I see no shame in supplementing a little bit. It's a personal decision but I can't stand to hear my baby be hungry so it's not a defeat for me anymore. It's a sanity saver.

You can still pump as you supplement but it will give your nipples a chance to heal and avoid infection. You need to see the LC when you can but I see crying through nursing sessions where your nipples are torn up as torture. Don't do that to yourself. It might make healing delayed etc.

Thanks Prim! I know trying not to stress is probably my biggest issue and if I have to we do have some samples of formula I can mix with what I am pumping. I will def do that before I don't feed him enough. I had supply issues with DS2 but I was young, not taking care of myself, and uneducated then. I thought I had better prepared myself this time.

[[[hugs]]] sometimes preparation can only go so far if your body decides to stage a revolution. You have to work with what you've got. Keep trying!

mdlorenz · July 2013

ebille:
Sorry you are dealing with this, I had similar issues with DD. 1.5 oz is still a pretty good amount, he is only a week old! the amount of milk you pump at each session will vary a little bit, especially with time of day, I always felt I pumped more in the morning, so try not to stress if you dont produce the same amount each time. Make sure you are doing breast compressions when you pump to encourage more milk to flow. (Kellymom.com has articles on how to do this) I would honestly still try and get baby to latch on at least once a day, nothing drains your breast as good as a baby does. I used to take ibuprofen 30 minutes before a feed and ice my nipples before the initial latch on. If you have a correct latch, the first 30 seconds are the worst, then the rest of the feed should be bearable. Make sure your LC checks LO for a tongue tie, that could be a reason he is not latching properly and damaging your nips. Good luck and hang in there!

In addition to KellyMom -- hands-on pumping video (Stanford U): https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

Good luck! Keep up the good work - it'll be worth it in the end. And definitely take care of yourself and your nipples - skin breakdown is one thing that can make infection (especially a more chronic one) more likely. But I'd definitely defer to your LC -- if you can find an IBCLC (additional training beyond LC), even better [https://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3432].

shani0112 · July 2013

Ladies again thank you so much for the support! It's been 2 hours since I last pumped so I did about 40 minutes straight pumping with hot compresses and massaging and got 4 ounces! I could feel knots in my left breast breaking up as I massaged. I'm guessing I just wasn't getting it all out. Ladies you all rock!

Kitten80 · July 2013

I found oatmeal really boosted my supply - either eating the instant kind or making homemade granola bars to snack on. I also found that sometimes I had to up my water even more. Have you tried rubbing breastmik on your nipples? Letting them have some airtime? I am sorry it was so painful for you. Hang in there! If you can stand it an your supply continues to drop with EP, you could try letting LO nurse a short period and then pump - on one side, I always had to do that to get a good let down.

crogers19 · July 2013

Total August lurker here...

I had issues with my firstborn I found this blog on pinterest and she gives really good advice.

Sorry it's not clicky.

https://happyhomefairy.com/2013/06/07/extreme-pumping-tips-and-tricks/

mdlorenz · July 2013

shani0112:
Ladies again thank you so much for the support! It's been 2 hours since I last pumped so I did about 40 minutes straight pumping with hot compresses and massaging and got 4 ounces! I could feel knots in my left breast breaking up as I massaged. I'm guessing I just wasn't getting it all out. Ladies you all rock!

Woohoo! Getting to those backed-up spots is important. Keep up the good work!

ROSARAMOS71156 · July 2013

No advice but I feel for you. Stay strong!! Hugs

ROSARAMOS71156 · July 2013

You always give such amazing advice and I wish I could hug you lol. Really...hugs!!!

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