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What should I do?

Christmasbaby18Christmasbaby18 member
in Breastfeeding
My little guy is 9 months.  He loves to nurse, but I feel like I don't have enough milk.  I work and what I pump is getting less and less.  I've tried oatmeal, fenugreek, more water, ,everything I can think of but I can't pump more than 3 oz during my whole work day (8-4)  I used to think he got enough when he actually nursed but now I'm not sure of that either because he wants to nurse all the time even every 2 or 3 hours during the night.  He's allergic to milk so I really wanted to keep breastfeeding but I'm so worried that he's not getting enough ounces plus I really don't want to be up all night anyway.  He's had soy formula a couple of times and doesn't really love it.  Should I keep trying to nurse as much as possible or throw in the towel????
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Re: What should I do?

  • ILMommaILMomma member
    If it were me I would keep trying to nurse but I feel strongly about it. You could try adding more pumping sessions during work. As long as the diaper output is good and he's gaining weight, I wouldnt be concerned.
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  • RootBeer29RootBeer29 member
    Have you changed out your membranes and pump parts to make sure it isn't a pump issue?
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  • ella.mabelella.mabel member
    Does he have wet diapers?  Does he seem satisfied when you nurse him at home?  Maybe you aren't responding to the pump for some reason.  3 oz in an entire day isn't much at all.... Are you feeling a letdown when you pump?  I know sometimes i need to really relax and that helps me.  I would try adding some calories and even more water. Or maybe it's time to contact a Lactation Consultant if you really want to keep nursing. 

    However, if you decide to throw in the towel, you should feel happy and proud that you've nursed him for 9 months!  There's certainly nothing to feel bad about if you decide to stop.  Like you said, it's hard to wake up every 2 hours to nurse, especially when you have 2 kids.

    Good luck!
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  • Christmasbaby18Christmasbaby18 member
    Thanks for your responses...I have replaced all the pump parts including tubing and membranes.  I even talked to Medela about it and everything seems to be in working order, although it is the same pump I used for 11 months with my daughter.  

    I do feel a let down and usually get an ounce fairly quickly, but then nothing until I either start the pump over again or really relax and think about nursing, then I can get a second let down, but it's usually only another ounce.  

    At his last appointment he had "fallen off his curve" at little, not actually lost weight though.  He seems satisfied after nursing and nurses about every 3 hours during the weekends when I'm home with him all day.  When I'm at work he'll drink 2- 3 or 4 oz bottles (of pumped or donated milk) but he won't have much more than that.  He does eat solids too (3 meals a day).

    I guess we are going to have to start supplementing with soy formula but I wonder if I should keep pumping what I can or just stop pumping and just nurse him when I'm home.  I'm afraid if I do that though, my supply will drop even more.  I'd actually like to nurse him as long as he wants, even past a year, especially since he's allergic to milk.
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  • ella.mabelella.mabel member
    I think if you want to keep nursing, then you definitely need to keep pumping.  If you stop pumping, your supply will take even more of a hit.  Can you pump more often?  Like every 2 hours?  I know how hard it is, especially with work.  Whenever i want to fit in extra pumping sessions, i will pump in the car on the way to and from work.  Good luck!
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