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Decreased milk supply, please help me increase my supply

xxbrittanyxx182xxbrittanyxx182 member
in Breastfeeding
Hi Moms,

I have a 15 week old boy and I am concerned my milk supply is decreasing. I am nursing every 2-2.5 hours, pumping between feedings, drinking plenty of fluids and taking MothersLove herbal supplement. I have met with a lactation consultant to confirm it is not a latch issue. I was producing plenty until a few weeks ago when he began sleeping through the night. I was advised to wake up at night to pump or feed so I have been doing that for the last 2 weeks and I now offer both breasts multiple times at each feeding (which I did not have to do the first 3 months). My pediatrician is recommending supplementing or introducing rice cereal because he weight has hit a "plateau" but I was really hoping to exclusively BF for the first six months. Does anyone have any advice or tips that have worked for them to increase their supply?

Thank you all for your help!!
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Re: Decreased milk supply, please help me increase my supply

  • Melody330Melody330 member
    I'm a little confused- why do you believe your supply is decreasing?
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  • Melody330Melody330 member
    I'm heading off to bed so I figured I would leave some more feedback.

    Pumping in addition to feedings will usually yield smaller amounts. Please don't think that what you are pumping equates to what baby is transferring.

    Offering both breasts multiple times isn't that unusual. Your breasts are never actually empty. They are always producing as long as you bring baby to breast and latch is good.

    Hope that helps some
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  • xxbrittanyxx182xxbrittanyxx182 member
    edited July 2014

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  • xxbrittanyxx182xxbrittanyxx182 member
    Melody330 said:
    I'm a little confused- why do you believe your supply is decreasing?

    aditigirl said:
    I'm a little confused- why do you believe your supply is decreasing?
    This. Also, you shouldn't give a baby that young rice cereal. If you did need to supplement, it would be appropriate to use formula. Also, why exactly are you pumping in between feeds? I would feed baby on demand and make sure you're eating enough calories.
    My pediatrician has said he weight is not where it should be. My son is not losing weight, but is not gaining as quickly as he should be.

    The lactation consultant advised if I pump between feeding that it will help me produce more.
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  • Melody330Melody330 member
    Pumping between feedings will signal your body that more milk is needed, but it won't always yield milk from that pump session. My point was that you shouldn't feel like baby isn't transferring much because you only pumped a small amount.


    What % was your LO for height and weight? And do you know which chart the dr was using?

    I'm not asking these questions to be snarky, but I feel like a little more info is needed before more advice is given.

    I would hate for you to be attempting to increase an adequate supply and wind up with an oversupply.
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  • xxbrittanyxx182xxbrittanyxx182 member

    Melody330 said:
    Pumping between feedings will signal your body that more milk is needed, but it won't always yield milk from that pump session. My point was that you shouldn't feel like baby isn't transferring much because you only pumped a small amount. What % was your LO for height and weight? And do you know which chart the dr was using? I'm not asking these questions to be snarky, but I feel like a little more info is needed before more advice is given. I would hate for you to be attempting to increase an adequate supply and wind up with an oversupply.
    Thanks so much for your help Melody!

    He says he is in the 1% and he says he is using the breastfeeding chart. My son was 7lbs 4oz at birth and was 10lbs 13 oz at his appt today.
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  • Melody330Melody330 member
    AmyG has given good advice! In the meantime just make sure you are drinking a TON of water and consuming enough calories.

    The more you out baby to breast, the better for your supply.

    Good luck
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  • xxbrittanyxx182xxbrittanyxx182 member
    Thank you all for your wonderful advice and support! I wanted to provide an update, I followed many people's advice and got a second opinion by a more supportive doctor of breastfeeding. My LO has gained over an ounce during the last week and he does not feel formula or ice cereal is necessary. So glad I followed my instincts and continued to try and increase my supply. The LO is now up to 11lbs 6 oz. I think I will be switching to this new pediatrician.

    Thanks again everyone for you advice and support!!
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  • AlikiAliki member
    That is great to hear, @xxbrittanyxx182
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    TTC #2 since 2011. Dx: Endometriosis and hypothyroidism. 2 FETs in 2012, BFP 6/12 but m/c @ 7 weeks. IVF #2 06/13. DD #2  born March 2014 (40w1d).
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