When I found out I was pregnant with the Bug, I never questioned whether or not I would breastfeed. I just knew I would. Luck was on my side. After about a week of figuring out the latch, Bug and I were set and doing fine.
I had hoped to nurse for a year, but when I went back to work I had trouble pumping enough milk for daycare so we had to supplement. By 6 months, Bug was only nursing mornings and evenings. By 9 months, we were done.
With Miss E. I hoped to do better. Not that 9 months was bad or anything…I just really wanted to see if I could keep my production up. I also hoped that being home instead of having to pump 5 days a week at work would help.
We got off to a rough start. My milk came in late and I had lots of pain when she tried to latch on, but alas we got our groove. However, since she hit 6 months and her growth spurt kicked in…I can’t seem to make enough for her. She is constantly hungry.
I’ve been nursing every 2.5 to 3 hours vs our usual 4 – but still she eats for roughly 5 minutes. When she takes a 6-7oz bottle, it takes her about 10 minutes to finish it, so I KNOW that in 5 minutes she’s not getting all the milk she needs. But I can’t get her to concentrate. Even in a quiet room, she gets distracted.
She’s started solid foods and eats that twice a day. One night last week, she ate TWO containers of sweet potatoes. Hello growing girl.
I am at a loss as I feel my body is failing her. Does she pull off because there’s no more milk? How would I even know? I’ve heard that what you pump isn’t indicative of the amount a baby can get out of you. When I do, I’m lucky to get 2 oz…not worth it in my opinion. She needs at least 4 oz per feeding.
She’s seven months old today. We have a ways to go before we hit my goal of nursing for a year. I don’t possibly see how we’ll get there if she’s only snacking on me during the day. I’m not going to quit, but I’m definitely discouraged. Maybe it’s a phase.
I don’t know. But right now, it’s baby 1, boobs 0.
Come on body. Get it together.
Ok take a deep breath. Do NOT compare how long she eats with a bottle to how long she nurses. Totally different dispensing methods. Also pumping isn’t a good indicator of production. I would get some fenugreek and start taking it. Do a little bit of research on it so you know about it. But it will increase your production and make you feel better. 🙂 You can do it!!!
Thanks Gena! I appreciate the vote of confidence! I’ll have go out and get some Fenugreek today 🙂
I’m no breastfeeding expert but I know you can never express the same amount of milk when pumping as a baby can when feeding. So don’t worry about not getting as much when pumping, I think it’s normal to get about 1/2 what they need. As for increasing supply, I’d suggest taking a fenugreek, like several times a day. It helped when I was solely pumping for Noah. Also, feeding on-demand will keep up your supply. Scheduled feedings don’t let the baby tell your body how much milk to produce which results in low milk supply. During growth spurts babies will want to eat more frequently and sometimes longer to help tell your body you need to make more. And after a few days it usually kicks in. supply and demand.
That’s all I’ve got but I am sure there are a lot of other things you can do. I’d suggest contacting a LLL leader as they may have more tips and give you the encouragement you need.
All-in-all I think it’s wonderful that you are seeking support and wanting to keep up the breastfeeding relationship. I think the biggest reason people give-up on breastfeeding isn’t because they can’t it’s because they don’t have the positive support needed.
Thanks Jessica! That’s what I thought about pumping but it still is so sad to see 1-2 oz ya know?
If you are looking to increase your supply Fenugreek works great. Also I’ve heard people recommend Mother Milk tea. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough sleep. Don’t laugh 😉 I know it’s not easy but when you aren’t sleeping well it affects the body which in turn possibly effecting milk production. Good luck hun!
I forgot about that tea…I actually might have some tucked away somewhere. And I am SOO bad about drinking water; thanks for the reminder.
I agree with all the comments already made, but definitely want to reiterate the point about not comparing pumping to nursing and the amount of time it takes her to down a bottle versus actually nurse. I went through a phase with HC where she was literally speed-nursing and I just knew there was no way she was getting enough at each feeding. When I chatted with our pediatrician about it, she assured me that a baby can nurse much more quickly than they can take a bottle. She told me an efficient baby can empty a breast in two – three minutes! Seeing as we were regularly having 6-minute nursing sessions, her advice definitely helped me relax a bit and take heart in knowing that the babe knew what she was doing and was getting enough. She eventually went back to longer nursing sessions…perhaps when my body’s supply caught up with her growing demand.
In addition to the suggestions for increasing production the others have listed, I recently had a L&D nurse tell me that one ‘hoppy’ beer a day is great for production. You don’t have to go super dark, but the more hops, the better. I know beer’s not your fav, but maybe a cold one with dinner here and there could help. 🙂 And TONS of water always helps.
Stick with it, girl! No matter how much she’s getting, it’s better than nothing. You’re an awesome Mommy for making sure you get the support you need so you can feel good about what you’re doing. Love you!
Definitely agree with what all the other ladies have said, and want you to know we are going through the same thing. My little one has some SERIOUS power in her suck, and she is probably only nursing between 5-7 minutes when I feed her. She is eating three 5 oz bottles at daycare, and I have a hard time pumping that much each day. So far I think we’re okay, but I did buy fenugreek for when I feel like we need it, and I have also been eating more oatmeal. I also have a recipe for lactation cookies if you want to give it a try. (any excuse for a cookie sounds good to me!)
Hang in there. If she growing and happy, you are doing fine!
Lactation cookies? Um yes please!
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto. Take the fenugeek until you smell like Maple Syrup. Seriously. Drink your water. Nurse her on demand. Hannah never (NEVER) nursed longer than 5 minutes on one side. Even when she was itty bitty. At her 6 month appointment, they looked at her and asked me what I had been feeding her because she was ginormous. Keep your chin up and stick with it. You are doing GREAT! PS – You can call me anytime!
I know I owe you a phone call. I want to know how this pregnancy is going…not too much longer!
Try not to stress about it. Stress was a huge factor for me when nursing my first child. The more I stressed the less milk I produced and the other tips you got are really good too. Rest and drink lots of water.
First of all-so many great comments above. To add to those I will say every 2.5-3 hours is a long stretch for most nursing babies, and nursing is meant to be on demand-so I thinking back to my nursing days I remember it being closer to every 2 hours for my babies even at that age.
Don’t worry about not producing enough-she sounds like she’s pulling off b/c she’s distracted-so common at that age and as they get older. It’s like grazing because she’s eating more solid food, and as they get older they do tend to get more efficient.
My youngest was VERY distractable and we only nursed for snippets during playtime or awake time, he would nurse longer right before naptime and bedtime.
The key factor to make sure she’s getting what she needs is checking her output. 😉 As long as she’s filling diapers frequently she and your supply are likely fine.
Oh and I’ll add-your body is NOT failing you, for real. Nursing is just different as they get older. Consider it more like a relationship that changes as she grows and matures. 😉
I feel your pain Erin! I had a similar experience when H was that age. I had to use pumped milk I’d stored earlier to keep up with her (I’d supplement a few ounces after feeding if she wasn’t satisfied). My body just wasn’t producing what she wanted to eat. Hang in there. It’s tough and know you’re doing the right thing and not failing her in any way. I agree with all that was said above (my sis-in-law used the herb and it really worked!). I found a phenomenal lactation consultant who was worth every single penny I spent on her. I’ll add in that my body did finally catch on and I am just now weaning at 13 months 🙂 There’s hope!!! Good luck!