Tips to increase supply? side effects?

[myra]

My daughter is 3 months and I return to work tomorrow. My supply has dropped drastically since I had to cut back on nursing while I cut out dairy, soy and eggs from my diet for my daughters allergies. She was put on hypoallergenic formula and I still nursed 2 times/day and pumped 1-2 times per day. I didn't think I'd have a problem since I massively overproduced. I've been trying to rebuild supply and have been pumping 6-7 times daily and have only managed to bring it back up to an ounce at a time.

I'd like to try supplements or prescription meds to help get my supply back. I've read that fenugreek can cause fussiness and gas...something is really like to avoid since my daughter already has reflux/colic and I think we are finally starting to turn the corner.

What have you used to increase supply (other than increasing pumping?)
How long did it take?
And did you baby have any side effects?
Thanks!

 

[kajastarlight]

I have no good advise to you as I struggle with supply too. I just wanted in on the thread in case someone ells had good ideas!

 

[Aelyana]

Oatmeal really helped me bring my supply back up after it took a major dive when I started work and had a stomach bug. A bowl in the morning eg. If you hate the taste I think there are some supply cookie recipes out there?

Also fennel tea (is that different from fenugreek?)

Hope you het it back up soon!

Ow yes btw major pain in the neck but night feedings help bring your supply back up much better than day (something complicated to do w prolactin). I pumped at night for a while (ugh) which really helped me.

 

[AP]

I have to agree, night pumping makes a great difference

 

[kajastarlight]

I don't want to hyjack Myra's post, but no one is posting in mine! Sorry Myra!
Have you ladies found anything other than:
increased pumping (good Lord sometimes I think that is all I do!)
Fenugreek
More Milk Plus (has fannel in it too, and that is different than fenugreek)
Lactation cookies (oatmeal and brewers yeast)
Oat meal for breakfast
2Tbs twice a day of brewers yeast mixed with water (yuck)

I feel like my life revolves around trying to get my meager supply up!

 

[Aelyana]

Hi Kaja, sounds like you are doing everything you can. Sorry to hear that you are struggeling with low supply. I can't think of anything else tbh. Have you tried night pumping? And have you spoken about it at your babies checkups? Hugs

 

[vs011]

Kaja, I know someone who tried many things and just didnt have enough milk to give their baby. It had to do with their ducts and not from the diet. If you feel you tried everything, ask your doc to take a scan of your breasts and ensure they are not the problem as well as check your lactation hormones to ensure they are not low level.

 

[kajastarlight]

Thanks ladies. Yes I night pump. And I wake LO up to feed before I get up for work. I have talked to his pediatrician and she just says that it is not uncommon for working Mom's to have to supplement. I will see if I can get my doc to check out my levels. Thank you! (when I try to make an appointment they tell me to go see a LC. And I have done that and they say "latch is good and you seem to be pumping a lot. Sometimes working Moms just can't keep up with their babies" ..... And I would totally just resign to that IF I could only keep up with him in the hours between 5-bedtime! But during those hours we have painfully slim pickins!

Thank you again, Myra. For letting me hijack your post!

 

[Aelyana]

I just remembered something: beer can help (DH just came home and it jogged my memory haha I have the worst babybrain). Anyway I have not done this myself since I don't like to drink when bf but a friend swears drinkjng a beer amped up her supply. Maybe alcohol free also works? Worth a try

And again I really think you are doing all you can already!

 

[kajastarlight]

It is the brewers yeast in the beer that amps up supply so I just take that directly. I don't like beer! Well, I don't like the brewers yeast either.... haha but I don't have to drink as much of that

I have an appointment with a Lactation Specialist who swears she won't just tell me I can't do it. Fx!!!

 

[Marumi]

I was on Fenugreek for three years! Worked wonders. Though when starting it took 2 weeks on the max dose to see an increase. Then I reduced to 2 capsules and finally one capsule a day, then none.

 

[MrsHudson]

Not sure if it's true but I e heard Gatorade helps. Of course you don't want to drink too much with all the sugar and sodium. But I pumped the most I ever have after drinking a bottle yesterday. It supposedly has to do with electrolytes so you could even drink smart water.

 

[myra]

Thanks for all the tips! Milk has started coming back on one side. Haven't started any supplements- started nursing during overnights as supply started to increase a bit more so that's helping too. I'm now getting 2-3 oz