First time with low milk supply

[e_roehm23]

My ds nursed like a champ, but dd was tt'd until 4 mos, and still does not suck correctly. so, my milk supply is suffering. We are baby-led weaning, and she is 6 mos, so she hasn't gotten much solids so far. I am taking 620 mg Fenugreek capsules 3x's a day. When I pump after her nursing I get about 1 oz from each breast, so she is not emptying them She likes them full, I guess, and doesn't want to (or maybe can't) completely empty them. Then after pumping, they don't fill back up enough for a full feeding for about 3-4 hours. I know if I could pump after every feeding it would help increase the supply, but that means more bottles and we have already had 2 bouts of bottle preference, so I'm trying to use bottles very sparingly. Although, she does get about 1-2 bottle a day of ebm to supplement. My goal is to not have to supplement, but to be able to pump at least 6-8 ounces a day for the freezer. So, I've thought about Domperidone, but I don't know if you have to have a script?? Also, give me other ideas, thanks!!

[porky]

I had quite the problems with my milk supply at first. I took fenugreek also. I did eat quite a bit of oatmeal. That seemed to help increase my supply. I know of others who have ate oatmeal also to increase their supply. Drank a nursing tea (can't remember the name). I also used some essential oils. Plus ate peanut butter. lol
I don't much about Domperidone.

I hope things start looking better for you.

[AnimalHouse]

Motherlove makes a supplement called More Milk and More Milk Plus. I've never tried them myself, but I know people who swear by them.

[tibeca]

How about adding alfalfa and blessed thistle to your fenugreek or another herbal per galactagoge on Kellymom.com?

I'm using alfalfa on its own during pregnancy and seeing pretty decent results.

You can order dom through Canadian pharmacies without a prescription.

And there's no rule that says you can't just increase pumping to add to your freezer stash. Pump just a little after each nursing session and you should see an increase in overall output.

[RunawayBunny]

Why do you think your supply is low? Is the milk you are supplementing with stored milk or are you expressing and then feeding it later that day? It sounds to me like what you said (baby doesnt want or cant get enough at those feedings).

If it were me, i wouldnt wait 'til i had enough for a "full feeding", but instead nurse when baby is hungry again even if thats earlier than before. In general more frequent, shorter nursing sessions will increase your supply more than fewer, longer sessions. When the breast gets full it sends a signal to produce less. Hope that helps.

[e_roehm23]

Originally Posted by RunawayBunny Why do you think your supply is low? Is the milk you are supplementing with stored milk or are you expressing and then feeding it later that day? It sounds to me like what you said (baby doesnt want or cant get enough at those feedings). If it were me, i wouldnt wait 'til i had enough for a "full feeding", but instead nurse when baby is hungry again even if thats earlier than before. In general more frequent, shorter nursing sessions will increase your supply more than fewer, longer sessions. When the breast gets full it sends a signal to produce less. Hope that helps.

I think my milk supply is low because after I feed her, she still seems hungry. So, to try to increase my supply, I try to pump 2 times a day after she goes down for a nap. Then that milk is usually used to supplement later in the day. I would much rather increase my supply by just nursing more often, but she won't nurse if I'm not very full. But, if I pump after nursing her, then I don't usually have much for her at the next feeding.

[mommypockets]

Originally Posted by e_roehm23 I think my milk supply is low because after I feed her, she still seems hungry. So, to try to increase my supply, I try to pump 2 times a day after she goes down for a nap. Then that milk is usually used to supplement later in the day. I would much rather increase my supply by just nursing more often, but she won't nurse if I'm not very full. But, if I pump after nursing her, then I don't usually have much for her at the next feeding.

If she were hungry, she would empty them. If she's having wet diapers, she's getting enough. That's the ONLY way to tell! Check out kellymom.com

[FindingMercy]

Have you tried doing breast compressions as she is getting to the end of a nursing session? That would get the milk flowing faster and may encourage her to keep working at it.

[palsmama]

She is probably going thru a growth spurt so the best thing for your supply is to let her nurse more. Supplementing isn't going to help the situation. Also, from 6 months on, babies actually take in less breastmilk in a 24 hr period ( except during growth spurts) I'm guessing your supply is just fine. Seriously. When my DS went thru his 6 month growth spurt I doubted myself because my breast seemed so empty but he was still hungry, I just nursed him more frequently and watched his diapers. Sure enough it was totally fine and he went back to eating normally after about 3 days! It was rough! Hang in there. Your supply sounds fine!

[neuro_mom]

kellymom.com is great. I saw a lactation specialist and she recommended it. She also told me to take Fenugreek - 3capsules 3x/day and Blessed Thistle 3 capsules 3x/day. You might not be taking enough Fenugreek. She said I would know that I was taking enough when I started to smell like maple syrup. I first thought my baby had a dirty diaper and then realized it was me - I don't notice the smell anymore so I guess I got used to it. DH didn't say anything so I guess it isn't too bad. As for the nipple confusion, lactation specialist also recommended using the Calma nipple (by Medela) when I did have to supplement (also planning to go back to work so will use it when baby being bottle fed). The baby has to suck on the Calma nipple so it's more similar to breastfeeding. Now he would rather breastfeed than bottle feed because he has to work when using the Calma nipple.