Anyone have supply issues and find something that worked well for them?
We all got sick over the past few weeks and I think it impacted my supply. DD has also tripled (!!) the amount she eats during the day when I'm at work. I was able to pump 12-16oz a day (depending on # of pump sessions), but now I can barely pump 3-4oz in 3 sessions. I talked to two different LC's and am giving it through the weekend before I start to supplement (still have a small freezer stash).
My plan is - 3600mg fenugreek per day, 3x mother's milk tea, oatmeal in the morning, pumping or nursing at least every 2hrs, power pumping for 1-2hrs/day. Also considering renting a hospital grade pump but I was going to give the supplements and power pumping a couple days.
Any other thoughts on what worked for you would be appreciated. I've been very lucky to go 21wks with barely any breastfeeding issues. I just hope I can recover from this.
Continue to pump for a few minutes after you have emptied. Also pump after nursing. I made lactation cookies with flax seeds, brewers yeast, and oats and it helped. There is also a smoothie recipe with oats and flax seed that's supposed to be like eating 12 cookies in one glass. You can Google or look on pinterest for recipes. I got the smoothie recipe off pinterest and I swear it helped.
May be obvious for some but a few days ago, I was worried after I noticed I was pumping a lot less than usual. I was beginning to think this was the beginning of the end to breastfeeding but after inspecting my pump, I found that a part I think called the membrane, had the tiniest chunk missing. I put a new one in and ta-da, back to regular pumping.
I drink a couple Tablespoons of Ovaltine mixed with almond milk and that helps me. Just make sure it's the Malt or Chocolate Malt flavor, since it's the malt that helps.
So I've been EBF since birth and I was pumping for the first two months or so but then LO took to the boob and refused the bottle completely so I stopped pumping. Well now I'm needed to help out at my old job a few nights a week and DH will have to be home alone with the baby so I need to start pumping again and get some ready for him. I worried about how well it will go. Has anyone had good success with starting up pumping again? My supply has been good and most of the time DS doesn't empty the boob at feedings so I think I can get it up enough to start pumping again. I'm just stressing about not having enough or him refusing the bottle and my husband not being able to handle a tired, hungry, grumpy baby without me...any tips? Advice? Success stories?
So I've been EBF since birth and I was pumping for the first two months or so but then LO took to the boob and refused the bottle completely so I stopped pumping. Well now I'm needed to help out at my old job a few nights a week and DH will have to be home alone with the baby so I need to start pumping again and get some ready for him. I worried about how well it will go. Has anyone had good success with starting up pumping again? My supply has been good and most of the time DS doesn't empty the boob at feedings so I think I can get it up enough to start pumping again. I'm just stressing about not having enough or him refusing the bottle and my husband not being able to handle a tired, hungry, grumpy baby without me...any tips? Advice? Success stories?
If you are working in the evening then your husband will onky have him for a few hours before bed right? You might try different bottles. If you were able to pump before i dont see why it would be a problem now. Pump after baby feeds or pump the other breast if baby only feeds on 1 side
Well ladies, I bought formula today. None of the supplements, power pumping, or even hospital grade pump have increased my supply enough to keep up with what DD eats during the day. Tomorrow will be her first day trying formula and my plan is to make small bottles - about 2oz of breast milk and 1/2oz formula. That way if she refuses it there isn't a lot of waste. Anyone have tips or success stories to share about introducing formula?
i guess this is a good problem to have as DD is doing so well, but I am sad about giving her formula! I know it's not a big deal but I'm feeling emotional over this.
@Ceridwen77 sorry to read that! You are probably not the first nor the last person to whom it happens. I wonder how we did before formula ? Or maybe women just did nor work all day away from their babies. Your baby is thriving and it is the right thing to focus on. It will be one less thing to worry about too! It is already wonderful to have breastfed this long. I try to remind me this everyday in case my supply drops too.
@Ceridwen77 we might be in the same boat soon! I don't have any tips but wanted to reach out for support (and to maybe get some tips), I just started a new job and I haven't been able to pump as much as I think LO needs to eat during the day so he has been eating like every 2hrs at night which is making it really hard to function at work at 8am! He is happy and isn't fussy during the day so maybe he's getting enough but I'm also going through my freezer supply and am unable to pump enough at work so we are thinking about supplementing a little bit during the day. I like your idea of making small bottles so if he doesn't like it then I'm not wasting a ton! I am with you on the emotional aspect of this as I'm having a difficult time with it but in the end I've got to do what is best for LO and what will keep me sane because if I'm not my best self then I can't be the best mom! You've got this and I know that we are all doing what's best for our LO's which is all that anyone can ask of us.
@Ceridwen77 we might be in the same boat soon! I don't have any tips but wanted to reach out for support (and to maybe get some tips), I just started a new job and I haven't been able to pump as much as I think LO needs to eat during the day so he has been eating like every 2hrs at night which is making it really hard to function at work at 8am! He is happy and isn't fussy during the day so maybe he's getting enough but I'm also going through my freezer supply and am unable to pump enough at work so we are thinking about supplementing a little bit during the day. I like your idea of making small bottles so if he doesn't like it then I'm not wasting a ton! I am with you on the emotional aspect of this as I'm having a difficult time with it but in the end I've got to do what is best for LO and what will keep me sane because if I'm not my best self then I can't be the best mom! You've got this and I know that we are all doing what's best for our LO's which is all that anyone can ask of us.
Sorry to hear you're in the same boat with production. It's really a tough thing to pump while working, and the most important thing of all is to make sure our lo's have enough during the day.
My mom watched DD today and I prepared a bunch of 2oz bottles. I told her to add about 1/2oz of formula to these bottles before feeding. DD took each bottle without any issue! I was so glad to hear this and after the first bottle was done my emotional issues faded. I think it also made it easier for me that someone else actually prepared the bottles with formula. I'm just so glad that DD is thriving and gaining weight so well after dropping on the percentile chart.
i really wish you the best and at the end of the day I feel so much relief after introducing formula today. And, not sure if it's coincidental or not, but I pumped more at work today than I have in weeks. Could be the pressure coming off of me!
Well ladies, I bought formula today. None of the supplements, power pumping, or even hospital grade pump have increased my supply enough to keep up with what DD eats during the day. Tomorrow will be her first day trying formula and my plan is to make small bottles - about 2oz of breast milk and 1/2oz formula. That way if she refuses it there isn't a lot of waste. Anyone have tips or success stories to share about introducing formula?
i guess this is a good problem to have as DD is doing so well, but I am sad about giving her formula! I know it's not a big deal but I'm feeling emotional over this.
I had to supplement a couple bottles about 3 weeks ago. I had no bm on hand so just gave her formula. She made a face but then ate the entire thing. Sounds like you have the right idea with mixing it. Good luck and hopefully it's just temporary like it was for me. And if not, that's okay too. Keep us updated on how it goes!
Well ladies, I bought formula today. None of the supplements, power pumping, or even hospital grade pump have increased my supply enough to keep up with what DD eats during the day. Tomorrow will be her first day trying formula and my plan is to make small bottles - about 2oz of breast milk and 1/2oz formula. That way if she refuses it there isn't a lot of waste. Anyone have tips or success stories to share about introducing formula?
i guess this is a good problem to have as DD is doing so well, but I am sad about giving her formula! I know it's not a big deal but I'm feeling emotional over this.
I had to supplement a couple bottles about 3 weeks ago. I had no bm on hand so just gave her formula. She made a face but then ate the entire thing. Sounds like you have the right idea with mixing it. Good luck and hopefully it's just temporary like it was for me. And if not, that's okay too. Keep us updated on how it goes!
It's amazing how tolerant our lo's are! Right now we are still supplementing but my production has increased this week. We'll see how it goes. But the great news is DD gained 8oz in 6 days!
Anyone else deal with mastitis? I just got prescribed antibiotics today for it. My doc couldn't get me in but due to my symptoms (excruciating pain, redness, red streaks, fever) called in a script for me. Just wondering how long it took you to feel better and if you have any tips. The pain is unreal!
Anyone else deal with mastitis? I just got prescribed antibiotics today for it. My doc couldn't get me in but due to my symptoms (excruciating pain, redness, red streaks, fever) called in a script for me. Just wondering how long it took you to feel better and if you have any tips. The pain is unreal!
I got it with DD. Hot showers seemed to help with pain. The meds started to kick in within a couple of days. It's no fun! Sorry you are having to deal with it!
I've had mastitis 3 times, the first time was definitely the worst, spiked a 104 fever in 3 hours. The first day is the worst, second is bearable, by the third, I was ok. I found it helped to pump as much as possible between feedings to clear out the infection.
Also, have you had thrush? Turns out it can be a yeast infection instead of a bacterial one. So if it comes back fairly quickly and you've had thrush, might consider an antifungal.
Anyone else deal with mastitis? I just got prescribed antibiotics today for it. My doc couldn't get me in but due to my symptoms (excruciating pain, redness, red streaks, fever) called in a script for me. Just wondering how long it took you to feel better and if you have any tips. The pain is unreal!
Yes. I had it when LO was 3 weeks. I started to feel better in 24 hours.
Thanks everyone! I feel so much better now. So for anyone who may come across this thread in the future I've taken 6 doses of keflex and, while I still have some discomfort, the fever and severe pain is gone.
@snowflake143 no I haven't had thrush, but thanks for the tip.
Hey ladies, I came down with a cold that kicked into high gear today. I know I've heard cold medicine can affect your breastmilk supply, do you happen to know if there are any medicines that are ok for breastfeeding?
So ever since lo sprouted her bottom two teeth I have had progressive nipple soreness. She isnt biting but I am wondering if her latch is different or something because she is chaffing them right where the teeth are. This morning after feeding I was bleeding so I need to figure it out otherwise I am worried I will have to switch to pumping for the times i am home.
Also, maybe related but a feeding question either way. We have been experimenting with solids for the past month or so, i know they say breastfed babies need added iron around 6 months but LO has not taken to any food except avocado. No cereal or pureed foods. Anyone else have a baby reluctant to change their diet?
@smnewby while Zeke is all about solids, he still won't take the fortified cereal either (mostly because he refuses to be spoon fed)
fortunately, more recent research has found that babies still will get enough iron from your milk - in fact, they absorb the iron in your milk better than the iron in the fortified cereal, so you really don't need to worry.
I’ll start—honestly, I need a bit of support right now. Between the physical exhaustion, emotional ups and downs, and trying to figure out what’s “normal” or not, it’s been a lot. Some days I feel on top of the world, and others I just want to cry and sleep at the same time. Anyone else feeling that rollercoaster?
Re: Breastfeeding Questions/Support/Learnings Go Here
I usually change my membranes every 3 to 4 weeks.
If you were able to pump before i dont see why it would be a problem now. Pump after baby feeds or pump the other breast if baby only feeds on 1 side
i guess this is a good problem to have as DD is doing so well, but I am sad about giving her formula! I know it's not a big deal but I'm feeling emotional over this.
My mom watched DD today and I prepared a bunch of 2oz bottles. I told her to add about 1/2oz of formula to these bottles before feeding. DD took each bottle without any issue! I was so glad to hear this and after the first bottle was done my emotional issues faded. I think it also made it easier for me that someone else actually prepared the bottles with formula. I'm just so glad that DD is thriving and gaining weight so well after dropping on the percentile chart.
i really wish you the best and at the end of the day I feel so much relief after introducing formula today. And, not sure if it's coincidental or not, but I pumped more at work today than I have in weeks. Could be the pressure coming off of me!
Good luck!
Also, have you had thrush? Turns out it can be a yeast infection instead of a bacterial one. So if it comes back fairly quickly and you've had thrush, might consider an antifungal.
@snowflake143 no I haven't had thrush, but thanks for the tip.
Also, maybe related but a feeding question either way. We have been experimenting with solids for the past month or so, i know they say breastfed babies need added iron around 6 months but LO has not taken to any food except avocado. No cereal or pureed foods. Anyone else have a baby reluctant to change their diet?
fortunately, more recent research has found that babies still will get enough iron from your milk - in fact, they absorb the iron in your milk better than the iron in the fortified cereal, so you really don't need to worry.