Baby & Breastfeeding?

Question

I have a question about breastmilk production. My baby is 4 months old and wants to feed every 2 hours or so. It seems ever since she turned 3 and a half months my body wont keep up with the supply of breastmilk. I would feed her and she would get cranky. (not gassy) so I would switch to the other side. She feeds on each side 10-12 minutes. But she is still hungry. I didnt want to have to add formula but she ate another 2 ounces of it afterward. Ive tried pumping but I always get blocked ducts when I do. What could be causing the lack of not enough milk??? Could stress be a factor?? What do I do to help the supply??

I had my tubes tied so I am not on any birth contol or medication. I try to drink as much as I can when I can.

Thank You to every one. I enjoy breastfeeding my daughter. I dont want to stop if I dont have to.

Answer 1

First you need to determine whether you truly have a low supply. It is common for breastfed babies to eat every two hours (mine did, right up until 8 months of age when I introduced solids), so frequency doesn't mean you have a low supply. Also, pumping is not an adequate measure of how much milk you have. I put some links at the bottom to help you determine whether or not your supply is truly low.

Second, adding a supplement such as formula will only slow down your production as the baby is nursing less and telling your body to make less.

Is it 24 hours a day that your baby is fussy after eating or is it typically in the evenings (this is common and not an indicator of low milk supply -- see link)? Is it possible it is something in your diet? Or a growth spurt? Maybe your baby is teething or has a cold? It's easy to jump to the conclusion that your supply is low, but there are a lot of other possible explanations.

If it turns out that your supply really is low, I have also included some links to help you boost your supply. The very first thing I would recommend is to get rid of the formula and any bottles or pacifiers (if possible -- I know the pacifier can be difficult because I had a baby that was very attached to hers!) and nurse the baby on demand as much as she wants. The increased demand will cause your body to produce more milk. There's a lot to go over here, so I'll just put the links at the bottom to get you started. If you still have questions or need help, please don't hesitate to contact me. Good luck!

Answer 2

My baby is turning 4 months as well and I have noticed that she eats ever 2-3 hours and my boobs never have that overly full feeling anymore. The reason. My breasts have figured out how much she eats, and they produce just that much.

If you are only feeding for 20-25 minutes each time, that is all the milk you are going to produce for future feedings. My baby (and all of them are precious and different) eats for 20-40 minutes depending on the time of day.

Any supplementing or skipping at this point can hinder the consistent production of milk. Allow her to suck for longer on each side to stimulate the prolactin to make more for the future.

ANOTHER thing to consider. There are two kinds of milk, fore and hind. The first milk is watery and helps with their thrist. The hind milk is thick and creamy and full of nutrients. IF you are switching sides too soon, your baby may not be getting the "good" stuff and will still be hungry.

As far as the crankiness, if it isn't the lack of milk supply, try changing feeding positions, turning off tv, not talking or eating. My daughter is very picky about those things right now. She will stop and stare at the phone if I get on it..

It's not too late to take advantage of a lactation consultant! Best of luck.

Answer 3

Well every two hours or so isnt too bad...its good that you dont watch the clock...let her feed until she is ready to come off...drink, rest, and eat, trying a few 'milk boosters' may not hurt at this stage, also, how long has she been doing this? it could be just a temporary growth spurt.
Milk 'boosters' = dark beer (only drink half!) Ovaltine, some grocery stores carry Mother Milk tea, anything with Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, or Nettle will help. Other than that rest more often and let her eat her fill...it will probably even itself out in a few days....the more she eats, the more you will make!

Answer 4

As many people have said stress has a huge impact on your milk supply. But the best way to get your supply up is just let her keep nursing. Even if all of the milk is gone. This will tell your body to make more milk, I have had to do this and within a few minutes (maybe five???) my baby was gulping down milk again. Just keep trying and the less you supplement the better. I know it is hard to hear your baby cry because of hunger but that is the only way to keep your milk supply up to your baby's standards. Good luck!

Answer 5

Did you happen to go back on the birth control pill? This will definitely decrease your milk supply. If so, try the progesterone only pill (POP).
Drink more water and definitely allow the baby to feed more often if you can't pump.
Are you sure that it's blocked ducts? You could be feeling the letdown reflex which makes it feel like the milk is stopping, but is actually trying to come out faster.

Answer 6

Stress is ABSOLUTELY a factor in milk production...

But also..you need to be drinking obcene amounts of water..just like when you were pregnant.

Also, you can drink mother's milk tea available online or at any health food store.

Also, if you aren't opposed, a half a beer once or twice a week does help boost milk production...(It will give you brewers yeast that boosts production and it may relax you a bit)

I would maybe lay off the forumula...the more you nurse...the more you'll produce...if you are supplimenting with formula...you're body thinks it's producing enough...

Babies go through growth spurts and sometimes they do want to eat constantly which leaves you in a shortage...but just remember it's all about supply and demand...so if you just keep nursing or pumping...(instead of supplementing)...your body will pick up the slack and produce more...assuming your'e properly hydrated.

Answer 7

Stress is a factor when it comes to producing milk. The best way to increase your supply is to nurse, nurse, nurse and pump, pump, pump. The more you do it, the more you'll make. You can't see how much your baby is getting because, well, boobs aren't clear. As long as the baby is growing and gaining weight, she's getting enough. Also, be sure to keep your fluid intake up and eat healthy. Try to get some rest. The baby also may be restless because she's having a growth spurt or isn't latching correctly for some reason. Be patient, continue to nurse and good luck!

Answer 8

YES stress is a factor.

BUT there are some things you can try. I know when my daughter was 4 months old we added formula as it was xmas and complet crazyness.
I started to dry up.
I made sure I got back into healthy eating. Drinking my fluids. WHen it seemed things were better she too was getting fussy.

I went to the natural food store and got Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle and Marshmellow root. THey all help increase your milk supply.

You'll need to play around with the doses because for me i need 4 pills 3 times a day. TO get my supply going.

as well WHAT I know now and didnt then. Try taking your child to the doctor and see if it could be acid reflux.

Shortly after my daughter acting like this we had periods where she woke SCREAMING and passing out. NOT that your child will get to this point. BUT we got reffered to a Neurologist and he was stumped.

WE recently saw a doctor specializing in gastrointestinal. AND he thinks it just might have been Acid reflux. THAT sometimes the child is in SUCH PAIN from the acid reflux that their copmplete system shuts down.
While consulting with this doctor and talking about my daughter then she would spit up just before her feed (3 hours after her last) he mention that is a sign of acid reflux. Spit ups SHOULD happen within 30 minutes from the end of a feed. NOT before the next.

BUT wanted to share my story not to scare you but to think that it could be a medical issue as well. BUT I hope not and hope the herbs help you

Answer 9

When that happened to me, it was suggessted to me to just keep switching baby back and forth. Back and forth like fove or six times to help create the demand that would increase the production.

I unfortunatly didn't keep up with it long enough to see the results as I didn't have enough support to make this work (my mother just kept telling me how happy my daughter seemed to be after a bottle of formula). So, keep trying, don't be discouraged and listen to the people that really want to help you.

Call your doctor and ask for the number to a lactation consultant in the area or find a local La Leche chapter in your area.

Answer 10

How long have you been giving her formula?

Are you eating/drinking enough?

Just drink as much water as you can.

You can try mothers milk tea... that may help a bit. As anohte rperson suggested: fenugreek... but thats a bit extreme. It sounds to me like a growth spurt that has been elongated by supplementation.

Try some tea, drink alot of water and eat some oatmeal. How much formula is she taking in a day?