breast feeding help

I have a 6 wk old babygirl and I decided before she was born to breast feed. I started in the hospital and even though I was getting very discouraged I stuck with it. My baby was jaundice so the dr told me to hold off on breast feeding and give her formula so I did... I pumped but irregularly. After that I found I was supplementing with formula alot like when I was in public or just out and about. I Had also had something come up and had to be away from my baby for 3 days and I pumped while I was away though still irregular. The whole time I was pumping I never got more than 2.5 oz total from both sides. When I came home I began breast feeding but giving formula more often. Now I am so sad to say I breast feed about 4-6 times a day and havent pumped except 1 time to see how much milk there was and there was only 1oz total from both sides and my baby eats so much more than that.

My question is this...I want to breast feed, is there any way to bring my milk supply back and increase it for my growing baby. I am going back to work in a couple weeks and I need to pump and save. I need help please. I gave up trying with my first baby because i was young and thought formula was fine. I want to breast feed this baby I do feel it is best anyone with advice on how to make this happen I appreciate it very much....

[tiredbuthappy]

good news is it's probably not too late to get your supply up. first of all, don't base how much you make on how much you pump. second, if you don't have one, get yourself a good, hospital grade pump like the medela pump in style.

i suggest you try to nurse at every feeding. let her nurse as long as she's willing- this will boost supply. only then if she's still hungry offer a little formula. if she gets frustrated and comes off the breast too soon, you can pump afterwards to further stimulate supply. even if you don't get much, you'll be signaling to your body that it nees to make more.

4-6 nursing sessions isn't bad at all- hopefully you'll be able to bump up tha number, but even if you don't she's getting some breastmilk. right now, don't worry too much about freezing milk. if you get up to just making enough for her each day, you can pump at work 1 day and send it to the sitter the next. you don't have to be more than a day ahead. worst comes to worst, you can use a little formula to help you get a day ahead.

good luck!

[PamelaBee]

I agree with tiredbuthappy, the more you nurse, the more your supply will build...4-6 nursing sessions is actually very good, keep it up!  I have a decent milk supply, but I pump and use for that actual day or the next day, I never make enough to freeze.  So, just focus on the feeding for the day, and eventually your supply will catch up for extra.  Good luck!

[waiting21]

you can drink a lot of water to help stimulate milk supply.  I also take Fenugreek, I am not sure if it is helping, I think it is.  And supposedly eating oatmeal helps.  After a feeding, either right after, or a hour or so after, depending on how often your baby is feeding, you should pump.  That will make your body realize it needs to be making more milk.  When you are pumping have your baby in the room, if you can, and be relaxed and really focused on what you are doing, this will help your body make more, too.