Up until the end of last week, breast feeding was going fantastically well. My milk came in around day three or four and Brody was doing an excellent job. His latch was good, though we had to work a little at first to get him to get enough into his mouth, and he got the hang of things right away. Right around Thursday of last week, my supply dropped a good bit. I remember this happening with Knox (we fixed it with more pumping and nursing), so I tried not to worry. However, when we went to the doctor and I found out Brody had lost an ounce, that started me worrying, whether I wanted to or not!
I did take one Benadryl (for the ridiculous foot rash) last week about that time, so I wondered if that had anything to do with it, but certainly just one pill wouldn’t have zapped my entire supply like this? Up until today, Brody has been pooping and peeing the right amounts, probably even more than he “needs”, with about 6 to 8 seedy mustard poops a day and then an additional 4 to 5 wet diapers on top of that. Today? He’s had a good six wet diapers but only two poops, and they were drier than they have been, so I’m getting concerned. He acts like he’s starving all of the time, I keep nursing on demand and have started pumping after each feeding to try to boost my supply back up to where it was. This morning, I got two ounces after feeding him but by tonight I’m getting nothing after each feeding, and I feel like Brody is getting less and less and is totally unsatisfied. I have no idea what’s going on.
He’s a very sleepy eater, also like Knox was, but he eats very frequently, and with his “output” being so good, I figured he was efficiently nursing. Today is the third day of me trying to nurse more often with no improvement, hence me adding the frequent pumping into the mix. I’m eating three meals a day and snacking, drinking lots of water, am reasonably well-rested and I ate two bowls of oatmeal today. I am at a loss here! I am planning on calling and visiting the lactation consultant in the morning and hope that she can help me. At least she can weigh Brody before and after feedings and let me know how much he’s actually taking in.
I have lost weight really quickly this time, even though I am eating a LOT all the time. I’ve already lost 25 pounds since his birth, so I don’t know if that’s had an effect on things? I’m grasping at straws, here, but I am getting myself so stressed out over this!! Breast feeding is super important to me, and I hope to do it again for a full year, so this is really throwing me off and making me so upset! I know he’s going through a growth spurt and is going to be hungrier than normal, but I just don’t think he’s getting enough, and I do not like the feeling of not being able to provide for him!
I just keep praying that I’ll wake up tomorrow with full boobs again! Come back, milk supply!!
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve taken Domperidone for over a year with both my boys. It doubles my supply. I suggest taking it, even if it’s only for a few weeks. I’ve literally tried everything to boost my supply, and this is the only thing that works. Another solution is http://www.yummymummycookies.com They are so good! They have fenugreek in them as well as other goodness. Definitely see the LC. Maybe something is off with his latch? Caed was tongue tied, and the LC only told me after I kept insisting something wasn’t right. She said it was hospital policy to not tell the parents! I had to argue with the ped for 2w to get it clipped, and then there was an immediate difference with his latch. I’ve had low supply with both my boys, so LMK if I can be of any help. I know it’s so frustrating, and you feel just helpless! ((hugs))
Thanks, Tracy. If I can’t boost it up in the next day or so, I’ll look into the Domperidone. I am not giving up on this, so hopefully it works out!
I think you’ve mentioned PCOS on here before which can have a huge effect on milk supply. These have been a God-send for us (I have PCOS), and are specially-formulated for women with PCOS by lactation consultants: http://www.amazon.com/Special-Blend-Motherlove-Vegetarian-Capsules/dp/B0029WXZG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330311565&sr=8-1
So stressful! Sounds like you’re doing all the right things though! I take Domperidone too to keep up my supply for the twins. Hopefully the LC will be able to either reassure you that it’s going OK or help you tweak some things. Ditto to Tracy … I’m well-versed in a low-supply so let me know if you need anything!
Two words: lactation cookies.
I had so much trouble with supply for Laura. My mom suggested I try drinking half a dark/stout beer. I was surprised at how much it helped. Just keep feeding yourself and Brody. It’ll be okay!
That’s something I’ve heard but I’m glad to hear it actually works! Trevor would like that suggestion!
I am so sorry to hear about your supply woes- that is so stressful!! I was one of those not so lucky few that’s milk supply is affected by birth control, so at my six week appointment when I got back on the pill my supply dropped to NOTHING and it worried me sick! I got some help from our lactation consultant though, and with a little more water, pumping, some fenugreek, and quitting birth control (did I mention I’m allergic to latex?? let’s just say sex was ‘interesting’ for a while..) things went back to normal in a few days, and I never had problems again for the year and a bit that I nursed my son. You can totally do this girl, and it will go back up!
Milk supply can be surprisingly fragile! Glad to hear everything worked out! I won’t ask about the sex! Ha!
Have you tried taking Fenugreek to help boost supply? I struggled with the same supply issues when I was breastfeed and I found this helped a lot, along with the oatmeal but looks like you are already doing that. I took one pill with a glass of water after each feeding and after a day or two my supply increased, your pee and sweat will smell like maple syrup, this is normal, it’s just a side effect. It was easy on my stomach and you can buy it from Amazon and have it shipped to you.
http://kellymom.com/ is a great resource too!
I learned about domperidone later (and wish I knew about it earlier) but you do need a prescription for it and a pharmacy that will mix the compound as it’s not a drug that is sold “legally” in the states.
Good luck & hang in there. I know BF is soo hard in the beginning, I remember dreading & holding my breath when mine would latch on and it being so painful, and then being teary eyed when BF was over and my baby grew up.
I haven’t tried fenugreek but I’ve been hearing and reading great things about it. I may have to pick some up! And I’ve totally been stalking the kellymom site ALL day long!!
My now three week old was tongue tied (I just blogged about this). My milk supply dropped off as well around day 4-5. After his frenotomy, it still took him a bit to nurse effectively. Interestingly, I lost 25 pounds the first week post partum, too! I feel like that had something to do with my supply as well.
Instead of trying to pump after each feeding (it will stress you out to not get something each time), power pump twice a day. Nurse him, then pump ten minutes, wait ten minutes, pump ten minutes (do this for an hour twice a day). Your supply will be up in no time. Don’t fret. My best friends advice: even if you have to supplement a couple of feeds, you can get your supply back this early. Do check with a lactation consultant just to make sure it isn’t a latch issue, too. Good luck!
You can try Mother’s Milk tea, you can get in on Amazon. It takes some time to get used to the taste but it helped me, just add honey or it’s horrible. I even reused the bags to save some cash.
Also, as lame as it sounds, try to relax, stress can make you’re supply tank too.
I feel your pain Jessica. I only got to nurse Jacob for a month because even with pumping it became clear that my supply was never going to be what I needed it to be. Mother’s Milk tea did help though and you can get it at Whole Foods or health food stores. My lactation consultant recommended it.
Isn’t weight loss great? I gained 29 pounds with Jacob and by the time he was 2 weeks old I’d lost 45!
Fenugreek!!! It totally saved my supply this time. I had a dip around month 4 when my period returned. It saved me. I hear those lactation cookies are great too. Oatmeal works wonders but the old Steel Cut Oats work the best, cook with milk. I think they taste way better and I always noticed a boost the next morning. Make sure you are still taking pre-natals (I’m sure that you are) but they actually help your supply by giving you the right vitamins needed to produce.
And whatever happens, do not give up. If this is something you want, you know you can get through this!! I gave up with my son by month 5 because I had a huge dip in supply at month 4 (fertility returned early again but I didn’t realize that what was causing my dip). Instead of fighting back, I gave up and I always regretted it.
I lost a lot of weight quickly with baby #2 as well. I asked my Ped if this was why I had a dip in my supply (before I realized it was my period) and she said as long as I was getting enough calories every day than it wasn’t a problem.
GL! Don’t give up!!!
Hang in there!! I was like that many times in our breastfeeding life and I never done anything except give in to my little one’s demand. As what you do… Nurse on demand. And we are on our second year of breastfeeding. You’re not alone with your woes and it’s all normal
Spanish Pinay
Lipton Tea is your answer. I’ve nursed 7 children, and every time my supply got low, I make a cup of Lipton tea and whammo, the milk flowed. Also, a good can of beer will bring the milk in. Try these two. Do not add sugar or half and half to the tea. Drink it bland. I’m telling you, you’ll be happy with the results. Sounds to me you are doing the right things, only may need help with the tea and beer. May be an old wives tale, but it does work.
Hey Jessica. I told you this on twitter as well, but try making a batch of Lactation Cookies (look up Leaky B@@b’s recipe). I made my first ever batch yesterday, and today already I can tell a HUGE difference! (plus, they’re delicious! My husband cannot stop eating them, and has requested we stop calling them “lactation cookies”… ha!) I also take Fenugreek and drink Mother’s Milk tea, eat lots of oatmeal and drink a beer from time to time. My supply is great for two weeks a month, but right around ovulation and then again just before my period and it stresses me out every time…
LC’s can also confirm that this isn’t a latch issue, which can cause supply dips as well.
Lastly, even if he’s acting hungry all the time, the real indicator is diapers. I’m sure you know this. It’s hard when they’re always acting like they want to nurse, but that can be a sign of other things, like growth spurts, wanting to comfort suck, etc…
Good luck! Breastfeeding is super important to me too, and I really understand how stressful supply drops can be!
Julia, where do I find the Brewer’s yeast?? I definitely want to try them out! LOL, I think my husband would have issues with the name, as well!
Probably any natural food store (I got mine in bulk), but Amazon.com definitely sells it too. Kinda pricey, but a container will last a long time!
okay, thanks!
I’m sorry to hear about supply issues. That stinks! I’ve found that eating avocado really boosts my supply. Even just a little chips and guac really brings my supply up! It’s worth a shot!