I am breastfeeding my child, but my milk is to weak. It seams like he is always hungry! What sould I do?

Answer 1

Hi. I had this problem with my third child. She was breastfeeding at least every hour. It seemed as soon as she was done feeding she would want to start again!! I know it's tough and very draining for you. Don't let these good-intentioned people tell you to stop breastfeeding and give him formula.

I talked to a lactation specialist when I wasn't producing enough milk and here is what she told me to try: there is a tea called "Mother's Milk" - it's supposed to help increase a mother's milk production (you can find it at a vitamin supplement store like GNC - follow the instructions on the box - this did not work for me, but it may for you).

Massage your breasts before and during a feeding - this will help stimutate milk production by making sure your breasts are draining the "hind milk" which is very nutritious for baby and your body will get the signal that it's time to make more milk (it's hard at first, but you will get the hang of it).

Buy or rent an electric breast pump - use it in between feedings for a week or so to help increase your milk (it may seem that you will be either breastfeeding or pumping, but if you want to bring up your milk supply, it's worth a try!!) If you cannot afford a pump, you can just had-express whatever milk you have left.

The bottom line, I was told, is if your baby's height and weight is progressing normally, then do not worry if your baby is getting enough milk. Doctors now recommend that once a child is 6 months old, you can start giving him baby cereal watered down with breastmilk, so this may help his hunger if he is old enough. You should talk with his doctor first, though, if you want to start the cereal sooner. Good Luck, and try to enjoy your breastfeeding sessions with your baby. You will miss the experience when it's over!!!

P.S. Breastfed babies do not nurse any predetermined amount of time. It all depends on how much milk the mother produces, how hungry the baby is, and whether they are going through a growth spurt. My first two kids nursed every 3 hours because I had so much milk. My last kid nursed constantly because I wasn't producing much at all. Your baby knows when he needs to nurse. :)

Answer 2

OMG people, if you don't know anything about breastfeeding, then don't answer...you'll do more harm than good.

The best thing to do is keep breastfeeding on demand. Any time baby gives hunger cues, feed immediately. Do not wait for him to cry. If you pump, pump FIRST, breastfeed AFTER. Again, don't worry about baby not getting enough, baby is better able to get milk than a pump. Your breasts will be stimulated to make more milk.

Eat healthy, drink lots of water. Drink at least 1 glass while breastfeeding/pumping.

Baby will go through several growth spurts. 3weeks, 3months, 6months, 9months, etc. During a growth spurt, he will eat more per feeding and more often. It may seem like all you do is breastfeed. Don't worry. Your body will naturally make the milk it is supposed to. When his growth spurt has slowed, his appetite will go back to normal. And your milk will too. It's supply and demand. The more he eats, the more milk you have.

As long as he's gaining weight, making wet diapers, and making dirty diapers, he's doing just what he's supposed to, and so are your boobs. No worries.

If you would like to talk, email me (it's on my profile page).

Very FEW women actually have milk supply issues. They just start worrying, then get bad advice and start supplementing. Once you supplement, it starts a snowball effect that is hard to reverse.

Answer 3

If he is hungry, feed more! I am not a lactation consultant and I urge you to find one through your pediatrician or through the hospital where you gave birth. That said, I recall that there are times when the baby is going through a growth spurt when he will want to feed more often and allowing this even if you haven't filled back up again will actually increase your milk supply, in other words if you respond to his demand, your body will also respond with more milk. Don't assume that your milk is of poor quality, it is not supposed to look like cow's milk and actually has a changing consistency during a feeding, I think it actually becomes less watery at the end of a feeding.

Also, if it eases your mind, it is probably not a problem to supplement with a little formula. If your nursing relationship is well established, nipple confusion may not be too much of a problem.

Contact your midwife or hospital and also look through that big pile of pamphlets they sent home with you, there is help out there! Also take good care of yourself so that you can take care of your baby and give yourself a pat on the back for the hard job you are doing!

Answer 4

In the future when you have a question or concern regarding breastfeeding, I urge you to go to http://www.kellymom.com/ as you are liable to give up or do something very stupid listening to these numskulls here. You have received more bad advice than I can fathom.
Your milk is not weak. My son is 3 mos. old and he still has days where he is at the breast every hour or so. My milk is just fine as he is thriving beautifully gaining 9 lbs. in 13 weeks.
You don't need formula!!!!!!!!!!! You did get a few great answers so I hope that you will ignore every suggestion to feed your baby anything but breast milk. If your baby is 6mos. than of course solids are fine but before then stick to the breast milk alone.

Answer 5

There are various things you can do and herbs you can take to increase your milk supply. Information on those can be found here:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#increase

A lot of women think they have a low supply when they actually don't. Monitoring weight gain and counting your baby's diapers are the only ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. If he has 5-6+ wet diapers per day (after one week of age), then he's getting plenty of milk.

You used the word 'weak' - milk is perfectly suited for babies, and changes to meet their needs as they grow. It cannot be "weak". However, if you are pumping and it looks especially watery you need to be sure you are pumping long enough. Foremilk is watery and full of sugars for energy, while hindmilk is thicker and full of fats to fill the baby. If expressed milk looks watery, it may be only or mostly foremilk; if he doesn't get enough hindmilk, it can cause lactose overload. This will result in fussing, constantly wanting the breast for comfort (which actually makes it worse), and gassiness. More information on lactose overload can be found here: http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=18

Answer 6

There is no such thing as "weak" breastmilk. How old is your baby? It's normal for breastfed babies to want to nurse AT LEAST every 2 hours in the beginning - my son nursed every hour and a half. This is how you up your milk supply. The more you nurse and pump, the more milk you will have for your baby.

ADD: DO NOT GIVE HIM WHOLE MILK UNTIL HE IS ONE YEAR OLD!!!

DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOUR MILK SUPPLY
Breastfeeding is a confidence game, and nothing undermines a mother's confidence like being afraid her baby isn't getting enough milk. If your baby is producing enough wet diapers and bowel movements and he is gaining sufficient weight, he is getting enough milk.

Feeding frequently (cluster feeding) or wanting to nurse soon after the last feeding are not necessarily signs that your baby is hungry. Babies nurse for lots of reasons besides hunger. Baby may be seeking just the closeness and comfort of breastfeeding, or may need a little more sucking to ease himself into sleep.

If the diaper count is telling you that baby is getting enough milk, don't worry about your milk supply. Nurse your baby frequently throughout the day. Be sure he is latched on and sucking well, and then don't worry.

TANYA: So true! Although some very strong foods may affect the flavor of your breastmilk slightly, it RARELY causes a problem. I did notice my little guy was a bit gassy after I ate chinese food though (all that cabbage, broccoli, and other veggies made ME a bit gassy, too, LOL!)

Answer 7

how old is baby now? they typically go through growth spurts at 3, 6, 9 weeks and than again at 2,4,6 months old. Is he gaining weight? is he old enough to start solids?As long he is giving lots of wet and heavy diapers and pooping ok, and is gaining weight, your milk is probably just perfect. Also its important to know that breastmilk digests much quicker then formula so its not unusual for a babe to want to nurse OFTEN sometimes as often as every hour.

If baby is a newborn, has your milk come in yet? By nursing him as much as he wants he is telling your body to make more milk to meet his demands, The more he nurses the more milk you should make for him.

ETA: pumping is NOT effective in showing you how much milk you are making at all. Pumps are mechanical and the way they take milk from you is way different than a baby's suck. Also many women do not let down as well while pumping, bringing baby to your breast IS the best pump, so please do not assume that b/c you can only pump 1oz or w.e that is all the baby is getting. bringing baby to your breast will also release the hormones that are not released for a pump.

If you want to know how much babe is taking in then weigh him just before a feed, nurse him and weigh him again right after. There should be an increase in weight, that increase is how many ounces he is taking in.

Answer 8

i don't know how old your baby is but it seems like breastfed babies nurse all of the time that is normal doesn't mean your milk is "weak" if i were you i would speak with a lactation consultant and get some breastfeeding facts.

Answer 9

I'm sure your milk is fine, some babies eat more than others. Don't give up breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby. If he's at least 4 months, you could try him on some rice cereal, he might be ready to try something with a little more to it--good luck!

Answer 10

He may be going through a growing spurt, so keep that in mind..They eat more, and more during that time, and your body will naturally catch up the milk supply..Breast milk is not like cow's milk..It's naturally thin..So, dont worry too much..Also, oatmeal is a huge milk booster..Try that..