I have a 6 months old baby. my baby isn't getting enough milk .any suggestions for more lactation?

Answer 1

What makes you think that your baby isn't getting enough milk? It's important to note that how your breast feels (feeling of engorgement or not), the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, feeling (or NOT feeling) the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump (man's best imitation of baby) are NOT valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.

Is your baby gaining weight? Meeting milestones? Having plenty of wet and dirty diapers?

6 months is a common growth spurt time. You may find that, right around the 6 mos birthday, your little one wants to nurse more frequently. This is NORMAL. Follow baby's cues and nurse frequently for the next 2-3 days and you should see your supply increase.

The best way to increase supply is to NURSE, NURSE, NURSE! If possible, take a "nursing vacation" this weekend and spend most of your time in bed nursing baby and having skin to skin contact.

You could be getting dehydrated in this hot weather. Make sure that YOU are getting enough fluids. It is NOT necessary to force fluids; drinking to satisfy thirst is sufficient for most mothers. Pay attention to your body's signals - busy mothers often ignore thirst if there is nothing nearby to drink – try to keep a drink near where you usually breastfeed baby or at your desk at work. Signs that you are not getting enough fluids include concentrated urine (darker, stronger smelling than usual) and constipation (hard, dry stools).

If you are truely having a supply problem and breastfeeding management techniques (watching positioning and latch, nursing more frequently, drinking more water, etc.) don't seem to help, then it's time to contact a La Leche League Leader or a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and might even come to your home if she can. (She is a trained volunteer.)

Then there are herbs that you can consider taking to boost supply.

The most commonly used herbal galactagogue is fenugreek. Blessed thistle and alfalfa are also helpful to some moms. DO NOT USE FENUGREEK IF.....you have a peanut allergy, diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, blood pressure problems or heart disease. The common dosage for fenugreek is 3-4 capsules, 3 times per day. If you are taking enough then you will start to smell like maple syrup.

There is also a tea called "Mother's Milk Tea" that some moms drink that can help. Eating tuna fish and oatmeal helps some mothers. (Of course tuna should be eaten in moderation.)

Answer 2

If you are wanting to continue to breast feed I would NOT supplement with formulas. The more you supplement the less milk your body will produce.

What you need to do is nurse more often. Usually around 6 months of age, the baby goes through a growing spurt and it will seem like the baby isn't getting enough milk, but in reality, it just needs to nurse a little more frequently. The more it nurses, the more your body will produce (and then all of a sudden, the baby will not be nursing as much and you'll find yourself engorged and wanting the baby to nurse!).

Make sure you are drinking enough. Whenever you sit down to nurse, grab a tall glass of water or juice and drink as you feed the baby. Once you are thirsty, your body is already starting to get dehydrated. You'll need to drink until no longer thristy and then drink another cup or two.

In this heat, you really need to stay hydrated. You also need to take it a little easier. If you are doing too much while you are breastfeeding you can get dehydrated and get infections a little easier too.

You don't say if it's just you thinking the baby isn't getting enough milk or if the doctor say it. Why do you think this? Just because it wants to nurse more? If so, then the answer is above. A good indication to if the baby is doing ok is to check it's weight and if it's gaining, it should be doing fine. How about diapers? Is your baby urinating and having good BM's? Again, if so, then things are going ok.

One of the ol' wives tales was to check the "soft spot" on their heads. If it was recessed then the baby was getting dehydrated...but I doubt they use that anymore.

If you are still worried, give a call to your doc and have the baby checked out for reassurance. Never be afraid to give the doc a call if you are worried or have questions. That's what they are there for and what you pay them for.

Good luck, and I'm guessing your baby is just going through the growing spurt and you need to nurse a littl more often...maybe every couple of hours (I just looked in my sons baby book and he was wanting to nurse every hour and a half at about 6 months of age....I wrote in it how it was wearing me out nursing so often, around the clock and it went on for almost 2 weeks this way....I also wrote I felt like a cow, I was exhausted and wondering if I was doing things right. The entry I wrote at 3 weeks after was, "by goodness, my breasts are so big and engorged they feel like they're up in my throat! The doc says not to express the milk because I'll keep producing it at this level. He said to get into a warm shower and just let it trickle out that way until I have some relief of the pressure. It's due to the increase a couple of weeks ago of the nursing of the baby during his growing spurt."...

I hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

Eat enough healthy food. If you're dieting or something of the like, stop. Not eating enough on your part will reduce the amount of milk you produce. Also, the more stimulation your breasts receive, the more milk you will produce. Try pumping in between feedings. Then at least you'll have extra milk for the baby if you need it. If that's still not enough, by all means, talk to your doctor about starting to supplement with baby cereals.

Answer 4

Here is a simple one that worked for me.... OATMEAL

When I was nursing my 2nd, I was not producing enough milk at all. This was the tip that I received from my lactation specialist. It sounded off the wall, but it worked great. I was able to increase 2 ounces every 3 hours in 2 days.

Eat LOTS of oatmeal. For breakfast, in cookies, muffins, breads, just any chance that you can get. Also make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.

It sounded off the wall, but the results were quick and I didn't have to supplement.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

If the child isn't getting enough due to health reasons on your part stop right now and wean her!

If you are a smoker this will inhibite lactation. Try letting her nurse longer to help build up the supply and you my dear start drinking more water.

Don't let the baby suffer for this though, speak with a lactation advisor like the women at La Leche League or perhaps a health nurse.

Answer 6

I agree, talk to a breast feeding specialist. It may be a physical condition such as not having milk glands or something. It could also be that your baby is using you as a pacifier. Only the doctor can tell for sure if the baby is nurished and hydrated enough.

I nursed twins, my secret was to eat alot of nutritious food and drink a lot of liquids such as juice and water. Also letting the baby cry for a minute will condition your body to produce milk when it is needed.

Answer 7

You might want to purchase milk powders from the supermarket and grocery stores. DO NOT feed with fresh milk. Certain fresh milk contains minerals that are not acceptable by the infants yet at this age.
You may want to split your breast-feeding time and warm milk made from the powders each day. For example:
Breast-feed only every 1st and last meal of the day. Last meal might be hard to gauge, probably 1st meal of the day and rest of the time when the baby is hungry, make warm milk from the milk powder. This will allow the baby to get enough nutrients and for your milk glands to produce enough milk for the next feed.
Do not forget to massage your breasts and nipples after each feed to reduce chronic pain and sagging in future. :)

Answer 8

If your child isn't getting enough then maybe you should think about supplementing your baby's food with formula. I know that that might not seem like a good idea to you but your baby does need to eat. As long as your baby is getting some breast milk then he/she will be alright if you supplement. Good luck.

Answer 9

There is a prescription you can get from your doctor. I can't remeber the name, but i used it when i couldn't produce enough milk for my daughter. It is normally prescribed to people who have stomach ulcer, but a side effect of the drug is that it makes people lactate. Guys too! Yuck! anyway, it is totally safe and totally works. Good Luck!

Answer 10

My milk supply was flowing then at around 6 months also it started to deplete, I gave her formula and breast milk, until it waned also completely. Do them both as long as possible and don't feel bad if you have to stop, your baby had a very good start. You really built up her antibodies. your baby should be teething soon anyway