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Low milk supply, when is it time to throw in the towel?
After having a difficult pregnancy, 38 hours of labor and a c-section I have experienced the added insult to injury of not having enough milk. The doctor says it may be because my body went through so much. My daughter is 2 1/2 months old and I am back at work pumping my sad little amounts (which I hide in the mommy fridge at work so the other Mommies can’t see it’s sad amount) and supplementing formula. I do all the things I have read about, take fenugreek until I reek of maple syrup and I still make only about 10-12 oz a day tops. I feel like a terrible mother thinking about giving it up but with supply so low it is discouraging. Any thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cindy on
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I too have a problem with low milk production. My daughter is 4 months old. I nurse her and then she gets formula as a supplement. I figure at least she is getting some breast milk. I'd say nurse her in the morning before work and after work. Supplement with the formula during the day. That way you will still get some nursing time in but won't have to worry about pumping.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rice on -
I'm sure you're drinking a lot during the day, but have you tried the Mother's Milk Tea? It worked to restart my milk supply after it went low with my first. I say even if you need to supplement, keep giving her as much as you can! Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Gerri-lynn Robinson on -
Where can you find the Mother's Milk Tea?
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Permalink Reply by autumn green on
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I would like to know were I can find Mothers milk tea so i can see if its the rite product for me and my 1month old.
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Permalink Reply by Ami on
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Mother's Milk Tea can be found at natural health stores. One of it's main ingredients is fenugreek. Just watch out for excessive sweating. Your milk ducts closely relate to your sweat glands...so it works to stimulate the milk ducts and it has an effect on your sweat glands by default. I was taking a fenugreek supplement to help with my low supply...and was having hot flashes and etc. I would definitely give it a try...just don't over do it.
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Permalink Reply by Therese Bertrand on
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Some breast milk is better than none! I'd say keep breastfeeding and supplement with formula if needed. 10-12 ounces is enough for about 2-3 feedings, so you're still doing lots of good for your baby! Keep up the good work!!
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Permalink Reply by Estelle on -
I was thinking the same thing. My son did not want to breastfeed when he was borned. He actually pushed my breast away. LOL. But then a month and half he decided he wanted to breastfeed. I still pumped also, but it was never that much, nothing for a meal for him. Then one day he decided again he did not want it anymore. Newborns! He gets so upset now when I try. I have been taking the tea mentioned and the herbal supplement mentioned and it still low. My son is 4 months now and really will only drink formula. I was seriously thinking of stopping the pumping, tea, and herbal supplement because he will be on cereal soon. I feel bad, but he has had breast milk for 4 months, just not alot. I do not even leak anymore. It is discouraging sometimes, but the body does it's own thing sometimes. Next baby we will be more prepared for breastfeeding. No one really tells you want to expect and how hard it is.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Bills on -
Thanks for the support! I have been doing more research and am going to have my doctor run some blood tests to see if a thyroid or hormonal imbalance is causing it. I figure it doesn't hurt to make sure there isn't a fixable cause. I just wish my doctor had done it a couple months ago.
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Permalink Reply by Christi, Star Mom on -
have you talked to a lactation consultant? i'm assuming you probably have, but if by chance you haven't i'd definitely look into meeting with one. i know mine has been an invaluable resource - still is, and my son's 10 months old. sometimes there are seemingly harmless things that could cause an issue. i know in my case i was about to take sudafed for my allergies (thought there wouldn't be a problem since it was OK to take while pregnant), but i'm glad i checked with her first b/c pseudoephedrine actually dries up your supply! so maybe something small like that could be affecting you?
for me personally, my supply has been up and down since i started my period at six weeks postpartum. some weeks my supply is fine, but some weeks it cuts in half or even less. i tried fenugreek, but it didn't do a thing for me. really the only things that keep my supply going (i get about 8-10 oz total for the day when i pump, but that doesn't include the four times i nurse my son) are to stimulate through nursing or pumping as much as i can and making sure i drink plenty of water. i'm not sure how flexible your work schedule is, but could you add in more pumping sessions during the day? even if you just pump for 10 minutes, it might help boost your supply after a few days. and definitely nurse your daughter as many times as you can since babies are more efficient than pumps. i know the rule of thumb my LC gave me was to make sure that i wasn't going any longer than four hours without doing some kind of stimulation. apparently the four hour mark is when your body determines that you must not need the milk and so it stops producing more until you pump or nurse again. of course more often is better, but you have to work with your schedule and just do the best you can.
i would agree with the others, though, that any breastmilk is better than none so keep it up! i know it can be HIGHLY frustrating to sit there and pump and pump and get very little so i definitely give you kudos for keeping up with it! :)
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Permalink Reply by Christi, Star Mom on
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oh, and i forgot to mention that a friend of mine had a really rough time with her supply early on (stress and flu-related) and her LC suggested she take domperidone. it's technically a drug for digestive issues, but one of the side effects is increased milk supply in lactating women. she had to buy a small freezer chest to keep her extra milk in b/c they ran out of space in their regular freezer.
now, that being said, my friend has to order this from outside the country b/c it's not FDA approved, but it's used in canada and all over europe. some studies of the IV version of the drug showed adverse side effects, but none were shown in the oral version - like what my friend takes.
i asked my LC about it and she said she doesn't tell people not to take it, but she also doesn't go around promoting it. i think the opinions vary from LC to LC. personally i decided not to take it b/c the adverse side effects were heart related. i've got some minor heart issues now and it didn't seem worth the risk, but it is another option that has worked well for some people and might be worth asking about.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Bills on
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I have some ordered and am waiting for it to come in. I met with a LC early on and was advised to take the fenugreek which did make a big differernce I would get half what I do without it. The LC gave me pumping tips but no one ever mentioned the possible hormone imbalances that could cause it. The theory was that my body had just been through too much and my doctor let it go at that. However my breasts did not grow at all during pregnancy and I've since read that can be an indicator of future problems. I have a friend that is constantly telling me I should give it up since I don't make enough but I have worked too hard up to this point to give up now
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Permalink Reply by Marisela Tate on -
My breast didn't grow aswell. Have you tried nursing while laying down? It has made it so much easier and more relaxing for me.
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