Lately I have been pumping the milk for my newborn and last night when I pumped I didn't even get a bottle full. What can I do to keep my milk supply up. Do I need to breastfeed more often or pump it several times a day. How should I be eating now since I am breastfeeding? I skip a meal there and there sometimes and I do take my prenatal vitamins. My daughter drinks formula also. Sometimes I drink a soda also. Thanks. Can someone give some good advice for me to do to get my daughter back on the right track for healthy eating.
2007-01-15 07:35:14 · 16 answers · asked by chyna 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You should stop giving your daughter formula, for one. And you should allow her to nurse at your breast. Babies are much better at emptying the breast than a pump. Your body will automatically adjust to what the baby needs if you nurse her at your breast... it is mother natures perfect way of doing things. Your body will make all that she needs. Right now the formula supplementation and the pumping is interfering with that process which is why your supply may have dropped.
You should also be eating regular meals, taking a prenatal vitamin and drinking plenty of fluids... cut out the cola... or reduce the amount you drink to no more than one a day (and be sure to drink 2 large glasses of water to rehydrate after every cola you drink because cola, tea and coffee all dehydrate you.)
2007-01-15 07:42:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Ditch the formula and get her to breastfeed more often. That is the only way to increase your supply. As for eating, the books will tell you to eat healthy and never skip a meal, but come on, you're a parent now. Just eat as best as you can. Eat good food as much as possible and don't fret about the rest. Taking the prenatals is good and drink lots of water. An occasional can of soda is no big but if you drink too much you may end up with a very awake and cranky baby on your hands. Don't skip meals and eat too little in the hopes of losing the baby weight, that will hurt your milk supply, just eat right with appropriate portions and everything will take care of itself.
Having the baby nurse is the best way to tell your body to step up production and stay away from formula until the baby has been nursing for eight weeks solid.
2007-01-15 07:44:47 · answer #2 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is never too late to keep up healthy habits! To keep your milk supply up you need to drink as much water as possible (8-10 glasses a day), take your prenatal vitamins everyday, rest when you can, stay away from caffienne, eat 3 meals a day and snack in between on healthy foods (yogurt, fruit, nuts, crackers and cheese), pump after nursing (even if you aren't getting a whole lot of milk), and try calling the lactation consultant at the hospital where your daughter was born. I supplemented my milk supply with an herb called "Fenugreek". You can buy it at the healthfood stores and it is not harmful to your baby. You take the capsules three or four times a day. It makes you smell like maple syrup but it really helped me to boost my milk supply. You might also want to contact your local LaLeche League support group. They are a wealth of information for breastfeeding women!
2007-01-15 07:50:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you supplementing with formula? It is best to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months. The problem is probably that your daughter isn't at the breast enough. A baby can get milk out better than a pump. You should let your baby feed herself from the breast regularly and stop giving her formula. You should also drink plenty of water and cut back on decaffeinated beverages. There is also a supplement called Funugeek that some women use. If you have a local health food or natural foods store they should carry that.
2007-01-15 08:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your fluid intake up...i.e water! H2o is the best option for you and the most healthiest.
Eating fresh food and vegetables will not only improve your own well being but will be passed in the milk and will provide nutrients for your baby.
It is possible your milk supply is reducing as you are missing out feeds when you give the formula. The body adapts to the supply that is required and gradually drys up.
Don't pump too much as this will overstimulate the breasts and could lead to a blockage in the ducts which can be very painful.
My daughter is 14 months and I am still breast feeding her. I think the reason my supply has been so good is because I never used the formula and exclusively gave breast milk only.
Every person is different.
All the best.
2007-01-15 08:18:17 · answer #5 · answered by Jojo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The more often you nurse or pump, the more milk you will make. Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand.
You can't judge supply based on how much you can pump. Baby can always get more milk than the pump. A pump is just man's best impression of what baby can do. :-)
Eat a reasonable diet of around 1800-2000 calories per day.
If you drink caffeine, be sure to drink extra fluids since the caffeinated beveradges don't count towards your daily fluids.
2007-01-15 08:00:03 · answer #6 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The pumping and supplementing is more than likely causing problems with your supply. Your body will regulate the amount of milk to produce based upon how much your baby is drinking from the breast. You should allow your daughter to breastfeed whenever she is hungry at the breast and your body will start producing exactly what she needs. It is also best to keep taking your prenatal vitamins.
Best wishes.
2007-01-15 07:50:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all, if you are concerned about a diminishing milk supply, you ought to pump more.
One supplement that worked GREAT for me was a pill called "Fenugreek." You can get it at whole foods or GNC. I took 2 pills three times a day for about a week... you don't want to take it long term b/c your body will just get used to it. This was a supplement recommended by my pediatrician.
Also, at whole foods is a a tea called "mothering tea" -- it has fenugreek in it as well as other supplements known to promote milk supply.
drink lots of water, and no more skipping meals!!! you need an extra 500 calories a day when you are breastfeeding (you only need 300 extra calories per day when you are pregnant)
2007-01-15 07:53:19 · answer #8 · answered by Karen H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice to you would be to breastfeed your daughter as often as possible. Pumping actually decreases the amount of milk you produce. Stay away from spicy foods as sometimes they tend to upset baby's tummy. I don't think a soda now and again will hurt anything but I wouldn't have one all of the time.
2007-01-15 07:42:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's "supply and demand" when it comes to breastfeeding. The more you do it, the more milk you'll produce. Breastfeed/pump more often and you should start to see more milk.
As for your diet, it's important not to skip meals. If you're not hungry, try having a small snack if you're not up for eating a whole meal.
2007-01-15 07:50:00 · answer #10 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋