Author Topic: What to do??? re: Upping Supply  (Read 2475 times)

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Offline Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids

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What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« on: March 04, 2008, 16:25:00 pm »
Hi All, Not sure what im doing wrong but my now 15 week old has just had growth sput. To start with i just fed on damand working out every 2 1/2 hours, it seemed to work well (i thought). He went to 3 hours easy after that but still woke in the night 2-3 times so i fed. After a couple of days back to 'normal' he didn't seem satisfied with the 2 breast, 20 mins on each side. So started to offer third side, again this worked well but a few days of 'normal' again and he doesn't seem satisfied. I don't have time to pump an hour after a feed as he seems likes he wants more. So today i've been giving him a top up after an hour of 10 mins each side, again it seems to be working well. But should i do this?

Why can't i get my supply up and more to the point stay up?

Can anyone help?

I feel like such a wallie. I love nursing but i need to resolve my supply issues asap ???

Kate

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Offline EllenS

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2008, 16:54:27 pm »
Sometimes what happens with a big growth spurt is that his needs just keep accelerating faster than your body can compensate.  So then you would get the scenario you describe - you seem to catch up, then he still needs more.  You supply is not rising and dipping, it is just not rising quite as fast as he is growing.

The more you feed, the more it will stimulate supply, but adding more frequent feeds (at 1 hour) may make him prone to snacking if it goes on for several days - and then he will take less at each feed, which then will make your supply dwindle again.

I pumped IMMEDIATELY after the feed for 15 minutes when I was relactating - that worked well.  I didn't get much out, but it sent the signals.  It also gave time to build up milk for the next feed.  (and gave me the opportunity to do SOMETHING other than feed or pump)

Are you using breast compressions at the end of the feed?  This may keep him interested for the third or fourth "side".  I assume when you say "20 minutes" or "10 minutes" this is how long he is feeding, right?  You're not stopping him?  Just letting him suck as long as he wants is going to work better than a pump.

You can also try a galactagogue - I like a tincture called "more milk plus" that has fenugreek + blessed thistle.  Fenugreek tablets also work and may be more readily available.  Drinking lots of water and getting as much rest as possible are vital.

Some other foods that have been recommended anecdotally for boosting supply are:
1 cup of coffee per day
a daily bowl of oatmeal
lentils and chickpeas
curries

Hope this helps!
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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2008, 17:15:01 pm »
Thanks will try all the above :-*
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Offline lilyn22

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2008, 02:32:22 am »
i've been looking for ways to up my supply too..

one question about coffee? i thought coffee wasn't recommended because the caffeine might get into the milk? i'm dying for some but have stopped myself!
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Offline EllenS

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2008, 02:36:45 am »
One cup should not cause a problem, but like everything else it is your choice.  Everything has its risks and its benefits.  TBH, I drink 2-3 cups of 1/2 caff every day, and did for most of my pregnancy.
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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2008, 09:21:13 am »
Is tea ok i have between 2 -4 cups a day?
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Offline *Nicola*

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2008, 09:21:55 am »
Kate *waving*

We are having the exact same issue!! Callie wants back on the breast about 3 times in a cycle but doesn't seem satisfied with it.  I have been trying to pump an hour after feeds but it just doesn't work unless you have well spaced feeds.

Ellen, great idea about pumping after feeds.  I will try that today.  I have also started the milk thistle and fenugreek  :)

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2008, 09:41:05 am »
Nicola - don't bother with the milk thistle. It's 'blessed thistle' which is the galactalogue (and tricky to find in the UK). Milk thistle is a different plant (good for the liver). Fenugreek by itself should make a difference.

Lilyn - the older your baby the easier it is for them to metabolize caffeine. Plenty of people drink the odd cup of coffee at 6 months. However if you have been completely caffeine free until now I would start very gradually as your baby's system won't be used to dealing with it.
2-4 cups of tea is fine.
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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2008, 09:59:34 am »
Thanks Emma

Nicola - how you doing, again we seem to be on the same page

Kate x
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Offline EllenS

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2008, 14:18:55 pm »
Re: caffeine, I always drank the same amount, during pregnancy, etc.  (But I don't drink alcohol, so in my mind it balances out)
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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2008, 10:24:02 am »
Right. Yesterday was a busy one so no time for pumping, so started today.

4:15 woke for feed 40mins followed by pumping 25 -30ml total (and took about 5 mins)
6:50 I woke for feed as stiring again 40mins pumping again the same time and amount
9:25 woke for feed same as above but also gave 30ml of pumped milk

does this sound like the right sort of thing? :-\

Anyway im pumping as i wright so give you the second half later tonight

Kate (pumping machine :D)
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Offline EllenS

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2008, 15:44:57 pm »
Sounds good.  Does he go longer between feeds or seem more satisfied when you feed back the milk from previous pumping sessions? 

You may never see an increase in the amount pumped, because hopefully as your supply goes up he will just drink more (and finish faster).

Hopefully you will notice a difference in a day or so.
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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2008, 16:00:32 pm »
hes going about 2 1/2 - 3 hours and still not quite satisfied but not crying just a bit figity. seems ok though, let you know tomorrow

Kate
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Offline EllenS

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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2008, 16:55:21 pm »
On further thought, the fact that you can get 30 ml (1oz) in 5 minutes after him feeding for 40 minutes makes me wonder if it's more of a milk transfer issue (as in getting from boobie to baby) rather than a supply issue - he's obviously not getting nearly as much as he could.  If you can pump 1 oz, he could probably get more than that, but I expect after 40 minutes he's worn out.

For comparison, when my supply was really low, I could only get about a quarter to one-half of that amount using an electric pump for 15 minutes!

Have you had your latch checked?  Do you have any pain or irritation from the latch?  Sometimes as they grow, we have to adjust nursing position to compensate for longer body/legs, etc.

Just a thought.
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Re: What to do??? re: Upping Supply
« Reply #14 on: March 06, 2008, 18:38:15 pm »
Latch is good and no pain (as i did with my others). I can feel and ear him swallowing and i get two letdowns both sides. My dh gives him an emb at 6.30 - 7 which i pump the night before of 6oz. I get that from pumping at 7pm ish and again about 9.30-10ish, as no df (i guess the 6oz's take him through for that feed). I get about 3 1/2oz first pump and 2 1/2-3 the second.

Im guessing he only has about 3 1/2oz during the day each feed, which to me is not enough.

Just seems its not coming out quick enough and like you say is getting tired, but how can i make it come out quicker ::)
Kate
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