what to do when breast milk seems that is low. I have tried fenugreek, mothers milk dont know what to do.?

Question

I also pump at work. Now I am getting 4 ounces. My daughter drinks more than 4 ounces

Answer 1

Why do you think your supply is low? Being unable to pump more than 4 ounces is *not* an indication of your milk production, only of how much you can pump with the circumstances of your pumping.

If pumping is the only problem, I would suggest the following. First of all, get a better pump. The best pump is a hospital-grade rental pump with a double pumping kit. Not only will you pump in half the time, you'll actually get more milk. If you're already using this pump, try a different pump--preferably something equally effective, but, if necessary, a battery pump will be better than not switching at all. Many women find that after a while a pump is less effective for no obvious reason and just changing to a different one helps.

Secondly, pump more effectively. Think about your baby while pumping. Look at a photo of her/him, listen to a recording of her/his voice, and put a worn item of baby's clothing over your shoulder so you can smell her/him. Most women pump more the more cues they have of their baby. However, if this *isn't* helping, try thinking about something totally different. Make a shopping list or read a professional journal for your type of work. This does help certain women.

Third, pump more often. The average woman has to pump 3 times to have enough for 2 missed feedings. So if your baby is getting 6 ounces at a feeding, this is exactly average. There are 2 separate reasons for this. A pump is *never* as effective as a nursing baby. And a baby will take more milk from a bottle than when nursing. If at all possible, pump first thing in the morning before the baby's first feeding. You will probably get more milk at that time than any other. You do *not* have to worry that there won't be enough for the baby; milk is produced constantly, especially when the breast is emptiest (and it is *never* completely empty) and when the baby is nursing. If your baby seems unhappy when nursing after you pump (some don't like the change in the flow), next time pump on one breast as much as possible, and on the other only about halfway. Then start the feeding on the fuller breast; by the time baby gets to the second one, there will be plenty.

Answer 2

When I pumped I noticed I got just a few ounces also. When I brought this up with the doctor she said that the baby is better at getting milk from the brest than the pump and not to worry the baby was defiantly getting more that 3 or 4 ounces at a feeding. Also she aid I would know from the baby's actions if she was not getting enough to eat.

Answer 3

Lots of stimulation. Particularly nipple stimulation. Do this between feedings it's more convenient and less painful than pumping. Express any milk that you may have left after feedings. Drink lots of fluids. And the more you sleep, the more milk you will make. This way your body can "concentrate" on milk production. Try to lower stress level if at all possible. I know the last two may seem impossible, but good luck. Your milk will increase and it may seem low now if your baby is going through a growth spurt and needs more per feeding. Hope this helps

Answer 4

I thought that too, but my mother told me to drink more fluids and it helped a lot. And also your breast milk supply starts to establish around 1 and a half months to two months in and it is running low, so just keep feeding more often and don't stop. If you really worried give the baby some formula in between but the best is too feed the bay more often, don't worry the bay is getting enough they only need about 2 and a half ounces in their first months of life.

Answer 5

First, breast milk is almost always regulated by what baby's body needs - the suckling stimulates milk production. I know that I thought my milk production was low, but it was actually what my little one needed.

Unless your baby is underweight, your milk production should be assumed to be fine. If your baby is underweight, speak to her pediatrician and your obstetrician, the former about her weight and the latter about your milk production.

Finally, don't pump to find out how much you're producing - pumping never produces as much as the baby's natural suckling does, so it's not a good indicator.

If baby doesn't seem full or satisfied after eating, he or she may be going through a growth spurt. Put them back on the breast, even if it's not producing milk, encourage them to suckle and your milk production should increase.

If you decide there's not enough milk being produced, and you do nipple stimulation to increase it, you run the risk of getting engorged. The baby will only eat what it needs to feel full, and if he or she doesn't empty the breast, you're gonna have "leftovers." They hurt ;)

Good luck.

Answer 6

Do you mean what do you do when your milk is low?
I have read that 'priming' your breast is a good idea!
try pumping just a couple ounces before you feed, and if you can a couple ounces after! Your breast milk should increase!

Answer 7

All the other answers are great. All I have to add is that there is a good site at YahooGroups called PumpMoms. It helped me with a lot of the questions I had as a nursing and pumping mom. It's a members only group and pretty active, but a great support.

Answer 8

you need to feed the baby as much as you can by breatfeeding.....pumping is just not the same...or so i was told by the nurses at the hospital...when i had my son i was feeding him breast milk for 1 1/2 months, but i did not feed him from letting him drink himself, i just was pumping the milk, because i thought that it was just as good...but i was not producing enough milk...he drank the milk faster than i could produce it, and i was always worrying about him running out of milk while i was at work., and when I asked the doctors and the lactation consultant, they told me that i needed to breastfeed as much as i could because the baby sucking helped produce more milk somehow....well i never did it, because i was always at work and i eventually had to switch him to formula.