Breastfeeding?

Question

im a mum of 4 and im currently breastfeeding my 4th baby but i think im losing my milk as she is hungrey all the time can any one please tell me how to boost my milk back to the way it was i could used to get between 5 or 6 oz but im lucky if i can get 4oz now. and i dont want to give her powder milk as i really want to carry on breastfeeding

my baby is nearly 13 wks old

i am expressing and im breastfeeding as well. but i think she sometime prefers the bottle but dont want to put her on the bottle ,

Answer 1

your baby is probably going through a growth spurt and will therefore need feeding more often.
Your supply should sort its self out in a fewe days.

To boost your milk try expessing between feeds, in the shower. Eating healthy, drinking lots of fluids.
Try to aviod any powdered milk as the more powered milk you give the less chance of ur supply catching up to the demand.

Answer 2

I am still breastfeeding my little boy at 2 (only before bed!) but he wanted nursing all the time, and it was hard work but as I'm sure you know, the more you nurse the more milk you will make. If you want to do it, it's hard work but just nurse when the baby wants feeding, and that way you'll have a nice healthy baby who's putting on plenty of weight. make sure you eat and drink plenty and rest. You certainly don't have to put them on a bottle at any point if you don't want to, my little boy has never had a bottle and he's doing great. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Answer 3

I think eating and drinking more would help. When my baby now 11 months old, started wanting fed every hour, i had to start giving him bottle feeds between breast feeds. I felt really guilty about it but there was nothing I could do to satify his hunger and eventually I stopped breast feeding as it was doing nothing for him and taking up so much of my time. He then went off milk at about 6 months and I had to feed him solids 5 times a day mixed with milk!
Please persist in the breast feed, or ask your health visitor for advice on food that may help you produce more milk too. It makes you feel better too that your baby is getting the best, I just hope your baby isnt a wee picky monkey like mine!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Seems like she is going through a growth spurt. If you are pumping and getting 4oz, that's great. Most woman get between 1-2oz while pumping. Maybe you had an over supply in the beginning and now it's tapering off and getting into a normal schedule. The best thing to do is just nurse, nurse, nurse, even if it's like every hour. How many wet and poopy diapers are you getting a day? That's basically the only way to tell if your little one is taking in enough. I suggest you start monitoring the diapers and see what comes out.

Answer 5

The only way to boost your milk supply is to feed more frequently. After a day or so, your breasts will adjust and supply more. My third baby was always feeding and i had a beaut milk supply, but it just wasn't working for me. So i began expressing and giving top-ups of formula. He's a happy little boy now with a full tummy and 7.5 kg at 11 weeks old.
If breastfeeding is what you want, then persevere. And don't give any top-ups as the demand for breastmilk won't be there...

Answer 6

Lots of ladies swear by "Jungle Juice" as a tonic to increase milk supply. There are medicines that your doctor can also prescribe - one being Eglonyl.

Here's that JJ recipe:

(not to be used by diabetics)

- 1 litre Apple / Berry Juice (apple, cranberry or cherry)
- 2 litres water
- 1 Sachet Blackcurrant Rehidrate (or any oral rehydration/isotonic solution)
- 60ml Blackthornberry Elixir
- 10 drops Rescue Remedy per glass (optional)

Mix, refrigerate and sip all day (at least 2 litres per 24 hours).

Works like a charm. Good luck.

Answer 7

It sounds like you are pumping and not having your daughter feed from your breasts. If that's the case, drink more water and pump more often to keep up with her growth spurt. Try a new pump too, pumping isn't the most effective way to empty the breast...the baby is. Your breasts may not be emptying all the way and your body is not producing as much milk because it doesn't think it needs too.

Answer 8

If you are not producing enough milk, maybe it is best to start putting her half and half on your milk and other milk. It will have to be done at some point anyway.

You didn't say how old the baby is. Personally I would wean the baby at about three or four months. Your other children need your time, too.

Answer 9

Give the child a bottle!! It doesn't mean you are a bad mother if you can't, don't or won't breast feed!
I can't stand all this breast is best crap, there are plenty bottle fed babies who are much healthier and brighter than breast fed ones.
I was bottlefed & my sister breast fed & I am much more well adjusted than her!! (She will disagree!!)
I breastfed my son (now 20 months0 for a while & he is never done with ear infections & colds.
My daughter is 13 weeks & I never even tried as I find bottle feeding handier as it means I have more freedom.
I know I will get loads of thumbs down for this but I don't give a shite!

Answer 10

Only offer her the breast the more she uses it the more you will make. Also are you drinking enough water? I know I had to make my self drink tons of water when I was nursing. Also find a relaxing place for just the 2 of you. Good Luck