My daughter was born prematurely about 4 weeks ago and I have been pumping breast-milk almost everyday since then. I recently got on a good schedule of pumping about every 2-3 hours. A few days ago I noticed that my milk supply was decreasing even though I was increasing my pumping sessions. This morning to my absolute horror, I have pumped no breast-milk out of one breast and only literally a drop out of the other. Does anyone have any suggestions about why this terrible thing may have happened to me? I feel so bad and embarrassed about this. I am going to speak with a lactation counselor ASAP, but until then I just want to know if anyone has any advice or something like that. Thanks!
2007-05-17 21:40:26 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Drink plenty of milk and water and just rest ~~
2007-05-17 21:44:13 · answer #1 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is something I used when my son was in the NICU I spoke to the doctors and this was the suggestion on one of the doctors and OH MAN did it work.Only thing is it did make my sweat smell like maple syrup LOL but I could deal with that to have a good milk supply for my baby. Maybe try speaking to your babys ped and see what she/he says:
Herbs for Increasing Milk Supply
It is quite possible that herbal remedies help increase milk supply. There are several drugs which obviously do increase milk supply, and of course it is reasonable to assume that some plants and herbs might contain similar pharmacologic agents. Almost every culture has some sort of herb or plant or potion to increase milk supply. Some may work as placebos, which is fine; some may not work at all; some may have one or more active ingredients. Some will have active ingredients that will not increase the milk supply but have other effects, not necessarily desirable.
Note that even herbs can have side effects, even serious ones. Natural source drugs are still drugs, and there is no such thing as a 100% safe drug. Luckily, as with most drugs, the baby will get only a tiny percentage of the mother’s dose. The baby is thus extremely unlikely to have any side effects at all from the herbs. Two herbal treatments that seem to increase the milk supply are fenugreek and blessed thistle, in the following dosages:
fenugreek: 3 capsules 3 times a day
blessed thistle:
3 capsules 3 times a day,
or 20 drops of the tincture 3 or times a day
The tincture container states that blessed thistle should not be taken by nursing mothers, presumably because of the tiny amount of alcohol the mother would get. Don’t worry about this. Teas also work, but to take enough to make a difference, you will be drinking tea all day and night.
Other herbal treatments that have been used to increase milk supply are: raspberry leaf, fennel, brewer’s yeast. The effectiveness of none of these treatments, including blessed thistle and fenugreek, has been proved
2007-05-18 03:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by SexyMamaTo3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is very normal. It is often called pump resistance, and it can be overcome with the right therapies. I recommend starting with this article on Kellymom.com (an excellent breastfeeding resource): http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html
It's wonderful that you are pumping for your daughter. The combination of premature birth and the fact that the pump stimulates milk production less efficiently than the baby nursing directly at the breast often results in a decreased pumping output. Your lactation consultant will most likely recomment a galactogogue, or milk supply booster -- you can start with natural boosters like fenugreek supplements and brewer's yeast, and may also try prescription medications like Reglan or Domperidone.
Best of luck. Definitely talk to your LC!
2007-05-18 01:07:00 · answer #3 · answered by Morgan M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should probably see a doctor, however there is an old wives tale about a glass of brandy a day helping stimulate breast milk production. Also milk production would drop if you are drinking enough water or if you are lacking vitamins, nutrient etc in your diet, as breast milk needs to contain these things. Also feel your breasts, if they are colder than they were then milk production really has stopped, as when they are producing milk they give of lots of heat.
2007-05-17 22:10:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
good day. it truly is an fairly unusual adventure. pass to the overall practitioner and ask. people the following will purely grant you with choose psychological and ignorant solutions. i recognize that's regularly occurring for breasts to leak for some weeks after an abortion, yet months is unusual. See a widespread practitioner. best of success.
2016-10-18 08:41:17 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's ok, actually. mothers who have their baby born prematurely usually have this kind of problem. my mom face the same thing 10 years ago... if u really wanna breastfeed ur baby, go see ur doctor. they have this kind of medicine to stimulate ur brast to produce milk more
2007-05-17 21:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by vanilla latte 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm not sure why you feel ashamed or embarrassed. It's a fact of life and something that just happens. Speak to your counsellor - they might be able to suggest ways of stimulating your milk.
But you've got your baby, you've done your best, and please, don't stress yourself over this. Enjoy your baby.
2007-05-17 21:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by True Blue Brit 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure why you faced this but you should be having lots of liquid and eat well and rest a lot too.
2007-05-17 23:08:38 · answer #8 · answered by lalala 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a stranger massage your breast, this will stimulate them.
2007-05-17 21:43:51 · answer #9 · answered by Stick 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋