I am breast-feeding my newborn, but my milk supply isn't coming in as much..What do I do?

Answer 1

Don't give up! It takes time, and it takes patience. Getting upset, frustrated, depressed, etc., only makes it harder. Think about it this way - although it is wonderful that there are products available now like formula to make it easier for those babies who are not breastfed, the most natural thing is to breastfeed babies. The human body, in all of it's wonder, was made to fulfill the needs of the baby it produces. Your milk supply will even out to be exactly what your baby needs, both in quantity and form. As the weeks go by, your baby's needs will grow, as will your milk supply. There may be times when you get frustrated and worried that you aren't supplying enough milk, but your breasts will keep up. The stimulation will encourage more milk, and your baby will never starve. You are giving your baby the best gift you can, and you should be very proud that you are trying! Don't give up, it is so wonderful!

Answer 2

Increase your fluid intake - drink a few more glasses of milk and water and juice. Make sure you're resting and eating enough too!
Also - feed the baby regularly because this helps stimulate milk production.
Your milk doesn't come in until 3-4 days postpartum, so if it's that early, not to worry.
If you have concerns still - call the OB nurses at the hospital or your midwife or lactation consultant. They can really help you.
There are some good teas for breastfeeding moms at local healthfood stores too - try some of those! Good Job on making the best choice!!!! Just don't give up - keep at it, it will work out!!!

Answer 3

I had the same problem. I was hardly getting any milk and even rented one of the hospitals breast pumps to help get my milk to come in. Well after a month of pumping and breastfeeding (and supplementing with formula) my milk actually dried up. The lactation lady said that sometimes milk just doesn't come in and there is nothing you can do about it. I was pretty upset about it and felt like I had let my child down (especially when people make rude comments about how breastfeeding is the only way to raise a child), but she is healthy and perfect now at 2 years old so not being able to breastfeed was not the end of the world. Just hang in there for a bit longer, and maybe supplement pumping (I was pumping every 2 hours I think) to see if that will stimulate your milk to come in more. If not, try contacting a lactation counselor. Mine was really helpful. Good luck!

Answer 4

How old is your baby? For most first-time moms, it takes 3-5 days for your milk to "come in". Before then, you're producing colostrum, which is small in volume but is exactly what your newborn needs. Your newborn should be breastfeeding at least 10-12 times every 24 hours, or at least every 2 hours or so, with one longer stretch of sleep (hopefully at night!). Many newborns will breastfeed much more frequently than this, which is exactly what your baby needs and will signal your body to make plenty of milk. Offer both breasts at each feeding; let your baby decide when to switch breasts and when to end a nursing session. Your newborn should also have several wet diapers each day and at least 3 poopy diapers. If you're concerned, contact your local La Leche League.

Answer 5

I'm taking a parenting class, by force, for school. But I just did a chapter over this last week. It also said contact your local "La Leche" chapter if you have one available. It said it can be found in the phonebook. But I also found out the more times you try breast-feeding during the day the more it tells your body to produce more milk. Also, there are somethings that can help get it started better if nothing else helps. One of the suggestions as a last resort would be drink a beer, the yeast in it actually jump-starts lactating.
Otherwise contacting your doctor is ok, but I've heard most of them just tell you to contact the local "La Leche" chapter.
I'm posting the book series I'm studying so if you want you can take a look at the books. There is some very helpful information on raising your child, and I think it would be a valuable resource for you now, and as the books go on, in the future.

Answer 6

There is no waste in nature and breast feeding follows that law. It is supply and demand, so sometimes it takes a few weeks to get comfortable with everything. Lay a hot towel across your breast while you are feeding, it will help the milk flow better. The more the baby eats, the more you will produce. Don't worry so much...stress is the back breaker for new moms :) You will both be fine.

Answer 7

How old is your baby? The milk supply can take a week or so before coming in properly. In the meantime, check with the lactation consultant at the hospital and try calling the pediatrician about whether or not to supplement with formula. Each child is different and different things are suggested for each child.

P.S. Congrats mommy!!! :)

Answer 8

Just keep nursing as much as your baby wants to. It takes a good two weeks to get your milk supply up. Your baby is probably getting more milk than you think. Their little tummies are so small now that they have to eat frequently. Drink lots of water, too. If your baby is wetting 7 or 8 diapers a day and having a bowel movement daily, then he/she is getting enough.

Answer 9

Not all women yield the same amount of milk. The milk supply will be highest when your baby is born. It'll go down as time passes. Like after a few months you'll produce less and less milk. One thing for you to do is to breast feed your baby often. all women should massage their breasts to start the milk secretion. If you are doing it and still the milk yield is not as much you'd like it to be you'll have to feed te baby more often and supplement his feed with bottle.

I see lot of women are pumping their milk and even freezing them. It makes no sense. If you work it would make sense for you to collect the milk from your breasts foruse while you are away. But not for long periods like for use when your baby is five years old.

I used the word "collect". Women are really making business for the manufacturers of breast pumps and run the risk of injuring their nipples and breasts and contaminating the milk supply. Why do not they collect the milk by gently squeezing the nipples. the word Squeeze has become a dirty word. Breast play is not considered dirty for sex. May be not hat many men use breast play for sex. So squeezing the nipples for collecting milk is considered dirty word.

I know woman complain about nipple problems because I read them every where. But they never think that breast pumps may be the cause.

I'm sure some women sell breast pumps and will give me a hard time. Others who write aboiut breast feeding for living will give me a hard time.

But mechanical milk collection was not really meant for humans. It was meant for animals like cows, shheps and goats because one man can milk many animals (usually six to 10) simultaneously. No body is going to pump 10 pairs of breasts simultaneously.

Answer 10

It usually takes a few days for the "full" milk to come in. The watery stuff that they receive before that is what they actually need at that time. Plus the more you nurse them, the larger your supply will be come. If you have questions, contact the maturity section of your hospital. They have nurses who are experts at helping to breastfeed.