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December 2015 Moms
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Milk supply majorly dwindling

TaylovesbradTaylovesbrad member
in December 2015 Moms
Doing a separate post cause I want this seen asap.

Have been breastfeeding successfully so far. Today lo was on my breast constantly. He got increasingly adjated during the day. Gave him milk I pumped last night and then decided to.pump. usually I pull 2.5 ounces out of each breast. I barely got half an ounce out of each.

Please give me advice. Has this happened to anyone? I am so upset about this and feel terrible he isn't getting ebough.

At this point he has had all the milk I have pumped. So I don't know what to do about tonight. I don't want him to go hungry but really don't want to do formula.

Help.
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Re: Milk supply majorly dwindling

  • katherines2ndminimekatherines2ndminime member
    Hey. I just read an article on this. And there in no way to tell how much or how often a baby may feed in the first 6 months. Keep putting baby to breast as often as you need and baby will get all he needs. If his weight is going up and he's hydrated.. He's good to go. But he may be at breast frequently.
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  • JulieK79JulieK79 member
    Keep pumping. That will tell your body that you need to make more milk. Also, don't let one unsuccessful pump get you too frustrated yet. With my DS, there would be times I could tell I was full, but would barely pump anything. Sometimes if I was stressed or for who knows what reason, I would barely get anything out even though I knew there was milk there.

    I talk Mothers Milk once a day and that seems to have helped my supply.

    Good luck! Please know that a lot of us are stressed out about figuring out this breastfeeding thing for one reason or another in the beginning. Does your hospital you delivered at have a lactation number you can call? I called them last week because my LO was only eating from one side and they were able to give me suggestions that helped.
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  • ammnam14ammnam14 member
    I haven't had my baby yet so take my advice with a grain of salt..

    I've read tons of articles about certain foods increasing your milk supply. Oatmeal seems to be the best one from what I've read. I've also seen lactation cookies available in baby stores.
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  • BellaM110BellaM110 member
    edited December 2015
    Try to remain consistent and like the PP mentioned try to stick with putting baby to breast rather than pumping this early on.

    There are things you can try to increase you milk. In addition to putting baby to breast at least every 2-3 hrs to stimulate production, you can try lactation cookies with Brewers yeast (you can make your own or purchase In store), fenugreek supplement, mothers milk lactation teas, oatmeal are all supposed to help increase your supply.

    Are you having difficulties with latching? I posted a really helpful video in the breastfeeding thread that may be able to help you.
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  • MorganW24MorganW24 member
    Cmagno said:

    Why are you pumping already? Don't overthink what you are seeing from the pump, sometimes the body just doesn't respond well to the pump. For the first month at least I'd stick to breast and no pumping, let your supply regulate itself in response to LO. In the mean time drink lots of water, eat oatmeal and keep baby on you (baby wear, snuggle, co-sleep if comfortable with it) and offer baby the breast whenever she shows hunger. Good luck!


    ^^^^ this! Baby is probably having a little growth spurt and the best thing you can do is feed on demand as much as baby wants. Your breasts are never truly empty, so while baby might not be getting the fast flow he wants to fill up, he is getting something. The more he is nursing the more you will make. Also agreeing with pp about pumping... It is not indicative about how much you are actually making/ baby is getting. Lots of water mama! Hang in there!
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  • Daphneh28Daphneh28 member
    I feel you cause I had to start pumping in the hospital. LO developed Jaundice and didnt have enough energy to suck. She would latch but not suck so we rented the pump and now she wont take my breast though I try and try. I wish I produced 2.5 ounces from one breast! But dont get discouraged. My supply has gone up by pumping more frequently and one of my pumping times I pump for longer. Thats made a big difference. Make sure you are super hydrated. And believe it or not a shot of Guiness at night increased me big time. It tastea HORRIBLE but anything to keep making milk for my daughter.
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  • Gingermom15Gingermom15 member
    the baby is probably going through a growth spurt snd eating more. As long as he is having adequate wet and dirty diapers then there isn't anything to be concerned about :) your body may also be getting past the engorgement stage and adjusting to making the amount of milk your baby needs. Let baby nurse on demand to help regulate your supply and drink a lot of water. I eat steel cut oats with two tablespoons of ground flaxseed, both of which are supposed to help supply. I highly advise against taking Brewers yeast or fenugreek without speaking with your Dr because they can interfere with certain medications and medical conditions.
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  • stephaniechen82stephaniechen82 member
    Really, any carbs will help and lots of water. Oatmeal of course, but also rice, yams...those types of complex carbs. Dark beer. That and nursing often. It takes about 3 days for your supply to adjust to the demand. Be patient, and don't give up. It seems urgent because LO is hungry but as long is weight gain is good and diapers are regularly soiled, everything will be fine.
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  • NJPita22NJPita22 member
    Why are you pumping? If you're giving baby pumped breast milk you're telling your body that it doesn't need to produce the milk. I think finding a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group would be extremely beneficial. Also the answer to a lot of breastfeeding concerns is to just keep nursing! Nurse nurse nurse! If you're going to pump I would do it after baby nurses to increase your supply and not give the pumped milk.
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  • kleshellekleshelle member
    I've been pumping too, her lip is attached to her gum so she isn't latching correctly therefore can't pull out the milk she needs. My pumping sessions have been bouncing around they aren't set oz each time. But she's recently started eating weird too, sometimes 3 oz sometimes only an oz. My lactation consultant says just keep pumping 1.5-2 hours, skin to skin as much as possible (I have yet to do that since hospital) and I've heard there's this herb you can take that works awesome. I'm about to try it, I'm terrified I won't pump off what she needs one night and will panic. Make sure you empty out each session too, I get impatient and quit before I'm empty. If you empty it makes your body think baby is needing more, if you don't body will slow the milk production down. I'm lucky if I get 2 oz off each.
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  • EEB88EEB88 member
    edited December 2015
    Don't go crazy on eating certain things to increase supply. You're only putting a bandaid on a bullet hole so to speak.

    Instead get that baby on the breast! Let him nurse, even if he's not getting anything right now, he's stimulating your body to start producing more. Baby is much better at doing this than your pump.

    As @stephaniechen82 mentioned as long as baby is producing the appropriate number of wet and dirty diapers, you've nothing to worry about. Let him cluster feed/comfort nurse until he builds that supply up.

    You're doing a great job mama! Keep it up. :smile:
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  • lynettieLoolynettieLoo member
    I just read this article and found it to be very informative.

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  • LauraSmarterSpamLauraSmarterSpam member
    NJPita22 said:

    Why are you pumping? If you're giving baby pumped breast milk you're telling your body that it doesn't need to produce the milk. I think finding a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group would be extremely beneficial. Also the answer to a lot of breastfeeding concerns is to just keep nursing! Nurse nurse nurse! If you're going to pump I would do it after baby nurses to increase your supply and not give the pumped milk.

    Giving baby pumped breast milk does not tell your body it doesn't need to produce breast milk. We fed DS with expressed milk for 9 months.

    Like some other PPs have said, pumping isn't indicative of how much you are making. If baby is nursing and getting fussy, he may just be in a spurt and want more so switch sides. DD cluster fed a lot in the first few weeks. I'd be nursing her between both breast for 3 hour stretches sometimes because she would root for more after pulling away. Now I breastfeed during the day and pump for a few minutes afterwards to have a collection for her first evening bottle, and I pump at night while DH bottle feeds her so I can avoid any cluster feeding at night.

    I would contact a Lactation consultant for peace of mind, but if you find that after nursing he isn't wetting or having any dirty diapers, don't beat yourself up if you need to supplement with formula.
    When I EPd with DS, I pumped every two hours on the dot. Your body will up the amount needed, the more frequently LO nurses or if you pump more frequently.
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  • angbrienzaangbrienza member
    You got so many mixed comments here, I feel heartbroken for you! :( I agree with the posters that said as long as you are getting wet diapers, baby is likely getting more than you think. You have not made any mistakes pumping, so do what's best for you. But dont get upset if one or two pumps aren't successful. Hang in there and keep with he pattern you've had. Baby could be extra hungry as some mentioned (growth spurt) which is why there were more feeds and an agitated baby. Steel cut oats and lactation cookies DO work wonders and are an easy way to help with supply. Stress will also inhibit. So remember you're doing great and give yourself a pat on the back... Don't worry and try to relax when babe is on the boob. Enjoy each feed and snuggle babe so you are releasing happy hormones! You can do it!
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  • heatherkennedy021heatherkennedy021 member
    edited December 2015
    @Daphneh28 have you tried a nipple shield? You can get them at target. I am bottle feeding my almost 2 week old the milk I pump because she is a chewer and my nipples couldn't handle it and she was jaundice and I needed her to eat- besides I am one who really isn't concerned about how she gets her milk from me directly or from a pump as long as she gets it and I don't have to give formula. But now I can use a nipple shield and she will latch on to my breast without a problem which is nice that I can do both it makes it easier when company is over or I'm so exhausted daddy can feed! Hang in there - best wishes!
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  • laurabwalkerlaurabwalker member
    Pumping is great but in the first few weeks to "establish" a supply nothing beats nursing due to baby being able to stimulate the breast much more than the pump. Babies are built to do it and the component that is missing somewhat is the hormones. Basically if you are pumping with a machine the hormones will be stimulated somewhat but not nearly the amount as BF. I am not saying you shouldn't pump or if people are choosing to only pump, that is great, I am just saying if you are planning to BF mainly then focus more on that and less on pumping. Another good tip is when you are pumping have baby infront of you and spend time bonding, and this can increase your hormones! Skin to skin all the time if you can, will also help supply. BF is tons of work and everyone is being lovely and helpful, which I think is great. Try to go easy on yourself
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  • Bombmom3Bombmom3 member
    You got lots of comments with conflicting advice here so I'm going to try and keep it simple:

    Kellymom.com has been a true life saver for me with three rounds of breastfed babies and a wealth of good, solid breastfeeding information, trouble shooting and advice.

    Don't get down on yourself - you are doing an amazing job.

    Drink as much water as you can stomach. Avoid anything with peppermint. Fenugreek is a good milk booster supplement. Let your LO nurse as frequently as they ask - this is their natural way of boosting your supply.

    If you are having the appropriate amount of wet and soiled diapers daily, your LO is getting enough milk regardless of what you are able to see with the breast pump.

    This is worth repeating - Don't get down on yourself. You're doing a great job.
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  • grkgdss00grkgdss00 member
    lynettieLoo said:
    I just read this article and found it to be very informative.

    Great article. I saved!
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    Please speak to a lactation consultant. If (s)he doesn't help, find one who does. Because you're getting a lot of mixed messages from a lot of people - and this is because every woman (and more annoyingly every boob on every woman) is different and different things will work for them. What you need is to find somebody who can help you figure out how YOUR body and breasts work.

    For the record, I've never heard that pumping dries things up. I have flat nipples and can't leave the house (A twatwaffle post for another day..) so I've been pumping A LOT. I pump to express food. Since I have a low-birth-weight-baby, I pump to ensure I can measure what she's eating exactly. I pump to bring my nipples out so she CAN nurse when possible. I pump to relieve pain when she's not clusterfeeding (Because this little turkey is a total cluster feeder). And my amounts have stayed more or less the same. I find certain times of day i produce more than other times of day FOR SURE. Have you tried pumping throughout a 24 hour period to see if there is a time of day when you're naturally producing more?

    But yeah, see that consultant if possible and attend a lactation class if not. I think it could help.
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    ... Also don't feel guilty if you have to short-term supplement with formula. I know it's hugely disappointing if you have to and didn't want things to happen that way. But I am of the belief that formula is perfectly fine for babies and supplemented babies probably don't even notice a huge difference. And if they do, they don't mind it. Hang in there mom. You're doing a great job.
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  • angbrienzaangbrienza member
    Bombmom3 said:

    You got lots of comments with conflicting advice here so I'm going to try and keep it simple:

    Kellymom.com has been a true life saver for me with three rounds of breastfed babies and a wealth of good, solid breastfeeding information, trouble shooting and advice.

    Don't get down on yourself - you are doing an amazing job.

    Drink as much water as you can stomach. Avoid anything with peppermint. Fenugreek is a good milk booster supplement. Let your LO nurse as frequently as they ask - this is their natural way of boosting your supply.

    If you are having the appropriate amount of wet and soiled diapers daily, your LO is getting enough milk regardless of what you are able to see with the breast pump.

    This is worth repeating - Don't get down on yourself. You're doing a great job.

    Ditto!!!!!
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  • VesperLoveVesperLove member
    Seek advice from an LC because every woman on here is going to tell you something different.

    What I can tell you is that your baby gets milk from your breast b a far different way than a pump so the amoubt you pump cannot tell you what your baby is actually getting.

    If you go see an LC they can tell you how much baby is getting with each feed which is often way more than you think.

    Eat well, stay hydrated, and go see that LC!
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  • Daphneh28Daphneh28 member
    heatherkennedy021 said:
    @Daphneh28 have you tried a nipple shield? You can get them at target. I am bottle feeding my almost 2 week old the milk I pump because she is a chewer and my nipples couldn't handle it and she was jaundice and I needed her to eat- besides I am one who really isn't concerned about how she gets her milk from me directly or from a pump as long as she gets it and I don't have to give formula. But now I can use a nipple shield and she will latch on to my breast without a problem which is nice that I can do both it makes it easier when company is over or I'm so exhausted daddy can feed! Hang in there - best wishes!

    someone gifted me one for my baby shower. I'll try it today. Hope it works!! Thanks!
    Lilypie Breastfeeding tickers
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  • LauraSmarterSpamLauraSmarterSpam member
    edited December 2015
    Taylovesbrad said:

    Ladies, I seriously appreciate the time you took to write your responses. I had started pumping because LO would not latch. He finally started latching and then yesterday happened.

    I did ended up mixing supplement formula with breast milk last night because he was so obviously not satisfied.
    We actually had our ped appointment today and he has gained 13 ounces.in one week.
    I am hoping that yesterday was a fluke and things will get back to the way they were.
    I think that I'm definately stressed out about it and that could be a factor.

    Hormones are crazy and motherhood is hard. Trying to stay positive and not feel like a failure.

    Hormones are definitely the pits! I wanted to mention something I read that I found to be useful. When you need to supplement with formula, do t mix it with the breast milk. That is just in case baby doesn't finish it all. You don't want to have to throw out your milk. Feed him the breast milk first and then follow up with formula.

    So glad he is gaining weight!

    ETA: that should say "don't mix", not "do t"
    Married 05.19.07 | Together since 03.11.00 | Dom Born 02.06.12 
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  • Bombmom3Bombmom3 member
    Nothing you are doing is "failing". You are trying to do what you feel is best for your baby's well-being and that is *excelling* at motherhood, not failing. Nothing about being a mom is easy (except for loving your child - that bond may take a second to form or may take a few weeks but once it happens it's the one thing that keeps us all in the fight).

    I hope breastfeeding gets easier for both of you. It is, for sure, a learning process for both mom and baby.

    And it is awesome that he gained 13oz! Obviously you're feeding him well :) Stay in the fight - you got this!
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