How to increase milk supply?

moneypanicker

krystaltips - thanks for info about breastfeeding network i will e-mail them tomorrow to see if i can get info.

I rang my local maternity unit who phoned another bigger unit and said i was misinformed and that i can take this particular drug. I was prescribed it before and this was a big maternity hospital i went back to the gp as this was the medication that the midwife wanted me on!!! I think i will give the gp the breastfeeding network info too!

thanks all for support my milk i think is increasing but is really low in the evenings i've been managing to express a bit the last few days to give in the evenings but haven't today so have had to give a bit of formula as baby screaming - but i musn't feel guilty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Judi101

Havent got any extra advice but just wanted to pop in to give my support. I had this with both of my little ones but especially my second. I ended up giving in and giving formula top ups which actually ended up with DS stopping BF totally which I so didnt want. All the hassle I also blame for 'helping' with postnatal depression. Dont listen to the HV and get some good BF advice - La Leche are brill.

Sarahsaver

My milk seems to be low in the evening too but there is deffo still some there, then overnight BOOM - LOADS!
The more you ask the more you will find what you are going through is normal, but a lot of the NHS doesnt like bf cos it cannot be 'measured'

rolo-polo1965

I agree with all the advice you have been given. I have succesfully breast fed my four children untill they were all 18months old.

With my youngest she was born at 34 weeks in an incubator, then refused to put on weight. My Grandmother told me to drink loads of milk myself and eat rice puddings and eggcustards, or custard in the middle of the day. This is did and she started putting on loads of weight.

I am also a qualified nursery nurse having worked in maternity units around the country, and this is now what i tell my mums, keep feeding as well, everytime they cry feed them. You need to get your milk supply established.

Good luck and dont give up. Remember you are doing the best you can for your baby.

Sarahsaver

i dont know if its true but i read something about your supply being linked to what you ate a few hours previously

Gingham_Ribbon

Moneypanicker, you need proper advice as it sounds like your health visitor and doctor aren't really doing all they can to support you. Try the la leche league or the NCT breastfeeding line.

Supplimenting with bottles will reduce the amount of sucking time your baby has which WILL reduce your own milk supply.

Letting your baby suck at the breast as much as possible, without using the dummy WILL increase your supply. Try to go to bed for a couple of days just you and the baby.

Drink water, try to eat well and relax. I've been on various drugs while pregnant and breastfeeding and they can usually find you an alternative that's suitable if the drug you're on isn't safe.

daphne_descends

moneypanicker forgive me if this has been covered, I have only skim-read, I am not sure why you are expressing? It is not an indication of your supply at all. I could never express more than about 15ml but I fed a 91st centile baby exclusively until 6 months. Still feeding now at 14 months. There is always milk being produced, your breasts are never truly 'empty' and your diet doesn't have any bearing on it really, eat what and when you fancy but you'd have to be approaching starvation before your milk would suffer.

Gingham_Ribbon

Expressing often only provides foremilk and is no indication of how much your baby is receiving. A better indication is if baby is having frequent wet nappies and is alert and happy.

Also, the growth charts the HV is using are probably the ones designed for bottle fed babies. You can find alternative charts if you google, though again, every baby is an individual.

ALI1973

My HUGE apologies if this has already been mentioned, I havent had time to read all the thread.

Firstly, Id like to reiterate what others have said 'all babies are individuals'. None of mine have fed in the same way, let alone put on weight the same. DD1 lost lots of weight and took ages to regain it. DD2 never lost an ounce and increased weight dramatically each each week. DD3 was my smallest born and just continued increase in line with her scale.

I have bf all 3 of my babies, and was told by my (lovely) experienced MW that I should drink gold top milk in the afternoon and evening before bed. Sounds strange but it really alters your milk, mine was always much more creamier looking after drink this milk (very yellow iykwim).

Its also important to rest (i know easier said than done) but give yourself a break, you're a fantastic mum as you have done this before and you will do it fantastically again.

HTH love Ali xx

PS. Cant believe how unsupportive your health care team is!!!

alwaysonthego_2

daphne_descends wrote: »

moneypanicker forgive me if this has been covered, I have only skim-read, I am not sure why you are expressing? It is not an indication of your supply at all. I could never express more than about 15ml but I fed a 91st centile baby exclusively until 6 months. Still feeding now at 14 months. There is always milk being produced, your breasts are never truly 'empty' and your diet doesn't have any bearing on it really, eat what and when you fancy but you'd have to be approaching starvation before your milk would suffer.

I don't think the op should follow this advice, she needs to ensure that she is eating a good healthy diet so she feels well enough to feed her baby.

look at this link for further info
http://www.askbaby.com/eating-for-breastfeeding.htm