I have made enough breastmilk up unil here lately. My 3 week old son nurses but is still hungrey afterwards. So I have to give him formula. Now he's getting so used to eating out of a bottle that he's trying to not nurse. I pump but don't get enough milk for one feeding even. What can I do to increase my milk supply?
2007-11-15 03:13:07 · 9 answers · asked by Gabby 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Nurse him more. End of story.
Your child wasn't hungry for formula afterwards, 3 weeks is the time of a growth spurt where they demand to nurse a TON to increase your supply naturally. By supplementing with formula when it was unnecessary, you stopped the natural process of baby nursing to increase your supply.
To get your supply where it meets his demand, nurse him more. It's not past the point of no return, you just need to slowly stop the supplements and get back to nursing full time. Do this by offering the child the breast often, maybe every hour (you need to mimic his behavior during a growth spurt, which means long nursing and more often.) It's hard, for a couple days you'll feel like you're doing nothing but nursing 24/7, but then you'll have your supply back.
I highly recommend you pick up a book on nursing--get from library if you can't buy. Try The Nursing Mother's Companion Guide, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, So That's What They're For, etc. I think you need to understand more on how milk production works and how to overcome issues.
2007-11-15 03:16:31 · answer #1 · answered by maegs33 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Everytime you offer your baby a bottle of formula when you're done nursing, your body isn't getting the cue that it should make more milk. If you increase the amount of time you're feeding baby, your body will start making more milk So yes, baby might seem hungry after a couple feedings, just nurse more frequently between feedings for a day or two. It might mean nursing every hour, or every two hours, but its the only thing that's going to let your body know to make more milk. There are also herbal supplements you can buy, milk thistle and fenugreek. Stay hydrated and keep nursing. Try to avoid the bottles, even thought its inconvient to feed as often.. once your body knows baby needs more milk, it will make it.
2007-11-15 11:25:35 · answer #2 · answered by Denise S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ugh, its too early to give a bottle honey, three weeks is far too early, he'll start to refuse the breast. He's hungry after he nurses because he's increasing your supply. This is how it works. He grows and needs more, so when he's finished eating he goes right back on the boob, this stimulates production.
Pumping doesnt work the same, it helps, but its not the same. Breast pumps simply dont empty the breast completely, not like a baby will, and the nipple stimulation is not the same as a baby who's latched on.
Stop giving bottles and resolve to spending a couple days in bed nursing non-stop. He'll get enough because he'll end up pulling off everything as you produce it- you'll just not be able to do much of anything else but nurse.
In a couple days your supply will come up and the problem is solved. This is normal and it happens just like this every few weeks and then again every few months as the baby grows.
Be sure to take a prenatal, eat healthy and drink like a fish.
2007-11-15 11:18:19 · answer #3 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You have to keep nursing. This means that your baby will be stuck to your boob for a day or two. Pumping does not increase your supply as efficiently as nursing does. Stop with the formula and keep stimulating your breasts by having your baby nurse. That's the only way. Have a nursing day...just nurse him all day long to build up your supply. Drink water and eat healthy. Your son might get hungry minutes later, but just keep feeding him. Supply is all about demand.
For more about bfing, visit this site: www.kellymom.com
You sound like you're doing great. Keep going!
2007-11-15 11:18:42 · answer #4 · answered by Astragalo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You poor girl! That sucks and I know it. If you want to continue feeding and need to suppliment you can do it while he is on the breast.
It happened to me, I got this special sirringe from the nurses that had a long skinny tube on it. While my daughter was nursing, i would slide the tube in and squirt in formula tiny bits at a time. She didnt know the difference, and when My milk came in she was still used to nursing. Try to do this asap before he wont take the breast anymore.
You can find this at babies r us i imagine, or the OB ward you delivered can help you get some of these.
Call them, and call babies r us ask about the feeding tube/siringe
Good luck!! And congrats on the baby!!
2007-11-15 11:20:01 · answer #5 · answered by *Sugar Bug* 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
maegs33 has it. How'd you get the idea that formula was necessary or desirable? Read a book or two* on nursing so you don't run into problems again, trust me...
In the meantime:
"Weaning from formula supplements"
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html
*Dr Jack Newman's "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" is great.
2007-11-15 11:19:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pumping is not the same as breastfeeding! I supply a TON but hardly get 2 oz (with both breasts combined!) That said, I find kellymom.com an invaluable resource! Here's what she has to say about increasing your supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html
Good Luck!
2007-11-15 11:18:02 · answer #7 · answered by Brie ; 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Keep nursing! that is the only way!
2007-11-15 11:18:05 · answer #8 · answered by Official Bethy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go to Gmc it's a herbal and pill store, its like a health store, well ask for something it starts with a F i used to use it but now i honestly can't remember it. I hope this helps..
2007-11-15 11:17:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋