What the heck is wrong with me?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

So most of you know I'm 6 days postpartum.  In the beginning BF'ing was going good, I thought.  But it was like literally 15 minutes after she ate she was screaming cuz she was hungry again.  She also wasn't wetting but a couple of diapers a day and today is day 3 with no poop.  So night before last I decided to give her a bottle of formula becuase I want to make sure she's getting what she needs.  She sucked down 2 ounces and was so content she slept like a champ for about 4 hours.  I pumped since she didn't nurse and got 3 ounces total.  Well I figured I would continue to pump like I did with Gabe so I can make sure of how much she is eating.  Well the schedule I have is I feed her from a bottle then immediately pump so I'm doing it frequently (every 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours like she eats)  but since that first pumping I'm only getting about 3/4 of an ounce.  

I know that the 2nd day my milk started coming in becuase when she would nurse I could feel the let down several times during each nursing session and I she would start gulping it down right after I felt it. But by day 4 I wasn't feeling the let down as strong or as often and she wasn't gulping like she had been.

So what happened to my milk?  It started coming in good but now it's just going away?  I don't get it?  I'm avoiding caffiene.  I'm not taking any medications that I didn't take last time I nursed except for amoxicillan.  Could that be causing problems?  

I'm still pumping as much as I can and I try to pump for atleast a half an hour each time in order to stimulate the milk production.  I want to give her as much breastmilk as I can even if it means feeding it to her in a bottle.  I'm fine with that I just don't understand what is going on with my supply? Maybe I need to go get some fenugreek and see if that helps.  I was taking that last time too.  I think i'll run out to GNC today and get some.  Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

[em0ti0nz1086]

I am kinda going through what you are right now with the whole bfing. Desi is now 11 days old and seems to never be full. She is always wanting to be on. Its a toll at night because she will not sleep. I also had a c section.

[Ashelen]

my blood loss w/ kaykay affected my supply big time...but as you know it wasSEVERE and required 2 blood transfusions to get my iron to 9!!!!

but the issue was never resolved w/ me...hope you can figure it out

[smjmekg]

That's interesting...the one time you're not put on iron...

[becca_3456]

Here is a latch trick that may help.

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/ breastfeeding-latch-trick.html

[LosingMyMindInGA]

this was the first pregnancy that i WASN'T put on iron in the 3rd trimester...makes ya wonder, eh?

[smjmekg]

OH YEAH! Definitely. I just got put on iron supplements Monday cause my test from Friday came back low. I've been feeling so cr@ppy! Headaches, palpitations, exhaustion, metallic taste, shortness of breath...

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Hmm!  That's interesting.  Definately glad I'll be seeing my doc in the morning hopefully we can get this figured out!  From the stuff I've read about anemia it could explain the head aches and "blah" feeling I've had lately.  PLus this nasty, metallic type taste in my mouth.  

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Definately gonna talk to my doc about the whole anemia thing.  Sounds like this is probably a big part (if not all) of the problem.  I'm also gonna start taking some of those supplements for anemia that are listed in the last link you sent.  Thanks!

[smjmekg]

AH HA!!! Maybe I just killed two birds with one stone for you...

http://www.buzzle.      com/articles/       symptoms-of-low-hemoglobin.html

Second paragraph under common symptoms of low hemoglobin...

"Low hemoglobin means less oxygen in blood and the lowered oxygen may result in shortness of breath. In order to compensate the deficiency of oxygen in the blood, the body tries to enhance the output of the heart. Due to this, symptoms like palpitations, chest pain and aggravation of heart problems can be observed. In case hemoglobin becomes extremely low, it can cause enlargement of heart and also show the signs of heart failure. Physically, the symptoms of low hemoglobin that can be visible are pale skin, nail beds and gums."

[smjmekg]

I found one site that said less than 12 was abnormal for women...but it did say there's differences in range from different sources...maybe ask about being put on a low dose iron supplement for a while and see if it helps. Then maybe at your six week check up get it tested again and see if you need to continue, maybe the extra iron will help. I'm definitely keeping this in mind for 12 weeks from now (28 weeks today, YAY, ONLY 12 left...)

[LosingMyMindInGA]

They had checked them in the hospital and actually had me take a couple of iron supplements becuase my hemoglobin was low from the blood loss.  It was only 8.5 saturday morning but they got it up to 9 by saturday evening to discharge me.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Sounds like I need to make sure I'm getting enough iron and folic acid as well..maybe that will help

Thanks for that link, I hadn't found anything!

[smjmekg]

http://www.    mobimotherhood.       org/MM/article-anemia.aspx

Here's another.

While you're at your OB tomorrow for the pain, you should see if he'll check your iron levels.

[smjmekg]

http://www.plus-size-  pregnancy.            org/CSANDVBAC       /bfaftercesarean.   htm#Anemia%20From%20Blood%20Loss


In the fifth bullet under how a cesarean can interfere with breast feeding, there is a part about anemia and blood loss. Even though you had a VBAC it still addresses blood loss and anemia, and breast feeding issues.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I dont' like the lactation consultants here.  They are much older women who have that "everybody can breastfeed becuase it's natural" mentatility and refuse to understand that some people just have issues with it.  

I have heard other people say that they had problems having their milk come in becuase of more than normal post partum blood loss.  I'm gonna see if I can find anything on that.  

[smjmekg]

Maybe with the Fenugreek you'll get more coming in too. Have you thought of calling a lactation consultant to ask about the blood loss/antibiotic? I'm really curious about the blood loss now...I lost a LOT of blood five days after I had Elijah, maybe that's the what started my BFing issues with Elijah...hmmm.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I was doing the manual stimulation of the breast and her to get her to suck more but it didnt' seem to be helping.  I have put her to the breast a couple of times as I can tolerate it but my nipples are so sore I really have to will myself to do it becuase she just won't latch well and it hurts like h-e-ll.  Unfortunately I think I get better stimulation from the pump than from her becuase she just won't do her mouth right.  My nipples are really big and she has a small mouth and she can't get the nipple in far enough plus with her underbite she keeps tucking her bottom (and top for that matter) lip in.  

I have a hospital grade pump so it's the best you can get..not some store bought cheapie.  With Gabe I ended up using the pump excusively becuase of latching issues and had no problems so I can't help but wonder if the blood loss after birth is causing issues.  Or maybe the antibiotic?  I'm going to keep trying.  But for now I'm just gonna have to supplement so she's getting what she wants.  

[smjmekg]

You know my story with BFing. BUT I do have some advice! My lactation consultant said that baby being on the breast is more stimulating and helps with production more than a pump ever could. SO even if she's not getting a lot right now, try BFing her a couple times too, and when you do, hold your breast and if she stops s*cking run your thumb on the top of your breast from the part closest to your body towards the nipple to try to express some, she'll taste it and when she starts s*cking again it will make her try to get more out. Hope that helps a little!

[KeyD]

I am sure that my DD got more from BFing then I ever could pumping. I never used anything to increase supply (which really amazed me) but have u heard of mother's milk tea?