Ok I had an c-section so I couldnt breast feed my baby right away , anyway I am pumping now and I don't even get an ounce of milk most of the time so I just put it in her formula. Does anyone know any tricks to getting your milk in faster? next sunday she will be 1 month so I don't know what is going on am I not pumping enough?
2006-09-16 14:38:33 · 26 answers · asked by chemicalbrothers13 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If you plan to breastfeed your baby. Do so. Do not pump. Breastfeeding or the baby's sucking will increase the milk production. Do not mix your breast milk into the formula unless you plan to do mixed feeding. Drink a lot of water and milk. Remember everything you eat will go to the baby.
2006-09-16 14:44:11 · answer #1 · answered by rosieC 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Try switch nursing to stimulate milk production. Feed on one side for 5 minutes, then switch to the other for 5 minutes and so on, until she's done feeding. That's what I did to increase my milk supply. And pumping will help stimulate if it doesn't frustrate you like it did me (I would get too frustrated at first, so that's all I would get was an ounce if I was lucky). Good Luck, if you need more help don't be afraid to contact a lactation consultant.
I had also been given the option of taking some herbs Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle together (follow the directions) as advised by my midwife, but didn't need to take them after the switch nursing.
Also I don't think it's necessary for you to add the breastmilk to the formula, each has their components that do well all on their own.
2006-09-16 15:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by Liandrew00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 month is pretty late to start breastfeeding, but don't let that stop you! You should still be able to get going, with a little work.
The main thing to remember is that the more you nurse, the more milk will come in, and the pump isn't *nearly* as good at stimulating milk production as a baby is.
Since your baby does need the supplement, you might consider using a supplemental nursing system, or lactaid (I put info in the links). This will allow you to feed your baby formula at the breast, which will help your supply even while supplementing.
Pump in between feedings as often as you can- again, a pump isn't as good as your baby for this purpose, but it is useful in combination!
There are also a number of herbs (see links) that can be useful- fenugreek, blessed thistle, alfalfa. There are some teas that many people swear by- especially "Mother's Milk" tea by Traditional Medicinals. Also, oatmeal can be helpful.
There *are* also drugs (Reglan, which has a lot of side effects, and Domperidone, which I don't believe is prescribable in this country, and has to be obtained via the internet) that can aid milk production.
But mostly, get that baby to the breast as often as possible, pump, pump pump, drink lots of water, and see if you can find a lactaid to do your supplementing with.
Good luck!
2006-09-16 14:53:59 · answer #3 · answered by kalirush 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, you can get your milk to return, but it is going to take some effort on your part. First off, get yourself some dark beer and drink a good tall glass of it with every meal. Nurse that baby every hour or two, before you try to pump. Don't feed the baby any more formula than you have to , and use an orthopedic nipple so they are familiar with the way you will feel in their mouth. Nurse the baby as much as you possibly can as often as you can, and pump to drain every drop afterwards. Drink at least a extra quart of water every day- in fact, drink water while you are nursing! With luck your milk supply will gradually increase over a few days, and you should be able to nurse the baby without formula additions. The fastest way would be to just set aside a day or so and nurse the baby pretty much constantly- every hour or so, with only an ounce or so to take the edge off her hunger. Supply goes with demand, as they say- and the baby is the most efficient pump to make the demand. If you want onsite advice, see if you can get in contact with La Leche league, or the Health department should have somebody with the WIC office that can help you out. Good luck!
2006-09-16 14:48:12 · answer #4 · answered by The mom 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I too, had the same problem. :( NOT FUN! Keep hydrated, drink lots of water! Next, pump every 3 hours (even through the night) after you've breastfed your baby for about 20 min, depending on your pump of course. Get a hospital kind of pump that pumps both sides at the same side with lots of suction...hurts at first, but it'll get better. There is some medications you can take that have to be prescribed by your doctor, but I've heard they work. I tried FENUGREEK herb, because I'd heard it worked. It's a nasty pill you take and it makes everything from your urine to your skin smell like maple syrup! It didn't help me, but you could try it. Most of all, and most importantly, don't give up and don't become stressed out, that will make things worse. I ended up breastfeeding my son for over 1 year, my daughter for only 5 - 7 alternating with formula because I didn't pump quickly enough. So whatever the outcome, you tried! :)
Good luck!
2006-09-16 14:49:51 · answer #5 · answered by the_proms 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should definitely contact your lactation consultant at the hospital you gave birth at. They will have a ton of suggestions. Usually you have to do the following cycle for 2 wks or so and your milk supply will be up. Every 2-3 hours you 1) nurse your baby, 2) formula feed your baby and 3) pump.
From what I understand there are also some herbs you can take and whole wheat products and tons of water help get your milk supply up.
Good Luck!
2006-09-16 14:42:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Why cant you breastfeed? I had a C section and i breastfeed right away!!! Also the more you pump the more milk will come at first you will only get less then a once but just keep doing it dont give up after a few days your milk supply will be greater and you will get more milk you just have to keep doing it and be patient with your body!! Good luck.
2006-09-16 14:47:52 · answer #7 · answered by Crystal M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not breastfeeding your baby right away should not have caused you problems. With my first c-section I didn't breastfeed my baby until 14 hours after she was born. There were a lot of complications so that was the first time I saw her. She had some problems with latching but with the help of a lactation consultant in the hospital we overcame that. You really should be breastfeeding not pumping it will help with your milk supply. I would also call a lactation consultant at you area hospital or your local LLL.
2006-09-17 14:38:11 · answer #8 · answered by Maggie K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more you feed her formula, the less she will suck on you. The less she sucks on you the less milk you will have. If you aren't even getting an ounce now, you may have done all you can. But, if you are serious about it, go to the La Leche League website listed here and ask them or read about it. These people are the experts on breastfeeding.
2006-09-16 14:42:33 · answer #9 · answered by Deb F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To get your milk in good production, pump every 4 hours. And pump for a good 20 mins. If you put warm washcloths on your breast before, that helps your milk to come down. If your mind is not really wanting to, then that hinders it also. Make sure you drink lots of water. Eat healthy, but drink lots of water.
2006-09-16 14:54:53 · answer #10 · answered by Babygirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋