How can I get my 2 wl old to nurse again? Was using formula to supplement until it came in.?

Question

I have an active 19mo also and it so much more convenient to feed my 2wk old expressed milk than to actaully nurse her. My problem is that b/c she no longer nurses or desires to, my milk supply is decreasing. I want to try to breast feed now that I have my 19mo in daycare so I have a little more time. I can't afford formula so I am desperate to breast feed again or be able express the milk again. Previously I was able to pump out at least 8 oz per breast daily. Now, I am lucky if I can get 4-5 oz out of both breasts daily. This has been going on now for 3 days. What can I do?

Answer 1

Eliminate artificial nipples. If you need to get a supplement into baby, try a spoon, soft sided cup (like comes with Pepto Bismol), medicine dropper or oral syringe.

Have a lot of skin to skin contact with baby.

Sleep with baby.

Try nursing when baby is not quite awake.

Try pumping right before offering the breast, just until you get a letdown. This will give baby a quicker reward. (She is probably used to how fast and easy the bottle is.)

Call your Lactation Consultant and/or La Leche League Leader. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and may be willing to visit you at home.

Pump and/or nurse every 2 hours around the clock. This weekend, take a "nursing vacation" for a couple of days and do nothing but nurse/pump and self-care. No cooking or cleaning.....leave that to hubby for a couple of days.

Consider trying the herbal supplement fenugreek. It is good at boosting supply. (But NOTHING will work if the milk isn't being removed from the breasts often enough. Supply and demand is the #1 rule.) Take 3-4 capsules 3x per day. Be sure to read about it at the link below before taking it.

Answer 2

If you can't get your baby to nurse then the next best thing is to keep pumping as often as you can. I don't nurse my baby but I pump 5-6 times in a 24 hour period 10-15 minutes at a time. Even if you only get a little bit save it. It's good in the refrigerator for 4 days. You can put what ever little bit you have in the bottle with formula. You need a good quality electric pump. They are quite expensive but check with your local hospital or doctor's office for a place that rents them. Any amount of breast milk is better than no breast milk. Also when you get your period the hormones in your body causes a decrease in milk, but should return when your period is over.

As for not being able to afford formula, the government has a program called WIC that will give you free formula. Also call each of the formula companies, they are usually more than happy to send you free samples and coupons, and you'll be on their mailing list for future coupons.

Good luck, congrats on your newborn, and hang in there.

Answer 3

Keep nursing. As the demand increases, so will your supply. Keep hydrated by drinking fluids. You can also pump in between to up your supply as you have been doing. 4-5 oz doesn't sound too bad so keep doing what you're doing and be patient.

Any time you cut back in nursing your supply will diminish. Also, it can take a week or more for some people to have their milk come in; in the meantime the baby is drinking the colostrum, what some call "liquid gold." It is very important for baby to have this and is very good for him/her, so try not to worry, your baby is probably getting enough to eat.

Answer 4

Is there a problem why the baby isn't latching? Let your newborn get really hungry and keep offering the breast.
Nursing is the best way to increase your supply. Make an appointment with a lactation consultant to help you get on the right track again.

Answer 5

The best way to increase your milk supply is to nurse your baby on demand. Drink plenty of water, eat well, and also pumping and nursing works well too. Talk to a lactation consultant, they will tell you ways of getting back to full time nursing and how to increase your milk supply.

Good luck!

Answer 6

From personal experience there are days that the milk will be lessened. I would keep on doing what you are doing with the getting the milk by letting her nurse as long as there is milk to be had and to do it often. Do not forget you need to have a healthy diet and lifestyle--like plenty of rest. Drink plenty of water. I would go to your local nursing person (usually at the WIC office) to see what they have to say--professionally.

Answer 7

Keep trying say no to caffeine it can slow your milk supply

Answer 8

Read this, it will tell you everything you need to know:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html