is it best to change

hello im 16 and my baby is 3 weeks old and i started her of breast feeding her but she was still cring after so i decide to pump it out to see how much milk i was letting out i was only letting out  2 oz of breast milk so i had to start her bottle feeding does any one have any ideas on how i could make more milk so i can breast feed agian because i dont like feeding her the bottle please can i have ome help.

thank you jessica

[Super_sally888]

jessica,

at 3 weeks, your baby doesn't need so much milk.  2oz of breast milk is probably enough per feed.

What you need to do is feed on demand let your baby suck as much as possible.  She will keep sucking till she gets what she needs and this will also stimulate your breasts to generate more milk.

By feeding  her formula instead of letting her suck your breast milk may become less so please try not to do that, especially now.  It is still early days in terms of getting your milk supply up.

Also, baby's are more efficient at getting milk than pumps so your baby may be getting more than you thought.

To increase breast milk the following may help:-

1. Feed her on demand and let her suck as long as necessary (can you manage this?  Are you still juggling this with school?).
2. You can pump additionally to help stimulate the milk supply.
3. Drink plenty of fluids; water, milk, soup.
4. Get enough rest (if you can).
5. make sure you are eating well; meats, fruits and veges.

Other ladies here will have more ideas.  Hope this helps.

My chinese friend told me to make a soup as follows to help in breast milk production:  meat (use beef bones), green papaya (peeled and cut up), ginger (a good hunk smashed), a large potato chopped, some tomatos quartered, a large carrot chopped, put all in plenty of water with salt added for taste, cook for 2  hours. Then drink the soup.  

Can also make the same soup but using fish.  Take small fish and fry them in a little oil, then add water and all the ingredients above and again cook for 2 hours to make the soup.

He told me to drink this soup every day!  I've been drinking it (not every day, but frequently), and also am using some herbal supplement which is supposed to help breast milk....


Jessica, my baby is also 3 weeks old today.  I am still struggling with breastfeeding, but getting there slowly....

Great that you are committed to breastfeeding.  Best wishes.

[tiredbuthappy]

supersally gave great advice!
At 3 weeks old, 2 ounces a feed should be enough. Plus, for most ladies, the baby is actually more efficient at getting the milk out than a pump. She may be getting even more than you realize.

Your supply sounds good. However, if she is crying, it is possible that she is not latching on right or something else is going on such as a weak suck. I would suggest that you try to find a lactation consultant or someone who can watch your nursing sessions and let you know if the baby is getting enough. A lactation consultant can weigh your baby right before and after a feeding to tell exactly how much the baby got. In many areas, the hospital you gave birth at can provide you an appointment with a lactation consultant for free. You may want to call and find out. You can also go online and find your local La Leche League- I have been told they can be very helpful (also free). Finally, you can consult a private lactation consultant. My baby's ped recommended a great one.

congratulations on your little one! I hope breastfeeding works out for you- you're right that nursing will end up being easier than pumping and bottle feeding.

[agomez333]

Congrats on ur baby and you are making the best decision possible to want to breast feed. Most young mothers just use a bottle since it is easier. My son is 2 1/2 weeks, and I was told to take Fenugreek, and there is an organic tea called Mother's Milk that I have been drinking about 3 times a day. I had issues with milk supplu with my three other kids and never knew about these suppliments. They seem to be working, but after a few months is when we will really know for sure.
Do look into a lactaion consultant so you don't give up! Sometimes your baby might just have some gas and that might be why she's fussing. If you give her formula in a bottle I heard they will still drink it even though they did get enough, they they will sleep longer and not want to nurse as often. This can affect your supply so contact a consultant before supplimenting too much!
Good luck and hang in there... Keep nursing as often as that baby wants to!