Please help.

[niña]

I posted a few weeks ago stating that I had an infection and I had to be put on meds.  because of this, I had to stop breastfeeding.  I pumped during the 2 weeks and started breastfeeding yesterday.  Well, it has been going horribly.  He is latching on but it seems like he is not getting enough.  He is still smaking his lips after I spend and HOUR trying to feed him from both breasts.  When I was pumping, I would get a little less than what I was giving him through formula.

Anyone have suggestions.  Do I just feed him on demand for a few days and hopefully the supply will increase?

Thanks

Gina

[chiquitilla]

well my advice to you is to increase your liquid intake. keep trying to breastfeed your supply will increase. and try not eating gasy food it will give him colic. hope this helps.

[sm8]

was posted in a earlier thread about milk suppy hope it might help

"Women have used the spice fenugreek since ancient times in the Middle East, North Africa, and India to stimulate milk flow. Research has shown that fenugreek can increase milk production as much as 900 percent, although no one knows exactly how. The oil contained in fenugreek seeds is believed to play a role in boosting milk supply

At my breastfeeding clinic in San Luis Obispo, California, I recommend fenugreek to women who aren't producing enough milk. Nearly all mothers report an increase in their milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after taking the herb. Most find that they can stop taking the herb once their level of milk production goes up as long as they make sure that both breasts are being completely emptied every two to three hours. Fenugreek will not improve low production when the breasts are not being well drained.

You can buy fenugreek capsules containing ground seeds at most health food stores. The capsules of brands I am aware of contain either 580 or 610 mgs of the spice in each. A bottle of a hundred capsules costs around seven or eight dollars. Although some brands recommend that you take one capsule three times a day, this dosage is too low to adequately improve milk production. In our clinic, we recommend two or three capsules three times a day. You may also drink fenugreek tea, but it has an unpleasant bitter taste and is not considered as potent as taking the herb directly.

Few women have bad reactions to fenugreek, although you will notice a maple syrup-like odor to your urine and sweat. In our experience with hundreds of women, a handful developed diarrhea that quickly subsided when the amount was decreased or they stopped taking the herb. Two asthmatic mothers said it aggravated their condition, an interesting reaction as fenugreek is thought to help asthma by decreasing mucus production (in fact, many natural healers use fenugreek to treat coughs, bronchitis, and sinus problems for this very reason). If you are diabetic, use this herb with caution as it can lower blood glucose levels. And if you are pregnant, you should not take fenugreek since it may stimulate the uterus, causing contractions. There are no apparent side effects in babies whose mothers take the herb".

[niña]

what date was that thread?

[Angel4JohnnyB]

My advice is to just feed on demand. My son is 15 weeks old and I still feed on demand.........some days I feel like I have a growth on my boob all day long and other days he may only eat 6 or 7 times for 10-15 mins at a time.
I'm sure if you just let him eat all he wants when he wants for a few days your supply will increase.
Best of luck to you.

[niña]

thanks for your reply.

Its just that I do feed him on demand but they empty before he is full...Do you think the supply will still increase?

[Christie2004]

You might want to call your local LaLeche #, or call your hospital and ask for a brief consultation with the lactation consultant.

In general, nursing more often will stimulate the breasts to produce more milk.  Pumping isn't quite as effective as the baby, though many women choose to pump full time and for some, it works well.
I posted the quote about fenugreek in response to a question the other day, but I have no knowledge of using it. I just did a search on it.

If I might ask--who told you to pump while on the antibiotic?  Most antibiotics are compatible with breastfeeding, though not all.  Just curious what it was.  I can't think of many, with the possible exception of tetracyclines, that can't be taken by a nursing mother.

But--I'd start nursing every hour or two for a while and try to get built back up.  Call LaLeche or the lactation consultant for advice, too.

[ourbabydreams]

Hi Nina hope thats right. I am using Fenagreek now. I was having to suplement one feeding at night due to low supply. I have taken the Fenegreek for a few days now and for the last three days I have only had to give her one bottle of formula. I am taking 1500 mg of Fenegreek three times a day. I plan on stopping on Monday. That will be one week. But I will keep it in the house in case I do get low again. Good luck hon I kind of remember your story and was pleased to hear you are trying.

But for some reason it does not work. Please do not beat yourself up over it. And yes I agree your not going to get as much milk pumping as when baby sucks. You might try to breastfeed and pump for a while when you take the fenegreek to build up too.

Good luck and congratulations again on your little one.
Christine

[Kassimom]

Yes, as already said, nurse on demand. Formula fills their little bellies up faster and is harder to digest so it sticks around in the tummy longer. That may be why he is "smacking" his lips so soon after spending what seems an eternity on your breast already. His body will re-adjust to the breastmilk and stay full longer. Whatever you do though, do not supplement for now. That will only hinder your production even more. And as Christie said, pumping isn't as effective as proper suckling by an infant. Your body knows when its your baby getting the food or a plastic bottle!

As suggested, just for peace of mind, call your local hospital's L&D dept. Often they will have an on staff lactation consultant OR one of the postpartem nurses can help. Usually for minimal to no charge you can even go up there for a quick check by the nurse/consultant. She may watch you nurse for a short time and then offer tips on how to increase your supply or improve latch on.

[niña]

Christie-

I was on Flagile and Cipro -  I consulted with everyone - pediatrician, pharmacist and lacatation - the only one that said I could still breastfeed on the meds was lactation.  The others told me to pump to keep the supply up.  Thats what I did.

I just spoke with lactation today and they said to nurse around the clock for the next few days and then he will get back on schedule (hopefully).  He tends to fall asleep everytime I feed him.  Feedings can last up to an hour!

I do not plan on supplementing...if he is screaming then I will have to and then I will have to pump while doing that.  

Thank you to everyone who responded!

[Christie2004]

Cipro is compatible with breastfeeding.  Flagyl is a little more vague--The AAP states "no known harm but exposure may be of some concern"...Hows that for a definiate "maybe"???

However, Flagyl is usually only taken for a short period of time, and breastfeeding can be resumed within 12-24 hours afterwards.

In any event, I'm glad you are over your infection, and hope that more frequent nursing brings your supply back up!

[Still_AndiJ]

I agree with breastfeeding on demand around the clock. We work on a supply-demand system and babies are best at keeping that up. Supplementing will weaken that so unless your little one is losing weight, stick to nursing to avoid losing ground. Congratulations on choosing to keep breastfeeding. My little guy is 15 weeks also (Angel and I had our boys on the same day) and he is a constant nurser. Could explain why he is so big,lol. He eats a lot and will nurse for an hour or more at a time sometimes.

I would avoid adding any supplements such as fenugreek unless it is approved by your doctor or pharmacist first. And contrary to what we may think, over-hydrating can decrease milk supply. Stick with the suggested requirements (I think breastfeeding moms should get 3 quarts of water a day)

Good luck!

Andrea

[sm8]

The thread was posted 9/7/04

[rosehill]

Hello,
I used a tea from the health food store called mothers milk tea. It worked very well and did not taste to bad. For sure let him nurse whenever he wants. The more he nurses the more your body will produce, it is a supply and demand setup with our system. The more he nurses the more your body will produce because it knows it is needed. My daughter used to have growth spurts at 3,6,9 months and so on. On those days I thought that is all I did for a couple of days but than my milk volue would increase and she would go back to every 3 or 4 hours. I hope this helps. Please make sure you drink plenty of liquids, water is the best. Helen

[niña]

Thanks for the info Christie.

My dr had me on Falgile for 14 days and I had to wait 24 hours after my last pill to breastfeed.  I was on a heavy dose too (with both meds)  I was taking cipro for 5 days with the falgile.  Anyways, Thank god I get to nurse again.  Formula diapers are not fun to change!

Rosehill-

The lactation consultants gave me some of that mothers milk tea.  Do you know where I can get some more...they only gave me a few??

Thanks

Gina

[rosehill]

Most health food stores carry it. If yours does not I would be happy to get it for you and mail it. I know it runs over $4.00 a box. I would have to check to get the exact price but would be happy to do it. I will check and see if there is anywhere online.Helen

[rosehill]

I found it on the web at http://www.tealand.com/MothersMilk.asp
I just searched mothers milk tea on google. Hope this helps, Helen

[niña]

I am going to check out that site!  Thanks a bunch!

[Kassimom]

You can get Mother's Milk tea at Kroger in the Organic Foods section. It will be with a bunch of teas for Female Health.