Breastfeeding Problems

[dollface]

Has anyone experienced breastfeeding problems and had to re-establish your supply? If so, how did you do it? I was encourged to supplement with formula due to jaundice, short feeding times and later gas/fussiness and now my supply is VERY low with her getting mosly formula. I spoke with the lactation consultant at the hospital who suggested the support group, a hospital grade pump for a week, oatmeal, fenugreek, beer (lol...yes...beer!), high protein diet and frequent nursing...but I wanted to see if anyone actually experienced low supply and was successful and bringing it back to an adequate supply. I think I did well at establishing the supply for almost 2 weeks but I am concerned that I "set the standard" and my supply will be low from this point forward. I know everyone is different but would still like to hear your story. The breastfeeding books that I have seem to focus on telling women the worst case scenario in order to promote breastfeeding. Many basically say if you don't establish within the first week, all hope is lost on an adequate supply. One says that its not too late but most are discouraging. I am hoping that the breastfeeding support group and pumping will help...I would hate for this to be the end of breastfeeding for this one..since my others nursed for 9 months and 4 months.

Any advice or support would be appreciated.

[queentreev1004]

Yes I had some problem when I got sick and one of my prescriptions slowed down my milk production. what I did to "reload" was when I nursed her I Would pump immediately afterward and I did the fenugreek or whatever that vitamin is called. I mainly just pumped lots and lots just to keep them stimulated KWIM? Good luck with it!

[harrisonsdream]

good luck

[Lilithdrff]

Yes, with my oldest we had to supplement as well, and when I went back to work at 6 weeks PP my supply dropped quite a bit. I would pump like crazy, at work, and after feeding baby. Also drank lots of water, and took my prenatals.
Mostly it was pumping that brought it back.

[queentreev1004]

Yeah that is what really worked for me the pumping.

[Ste9]

I've had the same problem in the past due to babies that were in the NICU and couldn't nurse as well as dealing with thrush and jaundice. Oatmeal and fenugreek work well. There is also a tea that you can get at health food stores or online called "Mother's Milk" tea. It is good at increasing supply. I also rented a hospital grade pump and it worked much more efficiently than the store bought one that I had.

Good luck in increasing your supply.

[Cherrish]

I had an low supply of milk due to a lot of stress, poor diet, and being pressured to suppliment feedings....pumping really worked for me, and when I couldn't pump, I would just hand express.

[April]

A beer usually does it for people and its the quickest and cheapest.

Also, make sure you are eating right and drinking plenty of water.

[Kaymara]

I had supply issues bigtime with my son. Nothing helped. I pumped, used fenugreek, ate oatmeal, etc etc. If you take fenugreek make sure you take 3 capsules 3 times per day. Eat lots of oatmeal, pump after feedings. If you supplement always offer the breast first. Thats about all I can tell you. Nothing really helped my supply with my son and at 4.5 months I was forced to wean because he was REFUSING to supplement and started to lose weight.

G'luck to you!

[A_BU'swife]

Heres a great website http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html
also our nursing group recommends this site a lot http://www.lowmilksupply.com/