am/was hoping to get to 5-6 months befor stopping

[~Lashes~]

ok, not sure exactly whats going on, but thought id try make sence and find a way to fix this!
A is just over 2 months old, the nurse was worried about her yo-yoing weight gain since about 1 month, one week it would be big, the next it would be small. the last 2 weeks she has gained 90gm total, (30 then 70) the 70 gain was with a formula bottle each night. her height is going strong, but her weight isnt.
ive since started giving her 60ml after each bf, just to top her up and try get her weight up.

now problem: ive only ever expressed sussefuly once, A was about 2 weeks old, and i got 25ml out of each side befor it became painfull. last night i tried again but only got 10ml each side, and it was very watery, almost clear.

the nurse (i went to my old one last check) said that my supply could automaticaly drop off as i never fed my other 3 past 3-4 months.

im not against formula, i have no problem giving it to her, i just am/was hoping to get to 5-6 months befor stopping this time.

[MrsBexie]

Just keep feeding her as much as she wants it!! The more she feed sthe more you will produce.
Also get some fenugreek tea and you can make lactation cookies too that will help you make heaps more milk!

You CAN do this, you can feed to 6mths!!!! Don't give up and don't let anyone ruin your confidence! I will try to find that recipe for you!

[Barb Glare]

Hi, the nurse is wrong. Your milk cannot "automatically dry up' - the system just doesn't work that way. However, giving your baby a 60ml top-up every feed is a sure way to reduce your milk supply. It would be a good idea to get a full consult with an experienced LC, but, tell me, how often does she feed in 24 hrs? Does she take one breast or two? The amount you express probably tells us more about how anxious you are or about the quality of your pump, but really nothing about your supply. It is a worrying time, but from what you have said, the comps are not really necessary. You can increase your supply and go on to meet your breastfeeding goals

[~Lashes~]

hi Barb, the origional nurse wanted me to get domperidome(?) to increase my supply, but my doc isnt comfortable perscribing it at all. they both said as i havent feed my other children for "excessive times" then they dont feel the need to push for me to continue, wereas if i had fed them untill 18 or more months then i would already be seeing one. funny part is they wont put me over to a lactation consultant, but are pushing for a sleep one to "sort out the co-sleeping issue"

do you have some tips on boosing my supply?

[MrsBexie]

hi Barb, the origional nurse wanted me to get domperidome(?) to increase my supply, but my doc isnt comfortable perscribing it at all. they both said as i havent feed my other children for "excessive times" then they dont feel the need to push for me to continue, wereas if i had fed them untill 18 or more months then i would already be seeing one. funny part is they wont put me over to a lactation consultant, but are pushing for a sleep one to "sort out the co-sleeping issue"

do you have some tips on boosing my supply?

Boo!!! Stupid nurse!! Dont listen to her!


Sent from my iPhone so sorry for the spelling and punctuation!!

[Jellybean29]

Can I suggest hiring a qualified lactation consultant?
I was told so much conflicting information from nurses and midwifes regarding BFing and it was really not helpful, some of them are talking out of their arse !

My hospy ran a free breastfeeding day clinic postnatal, and I got the best help there from the qualified lactation consultant.

[HotI]

The ABA has some info on their website Australian Breastfeeding Association (there is info on supply on the LHS half way down)

You can always ring the ABA on 1800 686 2 686.

good luck!

My LO was a slow weight gainer but we are still breastfeeding at 13 months. I didn't feed to schedule, but found that i could fit in smaller feeds between the big feeds and this kept her growing.

[*EJ*]

I am no expert at all but all i can say is keep trying. Since being on BB i have read of some stories where ladies have had real sucess with a little help and determination and i hope you can too.

I have been making the cookies regularly lately, I think they do help with making more milk. If you like i can give you the recipe.

Good luck and keep trying xo

[sloane]

i noticed you're SE melb - you're not in kingston council are you? if you are, i can rec a couple of fantastic MCHNs who are also LCs & pro-BFing (& co-sleeping as well!). if not, i'd def say call the ABA and/or try & see a LC.

if you want to boost supply, offer feeds often & you could try the cookies - at the very least they're yummy!

and i wouldn't worry about not getting much when you pump - i hardly every got anything when i pumped but still fed my DS till he was 20 months. like barb said, for us it was the quality of pump & my anxiety/comfort levels when pumping.

good luck - you can do it!

[Jellyfish]

A gain is a gain and normal babies DO gain sporatically; small some weeks, bigger others which is why it is better to look at the average over a longer period of time. If you feed, you will make milk so might be worth cutting out the formula and just feeding to an increased demand to get things back on track. Supply is built around demand so as soon as top-ups are introduced it can actually make things worse as there becomes less demand from the breast, the better thing to do is feed often and just follow your baby. I definitely wouldn't be considering top-ups as long as your baby is gaining, however small.

[black_rose]

Having been down the top ups path a few times listen to the advice from the girls on here. Chuck out the pump and formula, feed on demand and you will be fine. Don't be concerned if one week there is a only little bit of weight gain they catch up soon enough as long as there are no underlying issues like reflux.

[krystals]

My DS was slow to put on weight, but he was off the charts height wise. I knew he was growing, and he had teeny fat rolls, so I never thought anything was 'wrong' with him ... I just figured he was growing up instead of out... he'll even go through stages now where you can see he gets chubby in the face for a day, but then shoots up a cm or two.

If you want to keep feeding, keep feeding - don't be put off by what they're saying. I can't express more than 30ml but I know I have a good supply. If you can, see a LC. I'm not against formula either, so if you want to go with that, that's your choice as well... but don't let the docs put you off, if you're feeding successfully now, why wouldn't you be able to continue?

[onthefly]

Waht is with these people? I really don't understand the logic - you didn't get far before so no point trying this time?! I'm quite angry on your behalf, what a pathetic fob off and terrible advice

The issue isn't being against formula or whatever, it's that if you want to continue breastfeeding then you need good breastfeeding help & advice, not a bottle of formula. Please find an LC in your area and get some good advice, and give the ABA a call too.
Offer the breast as much as possible and limit the formula - maybe try just one bigger top up, rather than every feed. The more milk that comes out, the more you will make. Can you spend a day in bed just feeding and resting - that can be the best thing in these circumstances. You can try pumping between feeds, but the amount you get out is not a good indication of your suply, it just gives you an idea of how good you are at pumping - it's a skill that can take some time to develop. Remembe also that weight gains are often very irregular and should be averaged out over 5 weeks - 100g/week ON AVERAGE is good. And always look at the big picture - she's growing and developing as she should be, yes? That's a very good sign.

I think you're close Sarah, very close. You need some good support from someone who understands breastfeeding, not misinformation. This can work for you and you can reach your goals

[MantaRay]

Oh hun, I can't believe that you have been given such bad information from the people you've seen, and gotten such poor support from the people who should be helping you I feel outraged for you

Of course your milk isn't going to just dry up - why wouldn't they just explain to you that frequent feeding is the best way to build up and maintain supply. Mums often aren't even told that babies usually need to feed at least 8 - 12 times in 24 hours, and more than 12 times is common too. It's also interesting to know that breastmilk is fattiest about 30 minutes after a feed, so a top up at the breast about half an hour after a feed is a much better way to get more milk into a baby than formula. Formula is sometimes necessary but doesn't need to be the first option.

As the others have said, the amount you express doesn't say anything about the amount of milk you have. Did you feel full when you expressed? I ask because milk is usually watery when you are fullest. The more often you feed, the fattier the milk, and an empty breast will have fattier milk than a full one. So if you expressed watery milk, there's a good chance there was a lot more there where that came from!! What happens when A feeds - can you hear her swallowing? How long does she feed for?

You are doing really well hun and it's a shame you are not being encouraged more. But never mind, you will get plenty of support and good information here, and I totally agree with the others who have suggested ringing the ABA as well. Just talking it through with a friendly voice can make a huge difference hun Keep up the great work!!

[Barb Glare]

I agree with Manta and others. You have been given wrong information. It's not about what others think you should do- - it's about what younwant to do. It's your body and your baby.