First time with low milk supply

[e_roehm23]

Originally Posted by neuro_mom kellymom.com is great. I saw a lactation specialist and she recommended it. She also told me to take Fenugreek - 3capsules 3x/day and Blessed Thistle 3 capsules 3x/day. You might not be taking enough Fenugreek. She said I would know that I was taking enough when I started to smell like maple syrup. I first thought my baby had a dirty diaper and then realized it was me - I don't notice the smell anymore so I guess I got used to it. DH didn't say anything so I guess it isn't too bad. As for the nipple confusion, lactation specialist also recommended using the Calma nipple (by Medela) when I did have to supplement (also planning to go back to work so will use it when baby being bottle fed). The baby has to suck on the Calma nipple so it's more similar to breastfeeding. Now he would rather breastfeed than bottle feed because he has to work when using the Calma nipple.

Yes, I bought a Calma bottle, but DD has actually done better with this method: www.lowmilksupply.org/bottlefeeding.pdf

She is having several wet diapers, but when I feed her and she still acts hungry, then I give her a bottle and she guzzles it down (6 oz) so I know she is still hungry. She doesn't like to nurse unless my boobs are fuller. So, she just pops on and off and gets frustrated.

I will try the blessed thistle and the alfalfa, thanks!

[colin-mylilguy]

Originally Posted by e_roehm23 Yes, I bought a Calma bottle, but DD has actually done better with this method: www.lowmilksupply.org/bottlefeeding.pdf She is having several wet diapers, but when I feed her and she still acts hungry, then I give her a bottle and she guzzles it down (6 oz) so I know she is still hungry. She doesn't like to nurse unless my boobs are fuller. So, she just pops on and off and gets frustrated. I will try the blessed thistle and the alfalfa, thanks!

I was just going to echo what Tibeca and Neuro_mom said about adding Blessed Thistle. Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle just work better together. And you can take up to 4 capsules of Fenugreek 3x per day, so you can increase how much you are taking and see if that increases your supply.

When you are supplementing with the 6 oz bottle for a feeding, are you pumping at that time? And if you are giving 6 oz, you really need to be pumping at least that much during that day to maintain your supply. It sounds like you are pumping twice after feedings so are you getting about 3 oz per pumping and just combining those for the 6 oz feeding later?

That article you posted on bottle feeding is excellent. Thank you for sharing! I'm so glad you are having success with that.

Best wishes! Let us know how it goes!

[e_roehm23]

Originally Posted by mommypockets If she were hungry, she would empty them. If she's having wet diapers, she's getting enough. That's the ONLY way to tell! Check out kellymom.com

My concern is that she is physically not able to empty the breast, OR that she is just not patient enough to nurse when the milk flow slows down. I never get that deep drawing sensation when she nurses, and also, she had a ptt and ult to top it off. So, I don't know if she is physically unable or just impatient. I've also been wondering....all babies are different and so their appetites are probably different- they're just like adults just smaller So, just because she may be having "enough" wet diapers, she may still be hungry. Isn't that possible?

I NEVER worried about supply with my son, and until dd showed slow/lack of weight gain a few months ago, I didn't worry with her either. She is healthy, but small. She is not losing weight, just gaining slowly (originally in the 80% now in the 30%) I am going to take the blessed thistle and alfalfa and try pumping after every feeding. I am also thinking about taking away the bottle to see if I can get her to nurse more.