Low Milk Supply? How to increase? How to suppliment?

[Justagirlxx]

My baby is 10 days old and is currenly 9lbs 6.5 ounces, was born at 10lbs 4 ounces. My doctor has told me I need to suppliment. I have had an extremely fussy/cranky baby and now I think it must be due to hunger. I fed him a bottle at his last feeding and he's been sleeping now for a good 3 hours finally. Anyways I have no clue how to suppliment correctly and continue to breastfeed. I do think my supply is low because it finally came back in in the last 3 hours he's been asleep, whereas my breasts felt completely empty before I gave him the bottle. We are trying to get me a breast pump right now so that I can pump. Does anyone have any advice who has gone through this before? S

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

I would get a hospital grade pump- Medela. See if you can get to a lacation Consultant because they can help you rent a pump OR call your insurance, they can help you rent one as well.

Next- Visit Kellymom.com She lists herbs and Medications that can help increase supply.
Then visit LLLI.org for their pumping/increasing supply forums.

Pump, nurse, pump, nurse- as much as possible. Its supply and demand.

 

[bky]

I have chronic low supply. The best way to maintain breastfeeding is to breastfeed first each and every time before you supplement, then top up with formula/EBM, then pump. In addition you can look into getting something like a Medela SNS or Lact-Aid (I have the SNS) to avoid nipple confusion/bottle flow preference. https://www.amazon.com/Medela-00901S-Supplemental-Nursing-System/dp/B000NEDGB8/ref=pd_cp_ba_0
https://www.lact-aid.com/
It's a bit fiddly with tubes, but for me has replaced pumping as the feed, bottle, pump cycle just took too much time (I did it for 4-5 weeks, hope you have better results). By too much time I mean I didn't have time to keep up with bottle sterilization let alone anything else. So now I feed and put the supplement in the SNS. If I were you I'd try pumping as then you will have EBM to give as a top up as well.
It's important to pump even when nothing is coming out. At least 10 minutes a side I think is recommended.

ETA you may fine it helpful to offer breast, let him have an oz or so of supplement then back to the breast as they can focus on sucking better when they are slightly less hungry.

 

[zenmommy526]

I agree with bky.

You should offer breast first, when baby acts like he has emptied the breast, offer an oz. of formula or ebm when you get a pump. Then pump.


Fenugreek help increase supply as well as oatmeal. Take 6 fenugreek a day with 2 servings of oatmeal, and your supply should do a major increase!

 

[Seity]

6 fenugreek wasn't enough for me. I had to take 9 a day to see any kind of increase.

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

you take enough Fenugreek to smell of mayple syrup.

 

[venusrockstar]

Fenugreek - 3 pills, 3 times a day

You can taked something called Blessed Thistle along with Fenugreek.

Oatmeal, and pumping, letting your baby feed as much as they want will all help.

 

[2LINESPLEASE]

Try fennugreek herbal supplement it really helps

 

[rocemom]

I took three 600 mg 4 times daliy everyone is different on the feugreek.
I also bought seeds which are super cheap $2.99 a bag as apossed to 60 capsules for 10 bucks I soak them in Hot water and make a gallon of sweet tea with them and drink that all day instead of water. You can also make hot tea as well by the glass which will be great with the cold weather coming.
Hospitals will rent out pumps her in the us or do you have WIC in your area?Actually heres a link for your area
https://www.211ct.org/InformationLibrary/Documents/WIC cw.asp
If so check to see if you qualify they will give you one to use.
When you get a pump
Pump at every missed feeding and even thru the night 12-4 AM you make the most milk and if you feel like your not empty after a feed pump

also you can do a marathon 20min on 20min 10 min 10min off 5min on 5 min off this helped me a lot

good luck