[aeiou644]

Does anybody have any suggestions to help increase my milk supply?? We were doing really great until yesterday. My breast were alway full for feeding and now they just feel like they do after a feeding...not full at all. Elliott is feeding like crazy (every hr or so) so I know he's not getting a good feeding to start with. And last night when I pumped (dh give him a bottle at 930 and I pump then) I only got 1 1/2 oz instead of what I had been getting which was around 4 oz or a little more. I had this problem when I had my dd at 3 1/2 mnths and ended up just forgetting the bfeeding and switching to formula but I dont' really want to have to do this yet. Thanks for any suggestions.

[mollymae]

Just keep feeding him. Let him suck as much as he wants. 7/10 days is a typical time for a growth spurt. Your supply should adjust with a day or two.

Cluster feeding are totally normal too, Libby is 4 months and she'll eat every hour somedays. Your doing great. Well Done.

[twinzplus3]

I wrote a blog: Increasing Your Milk Supply Through Galactagogues It has all those things like prescriptions, fenugreek, mother's milk. However, I just want to make a few comments about your op if you don't mind:

First of all, babies will nurse every hour or so on occassion. This is their way of building up your supply. They are hitting a growth spurt, or are about to. Their nursing like that IS NOT AN INDICATION OF DWINDLING SUPPLY.

Secondly, you mentioned that dh was giving an occassional bottle? That will mess with your supply and if you want to keep nursing you need to stop giving bottles period--at least for now. You'll be able to get that break in when your babe is a little older.

Thirdly, you should not be pumping right now. It is the antithesis of helpful. The best and most effective way to build your supply is to let your baby nurse as much as he wants. Pumping (unless of course you have to) during the first 6 weeks post partum often has the result of decreasing your supply, it makes it harder on you and harder on the baby.

Finally--the only way you can truly tell that your supply has decreased is IF YOU ARE NOT CHANGING ENOUGH DIAPERS and/or baby is not gaining weight. Pumping is not a good way to tell if supply decreased--especially at this stage. You should have at least one poo a day, and 6-8 wet diapers a day. (Probably more like . Also, your baby should gain about 1/2 oz to an 1 oz a day.

So my honest advice in this situation is just nurse your baby. Carry him, love on him, make sure you're drinking and eating enough, and nurse him on demand whenever he wants. I'm sure you're fine. If for some reason it's still not working out, a galactagogue will generally work within 24 hours. But again, before doing any of that--just keep nursing!

[pattiewrites]

Nearly all newborns nurse every hour or so. All four of mine did. That's not an indication of low supply. Feeling full really isn't an indication either, since this is normal as your milk supply adjusts to your baby's demand. This happened with all of my babies too.

I agree with twinzplus3 completely about pumping and bottles. I would ditch all pumping and bottles and breastfeed more. The baby should be getting everything from you for at least the first four weeks to build up a good supply.

Get as much rest as possible and sleep when the baby sleeps. Drink plenty of water. This makes a big difference for me. Drink a glass of water every time you feed the baby.

[Belle0305]

I had BF with my 1st due to cs, but the lactation consultat I saw was very helpful She had me drink water or mik while I pumped to help produce and instead of feeding the baby the expressed milk, place her back on the breast. The suction from pumping is different from the suckling of a baby, so they will get something. When they are newborn it seem ike they are at the mik bar all day. Here are some helpfu websites HTH http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/p..._decrease.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022800.asp

[aeiou644]

thanks everyone!!

[burfield1mom]

Make sure you continue to drink your water. Keep a log of your calorie intake for a few days and make sure that you are getting enough calories. Don't panic, you also have to remember that the first few weeks your breast are engorged until your baby develops a nursing pattern. I don't know about any of the rest of the ladies but until about the 3rd month I always was much fuller. Your body knows your baby better than your brain does. Just think about when your in another room and he cries, your body probably lets you know that he's hungry. Give it time and have patience. I would however give up pumping for the time being until you establish a firm nursing pattern. If this continues definitely contact a certified lactation consultant in your area, or talk to your mid-wife/ob. Most hospitals have them and sometimes your insurance will cover the cost.