My baby will be 2 weeks old on Thursday. I have been breastfeeding and supplementing formula on advice of her pediatrician for jaundice. Well once my milk came in 4 days after her birth, I got a lot of engorgement and could pump off lots of milk. My parents are visiting, so i've mainly pumped my milk so that they could help with feeding her. Well I guess I wasn't pumping or breastfeeding enough, so now a week later, the doc says I don't need to give her formula anymore and I'm finding that my breasts don't have as much milk supply. How can I increase my milk supply and how often should I feed a 2 week old baby during the day and night?
2007-02-06 08:11:36 · 18 answers · asked by Momof2 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
feed the baby when it wakes up hungry - and supplement as needed with formula - it's worth doing to keep baby happy and satisfied! just breast feed as much as possible!
2007-02-06 08:16:37 · answer #1 · answered by ear person 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
First off, I'm sorry to say that you're doc's advice was BAD. Giving formula is not the best way to deal with jaundice. There was no reason for that. Breastmilk is better at flushing out jaundice and some jaundice can be NORMAL in a BF baby in the early weeks.
She should be feeding at least every 2 hours around the clock. Baby is more efficient than even the best pump, so if you've been mostly pumping, that would explain the suppl y dip. Also, did you pump at the time that you gave the formula to keep telling your body to make milk?
Nurse, nurse, nurse. It's all supply and demand. Nurse her at least every 2 hours. Her tummy is only the size of her fist. And breastmilk digests in about 90 mins. The more you nurse, the more you'll make.
Keep in mind that they go through a growth spurt around this age and it's NORMAL to feel like you're constantly feeding for a few days.
2007-02-07 00:49:13 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your milk production will adjust according to your baby's needs. The more she nurses, the more milk you will produce. Especially in the first 6 weeks of her life, she needs to be breast fed as often as she asks for it. This could even be as often as every hour. The engorgement you felt when your milk first came in will not likely show up again unless there are times when you go long periods of time without breast feeding. You may not be able to tell there is milk in your breast a lot times until your baby cries and signals your "let-down" reflex. The only thing you have to do to increase your milk supply is only breast feed your baby whenever she wants. It is helpful to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, rest whenever your baby is sleeping, eat healthy, and create a pleasant environment where your nursing spot is. It is pretty common for a baby as young as your daughter to nurse every 1-3 hours around the clock. Pumping does not have to stop, but it is not as efficient at emptying your breasts as your baby is. It can decrease your supply if you are pumping more than your baby is nursing.
2007-02-06 08:24:23 · answer #3 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure your milk supply has decreased?
After your milk comes in, as you noticed, the breasts become very heavy and painful and engorged. But after your body adjusts to the milk, they lose some of that fullness. It doesn't mean that the milk isn't there or isn't available - just that your body is settling in to the nursing thing.
Does your baby seem like she's not getting enough? It could be lack of milk, but it could also be a growth spurt.
Everyone here has good advice, though; just keep nursing your baby frequently. If your milk has decreased, it will come back rapidly - especially since your baby is so young.
2007-02-06 09:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by stormsinger1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should pump or breastfeed the baby every 2 hours, which is about how often your baby should feed. Your breasts will provide more milk on demand, so the more often you pump or breastfeed and the longer the session, the more milk you will make. Keep this in mind when you eventually wean. If you pump 6 times each day, try eliminating every other session and also try cutting down the time that you pump. Do it gradually over many weeks and it should go smoothly. Whatever you do - don't go cold turkey, or you'll be in a LOT of pain. Good luck to you and your baby!
2007-02-06 08:17:23 · answer #5 · answered by Karen S 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Feed your baby every 2 hours. Or when she crys for food. Drinka glass of water every time you nurse. Your milk will come in. Your body works like a supply and demand station. If you feed her at 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm ect.... today your body knows that at 2 pm 4 pm, 6 pm ect.... tomorrow you will need to nurse her again. so you will produce enough milk. If you pump more, you will produce more.
Congratulations on Breastfeeding! Babies were born to be Breastfed!
2007-02-06 08:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by Renee B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To rebuild your milk supply you will need to offer the breast to the baby every two hours day and night. This will help your body build your supply back up. Don't offer the bottle unless you pump at all missed nursing sections. Don't give up you are doing a great job. good luck
2007-02-06 08:20:49 · answer #7 · answered by mktk401 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let your baby nurse as often as she wants to and your milk supply will balance out to be just the amount she needs. The amount of milk you produce depends on how much nursing or pumping you do. During the time your milk is increasing she may want to nurse very often.
(Good for you for breast feeding, too! It's such a great benefit for your baby!)
You will be feeding a 2 week old infant VERY often at times. Sometimes she will want to nurse every hour. Sometimes she may go 3 hours between feedings. Don't try to put her on a schedule, just nurse her when she is hungry during this time when she is tiny and growing,
Sometimes you will feel you are constantly nursing. I found it useful to have a basket beside me containing diapers and wipes and a book for me to read, a change of clothes for the baby, and just sit in my comfortable chair reading and nursing.
Those sling type baby carriers can be helpful because you can nurse while still having your hands free.
2007-02-06 08:19:37 · answer #8 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It's all about supply and demand. The more milk the baby needs, the more milk you'll produce.
Feed her every 2-3 hrs. depending on when she's hungry and it should start to help your milk supply to increase. Even if she only breastfeeds for a little while it still helps.
Congrats on the little one :-)
2007-02-06 08:25:30 · answer #9 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First congrats on the baby. Also congrats on want to breastfeed. Anyways my accupunturist had told me in order to increase milk supply you need to eat soups they have a lot of vitamins especially the ones with broth. Also you can get a handful of peanuts and crush them without the shell. With the crush peanuts put about a cup or more of soy milk let it boil. This sound gross but it works. Also you can drink mothers milk tea. Its is homeopathic. So its safe for you and your baby. You might want to look on LaLeche League website also pumpmoms@yahoo they can help as well. Good luck I hope that this can help you out.
2007-02-06 08:22:56 · answer #10 · answered by beenie 21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best and only provenly effective way to increase milk supply is to nurse. Nurse as much as possible...it comes from supply and demand theory. The more the baby demands your body for milk, the more your body will make. I know it's hard but nurse first and then after about 30 mins if the baby is still hungry, THEN supplement a bottle until the milk comes in. If you want, you can try Mother's Milk tea too. Good luck!
2007-02-06 08:19:06 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋