Increasing supply

So here I am with my 3rd child attempting to breastfeed. With my first I only did it for a few weeks and for my 2nd I did it for about 2 months, but with both I supplemented with formula because it just didn't seem like I was producing enough milk for baby to get full.

So now I'm with my 3rd and I've been breastfeeding and he's been doing great, but again it just doesn't seem like I'm making enough for him to get full on. He's only 2 1/2 weeks old, and I don't want to give up already. He's been growing great (gaining weight like he should), but he just always seems to be hungry after he's breastfed.

Are there any things that I can do to ensure that my milk supply is enough, or to even increase my milk supply? I would really like to breastfeed this baby for longer than I did my other two.

[allmymarbles]

Our great grandmothers drank Guinness Stout  to increase the milk supply, I couldn't bear it so tried beer. I drank a big bottle every day and my babies got chubby and lively. Interestingly enough, I do not like beer, and am not much of a drinker of anything. But when I breastfed I didn't mind it at all and it never made me tipsy. After weaning I didn't want beer anymore. I guess for me, beer was medicine.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

as long as your are breastfeeding on demand there is no need to supplement.  It is quite normal for baby to want to eat very frequently.  Why do you say he is still hungry?

And as your baby is growing fine there is nothing to worry about.  Please do not supplement unless there is a very clear reason to do so (in your case with baby doing fine there is no reason), because by supplementing you are telling your body to produce less milk.  If baby feeds on demand he will signal your body to produce the amount of milk that he needs though his sucking, and this will change and increase the milk supply as he gets older.

Do drink plenty of fluids though, take sufficient rest (hahaha!  As much as possible with a baby and children) and eat a nutritious diet.

Best wishes.

[allmymarbles]

It would be great if we were all well-oiled machines with a warranty. But it doesn't always work that way. For some of us we could use a little extra milk. We know all about eating properly and drinking fluids, so that is a given. It is also a given that we are not clones of each other.

The mother who posted her question feels her baby is a little short on food. This is something that the mother knows, that you and I cannot know. I think you are upset that I mentioned beer. And as for supplements in general, since the soil is depleted of vital minerals, it is necessary for everyone to take supplements - teenagers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and old men. And you and me.

[zazou]

Breastfeed on demand - that surely does increase the supply, as this triggers your brain to produce more milk. But I agree, sometimes that is not sufficient for some women.

Fennel and anise tea is great (or a special tea for breastfeeding mother's), malt-based drinks e.g. malt beer or Ovaltine, drinking alot i.e. every time you breastfeed have sometime to drink such as water or tea.

All the best and if you have to supplement, then do so but keep on breastfeeding if you can, and see how it goes. Well done :-)

[allmymarbles]

And if, with all the help in the world, you are still a little short of milk, then continue to breastfeed and supplement with formula as needed. Your baby will be fine and healthy on that regimen.

[tiredbuthappy]

I wanted to add that sometimes moms of breastfeeding babies mistake the baby's natural need to suckle for hunger. If he is gaining properly, then most likely your supply is OK. If you are not confident about this, you can always rent or buy a scale, or contact a LC or LLL to see if they can help you out by weighing the baby before and after a feed. You may also want to talk to a LC or your ped about trying to introduce a pacifier. There are mixed opinions on this, but if it is more of a need to suckle than hunger, then it may help.

Also remember that around 2 weeks, they go through a growth spurt. These growth spurts often result in the baby cluster feeding. Sometimes it seems like they are feeding 24/7. This is normal, and actually serves to boost mom's supply.

Congrats on the arrival of your little one!! Let us know if you have any other questions. I personally found that it was very easy to forget to eat and drink enough when juggling everything. I did have to make a conscious effort. I found that my supply was better after eating full balanced meals. Oatmeal is a great supply booster too.

[moni21]

Ladies, thank you so much for your wonderful advice. I actually added oatmeal to my breakfast so I will be eating that everyday. I've also increased my fluid intake, especially water. For the past couple of days I have seen an increase in the feeds that my baby boy has been having and with your insight that this he is at the point in which a natural growth spurt occurs this makes total sense that he needs more. I'm doing my best to keep up with him. lol

Today I only supplemented with a 2oz bottle of formula and last night I was able to pump out 2 oz from each breast and used this milk as well. So far my lil' guy prefers the breast over the bottle so I'm happy about that.

I'm going to continue to follow your suggestions and hopefully it all works out. Again, thank you ladies, I really appreciate your kindness, concern, and great advice. : ) I'll make sure to keep you updated.

[AndiJ78]

Definitely also vary the nursing positions during the growth spurts (which are very frequent in the first several months), it may feel like there isn't something there, but there usually is.

I am always in support of good HEALTHY ways to boost milk supply and the excellent suggestions for oatmeal, Mother's Milk tea, fenugreek, etc. My boys never did a pacifier, they were constant nursers which probably helped in the long run with my personal situation. However, I know that isn't always feasible for others.

Just keep in mind the growth spurts, though frequent in the first few months, exist to boost your supply and meet their needs in the long run. The first day or two is awful while that happens, but your body soon catches up if the baby if given the ability to stimulate the supply.

Congratulations on your newest addition! I remember very clearly nursing my third while being a mom to two others, it is a balancing act for sure!

[allmymarbles]

Although "tiredbuthappy" means well, I would not get involved in scales or "science," Breastfeeding is a lost art in the States because two generations of mothers used formulas. There are no grandmothers to help us and, as a result, nursing mothers have lost much of their self-confidence. "Experts" attempt to fill the gap but they are not mother-baby friendly. They are into weighing, pumping and create anxiety. You seem to know what you are doing. Rely on your own common sense. You seem to have a lot of it.

[mature_enough]

Congratulations on your new arrival! I’m happy to hear that such a good mommy has a growing family. I noticed you said “it didn’t seem like your babies were getting enough”. You didn’t mention that the babies were not getting sufficient stools or proper weight gain. Your feelings are common. Many moms have a perceived milk supply issue. If you feel like your baby isn’t getting enough, try keeping a diaper diary. (Document color and frequency) Many moms feel more confident after discussing their concerns and sharing their babies eating and stool pattern w/ the baby’s pediatrician. It’s great to hear that he is growing great. That’s always a good sign that you have a great milk supply.  If on the other hand you still feel like your milk supply is low, you can do many things to increase your supply. Plenty of skin-to-skin will promote oxytocin and increase supply, relaxation (a great deal of stress can inhibit supply),  Drink to thirst (Not “lots” of water, as this may decrease supply as well, but drink to thirst and eat to hunger), Some moms have found herbs such as  fenugreek to help. Some have found that oats, brewers yeast (can be bought at liquor store, but avoid alcohol as this may neutralize the affects by dehydration, although not contraindicated to BF), and many mothers have found that by hand expressing or using an electric pump (hospital grade preferred) after breastfeeding will demand that your body makes more milk. (The more the baby, pump, hand ect demand, the more you will produce) *This is why supplementing decreases milk supply if feedings are skipped.
It sounds like you have valid and common concerns for your baby, as any good mother would. Right now your baby may be going through a growth spurt making him nurse more frequently than the recommended 8-12 times/day. Keep it up sister. I think you are doing a phenomenal job! We are here if you need any support. <3  

[tiredbuthappy]

Great input, mature_enough!

I was merely suggesting that she weigh a session or 2 to help increase her confidence. As magical and natural as breastfeeding comes to some, it is in fact quite challenging for others. She may be surprised to find that her little one is eating well and getting several ounces in a session. Or, she may find her suspicions are correct and the baby is indeed not getting enough at the breast. With my first, I learned that after nursing for a full half hour with a good latch, my little one only took less than an ounce. Of course, I had to supplement with a bottle of expressed milk in that case. My second would not nurse for long. I learned that she was able to get nearly 3 ounces in under 5 minutes. Without that information, I would have kept waking, tickling, undressing, etc... to essentially force-feed and overfeed the baby. I do agree that breastfeeding is a lost art and needs to come back. But for the reasons that you give- the lack of confidence, mentors, and models- we can in some cases rely on "science" to give moms the confidence and reassurance they need.

[mature_enough]

:) Yes, yes! Very good point. I agree, moms need evidence to reassure her. This is something I have to do regularly.

[allmymarbles]

I was very lucky. When I had my first baby I was living and working in the Middle East where everyone (rich or poor) breastfeeds. As a new mother the whole process was magical but I was not aware that babies made the feeding schedule. I told my pediatrician that my baby seemed to cry a lot. He said that whenever she cried I should feed her, that she was hungry but had a small stomach. That's what I did and I never looked back. I don't think I ever asked another question about breastfeeding.

I had my second baby in New York. It was the end of 1963. The hospital had a large maternity ward but I was only one of two mothers breastfeeding. You have no idea how carefully I was watched and the multitude of instructions I was given. One day this battle axe nurse came in to see me reading a book, drinking coffee, and speaking to my mother on the telephone. She asked just what I thought I was doing. So I said reading a book, drinking coffee, speaking to my mother and feeding my baby. Would you believe she said I should not be doing anything but cuddlng him? Advice from Mars.

And I was told all the things that could go wrong and how important it was to keep in touch with the baby's doctor.  I was even sent home with formula "in case things didn't work out." That could certainly rob the new mother of confidence.

Oh, thank you for the single sentence spoken by a doctor in a third-world country. That was all I needed.

[Super_sally888]

Hear Hear!

I just love that comment from your middle east doctor.  Wish that all new moms could be given such practical and sound advice!!

Whenever your baby cries feed -  she is hungry but has a small stomach!!

[mature_enough]

Read these posts again carefully. I think you misunderstand people "all my marbles"... Maybe too much "medicine"

Super Sally was never upset because you mentioned beer… In fact, she wasn’t upset at all. We are just a bunch of fun LOVING women that support each other and offer advice without stomping on each other. Every situation and experience is different, so it’s important to be open to other’s opinions as well. There is a reason there are classes, LC’s, and support groups… Not everyone has a magic experience were the baby just latches right on (don’t get me wrong, some do… depending on the situation) but the world doesn’t revolve around alike experiences. From physical, mental, to cultural differences, there are going to be different situations in which mothers want advice and support. Offer it gently & without ridiculing the advice of others. From the bottom of my heart, I hope this helps you, not only on the forum, but in life.

[mature_enough]

I'm sorry this had to happen on your post. Once again, congratulations on your new arrival. :) We are usually a very sensitive and loving bunch. I promise. This isn't about debate, but support and I hope you find that here. In this community, this has only recently become an issue.