Breastfeeding?

Question

I am pumping and supplementing for my 6 day old newborn and can't get more than an ounce at each pumping every hour to two hours. I tried breastfeeding in the hospital and she was losing weight too rapidly so they needed to supplement...now she won't take the breast so I am pumping but can't get enough to stop supplementing. She takes about 2-3 oz every 3 hours and I can only pump 1 oz. Any ideas on how to increase my milk supply??? I really would like to feed breast milk exclusively!

She works herself up into a frenzy when I try to breastfeed her because she isn't getting what she wants fast enough, she latches on well but then stops and starts flailing around screaming.

I didn't want to supplement at all, but she had lost well over 10 % of her weight in just two days after her birth and was continuing to lose several ounces a day. She is gaining weight really well now, but I really want to have ALL of her nurtitional needs taken care of with breastmilk.

Answer 1

I feel for you because I had exactly the same thing. At 5 days my son was admitted to hospital with jaundice and supplemented with a bottle and formula - after this my milk supply dwindled to almost nothing and he became use to drinking from a bottle. I would pump and pump and get almost nothing. If I put him to the breast he would cry and pull away and I felt terrible- if he did ever manage a successful latch - I'd find the other side leaking everywhere - so we eventually gave up and pumped exclusively. DON'T GIVE UP. The more you express the more will come out - it works on supply and demand - with supply taking a day or two to 'catch up' normally. I would express every 3 hours and feed him what I could of breast milk and then top up on formula. He is now 14weeks and has approx 30ozs of breast milk a day - with formula top ups if he requires more (he usually wants around 31-32ozs per day). I only express 3 times a day now and manage about 10ozs per express - it does get easier. Drink plenty of juice and make sure you take care of you.
As a final point, so what if you top up on formula - many babies receive exclusive formula feeds and they grow and thrive on this. Breast milk is good - but that doesn't mean formula milk is bad! Do what is right for you and your baby - a happy mummy = a happy baby. Good luck you're a great mummy.

Answer 2

I think, as many others have told you, that it is IMPERATIVE that you speak to a lactation consultant immediately. Don't give up breastfeeding! The advantages are HUGE over formula and bottle feeding.

There's a bunch of different options here.

First off, try increasing your fluid intake - especially kefir (if you have access to it) because that will help increase your milk supply. Yogourt will help - so will vitamin B. So does beer - you can use nonalcoholic if you want, it's the yeast you're after - and brewer's yeast as a food supplement is great too.

Secondly, you need to be pumping more often - maybe as frequently as every hour. Breasts supply milk on demand, and once your baby starts taking the breast, they'll adjust so that you're keeping up.

Thirdly, what kind of pump are you using? I tried a few, and didn't have much success until I used an Avent. It's a little pricey, but it's very much worth it. Under a hundred dollars, though. Another option to consider is calling your hospital, midwife, community health centre and finding out who rents professional pumps - there's nothing like hospital grade to get that milk flowing! I would only get an ounce or two until I tried Avent - it was SO frustrating. Remember, though, it's only been a few days - are you still producing colostrum, or is it real milk? A baby will get more out of a little bit of colostrum than they will on formula.

Now, how's your let down? I had a challenge similar to your with my first baby - she would latch on fine, suck for a while, and then start screaming. Eventually what we figured out was that it took a little while for the milk to let down, and then when it did, it was gushing out like crazy and spraying her in the back of the throat - something I think we would all hate LOL (this is why I was using a pump - and great advice from the above poster about using a dropper or a little cup instead of a bottle - you don't want them to get used to sucking from a bottle, because it's very very different - mine was drinking from a little cup at 2 days old! LOL) So, right before you feed her, hand express a little milk - just with your fingers, it takes a ltttle practice but not too much - so that you know that not only do you have let down, but you're relieving a little bit of the pressure even if there isn't any.

I would also try feeding her more often - it will get her more used to the breast, it'll get you a lot more used to the whole thing, and your supply will increase. One of the best things about breast feeding is that they're fed on demand, and not according to oz or schedules - you'll know they're get enough by their "output" into their diapers - at this age, somewhere between 10 and 12 wet diapers in 24 hours.

And get off that formula! Ew! Yuck! Have you ever tasted that stuff? Like wet cardboard...

Feel free to get in touch with me if you're having a hard time - and get around other Moms who breastfeed and will support and encourage you. A lot of people are way too fast to tell you to give up. Good for you for keeping on!

Answer 3

First of all, there's no better way to increase your milk supply than to have your baby nurse at the breast. Easier said than done, I know... but if you want to salvage your nursing relationship, the first thing to do is stop bottle feeding- by which I mean, find some other way to supplement. The last link has some good advice about what to do.

Ideally a Supplemental Nursing System (or SNS) would be the way to go; it would let you nurse your baby and supplement at the same time, which is the best for your supply. You mmight be able to get one from your doctor, but you'll have to be very assertive about demanding one (likely, if you ask, they'll claim not even to know what one is).

If you can't get an SNS, *still* stop bottle feeding. Look into finger feeding (probably easiest at this age, and can help the baby learn proper suck) or cup feeding as alternatives that will be less likely to sabotage breastfeeding. Also, if you are using a pacifier, stop. I have nothing against pacis generally speaking, but it can cause problems when breastfeeding isn't well established.

Once you've eliminated bottles, the next step is getting the baby to the breast.

-take a "nursing vacation", where you do nothing but lounge around topless and try to cuddle and nurse your baby.

-offer the breast often, especially times when your baby might be more pliable- when she's sleepy, or in the bath, or otherwise relaxed

-get as much skin-to-skin contact with your baby as you can.

But avoid pressuring baby to nurse. Offer, offer, offer, but try not to act frustrated or upset (I know, easier said again, right?).

Good luck, and check out the links. They have great information.

Answer 4

The best way to increase your supply is to have the baby nurse. But obviously that isn't working out. Do you have someone you can call that can help you. A nurse from the hospital? A doula? A representative from a local chapter of the leche league?

I had problems pumping as well but the baby nursed just fine so I just gave up on the pumping. The hope was that dad could provide a bottle of breast milk now and then. But that didn't happen. But I had no problems nursing, just pumping.

Don't give up. There are people who help with this kind of thing for a living. Call your OB and ask for some advice or see if they can get you in touch with somone.

Answer 5

Breastfeeding is wonderful for Mom, baby and family. Supplementation is a deterrent to breastfeeding for Mom and especially for baby. An once of breast milk is precious indeed and stimulation by the pump to obtain that ounce of milk is not quite the same "type" of stimulation that the suckling baby achieves. Find a breastfeeding "quiet place" somewhere in your home". Make it as comfortable, cozy, quiet, serene a place as you possibly can. Anything or anyone that alters the atmosphere in this special place can not enter while you and baby are there. Go to this area often (even when you're not breastfeeding). Whenever you're there kangaroo her (lay your daughter, her skin to your skin, on your breast ), close your eyes and totally enjoy the moment. Offer her the breast very gently while talking, cooing, singing or humming to her or simply remain quiet. The thing is for both of you to relax and enjoy the intimacy and bonding experience! You may have to be in this safe place for long periods of time the first week of so. Eliminate the supplementation with the bottle. She will take from your breast what her spirit and body needs!

Answer 6

You can try to keep offering her the breast. It takes a bit of practice for mom and baby, sometimes. Pumping is really hard to master. What may help is- taking a really warm shower, putting a warm compress on your breasts and keep baby near you, when you pump. It helps to get the milk to come down. Increase the amount of water you drink, also.

Don't give up on breastfeeding. Even if she only gets an ounce or 2 at each feeding, she's getting something and hopefully your milk production will catch up. Breastfeed first, then bottlefeed. Pump after breastfeeding.

Make sure you've got a quiet and comfortable spot for you and baby.

Answer 7

I have been in exactly the same place as you are right now.The very best advice that i can give you is to be patient even when the baby's crying.I have pumped also but nothing beats the baby for milking.If this is your first child than you are learning to breast feed right along with her,and i don't want to sound pushy but just try all kinds of different latching on positions and no matter what relax relax relax.I know that's hard to do when you feel this overwhelming need to get her fed.You will get this and you will be so pleased with yourself for not giving up on this.I have now breastfed all four of my girls and would not change this for anything.May the Creator bless you all.

Answer 8

I would suggest that you pump for just a couple of minutes, enough to get your letdown to come, and THEN try latching her on to the breast. This will help her get the quick reward that she is used to with the bottle.

If you need to supplement, don't use a bottle. Use a spoon, a syringe, a medicine dropper or a soft-sided cup like comes with a bottle of Pepto Bismol. Try to get her to suckle at the breast instead of a bottle.

What kind of pump are you using? Double or single? Electric or manual?

You need to be working one-on-one with a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a La Leche League Leader. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and with a newborn who is losing weight she might very well come to your home to see you. (Leaders are trained volunteers, so her own family situation will play into her availability.)

Talk to the LC or the LLL Leader about getting a nursing supplementer (SNS). Maybe you could supplement her at the breast. You might also ask them about using a nipple shield, although it's best if you can nurse without one.

The links below will help you find a LLL Leader or an IBCLC. In your situation I *STRONGLY* suggest you get one-on-one real life help!

Good luck!

Answer 9

How often are you pumping? You should be pumping every 1.5 - 2 hours for about 15 minutes on each side. (or until nothing comes out for a couple of minutes and a drop is something) Also, its normal for a baby to lose weight after they are born (about 10% of their weight).

I couldn't get my daughter to latch on to breast feed when she was born. I had to use a nipple shield so that she could get a hold on the nipple. Call the maternity ward at the hospital where you had her. They most likely have a lactation consultant who will be able to give you a nipple shield. If they don't have a lactation consultant, my second link can help you find a certified one in your area.

Answer 10

I understand that you want to do everything just right for your baby and that's great, but you need to relax some mom.

Before you nurse, try taking a warm shower or putting a warm towel on your breasts. This will relax you and stimulate your breasts to let their milk down. Make yourself comfortable. Let your baby nurse on one breast. Watch her face. When she appears as if she's had enough switch to the other breast and see if she wants more. Alternate your breasts because this signals your body to make more milk. When she's had enough to eat then pump your breasts to make sure they are empty. This will also signal your body to make more milk.

Then relax.

I applaud you for breast feeding. Remember women have been doing this from the beginning of time. Your daughter isn't going to starve so again, relax.

All the best to your new family.