i seriously have like NO supply left..... any suggestions?

[Hoping4sumBBdust]

Here's the deal, and no flames please.

DD1 pretty much stopped taking to me after a serious drop in supply about 8 months. I chalked it up to DH leaving for deployment, and me being about 6 1/2 months pregnant. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the time we nursed together, and was determined to get it right with my 2nd daughter. DD2 is 5 months old, and has been a lazy sucker, pretty much since birth, despite no bottles or pacis. When my milk came in with her, I was sooooo engorged, I would leak like Niagra Falls. I used to run the sink just to squeeze and watch it all go down the drain. Never had the energy to sit and pump with two demanding babies under 1 years old. Moving on here. About a month ago, my dad had a heart attack at 47, and wound up having to have surgery so I packed up the kids, and drove the 6 hours to go see him. I spent a couple weeks going to the hospital, driving him to appointmetns. Often leaving the little ones with my MIL. I had a manual pump, but would get discouraged after only getting 3 ounces or so between both breasts. So, I chalked it up to two stressful situations taking away my supply. I mourned the loss of nursing. DD2 will still latch but mostly for her to like use me as a "pacifier"

To the point here........

Out of ABSOLUTELY no where yesterday, DD1 (now 17 months old) took a sudden want to nurse. (you can read my story in BFing beyond Infancy, titled Never in a million years!) I couldn't believe it, since she has not been nursed in about 9 months!

I realized how much I miss this incredible bond with BOTH my girls. I want to be able to build up a supply for both my girls. I just tried pumping, and got close to NOTHING. Yet after "nursing" I can squeeze and milk still comes out?!? I don't quite get it.

I have the fenugreek, Reglan (doperimide or something like that!) and nursing Mom's tea, which I think has fenugreek in it as well. What else can I do? Is it still a supply and demand thing? I don't mind not EXCLUSIVE BFing, but I want to be able to offer both my girls something here! I imagined myself with a nursing toddler, but is it too late now? DD2 will only take to me a couple times a week, so I know the demand is not there, but anytime DD1 sees my breasts, she takes a 2 minute session : What else can I do to build a supply? PLEASE offer suggestions.....

I had two horrible, darn near deadly c-sections, and I have the IUD in, so I know Im not having kids for at least 5 years, if I chose to take the risk again. I really want to share this with my kiddos and dissapointed that I didnt try harder earlier.

[puddle]

You need a lot of stimulation to build up a supply. It sounds like you don't respond all that well to the pump you have. Are you still getting good suction? Do the membranes need replacing or anything? If you can afford it, you may want try to get a better pump and pump frequently. Also--3 oz is a really good output, especially for a manual pump. Most babies are much more efficient and extracting milk than a pump, so your poor pumping output is not necessarily indicative of your supply.

However, if your little ones keep nursing, then your body will keep producing to meet their demands.

Did you ever have your DD2 evaluated by an IBCLC to see if there was a reason for a weak suck like a mild tongue tie or something? If she isn't able to get a good latch, then that may be preventing her from withdrawing much milk.

Congratulations on unweaning DD1! :

Also, remember that nursing isn't only about feeding. Pacifiers are just a substitute for nursing, so if your DD2 is comfort nursing frequently, she is still getting a lot of benefits from your nursing relationship, whether large quantities of milk are involved or not.