Will I ever produce enough milk?

[TrixieLox]

My daughter was born at 36+4 weeks last weekend and had to go on formula after not gaining enough weight from BF and struggling to latch on at times. I want to get her back into BF once her weight stabilises. However, only started expressing yesterday (a week after her birth, 4 days after she switched to formula so my bbs have seen no 'action' for 3-4 days though do try to get her to latch). After initially producing about 15 ml from both breasts with first pump, the amount's gone down and down to, for example, just a surface layer of the bottle from two pump sessions earlier!

I can only find the time to express every 3 hours due to my daughter's intense feeding regime and not as much at night when she's particularly hungry. I cant do both at once cos need both hands to feed her bottle. I guess this might be why!? or will it eventually start coming in if I persevere? Or maybe i just have a low milk reserve?

 

[marymoomin]

This is exactly what happened to me, only with twins. Persevere! Offer her breast, then expressed/pumped milk, top up with formula and then pump for the next feed. It will improve.
I also eat lactation cookies ( if you want a recipe let me know- delicious!). You could also try fenugreek- I used this with dd but it makes you stink, but does improve supply. Drink tons if water too.
Good luck! It will improve! Xxx

 

[TrixieLox]

Thank you, marymoomin. Can you let me know that recipe?

 

[marymoomin]

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/breas...eastmilk-lactation-cookie-recipe#.Ub4T-WS9Kc0

I use this but I half the sugar as I eat quite a lot and there was way too much. You can actually use any cookie recipe but add in brewers yeast ( de bittered) and linseeds and oats. You can get these in holland and barret. Throw in anything you like. I find the cinnamon ones delish!

Please don't give up hope. I had paeds shouting at me in the middle of the night about my supply and one of my babies weight loss. It was a very dark time, however I am now exclusive bf now. I topped up for a long time ( my twins cluster feed for 5 hrs at a time and I needed a break) but I decided to stop the formula as they seemed very windy and low and behold their tummies are so much better. I wish I had gone exclusive bf weeks ago.
Good luck! Xx

 

[seaweed eater]

You can pump hands free if that helps I use this trick and it works quite well: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/
The breast shields will still be in the way so it's hard to really cuddle, but at least you can use your hands.

 

[TrixieLox]

Thanks girls. But I just don't get how I can suddenly start producing more milk. Just expressed and hardly anything in both breasts. Think it might just be an issue with milk production right from the start as my daughter used to latch on but lost so much weight.

 

[cupcake0406]

The hormones to produce more milk are stimulated when your breasts are being emptied so even though you aren't getting much right now by pumping regularly and emptying your breasts, your body should get the message to produce more milk to meet the demands of your baby xx

 

[marymoomin]

Honestly this was exactly how I felt. I promise it will sort itself out. It's exhausting but it is worth it, but I have been to the depths of despair with weight loss. It's just as we'll my hospital ward windows didn't open as I was for jumping out at one point. I got 11 hrs sleep in 8 days. It was hell, but it eventually came together. Xxx

 

[marymoomin]

Drink a glass of water every time you pass a tap!

 

[fieryphoenix]

Your lo is so young! It's definitely not too late. My lo was six weeks old and I couldn't pump any milk and had very little milk period, now he is ebf, just pump as often as you can, nurse before formula, keep emptying em out!