Almost dried up - please help!

[Guava]

My 4 mo dd just stopped bfeeding properly at 11 weeks.  Screamed and kicked.

It turns out she has reflux and also ended up with lots of gas and constipation, so maybe that had something to do with the screaming and kicking.

She would bfeed if sleepy, but not otherwise.

Now we have resolved much of the reflux and she was starting to bfeed again, still being supplemented with formula and bottled pumped milk.

Then she went through a growth spurt and just started getting so frustrated at the breast that I ended up almost exclusively on pumped  milk and formula.

Please help.

I so want to return to bfeeding, not just because I would like to do this for her, but because she gets painfully and horribly constipated on apparently any formula – we have tried lots.

I am pumping and using fenugreek and blessed thistle and have managed to get my daily yield up again but only to 1 to 2 oz a day.  How will I ever catch up with a 4 mo old baby that needs 3-5 oz per feed for 6 feeds and one dreamfeed and is resisting the breast because she just can’t get enough fast enough.

I do best when she is sleepy and when I feed her a couple of ounces from a bottle first and then put her to the breast.

Feel pretty helpless and upset when I watch her struggling to poo and in pain and really need to get this sorted out, but just don’t know what to do and howI will ever catch up with what she needs.

Any suggestions would be really really appreciated please.

Thanks

Steph

[GraceKellysmom]

Steph, it sounds like you are working with a lactation consultant? They have given you good advice. Make sure to pump after or for each feed. So you need to be pumping and/or nursing at least every 3 hrs during the day. Pumping after a nursing will make your body think "make more milk!"

I read that it will take about the same amount of time to get your supply back as you haven't been nursing. So it is just going to take a little time and patience. The less formula you give, the more milk your lo will demand from you.

I am a firm believer that a mom like you with a real reason to keep nursing (my reason was cows milk intolerant kids) WILL succeed. Keep that determination!

[momofowen]

Steph,  just a few things that could help bring up your supply, if not help the quality of the milk.
Try a pint of guiness, honestly this will helpbring your milk to nice and creamy - I know that there are plenty of moms here who do not believe in any alchohol during nursing, but it REALLY REALLY helps with the quality of th esupply. 
Also, if you are in the states, try mothers milk tea- you cna get it at any healthfood store, and if you want, I can mail you a box (I have a box in my cabinet that I am not using) just let me know where you live, and I can let you know shipping...   If yo uare not in the states, I can also mail it to you, just costs would be more.  

Also, for brining up your supply - make sure you are DRINKING LOTS OF WATER.....  this is key - the more you drink, the more fluids are in your sytem.

[taramarie]

try accupuncture!!!! it worked amazing for me and it is not painful (I'm a needle - phobic too)  please don't give up without trying this first - I saw significant results in 24 hours!

[momofowen]

How is everything going? just checking in to see how the supply is,