Lactation Help?

Question

I'm nursing a 5 month old baby & it seems like my milk is drying up. What can I do to help replenish it. I'm already taking fenugreek. I really want to nurse the whole first year.

Answer 1

Firstly, if your baby is making enough wet diapers/gainin your milk is probably not drying up. Your baby's rate of growth is probably just slowing so he/she is nursing less and your breasts are softer. What specifically makes you think that it is?

Things to try:
Eat oatmeal
Drink Mother's Milk tea
Drink more water

You may find that going to some La Leche League moms and talking to some breastfeeding moms will give you the confidence you need. You can also contact me if you want.

Here are some good web sites:
www.kellymom.com
www.lalecheleague.org

This is one of the pages about supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#supply

Answer 2

The very first thing is to nurse nurse nurse! Remember that breastfeeding is supply and demand. The more you nurse, the more milk you should make. Nothing else will work if you don't nurse enough.

Why do you feel like your milk is drying up? Keep in mind that pumping is NOT a good indicator of supply and baby can always get more milk than any pump. Knowing why you feel your supply is low might help suggest things to help you.

How much fenugreek are you taking? 3-4 capsules 3x per day is the typical dose. You could also add blessed thistle in the same amounts.....this combo works well for some moms.

Are you staying well hydrated?

Have you recently started hormonal birth control? That can affect supply for some moms.

Check out the link below for more info.

ETA:
Your goal of nursing for the whole first year is GREAT! This is the *minimum* recommended by the AAP and will get your child off to a great start.

Answer 3

Raspberry herbal tea helps. Not sure if it is the tea itself or just the increase in fluids. Did you start solids recently? It is normal for milk supply to decrease as the baby starts to eat other things. Pumping between feedings is a good way to increase your supply. Most babies wont continue to bite once they learn that it hurts Mom. (My last is 2 with a mouth full of teeth and we are still nursing.) If he/she does, very quickly grab his chin and pull it down away from your breast while sternly saying "NO." They don't like that and it immediately releases the pressure. Don't let anyone talk you out of nursing your first year or even longer if it works out that way. It is a wonderful experience! It is the most intimate, sweet, non-sexual way you will ever be close to someone. Enjoy it!

Answer 4

My baby is 18 months old and I still nurse him. He is the one that is still nursing. I think your goal is commendable. The best way to replenish it is to offer the breast more often. Once your baby is eating solids, your milk production will decrease, but you will still make enough to nourish your baby. You won't have the full feeling or engourgement because your baby doesn't require as much.
I suggest letting your baby decide when she wants to stop nursing. Studies show it is better for the baby. Please don't let anyone discourage you. Our country is the only one that thinks only a few months is enough. Most countries nurse for much longer.
Make sure you are drinking enough fluids and just encourage nursing more often. When my son started solids, he only wanted to nurse when he was thirsty, at night, or comfort and security. Good luck

Answer 5

Do you have a breast pump? If no then get one. Feed your baby and in between feedings pump. The more you pump/feed the more you will make, also make sure you stick with the fenugreek, I took it saw a little bit of results (1 ounce or so more each pumping?) and then stopped and it really started to dry things up, I made less than I did before. So I had to start taking it again.
I breast feed my son for 6 months and tried everything and my milk was just gone I could pump a maybe get 1/2 ounce! It was truly gone.. With my twins I breast feed one and pumped for the other who eats through a feeding tube for 11 months before the dr said my daughter with health issues was too big and switched her to specail food. The key really is to nurse as much as possible.

Just a note to me that mothers milk tea is very nasty tasting, let it get to room temp and just down it as fast as you can, easier to get it down that way

Answer 6

Do not supplement with formula. You may not be drying up. Engourgement and let down slow as your baby gets older. You will make just as much as baby needs, if your worried and baby is showing signs of slow growth and hunger after you feed her check with her dr for a weight check before you feed her and after she nurses. OH, and drink lots of water as usual. Check with your local hospital. they all have lactation consultants or your local laleche league in the phone book-they can counsel you. Good luck

Answer 7

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and nurse more often.

I also used to drink mother's milk tea and pump like crazy between feedings. It takes a couple of days before your body adjusts to the increased demands, so hang in there.

As long as your baby is having plenty of wet diapers and gaining weight, you are producing enough milk. Babies become more efficient nursers as they get older and empty you out more with their nursing. You won't have engorgement issues and such as they get older.

Answer 8

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html

THE BEST SITE EVER for a nursing mom!

First of all, is your milk supply really low? Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn't. If your baby is gaining weight well on breastmilk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply.

-read the rest here: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#supply