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Need Milk Supply Help/Advice

laurblumlaurblum member
in Breastfeeding
Repost from May14.

So, I had the baby this past Friday, May 23. Today would be considered day 5 and I still haven't gotten my milk in. No engorgement or anything. I can tell that the milk has changed over from colostrum to actual milk because of the consistency, and baby does latch on well. But we have had to supplement because she is never satisfied and I have no idea how to help this along. My pump came today so I tried pumping and I get such a minimal amount out, like maybe 1/4-1/3 of an ounce total for both breasts. I have been to a lactation support group once and I am going again tomorrow for hopefully more help and insight. I also have the baby's first pediatrician appointment tomorrow, so maybe there will be more answers there. I was really hoping to breast feed, but I feel like all the supplementation is counter productive. But the baby needs it or else she cries to the point where she loses her voice and refuses to latch. I can't do that to her. I feel so helpless right now. It's seriously the one thing killing my baby joy. If anyone knows of something I can do or maybe shed some light from their own experiences I would so greatly appreciate it. I'm willing to do whatever it takes.
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Re: Need Milk Supply Help/Advice

  • haylo33haylo33 member
    My milk took a bit longer to come in, too. It was so hard that day or 2 where baby was so hungry but I wasn't enough. I wasn't told to pump. The pediatrician told me to nurse baby frequently (every 2 hours at least) during the day and at least every 3 at night then to follow with 1 oz of formula. Eventually my milk came in with a vengeance and we ditched the formula. I was so discouraged waiting for my milk that I almost gave up. My baby lost too much weight and I felt like I wasn't doing what I should. Be patient, it will come in and baby will be ok!
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  • laurblumlaurblum member
    Thanks to all. I am really trying to stay positive. This was one thing I really wanted to do and I knew it would be hard, but I never anticipated this. I am going to keep at it until I know I did everything possible to make it work. At lactation support they were recommending she have her frenulum snipped to make her latch easier. Some of the other women in the support group had it done and were raving about how it changed nursing for them. I haven't decided for sure if I am going through with it though. There is a doctor in my area who does it with a laser and it's supposedly painless with no recovery time. Like I said, I'm not sure yet. But it's definitely an option. Also heading to the store tomorrow for some mothers milk tea and fenugreek. Who knows if they actually work but I'm just going to keep trying my best I guess and that's all I can do.
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  • opheliainwadersopheliainwaders member
    Totally seconding @theresat858‌ and I'd also recommend going to see a lactation consultant one on one. Either ask your pedi for a rec, or google "IBCLC Directory" and you can search the directory by zip code (would send the link itself, but I'm on my phone). My milk didn't come in until day 6 or so (we also had a host of other issues), and using a hospital grade pump in conjunction with nursing and supplementing really helped. FWIW, we'll hit a year in a week, and although the beginning was really hard, it's great now, and I'm so glad we stuck with it!
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  • daisy.ramirezdaisy.ramirez member
    I went through a very similar experience. They had me giving him formula to supplement while I pumped every 2 hours day and night. He's now 4 weeks and he is getting about 60% of expressed breastmilk (EP).

    It helped a lot that I started pumping even if not much came out. Even now one session will give me anywhere from 1-2.5oz. Tons of skin-to-skin and trying to let go of the guilt of not just breastfeeding. I am still not giving up hope of being able to not need the formula. Lactation consultants will give you more tips on how to continue to try to get him to latch while your body figures out milk supply -don't be afraid of bombarding them with your questions.
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