My baby is 7 weeks old. I am breastfeeding. However, no matter how much water I drink or how often I breasfeed, sometimes I dont have enough milk to satisfy him and I have to supplement with formula. I really want him to be drinking more breastmilk then formula. Is there anything I can take, eat or drink that will increase my milk supply?
2007-10-17 11:02:38 · 10 answers · asked by flower 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Yes, nurse him more and stop supplementing.
Every ounce of formula you give him is more breastmilk you aren't making.
I know it's scary to take the big leap, but if you stop the supplementing and allow the baby to nurse whenever he wants and as long as he wants, you will have enough within a day or two.
You can eat oatmeal, and take fenugreek, make sure you're drinking plenty of water. But the tried and true method is to nurse your baby on demand.
Your baby probably went through a growth spurt at 6-7 weeks. It seemed like he was nursing constantly. When they nurse like that it increases your milk supply naturally. If you supplement you are breaking that supply and demand cycle. Babies go through growth spurts, allow them to nurse when they want and your supply will catch up to their demand.
Have FAITH in your body's ability to nourish your precious child. You can do it.
2007-10-17 11:25:17 · answer #1 · answered by maegs33 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try some natural herbs such as fenugreek and / or blessed thistle .. breast massage , pump as often as you can to see if that will help to increase your milk supply or use your hand to manually express the milk and also taking hot showers letting the water spray on your breast is said to help , also give your baby the same amount of feeding time on each breast , I went and bought some thermacare heat wraps for your back and wrapped them around my breast to help w/ a blocked milk duct .. i didnt have much time to sit w/ just a heating pad plugged in so at least w/ the thermacare wraps i could be mobile .. w/ me tho not alot worked and i couldnt produce enough milk and eventually had to go straight to formula .. but these are just some suggestions , never hurts to try i suppose :) Good Luck
2007-10-17 11:54:26 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ Adorable Dork ♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our bodies are designed to breastfeed our babies and very few mothers don't have enough milk. If he is having 6 - 8 wet diapers a day and gaining weight he is getting enough. Your baby seeming unsatisfied is probably another need besides hunger. If he is fussy after feedings it may be something in your diet. Make an appointment with a lactation consultant or contact your local La Leche League. They will be able to figure out exactly what the problem is. I attend a weekly breastfeeding support group at a local hospital with my 14 week old and it is wonderful so see if there is one in your area. Good luck. Breastfeeding is very challenging but so rewarding.
2007-10-17 11:14:45 · answer #3 · answered by a sanchez 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pump. Seriously--pump.
Breastmilk is on a supply and demand factor. If your child isn't getting enough, then change his diaper, rock him a little bit, and try again in 30 minutes. Supplementing is great, but it can also hinder your milk supply if you don't go ahead and pump or express milk to make your body realize that it needs to produce more.
Also, keep up with the food and drink.
2007-10-17 11:06:08 · answer #4 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The more you breastfeed or pump, the more your breast milk supply will increase. That being said, some women just are more "productive" than others. Keep at it, don't get frustrated! If you're still concerned, check out La Leche League, or contact a local lactation consultant. Good luck.
2007-10-17 11:15:12 · answer #5 · answered by aas_627 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to drink lots of liquids and eat good healthy food. One time I read that peanut butter give one a great supply of milk, try that too. Do drink lots of liquids with your meals. I breast fed all my three baby's, and that is what I use to practice. It works.
2016-03-13 00:57:33 · answer #6 · answered by Joan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he is not satisfied and begins crying again, place him on your breast again and again, drink lots of warm liquids. Also remember to pump every 2 hours or so, that's if he is not ready to eat yet, to get your body thinking that it needs to produce more. Another thing you need to do is massage your breast starting from the top of your chest coming all the way down to your breast.
Another thing if your baby falls asleep at the breast, WAKE HIM UP! he needs to nurse for at LEAST 20 minutes at a time.
2007-10-17 11:11:38 · answer #7 · answered by jessica g 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i know it sounds crazy but drink a beer only one! The yeast helps with milk production and it doesn't effect the milk so the baby doesn't get drunk or anything and for all you people who are going to give me a thumbs down ask any lactation specialist and they will tell you its true!
2007-10-17 11:47:11 · answer #8 · answered by xaviersmommy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Use a breast pump to express milk between his feedings.
2007-10-17 11:06:38 · answer #9 · answered by mrsdebra1966 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try this site!
http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/supply.html
2007-10-17 11:06:22 · answer #10 · answered by C.Thomas.H. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋