Can I Get My Supply Back?

[tootaloo78]

I only got to BF my oldest son for about 8 weeks because I had to go back to work and there was nowhere to pump (I rode with a friend so I didn't even have a car to use at lunch) and I was told that nighttime only BFing was pointless because my milk would dry up in a couple of weeks. I just had another son since I'm a sahm now I was looking forward to bfing for at least a year.

Things started out great, he gained weight well and loved to nurse. But then it seemed like he was never full, he screamed all the time and would nurse constantly but act frustrated, pulling at my nipples and acting like he wasn't getting anything. There are no lactation consultants in my extremely rural neck of the woods (seriously, there was an article in the paper last year touting the fact that fourteen women on the WIC program had bf) and bfing isn't the norm here. I gave in to the pressure of family and friends and started giving him formula. He does seem to rest much better now, but I feel so disappointed and am thinking maybe I gave in way too easily to the formula suggestions. He is almost seven weeks old and I am still bfing at night and occasionally once or twice during the day. Here are my questions:

1. Does it sound like I wasn't making enough milk for him? How do I know if I'm having supply issues?
2. Is there any way to establish enough milk to exclusively, or even almost exclusively bf now?

I just don't feel comfortable with my decision at all and I would love to get back to the bfing full time or even most of the time. I look at his little face and feel sooooo guilty, like I just didn't try hard enough. I don't know much about bfing and the articles that I have found deal with people who have had real supply issues but I can't even be sure that I had one at all. Please help!

[LindsG]

HUGS - I feel for u momma. I'm in the same boat. My babe is even the same age. When did the fussiness (and supplementing) start? My DS was VERY fussy through his 6 wk growth spurt and that was even with supplementation. I doubt your supply was low and you can get it back. I just went to my really great LC today and she told me she successfully fully relactated a woman who BFed once and not again for 8 weeks! I found that very encouraging. Do you have a pump? For me, it was suggested to take a nursing vacation and pump and nurse nonstop for 2-3 days. Try to give as little formula as possible. The baby will not suffer from 1-2 days of low supply until your body builds back up. (although you might suffer - it won't be easy). You can try some herbs like fenugreek to give you a boost also. Try to get rid of the bottles and supplement using something else if you must supplement. Hang in there! You can get it back!!

Oh one more thing- the best ways to tell if u are having suppy issues is diaper output, weight, and watching for swallows

[AislinCarys]

Low-supply mama here (although even I got my supply up in the end!).

Crying and "seeming hungry" is NOT a reliable sign in itself of low supply. Weight gain matters, as do output (number of wet/soiled diapers) and that baby is sucking and swallowing when feeding (Listen to the sound, look at baby's neck. My DD rarely did.).

Fenugreek, oatmeal, lots of water. Feed, feed, feed! And get a good pump, preferably hospital grade, and pump whenever your baby won't feed/has a bottle. Feed or pump every couple of hours. I got a Medela supplemental nursing system (SNS). You could try feeding your baby formula or pumped milk in that, or a lact-aid while you rebuild your supply. I had a lot of success with that.

Monitor your baby's weight. As long as he is gaining there is no problem at all. And even if he wouldn't gain weight for a while, that CAN be ok too (as long as he is gaining in length and head circumference). Head circumference is the most important. We learnt this as DD is very small and gained very slowly (even while supplemented!), and we were referred to a specialist ped, with very good reputation.

I would try all of this first. If nothing works there is a medication called Domperidone which you might want to look into if you can get (I know it isn't always easy in the US, my dr just prescribed it for me, the specialist ped off-handedly said they prescribe it to babies with reflux, so it is safe for baby to get through your milk).

I would say your chances for success are really good!

Good luck!