My wife started pumping 2 weeks after giving birth. At the 3rd week her milk production has decreased in quantity. She has been breastfeeding the whole time. Any way that you ladies know of that can increase milk production will help alot.
2006-07-01 02:01:02 · 23 answers · asked by Hawaiian_Kine 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
please check out information on kellymom.com. your wife can also get support by going to mothering.com.
my quick responses are: oatmeal in teh morning. Mother's Milk tea. Fennel Greek (they sell this at GNC). pumping will affect supply also. why is she pumping? is there a problem with the baby?
call your local LLL leader (they are free and are very helpful). also, see if she can get in to see a Lactation Consultant (LC). they are often covered by insurance and available either through the doctors office or the hospital.
good luck! breast milk is the best food for your baby. and great that you are being supportive of her.
2006-07-01 02:08:27 · answer #1 · answered by rach 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At 3 weeks most babies go through a growth spurt, so it will seem as though baby is hungry constantly and mother isn't making any milk. This is normal- baby is NOT starving and is stimulating mother's body to make more milk for the upcoming spurt. You may notice after baby drinks and drinks, for the next couple days he will just sleep, waking only to eat. It's not advised to pump intil about the 4th week, but if she has to pump now, it's not uncommon to only have an ounce, maybe two, with each pumping, and only if it's replacing feeding time. You may need to supplement during this phase, you can use a formula or goat milk. There have been some good suggestions, like oatmeal, mother's milk tea, fennel (usually in the tea too) and a good diet with plenty of fluids. Also try to keep stress to a minimum! You're doing great; keep it up!
2006-07-01 02:43:39 · answer #2 · answered by chamely_3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs to keep up her fluid intake. There will be ups and downs with the milk production based upon the baby's nursing needs. The more often and the longer the baby nurses, the higher her milk production will be. Also, maintaining the least stressful an atmosphere at home helps. There are professional sites on the internet to also answer your wife's questions regarding breast feeding. Strictly pumping will not be as effective as direct feeding.
2006-07-01 02:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by diane_b_33594 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just pumping isn't enough to keep the milk production up as much as what may be needed. If she is both pumping and feeding and still not getting enough, its possible her body just can't produce anymore. Some women can only breastfeed for a few days it all depends, I personally was only able to produce milk for 3 weeks (pumping and feeding). Perhaps try breastfeeding more often, the baby's suckling is the best thing to increase milk production.
2006-07-01 11:17:39 · answer #4 · answered by Munki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nurse the baby at least every 2-3 hours. Pump for 10-15 minutes each breast after nursing. Also try drinking 2-3 cups of raspberry tea with REAL raspberry leaves a day and eating a bowl of old fashioned oatmeal each morning. The oatmeal one sounded far fetched, but it honestly does work.
Are you sure she isn't already producing enough? I nursed both my sons. While I stayed home with #2, I could hardly pump out anything after he was done nursing. I was worried about going back to work full time because I didn't have much stored. When I went back to work and had to pump every 2 1/2 hours to supply him while he was in daycare, I was amazed at how much I was getting. He was just a really big eater.
2006-07-01 02:44:20 · answer #5 · answered by shanesmommy01 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pump right before breastfeeding
Breastfeed
Pump again right after
In that order all the time
Oh yes, and there's a tea for lactating mothers - found at GNC or healthfood stores. It's called "Mother's Milk". It did make a difference for me. Also, water and sleep make a HUGE difference! I know, yeah right - sleep for a new mom - like that will ever happen!! LOL!!
I know, I had problems keeping my production up (due to surgical procedure).
Contact your local La Leche League - they can help!!
Also the hospital where she gave birth may have b/f classes and support groups.
DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!
That is a regret of mine. I pretty much gave up after six months. I wish I would have continued.
2006-07-01 02:15:31 · answer #6 · answered by LittleFreedom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually regular feeding schedules will keep the flow going. It is possible that your wife is not getting enough nutrition and this could be effecting her milk production. But that would be guessing. There are two things that you could do-one, get some data about nutrition in relation to lactation, and two-get a doctor's diagnosis in case there is medical reason for your wife's problem.
Good luck with your baby!
2006-07-01 02:08:03 · answer #7 · answered by Tash 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more you breastfeed and pump, the more milk your body will supply you. There is also a tea called Mothers Milk tea, it is an herbal supplement that helps promote healthy lactation. Make sure that she is not under too much stress and eats a healthy diet with enough food for 2 people. Taking prenatal vitamins is also a very good idea when nursing. Good Luck!
2006-07-01 03:22:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can stimulate her milk production.
I am not a lady, but I have six children and thirteen grandchildren. I happen to know that if you will massage her breasts just before and just after she nurses your baby she will produce more milk.
Make her very comfortable. Make her feel very safe and warm. Gently massage her breasts and lick her nipples. Stroke her thighs. She will produce.
If she isn't able then get formula.
It's about the baby after all.
2006-07-01 02:23:18 · answer #9 · answered by Temple 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chamely is right about the growth spurts...i was going to say that one, but it is true, just keep at it, if she is at least trying to pump and stimulating her breasts in additions to nursing her body will respond. Oatmeal is a good one in the morning, personally I like yougurt and granola in the morning, for that mid afternoon slump....like at 3 to 4pm right before dinner for both mom and baby she will end up getting low if she doens't have a power snack, I found that a nice salad would do the trick and it would get me thru!
Good luck...i don't know anything about herbs and stuff, but an old therory is that a little bit of beer will help build up her milk, thats from my grandma lol, so herbs or beer, or just lots to ea t and sleep you'll be fine
2006-07-01 03:19:51 · answer #10 · answered by lily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋