No Milk Production with #1, Still BF Hope for #2?

[Bebegim]

I'd really like to breastfeed #2 (due in december), but my milk never came in after DD (now 3). It was terrible. I pumped and pumped... 20 minutes straight, 1/4 of an inch. The doctor offered me no explanations! I felt so defective. And now I am worried that we will miss out with #2 just like with DD. Has anyone had something similar happen?

I did get sick a few weeks after she was born with a kidney infection (due to a dislodged stent that was placed during pregnancy- DD was completely blocking my right ureter). But wouldn't my milk have come in by then already?

Are someone women just non-producers? Is this common?

Hoping that I will have success this time around and any info would be great! Thanks!!!

[Grace and Granola]

There are many reasons why women have inadequate milk production. For me it was PCOS. I did not know this going into bfing ds1, but was more prepared with ds2. I had slightly more milk the second time around, but that was due to taking every single measure possible to make milk. ie. herbs, water, sleep,pumping, sns, etc. I still could not fully bf my ds2.

I would recommend finding a good lactation consultant way before you give birth so that you can be as prepared as possible before the baby comes.

[mambera]

I recommend the book "Making More Milk," by Diane West and Lisa Marasco. It may give you a better idea of what could have gone wrong with your DD and some ideas for early intervention this time around. GL!

(Btw... I don't know anything about your story but I do want to say that pumping 20 min and getting 1/4 inch of milk is not by itself indicative of a supply issue. It could just indicate poor pump response, which is not uncommon. Weight gain and urine/stool output in the baby are much more reliable indicators of issues with milk production or transfer. Pumping output is meaningless.)

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by mambera

(Btw... I don't know anything about your story but I do want to say that pumping 20 min and getting 1/4 inch of milk is not by itself indicative of a supply issue. It could just indicate poor pump response, which is not uncommon. Weight gain and urine/stool output in the baby are much more reliable indicators of issues with milk production or transfer. Pumping output is meaningless.)

I agree with the idea to see a good LC before baby arrives, and to have some one to advocate for skin-to-skin immediately and breastfeeding within an hour after birth (all the rest - weighing, eye goop etc can wait!)

Many women are successful breastfeeding #2 after problems with #1. Good luck - I bet you do well!

[Megan73]

I second the book recommendation. There are many reasons why you could have had trouble with making a full supply - although it's true that pumping isn't a good indication for everyone and many women only think they have low supply because they haven't had good BF support.
But some of the potential culprits for low supply include retained placenta, too much bleeding at the birth, PCOS as a PP mentioned, thyroid problems or insufficient glandular tissue (IGT).
There are lots of options to treat low supply in addition to treating an underlying medical condition (for example metformin for PCOS). Herbs and especially domperidone can really help.
I have unexplained low supply but I was able to exclusively feed my LO at the breast thanks to a Lact-Aid (an at-the-breast supplementer that replaces bottles) and a small amount of formula. I wish I'd done more to seek out donor milk but DS is still nursing at 20 months.
It CAN be done. I'd meet with an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and try to figure it out before your baby arrives.
You CAN do it, mama.

[Bebegim]

Aw, thanks everyone!!! This is great news!!! I will definitely find a lactation consultant asap! And grab a copy of that book!

The reason I started pumping was because I started exclusively bfing DD, and at her first pedi appt the doctor said she had lost well over a pound and was worried, because she really wasnt pooping at all turns out she was starving. So, I had to put her on formula and try pumping instead, because she was getting so frustrated she just gave up trying. I felt so terrible!

But I am going to work really hard this time around! Im so glad I found mothering.com and all these fabulous mommies for support!

Thank you all!

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Megan73

DS is still nursing at 20 months.

This makes my heart flow over.


I wish that all moms with low supply had the knowledge that they can nurse. Bebegim, Megan73's words are so true. You can do it.

Other issues that may cause poor milk transfer (which results in low supply, because our breasts regulate milk on supply/demand) include tongue-tie, shallow latch, and infrequent feedings. Newborns often feed 18-24 times in 24 hours (which is completely normal). Having a good lactation consultant in your corner before the birth will really help!

Good luck and please stop back often!

[rlmueller]

Book and supplement

Book: Mother Food

Supplement: More milk special blend. I'm ordering it today.

[mambera]

Originally Posted by Bebegim

The reason I started pumping was because I started exclusively bfing DD, and at her first pedi appt the doctor said she had lost well over a pound and was worried, because she really wasnt pooping at all turns out she was starving. So, I had to put her on formula and try pumping instead, because she was getting so frustrated she just gave up trying. I felt so terrible!

It is SO emotionally distressing when your baby isn't getting enough to eat.

So from what you've said it sounds like there was definitely a real issue but it isn't clear whether it was a baby-side issue or a mama-side issue.

If you had a baby-side issue (eg tongue tie) that prevented your DD from effectively removing milk then there's no reason at all to suspect you should have a problem with the next baby.

If you had a mama-side issue (eg insufficient glandular tissue) then you would probably have to work a little harder for the bfing, and might or might not get a full supply next time around - but could definitely maintain the bfing relationship, maximize your supply and ensure your LO gets all the milk you produce by supplementing at the breast instead of by bottle.

The Making More Milk book plus a good IBCLC should be able to help you determine what might have gone wrong and what (if anything) you should do differently this time around.