I have been breastfeeding my son, (or more or less pumping and feeding because he wont latch on) for over 5 months now. He's almost 5 1/2 mos old.
I recently had an ear infection, which i had to take antibiotics for. The doctor said the antibiotics were safe for breastfeeding. For the last 5 days or so, i've noticed the amount of milk has gone down. ( I was able to get about 6-7 ounces every time now i only get about 3-4 ounces)
Is the decrease because of the antibiotics? The frequency of pumping hasnt gone down, since it's supply and demand.
I've been take'n fenugreek to help get the supply back up, and "power pumping"
Any suggestions ? Thanks!
2007-08-13 14:29:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Antibiotics do not normally cause a reduction in milk supply but poor eating and not staying hydrated due to illness can have an effect.
I'm not pumping enough milk. What can I do?
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html
2007-08-13 14:34:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you had a fever, that would make your milk go down. I don't know about the antibiotics. Fenugreek? Do you mean fennel? Fennel is pretty good at getting your milk back up.
Make double sure you are taking some kind of probiotic, or you're going to get a yeast infection--eat live culture yogurt or get the cultures in a tablet. If your baby and you get thrush (yeast infection) that is going to make nursing hard.
There is a tea called "Mother's Milk" that helps build up milk supply too.
2007-08-13 21:35:50 · answer #2 · answered by marshwiggle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really couldn't tell you if it was the antibiotics or not, but my daughter was 3 1/2 months old and I came down with a double ear infection and strep throat and my supply went way down too. (This was before I took antibiotics) I thought it was because my body was just trying to survive it's self and heal. She ended up on the bottle a few days later.
Good luck!
2007-08-13 21:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by skyehawke 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never use pumping amounts to say if you suffer from low supply. Baby is much more efficient at getting milk from the breast, a pump is not.
I am sorry that he won't latch properly. I think a visit to a lactation consultant or La Leche league leader is needed to help you guys out!
2007-08-13 22:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel for you. My son didn't latch on either. Unfortunately I didn't produce enough milk at 5 months either. I had to substitute formula for most of his bottles. (I also did the fenugreek thing.) My OB/GYN said it was because pumps can't stimulate your milk production like a babies sucking does. Any breast milk he gets is better than none though & 51/2 months worth is GREAT!!!! Good Luck. Hope yours remedies itself.
2007-08-13 22:30:14 · answer #5 · answered by Vick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just drink A LOT of water, and keep up the pumping. It seems like ive heard antibiotics have that effect.
2007-08-13 21:33:43 · answer #6 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be the antibiotics but it also just might be that you've been pumping more instead of actually nursing. Do you have a good pump? I would just keep trying to nurse and keep pumping. I hope it goes back up.
2007-08-13 21:36:10 · answer #7 · answered by Violet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
quit the fuenegreek, it stops the mucus needed to produce more milk...go to penny c royal on the web and find her natural child care page where she tells you the proper herbs to make more milk...make sure you are taking acidophilis to relplace the good bacteria that the antibiotic takes out...
2007-08-13 21:34:38 · answer #8 · answered by rowdysunsetart 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would call your local hospital or your sons pediatrician's office and speak to a lactation consultant. Good luck!!
2007-08-13 21:33:25 · answer #9 · answered by avonwithjulie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋