Is it possible to get my milk production back?

Question

Breast feeding was going well for the first two months until I had to back to school at nights and was away from son for 6 hours without being able to pump or feed him. I slowly had to start supplementing him with formula when I noticed he had emptied the breasts and was still hungry. Now my milk supply is almost completely gone (he's almost 6 mos old) but school is almost over . Is it possible to get it back to what is was or should I just give up? It hurts to try to feed him often when there is no milk in there because he tugs and pulls on the breasts. I drink water often and feed him as soon as I feel milk let down because otherwise he just gets upset that nothing comes out. I also think when I had a blocked duct it caused my milk supply to drop.

Answer 1

Please don't give up! babies need breastmilk for at least one, preferably 2 years.

Keep pumping as much as you can, keep nursing. If you have the funds, get a SNS (supplemental nursing system) that will allow your baby to get a good amount of liquid while at the breast while you reestablish your supply. Put away the bottles and try to only give him formula at the breast if you can.

Second: as soon as school is out, go on a "nursing honeymoon" with your baby. Get in bed, have someone bring you Mother's Milk Tea, oatmeal (even in cookies its good to help bolster supply), and get some fenugreek capsules if you can 9they have them at most health food stores). Just lay in bed with your baby and nurse as much as you can for as long as you can.

if your baby tugs at your nipple pull him towards you and he will loosen his grip a bit. Pump on one side while you nurse him on the other if you can. Also, Keep him latch on as long as he will suckle at a feeding, because your breasts are never truly "empty" and you can have more than one let down in a nursing session.

Kellymom.com is a great resource and can answer almost any nursing related question you have!

Answer 2

The more he feeds or you pump the more milk you will produce. If you want to continue breast feeding then consider hiring an electric pump and do this in between feeds to build up supply. Eat well, keep hydrated and try not to stress. If he is still happy to latch on to you then that is a good sign. Good luck

Answer 3

Do you want to keep breastfeeding? If so, I think you can build your supply back with a combination of things. I had a low supply after a few weeks because my newborn slept for long periods and I tried to do a schedule way too early, which kept me from feeding him frequently enough. I used Mother's Milk Tea for several weeks with great results. I also used an herbal pill supplement called More Milk Plus from Motherlove Herb Co. with good results. Whatever you do, keep putting your son to your breast to feed and just supplement afterward as he needs it. Pump after his nursing sessions to add stimulation. I did this and got back to exclusive breastfeeding in a few months.

If you're ready to wean him, he's had a good jump on your immunities and at least you don't have to worry about engorgement. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Answer 4

don`t drink too much water. It won't help, and one study showed that forcing liquids actually *decreased* milk production. Drink if you are thirsty.

also don`t drink wine, wine will hurt your baby. why does people say wine will increased supply. this is because when you drink wine it help you to relax.

you can try pumping it.. when your breast it empty just pump and slowly your breast will know that your baby need more milk. but before you pump let your baby suck first. No pump is as effective as a nursing baby

Answer 5

You may want to wean him now. You have done a great job feeding him for this long. He got the full benefits of breast feeding when he needed them. If you have your heart set on it, there are some herbs and teas that are supposed to help enhance milk supply.

Answer 6

I have an answer!! It actually is 100% natural. it is called Mother's milk. It is a tea. MOTHER’S MILK®
Promotes Healthy Lactation*


Mother’s Milk® promotes healthy lactation by combining herbs used in traditional Greco-European herbalism prepared as tea infusions to activate and promote lactation in nursing mothers.* Mother’s Milk® is based on a synergistic combination of seeds traditionally used as galactagogues (agents that increase the flow of milk), including fennel seed, anise seed and fenugreek seed.* Their actions are enhanced by herbs traditionally used to stimulate the appetite and increase the flow of bile into the intestine, blessed thistle herb and coriander seed.* Soothing demulcent support is provided by althea root and fenugreek seed.* Mother’s Milk® is a balanced and good tasting herbal blend formulated to enhance the nursing experience.



Mother’s Milk Proprietary Blend: Sweet fennel seed, anise seed, coriander seed, spearmint leaf, lemongrass leaf, lemon verbena leaf, althea root, blessed thistle herb, fenugreek seed.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

**Organically grown and produced in accordance with the California Organic Foods Act of 1990.
http://www.tealand.com/MothersMilk.asp

I stand by this because it worked for me.

Answer 7

try to pump the milk as often as you can and see if that works

Answer 8

my doctor had me to to drink a glass of wine to pick up my supply

Answer 9

i would just keep him on the formula. he's already used to it and adjusted to it, and you can feed him wherever. i think its more convienent. i can just hand mine a bottle in the store, a restaurant. im not sure if you can get it back, but at this point, i wouldn't worry about it.