Talk to me about breastfeeding....

Help!!!!

When I had Bailey I was able to nurse for the first couple of weeks - but after that it all went down hill. I would nurse her, than pump and would get MAYBE 2 oz out of both sides. Than again, she was nursing every 2 hours because she was so small at birth - 5lbs 9 oz, so not only did the Dr. want her to nurse every 2 hours,but he wanted me to supplement 2 oz of formula in between.

I felt like I wasn't producing enough and quit. I really want to nurse Bella until she is at least 9 months..... any tips to help with production? Die****er? I will tell you that I am HORRIBLE about eating (sometimes go all day before realizing - huh, I haven't eaten yet today) and drinking water. What do I need to do?? Are there things I can be doing now?

Thanks Ladies!

With my first daughter I was able to nurse just fine with trips well since they were in the NICU so long I had to pump and I find  pumping extremely difficult and for some you can't really measure pumping verses nursing as your baby can draw way more milk than the pump,  I could nurse and she was getting plenty but I couldn't pump squat! Now from what I have learned is drink drink drink if water isn't your think drink tons of what you like, drink all day and even drink while you are nursing! In the beginning you will feel all you do as nurse but if you can make it through the first couple of weeks you can do it,  prepare yourself as to how hard it can be and if it is you won't be stressed and if it isn't you will have easy sailing! AND if they offer a lactation consultant at your hospital take their help, sometimes they suck but sometimes they are AWESOME!

Oh and you have to eat too! just keep snacks handy and eat some protein or something even if you aren't hungry!!

for now start drinking and keep track of how many ounces you drink a day I am doing that now I keep a sticky on the kitchen cabinet so i can keep track of my intake as I am very forgetful!

Hugs my friend!!
Beth
oh I forgot I am like you I am nursing this baby if it kills me!

Hi Dawn--

Well, as you know, I am pregnant with my first and have no first-hand experience with nursing. I am, however, VERY DETERMINED to nurse my baby to the best of my abilities. Of all the pregnancy and baby books I've accumulated/checked out of the library, about a third are strictly on the topic of BFing.  I've gotten a TON of tips from various friends who have nursed or are nursing. Here are a few that make sense to me and I plan on following:

--Always keeps drinks and snacks handy where you nurse. (i.e., within arm's reach of where you are sitting while nursing)

--Lots of water/fluid

--Supplements if needed: mother's tea, fenugreek, etc.

--Don't be afraid to ask for guidance from a professional lactation consultant

Wishing you an easier breastfeeding experience this time around!

--Paula

Well, I'm the #1 fan of BF - with all 5.
#1 - You MUST drink *a lot* 100-120 ounces of water a day.
#2 - Some women just don't pump that much. Your baby is getting MORE than you pump.
#3 - Eat a healthy diet or your baby won't get all the nutrients he/she needs.
#4 - Herbal supplements really DO help (Fenugreek, etc.) If need be the prescription medications to wonders as well.
#5 - Perseverance. It takes a lot of dedication to BF. It's totally rewarding, but it's not totally easy - especially with other kiddies around.
#6 - BF on demand. There's no such thing as a schedule.

You'll do fine! I commend you for your dedication. God bless!

You need lots of fluids. Pumping won't produce as much as your baby will breastfeeding, so have her on the breast as much as possible. Warm compresses( even wash clothes) will help bring milk down, also standing in a warm/hot shower with the water hitting your breasts, these cause the milk to flow. Best advice would be to keep her on the breast as often as possible.

I was worried about not having enough for Zachary.  I have increased my supply now so I am pumping what he needs for the day and I have almost an additional 2     4 oz bottles to freeze!

How did I increase supply.... drink water,  drink mothers milk tea (has lots of lactation promoting herbs)  eat oatmeal.  nurse often when you have baby and pump often when you don't.

Make sure you eat a healthy balance diet.  Keep taking prenatals, DHA, calcium, B12. 


so far it is working for me!  Good luck!

Believe it or not, when it comes to nursing you need to NOT listen to your doctor or the nurses at the ped's office unless they are truly BF advocates, UNLESS of course baby is really NOT gaining weight or is ill. In most cases they know little to nothing about nursing and give women bad advice like to supplement with formula (which can cause nipple confusion and start the BF relationship off down the wrong path!).

If I where you I would contact a local lactation guru, and let them be your guide. Some people are put off by La Lechec, but they can be a wonderful source of information. You can pick up the book "The Womenly Art of Breastfeeding", its a bit dry, but full of good information.

Here is their web site - http://www.llli.org/

You MUST drink and eat enough to produce milk for your little one, Bella will let your body know how much she needs and when she needs it and eventually the two of you will be in perfect sync.

I've been reading up on PCOS and bfing.  I have read that Goat's Rue is a good supplement as well as the Fenugreek.  I drank soooo much water and still produced nothing.  I actually pumped more than Kellen was getting (the LC weighed him after a feeding and then had me pump)  He would just fall asleep at the boob with a full mouth and spit it out in his sleep - little bugger!!!! 
BUT, I didn't produce nearly enough to even supplement with the pumped milk.  So, that's why I'm looking into the supplements.  I really would like to breastfeed for more than 3 weeks this go 'round.  We shall see! 

Good luck!!
Sandy

Does your hospital offer a breastfeeding class?  If not, Babies R Us occasionally has a breastfeeding seminar (I didn't attend, so I don't know if it is good or not) if you have one close. 
I also suggest reading any book about breastfeeding you can get your hands on.   I know most people think breastfeeding is natural.  You should just be able to put the baby to your bosom and it be that easy.  It was not that easy with Hannah.  I couldn't get her hands out of her mouth long enough to get her latched.  Then when I would get her latched she would pop back off and stick her hand in her mouth again!  It honestly took having another person holding her hands down to get her latched on for the first week or so.  That being said I was able to successfully nurse Hannah until she was 11 months old.  She started biting and I decided to wean her while I still had nipples! 
Good luck!
Amy

I did the opposite--I pumped and then nursed soon after.  A baby is MUCH more efficient than a breast pump.  What you pump is not an indication of hour much (or little) milk you are actually producing.  I breastfed on demand and for at least the first three months that was every 1.5-2 hours (luckily, Elijah was a fast nurser but he stayed a frequent nurser).  Make sure you eat small meals and snacks throughout the day--nibble and graze all the time (an extra 500 calories a day).  Keep up your fluids (a minimum of 8 glasses of decaf fluids a day).  Don't hesitate to call or go see a lactation consultant--as often as you need to.  They are SO helpful.  Good luck!