Trying to keep breastfeeding...any suggestions

Hey guys, Jakob is now 2 mos. old. When he was first born he was in the NICU so I pumped every 4 hours and brought it to him. from almost the beginning I was pumping maybe 2 oz. from each side every time. Here in the last month I am getting 1/2 oz or less from each side and it looks to be decreasing. I was told to supplement with formula and he has had acid reflux ever since I started formula, they changed him to Prosobee and he still has reflux with it. 2 weeks ago my friend told me to take some Brewers yeast every day and I have but it doesn't seem to be working. I really don't want to give up breastfeeding I loved the feeling of it but if he feeds directly he can stay on each side for 45 min. and still be irritably hungry, eating his hands and anything in sight. Does anybody have any ideas how I can hold on to this precious privilege. It seems hardly worth it for a 1/4 - 1/2 oz per pump. Thanks for your thoughts.

Can't offer any advice about the BF, but my daughter spit up every single formula except Enfamil Nutramigin. It's a bit pricey, but you may want want to try it for supplementing.

There are perscriptions you can take, I was also told brewers yeast and oatmeal.

Good luck! I'd call the hospital and ask to speak with the lactation consultant too.. You can also call your local la leche league office

The doctors said with Gastric Bypass they couldn't give me the meds for lactaction (Reglan- I think it was) I'm not sure why but I asked about the meds.

humm I wonder why we can't take them

Did you ask your bariatric surgeon about the Reglan or just your primary?  I have heard it can help but the downside is it can cause depression or worsen depression.  There is also domperidone, but that has to be ordered from outside the US or made in a compound pharmacy, I think.

You are correct about domperidone, it is not FDA approved so it has to be ordered from another country (Canada mostly) It can be made at a compounding pharmacy also, but it is like $1 or upwards per pill (10mg pills and you need to take between 60 and 80 mg/day).

I took Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle... it helped some but not as much as I would've liked but I know some ppl on another board that swear by it. Might be work a try... Hope all goes well!

A couple things you can try.  Increase water intake, pump every 1 1/2 to 2 hours even if he has just breastfed from you(pump after he is done) and call your local hospital and make an appointment with the lactation consultant.  They can be a wealth of help.

Have you tried a supplemental nursing system or a Lactaid?  They are little bottles you fill with formula or pumped milk and they're attached to a little tube.  It goes in the baby's mouth when he eats and then he sucks both your milk and the supplement.  They are a pain but they can help build supply and keep you two nursing longer.

I didn't formula feed but my friends who did are mostly anti-soy because it contains estrogen-like compounds.  I'm not trying to make you worry more, but because of this most of my friends whose babies were milk intolerant used Nutrimagen or Alimentum or others like that.  They're expensive but might be the best option for your sweetie and cause fewer side effects.

Some women have success giving a small supplement (maybe just one ounce) and then offering the breast.  Then the baby gets a little boost from the supplement and is able to nurse better and the tummy feels fuller.  Maybe try that first.

Are you taking fenugreek?  If so, take a LOT.  I'm not sure of dosage but you're supposed to do it until you smell like maple syrup (even your pee!  LOL.) 

And if you are just not up for pumping or an SNS or whatever, you can just decide to formula feed for the most part and let him nurse for comfort if he will do that.  He may not do it more than a few weeks, but even a few drops of mother's milk means precious antibodies, and there's that sweet feeling of closeness nursing your little one. 

Another thing - you know if your supply is down, but sometimes they DO nurse like crazy in the early days.  It sounds like the supplementing is a good thing, but even my super plump baby wanted to nurse every hour or two for the first four months, and she was clearly getting a ton of milk.  So I'd keep taking the yeast, keep offering the boob and try the other stuff people suggested.  You sound like a really caring woman and I'm sure Jakob will be fine no matter how it all works out. 

La Leche League can be a big help.  I've heard of some women having bad experiences, but most of what I saw at LLL was pure support, whether a mother breastfed fully or partially or hardly at all.  I'd call a leader or email and see if they have any tips for you.

Sorry for the wall of text but just know I'm rooting for you!