My milk supply is low because she is not feeding very long, but she wants to feed often, about every 45 mins. to an hour. She gets fussy and comes off or falls asleep and then wants to eat again. My breast feel empty and I'm not sure if she is getting anything when she feeds so often. I had been to a lactation consultant already as she was losing a lot of wieght but since has gained a bit but not back to her birth weight yet. How can I increase my supply of breast milk so she can go longer between feeds and start gaining more weight?
2007-12-12 02:01:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Try pumping between feedings to increase your supply. With her wanting to feed every 45 mins this could be an issue though- she may get fussier if you pump because she won't be getting as much milk. Try giving her a little bit of water after you feed her if you feel empty. This will satisfy her for a bit and will give you a chance to work up some milk. Don't feed her what you pump because you want her to nurse as often as possible to increase your supply. This may cause you to change your mind about pumping- just remember it takes about 24 hours for your supply to change. Just be patient and switch breasts when she gets fussy- eventually you'll both get the hang of it.
2007-12-12 03:17:15 · answer #1 · answered by sticky nikki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to improve your supply is exactly what you are doing, feeding often on demand. Skin to skin contact with your baby will also stimulate your supply. It is completely normal for breastfed newborns to want to feed often, my firstborn used to nurse for an hour, sleep for an hour, nurse for an hour and so on, till he was about 2 or 3 months old.
As your baby is only feeding for 5 minutes at a time, and hasn't yet got back up to her birth weight you should try not to let her fall asleep mid feed. Tickle her under the chin if she looks like she is asleep before she's finished.
You may also want to try feeding her from the same side, rather than switching every time she feeds, as the first milk that comes out is watery (like a drink) but after nursing for a while it gets thicker and is more fatty so it would help her gain weight.
I wish you the best of luck with it - and I hope I've been able to help.
2007-12-12 02:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by Fei Z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While i can understand your worry about your breasts not filling up, please realize that with how often your baby is nursing it's not really allowing your breasts to get to the point of engorgement. As long as she is gaining weight your milk is more than enough. My son(still nursing at almost 1 year now) was like that in the beginning too. It gets tiring, but don't give up. Soon enough she will be wanting to go longer between feedings. My son started spacing his feeding out around 6 weeks old.
2007-12-12 02:35:38 · answer #3 · answered by jennifer_elaine83 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not uncommon for NBs to fall asleep at the breast before finishing. Try burping her between breasts, I also used to rub her cheek to get her rooting again as well as stripped of her clothes so she wouldn't be so snuggly warm (hated it, and it really didn't work any better) Rubbing her little cheek or just under her chin would always wake her to get back to suckling.
If doing this doesn't build you milk supply then, be sure to pump after each feeding....that should get it going. Be sure you are drinking plenty of fluids.
2007-12-12 02:25:50 · answer #4 · answered by gypsy g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you think she's finished feeding, burp her. If over the shoulder doesn't work, try across your lap. When she's burped put her on the other breast to complete the feeding. (At the next feeding, start with the breast she last used.) Burp her again. Hopefully this will keep her awake long enough to fill up.
2007-12-12 02:15:28 · answer #5 · answered by Patricia S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With my first child I breast fed and it was hard at first and I was ready to give up. A friend said to give it a bit longer and I did. All of a sudden she was nursing longer and my milk production was more and she was eating more. I almost felt that I needed a bra to carry my baby in. Give it time and your baby will take to it more than likely. Good Luck.
2007-12-12 04:55:57 · answer #6 · answered by Mel M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had exactly the same problem, when my little one was born I felt he wasn't getting enough. It took my child a month to get back to his birthweight, but by then I had lost faith in breastfeeding and switched to bottle. Usually, the more they feed, the more you supply - have you tried expressing? Don't give up hope, you'll get there in the end.
2007-12-12 02:11:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
please have your milk checked it may not b strong enough. you may have to put it on formula. please have it checked.
2007-12-12 02:12:24 · answer #8 · answered by Jerry 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋