How long should I nurse with very little milk?

TeshaChandler · November 2015

I have an 11 weeks old baby girl. I had this huge imagination while I was pregnant. I was going to pump tons and tons of milk, use it to make her baby food, have so much milk in storage we had to go buy a new freezer and still have to donate some to have enough room! But sadly, I have tried and tried and tried to nurse but my milk just never really came in. I have tried supplements, (fenugreek, motherlove plus) power pumping, drank my weight in water, buying lactation cookies online and making my own,talking to two lactation consultants and my Dr and have come to the conclusion that it just isn't going to happen.. When I pump, I get maybe 2-3 drops from each side.. But I still nurse. I know that she's probably getting a few drops more than when I pump. My husband doesn't say anything but I can tell it irritates him that I'm still trying with no success. I just keep telling myself every drop counts (literally-drops) The idea of just giving up is truly devastating to me even if she isn't getting anything because I feel like I'm giving up on doing the best thing for her. I thought maybe if I bf longer than usual it may still make a difference. It is really starting to feel like I'm declining mentally.. So I guess my questions are: Is it normal to still desperately try even though I know she's getting almost nothing? When should I stop trying to nurse?

chelseagrrl123 · November 2015

I think you should nurse as long as you want to. You are still bonding with your baby. Oxytocin benefits for you and her as well, even if you aren't producing much. I would imagine it is still very comforting for her to have that time with you. Try not to stress about it, you are doing a great job just being her mama!

Ashleyw · November 2015

What pp said. Nurse as long as you want to. It is still wonderful bonding time. Just don't stress too much about not producing enough. All that matters in the long run is that baby is eating and growing.

beanie1977 · November 2015

I'm in the same boat. When I pump I get only drops. After the lactation consultant weighed him before and after feeding he only got a teaspoon of milk and that was 15 minutes on each side! My supply is so low I should probably just formula feed. I've given up pumping because it just depresses me to see drops after the pain and time suck of pumping.

As of now I'm still breastfeeding my LO. I wouldn't call it feeding necessarily. I guess I'm more of a human pacifier!

I get him his formula and give him about 10-20 ml so he's not starved. Then I put him on each breast for about 10 minutes. Then we top off with the rest of the formula (40-50 ml.)

I get the bonding and what little milk supply I have gets kept up. I can also feed him for comfort when he's tired or fussy. It's working for me.

I say feed him as long as you want but give up on the idea that it's for anything besides comfort and bonding. I had to. I know his growth and nutrition comes from the miracle of modern science and formula and the love and bonding comes from my breast.

Ellsmac · December 2015

I have the same issues. We are feeding formula (had to or baby would starve!) but I am still nursing before or after a feed and am pumping to try and maintain what little I have. I am firmly in the camp of "some is better than none" but am also trying not to drive myself crazy. My husband has been supportive of my efforts (fenugreek, lactation consultants, supplementing on the breast) and ultimately I know: 1) my baby is being fed; and 2) I get bonding time with her; 3) and daddy gets bonding time with her too. Is it what I envisioned? Not at all. Is it beyond my control? Absolutely. But I can still do what I can to get her some breast milk each day- I have read that even teaspoons can have benefits on their stomach bacteria, etc. you go mama!

beanie1977 · December 2015

Just wanted to update. I'm still breastfeeding and went to the lactation consultant for a follow up. Feeding him by breast 3 times a day has kept my supply at about 10 ml per feeding which made me happy because I figured it would go down but it's where it was before.

I feed him in the morning when we get up, before his long afternoon nap and before bed as part of our routine. If he's fussy for no reason I may also BF just to calm him down.

It works for us. The consultant was actually surprised I'm still BFing. It had been about 6 weeks since our last consult and she said most people stop when they have low supply like that. I'm glad we still BF for the bonding.

PrimRoseMama · January 2016

It's completely up to you. It's a personal decision that no one can make for you.

How long should I nurse with very little milk?

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