I like breastfeeding, I just get so tired, i'm not producing enough milk?

Question

I was breastfeeding my son of 3 months when he went on a nursing strike. I tried and tried and he just wouldn't nurse. I ended up having to pump, but even then, he wasn't getting enough. I ended up having to give him formula after two nights of no sleep and a screaming baby. My doc was on vacation and no one else would talk to me about it at the hospital. Now he is on formula full time, but I miss breastfeeding. I hated nursing him in public, and even though myy milk supply dwindled at night I was producing enough in the morning. Should I try to breastfeed again, and maybe just give him a formula bottle at night? Should I feed exclusively? My son is sleeping through the night now, so maybe I can get more rest, and make more milk. Any thoughts would be good.

Answer 1

you should try finding a local support group ask your infants doctor they are very supportive and could point you in the right direction.
I think you should try to breastfeed againtry drinking alot of water and start pumping I love the "Avent " breast pump it's manual so you control the pressure. pump like every 2 hours at first drinking aleast 24 oz of water each time you pump
try to be relaxed and calm when you pump as your milk will not let down if your up tight and rushed. don't worry about the amount at first , after a few minutes if it seems you breast is empty swich to the other breast then back again. sometimes it comes in little spurts like that.
if you can get you partner to feed the baby his "3am" feeding while you pump. in about a week you should be able to pump the same amount of milk from your breast as your son drinks formula. when you get to that poijt start whiching him back to your breast first by adding the breast milk half and half with his formula until it's all breastmilk you could start this with the milk you start pumping so by the end of the week mentioned above you'd be ready to put him back on your breast instead of waiting a week longer...
anyways after his formula has been switched back to breastmilk start nursing him again first one or two feeding a day and work up to all breast!
if your milk supply still seems low there is a herb... red raspberry leaf... that will help with that ... there are other herbs if you do a search..that's just one that I know of that is safe to take while nursing that really does help.
most important stay confident and positive it will help both you and your baby get through this tough time.

Answer 2

Remember, that nursing really works by the principle of supply and demand. The more you nurse or pump, the message goes to the brain that more milk needs to be made. Always, always, always, maintain hydration. You have a bottle of water or glass of juice beside you each time you are nursing/pumping. Another option that you could speak with your doctor about is the Reglan protocol. Reglan is a med used for nausea, but if taken in staggered doses has been very effective in increasing one's milk supply. Speak with your doctor, the pediatrician, and the lactation consultant in your area. Together, they should be able to get you on the right road. Medela makes a great dual pump that people love, love, love. Look into these options.

Answer 3

Boy, it depends on when you quit nursing him. Has your milk dried up completely? I think there are hormonal ways to get it flowing again, but you'll have to consult your doctor about that.

The advice I've always read about is nurse more frequently. Therefore, if you're only doing it during the morning, you will not make enough milk. There are women who are blessed with overflowing bosoms, but you and I aren't one of 'em.

My son stopped nursing from me at six months, when he got teeth. He just absolutely refused and screamed at my breast. I had been using a hospital grade pump, rented from Walgreens, anyway as I work full-time. So, I've been pumping exclusively for the past four months. It's a pain, but worth it. I've had to supplement with formula, too, as my breasts don't respond as well to a machine as they did human contact. It's not a big deal, and don't let people convince you that it's horrible. While I miss breastfeeding, too, when your son's done, he's done. I don't know anything you can do to make him start again. Good luck. It sounds like you're doing fine.

Answer 4

If you are unable to reach your Dr. at your clinic, call your local hospital and ask for the "le leche" team. They will be more than happy to help you through your breast feeding problems. There goal is to have every mother breast feed for at least a year. So they'll be very happy to help. You may need to pump and place the breast milk in a bottle just to get baby back to the different flavor again... but... you might be able to jump right back in. Give it a shot... what's the worse that can happen? Baby might reject it. Do not get frustrated... just keep trying if this is what you want.

Answer 5

Right around the three month mark with both my kids I felt like I wasn't giving enough milk. They were nursing CONSTANTLY and fussing. Turns out that's the body's natural way for you to produce more milk. It DOES get better ;) The milk adjusts itself and baby gets happier. Also a reason for the nursing strike may be he is getting teeth, or teeth buds that make his gums very sensitive. My son got his first bottom teeth right around three months.
My local WIC office has registered la leche women, and even if you don't get WIC, they are available to talk to you.
The longer you go without nursing the baby, the more chance themilk may go away for good, so if you still want to breastfeed, you need to start again soon, or pump.
The la leche women also have good tips for nursing in public. I dislike it too, but I wear a long undershirt I can pull down in the front, so my abdomen/back isn't exposed, and a shirt that is big enough to drape around the baby while she is eating. I very rarley use a blanket anymore, but I encourage you to do it to get practice...it's kinda hard to hold the blanket while latching baby on for the first few months (mine got it down good right around 6 months).
Breast is best, but only if it is right for both of you. Take care!

Answer 6

I loved breastfeeding. If you are passionate about it also, I think you should start up again. Any breastmilk is better than no breastmilk. My solution to making more milk was drinking water after water after water. I had to go to the bathroom a lot but it really helped my milk supply come in (not to mention it helped me lose the 80 pounds I gained during the pregnancy in just a few months) I breastfed three kids and they were all COMPLETELY different experiences, if you have anymore questions I would be more than happy to help. My email address is [e-mail]

Answer 7

Firstly it is La Leche League and they don't work in hospitals. This is their website:
http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html (change the country in the upper right if you aren't American)

Secondly you can get your supply back, you can go back to breastfeeding. But it will be a fair bit of work and you have to be committed to it. Even most adoptive moms can breastfeed if they wish.

Here is a tonne of info on relactating and what to do when your baby won't nurse and how to get them back to the breast:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html

If you truely want to do it, you will suceed.

Answer 8

It would be great for you to get back to the breast exclusively. Get a SNS or Lact-Aid and give him formula only at the breast.

Talk to a Cerftified Lactation Consultant (doctors know very little about breastfeeding)

Get to a laleche league meeting ASAP.

Answer 9

Go for it. Also search "le leche" and get in contact with one in or near your community. Plus they often have mentors you could call if having the issues, that might be more help than a doc or nurse without lactation training.