2007-02-21 15:22:18 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Contact La Leche League as soon as possible (see link below)! They are friendly, knowledgeable, available 24-hours a day, and best of all FREE.
The truth is that a pump is not as effective at expressing milk from your breasts as your baby is. Unless you physically can't be with your baby (for instance, if you have to return to work), it really is best to feed your baby directly from the breast. You lose a lot of the benefits of breastfeeding by pumping and bottle-feeding. For instance, did you know that if your baby comes in contact with a germ, and you then breastfeed your baby, that germ will be transmitted into your body so that you can make the antibody and feed it back to your baby through your milk? This is one of the miraculous ways that breastfeeding can prevent your baby from getting sick as often as some formula-fed babies. Also, you're already experiencing the main problem with pumping and bottle-feeding -- because breastfeeding works on supply and demand and the pump is not as efficient as a baby, your body will most likely produce less and less milk. This can be devastating for a mother who really wants to be able to provide breastmilk for her baby!
The good news is that your problem is not incurable. There are lots of ways to correct your baby's latch and also to increase your supply. With a little bit of help (from a lactation professional or from LLL) and some patience and persistence on your part, this problem can be fixed and you can be well on your way to a healthy and happy breastfeeding relationship with your child. No more messy bottles, no more pumping... really, it can be that good, I promise!
I really hope that you will contact LLL. Honestly, I didn't contact them until after my second child was born. I was a little intimidated, but after getting to know everyone in my local group, I can't help but think -- what was I thinking waiting this long?! It can be so helpful to have people around you who can help you through breastfeeding issues.
Good luck and feel free to contact me anytime with any breastfeeding questions or problems you may have; I'd love to help!
2007-02-21 16:54:39 · answer #1 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pump as much as you would feed your baby, you may have to drink more water. This may even mean getting up in the night and pumping. I had the same problem. Nobody told me this is what I needed to do, but that is what I tried and it worked. Oh also try letting your baby cry a bit when she is hungry because it makes the milk drop better and then you are better able to pump. The secound bit of advice is some advice a friend gave me.
2007-02-21 15:27:33 · answer #2 · answered by trhwsh 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried to get the baby back on the breast?
You can do mothers milk tea which is just a combination of herbs ideal for lactating. You could also just do fenugreek (fenugreek is in the tea though). Drink lots of water. Eat oatmeal.
What you could also do is get a SNS (supplemental nursing system). Use a bottle of pumped breastmilk and then latch baby on to your nipple so it builds up your supply more but baby doesn't get frustrated if you have a slow letdown from pumping.
2007-02-21 15:29:54 · answer #3 · answered by Angela G 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
try carrot juice to kick up supply....and pump every two hours which also kicks up supply. try baby's latch again (call your hospital to speak with a lactation professional) and just keep at it. I had really slow supply but my baby didn't mind. she ate as much as i made and we were happy. Doctor always said she was healthly.
2007-02-21 15:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by hot black babe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a similar problem, have you tried a nipple gaurd? available at targets, babies r us, and some walmarts. also you can ask your dr for some medicine, reglan taken 4 times a day. also fenugruek a natural supplement found at gnc and other places where you get vitamins
2007-02-21 15:27:57 · answer #5 · answered by jjsoccer_18 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM..I EVENTUALLY GAVE UP WHICH TORE ME UP INSIDE WHAT WITH EVERYONE BRAGGING ABOUT HOW GREAT BREASTFEEDING IS..I MEAN I FELT HORRIBLE THAT I COULDN'T ANYMORE BUT LUCKY THING I HAD SUPPORT FROM MY HUSBAND WHO TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY AND THAT THE BABY WON'T DIE IF HE DRINKS FORMULA ONLY
2007-02-21 15:40:43 · answer #6 · answered by lata 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More sleep, more water, more nutrition. More stimulation.
Once you have done your best, then get the baby on formula
2007-02-21 16:38:11 · answer #7 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
supplement with infant formula
2007-02-21 15:27:20 · answer #8 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋