supply problem? help please

[omelette]

My almost 3 month old has been a great nurser from the get go but this week I'm starting to wonder if I'm having supply issues. He's been sick with pneumonia and I've been offering him milk more then normal.

He latches on quite happily and then has been getting frustrated and tugging on my nipple so I switch him to the other side and the same thing. When he is latched and sucking I'm not feeling my let down and I normally feel it in both breasts all the time. This evening I went to feed him and he tugged and tugged at the left side and was crying when he came off so I tried the right side and the same thing. So I got out my pump and tried to pump to see if milk was actually coming out. I pumped on both sides for 10 minutes or so and nothing came out.
So now I'm worried that there is something wrong with my supply and I don't know what to do about it. Input, ideas of what might be going on would be so appreciated.
I just hope this little guy makes it through the night alright b/c I have no back up milk in the freezer.

[PatioGardener]

How are baby's pees? 6 heavy wet diapers in 24 hours?

How is weight gain?

If baby is peeing well and gaining well you KNOW your supply is fine. Babies get fussy nursing around 3-4 months and mothers often wonder if thye have enough milk. (And they do!)

Hang in there Mama!

[HoosierDiaperinMama]

Bump up your water intake and maybe down some Fenugreek or oatmeal?? I'm on FG 3x a day (15 total) and it makes a HUGE difference in my supply. Also, I drink a gallon plus of water a day. As for him pulling off, my DS started doing this 2 weeks ago and after getting some great advice here we figured out it was gas. He just needed to be burped more often.

Is he swallowing when you don't feel a letdown?

[calebsmommy25]

I second the oatmeal and water. I've never taken fenugreek alone, but drink mothers milk tea which has it in it. You mentioned he was sick, does he have a stuffy nose? That could make nursing difficult for him. Keep on trucking Mama, you can do it. Hope your little little one feels better soon, and your nursing relationship gets back on track quickly.

[omelette]

Thank you. I'm going to try the oatmeal and see if I can get out today to get some fenugreek.
We made it through the night and I did feel my let down (just barely though) once throughout the night. It's odd b/c before it was always a strong sensation, last night it was the slightest little tingle. He doesn't seem completely satisfied though.
I thought that by feeding him more I would be increasing my supply but it doesn't seem to be working.

[HoosierDiaperinMama]

I wouldn't be overly concerned if you're not feeling the letdown. After about the first week, I'm not as aware of the letdown. I judge it more by DS' jaw movement and swallowing. His jaw/sucking becomes more rhythmic when he brings the milk down.

On the Fenugreek, it was recommended to me by the LC that you do not follow the directions on the bottle. Instead, she said to take 5 capsules 3x a day for 5 days, 4 cap. 3x a day for 4 days, so on and so forth. You should notice a difference in 2-3 days and eventualy you'll smell like maple syrup. Secret doesn't even begin to cover the syrupy smell coming from my armpits.

[AustinMom]

When in doubt, go see an LC, an EXPERIENCED LC. Not just one that does rounds occasionally at the hospital.

You can get Domperidone now in the US, look online for pharmacies if you need to go that route.

Try compression also. You can google how to do this. It's pretty much trying to help "massage" the milk down down squeezing (not till it hurts) your breast and massaging down at the same time. Try this when baby is sucking. I agree with stuff nose thing, if he is stuffy, try and clear that up first, and or feed in a more of an upright position.

Fenugreek is good from what I hear, there are a couple others, I think Goat's Rue is one and Blessed Thistle is another.