breastfeeding question?

Question

My sister had her baby in february, and now she can't seem to breastfeed anymore; she just can't seem to produce anymore. Is there things that can help this? If not, she will switch to formula, what is the best for a baby who is only a month old?

Answer 1

I CAN HELP!!! I went through this recently! Tell her to take Fenugreek herb. You have to take 3 pills, 3 times per day. You can find it at natural food stores. My doctor recommended this for me and it WORKED! Your milk goes up a lot. One woord of caution - you start to smell a little like maple syrup - not kidding! My doc said that means the levels are high enough in your system to work. Don't just take my word for it - google fenugreek and breastfeeding and you will see I am right!

Answer 2

If she could breastfeed at the beginning then we know it's not a biological "can't breastfeed ever" issue. How does she know there is no milk? Is the baby not having any pee's or BM's? Or possibly engorgement has gone down, which usually feels like decrease in supply as well. Or is it nothing coming out when pumping? It is so hard to tell, so the best indicator is the baby's pee's and poo's. :)

I highly recommend taking fenugreek 3 times a day, and pumping in between feedings to increase milk supply. Also, contact your local La Leche League leader, http://www.lalecheleague.org/

If she can get to a naturopath doctor or a lactation consultant that would help immensley. I would not suppliment her baby though, the baby's appitite helps produce milk.

Good luck, I hope it all works out for her, breastfeeding can be tough sometimes.

Answer 3

Sometimes it has nothing to do with just "keeping it up." There are reasons why women dry up; some simple and some more complex. She should definitely see her doctor if she feels that there is a blockage as this is a serious situation that needs medical attention. However, some women just dry up naturally and there really is no reason behind it. While I am a total believer that breast is best, I also know that it can scare new moms into feeling ashamed because they've dried up. A lot of moms dry up quickly for no reason at all. It's very normal, despite how heartbreaking it is.

Have her look into using Fenurgreek. It's a natural herbal remedy to induce milk production. It's very popular due to the fact that it does indeed help, but because it's an herbal remedy, it's not the most commonly suggested treatment even though it's perfectly safe. Here's some more information about it. http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_fenugreek.html

If the baby must go on formula, I highly recommend Similac Advance. It's the closest to the mother's breast milk as possible.

Avoid using Enfamil as it has been proven time and time again to not be digested as easily and as well as Similac. It's harder on their tiny systems and does not absorb into baby's bones like it should. It passes regulations, but that doesn't mean it's the best route to go.

I too, dried up out of nowhere and had to make the choice. It was a difficult one because as any mother, I wanted what was best. The state I lived in at the time gives every mother WIC for the first year, regardless of income or family size. They switched to Enfamil out of nowhere and I gave it a shot. It was the biggest mistake of my life and I still regret ever giving it to my daughter. Each baby is different of course, but I'm glad that I kept my daughter on Similac Advance!

Congrats on your new niece/nephew!

Answer 4

It takes 4-6 weeks for a balance of breast milk production and baby's needs to first even out. Before this, it is common to experience a lot of engorgement and leaking leading you to believe you are producing a lot of milk. However, once your body and your baby begin getting more proficient at breast feeding, the leaking and engorgement will taper off and it may seem like you aren't producing as much milk. In reality, you are producing adequate amounts for your baby's needs. If your sister thinks she isn't producing enough milk, there are some ways she can determine if she is. It is not uncommon for breast fed babies to eat as often as every 1-3 hours around the clock at only 1 month old. So, if your sister's baby is content for at least 1 hour at a time without needing to be fed, that is a good sign. Also, have your sister nurse the baby is a quiet room and have her listen and watch for swallowing. This is also a sign that your sister is producing adequate amount of breast milk. Is the baby having several wet diapers every day? Also a good sign she is getting enough. Don't worry too much about poopy diapers. Breast fed babies can have a bowel movement as often as at every feeding all the way to only having one every 3-5 days. Perfectly normal for breast fed babies. For your sister, she should be trying to rest when she can. Sleeping when the baby sleeps is good advice for the first few weeks. She should eat a healthy diet with adequate amounts of food. Also, drink plenty of water. Breast feeding is a supply and demand system. The more the baby demands, the more mom will make. Babies will go through various growth spurts when it seems as though you are nursing 24/7, but it generally lasts only a few days until your supply meets the changing needs of the baby. Your sister can also call the hospital she delivered at and ask to speak to the Lactation Consultant. They are very helpful trouble-shooting various nursing issues and are a good support to new nursing moms.

Answer 5

She should see a lactation consultant for help in breastfeeding. She only produces milk if the baby uses it, so she should nurse often. If the baby is failing to thrive switching to formula would be the best thing. The baby will do quite well on formula.

Answer 6

Well as they say breastfeeding is best, but there are some women that can't breastfeed my sister had the same predicament. She just could not produce enough for her first daughter and had to use formula. Your sister may have the same problem. Tell her to talk to her doctor and get some suggestions on how to solve the problem.

Answer 7

I tried to breastfeed my son, but it only lasted about two months. He would want to eat about every hour or two and he never really acted satisfied. I don't think I was producing enough to make him happy. It also wore me out which made me more irritable. When we switched to formula he was a lot more satisfied and my husband could help me feed him. I know they say breastmilk is better, but plenty of babies that were formula fed have grown up to be perfectly healthy and smart. I think it is just whatever is best for you and your baby.

Answer 8

Your sister needs to contact the local lactation consultant at the hospital or birthing center where the baby was born. They will be able to provide your sister with a hospital grade breast pump so that she can quickly increase her milk supply. There are herbs and medications that can help as well. Tell her not to give up hope........get rid of the bottles, and speak with the nice ladies at the hospital. W.I.C would be more than happy to pay for the pump rental!

Answer 9

Sometimes women will dry up for no reason. My best friend could only breastfed for about a month and she dried up and she was pumping and feeding regularly. As for me I just did not produce hardly any milk at all.. I could try to pump for 30 mins and only get 2 oz. so some people can't do it. She can try hot showers and massaging her breasts that may help some. Tell her good luck and hope things work out.

Answer 10

As well as her drinking enough water she has to be eating enough, after i had my 2nd my stomach and pelvis really hurt and i couldn't face eating much so, he was feeding constantly because what milk he was getting wasnt good enough, when i got my appetite back he was fine, so make sure she is eating 3 meals a day and healthy snacks in between, a breastfeeding woman should ideally be having 2500 cals a day. If it's just one of those things make sure she doesn't feel bad for going on to a bottle she has tried her best and what milk her baby has had is very very good for him/her, good luck to her