Low Milk Supply/ Breast Implants

[mariposa77]

I just had Arie Thursday and he lost already 14ozs. I have been worried about my angel,I not getting enough milk.
I previously bf for 5 years total with my other children w/o issues. But I got breast implants 10 years ago, not thinking that I would have more babies. Of course I am so regretting this.
We are going to lactation consultant tomorrow.
So far I am doing skin to skin, breast massage, bf on demand.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Megan73]

Congrats on your new babe
It's really common for women who've had breast surgery to have challenges breastfeeding. The LC should be able to help you a LOT.
The website bfar.org (it stands for breastfeeding after reduction but it applies to women who've had augmentation, too) may help.
Your LC may suggest you try domperidone - a drug that has the side effect of increasing prolactin and with it supply.
If you need to supplement with formula (or donor milk if you can get it), I'd strongly suggest using an at-the-breast supplementer, particularly the Lact-Aid.
If you want to supplement before seeing the LC, I'd suggest cup feeding. A tiny shot glass works well.
Hang in there, mama. My SIL is BFAR and nursed my gorgeous little nephew for two years!

[Vegan Princess]

Megan's post had a lot of great advice. She is right, the issues with implants are the same as for breast reduction surgergies. I would 2nd checking out the bfar site and using a lactaid if you need to supp. I got breast implants 10 yrs before my daughter was born. I started having to supplement at 1 week pp. It was a long road for me to learn all the things I could be doing to increase my milk supply. The top things are 1) pumping with a hospital grade pump after every feed to provide additional stimulation to tell your breasts to make more milk 2) start taking domperidone and a high dose of fenugreek and goats rue immediately 3) don't introduce bottles - use the lactaid to avoid nipple confusion and also to help your breasts get even more stimulation. There is a great book called "Making More Milk" that I would reccomend checking out - not that you have time to hunt it down or read it right now.

I made about an ounce per feed before I started everything. I didn't start the domperidone until 2 months later and didnt start the lactaid until my baby was 5 month old. Each made a difference. Eventually I was able to make 3 ounces per feed. Still not a full supply, but a good amount of what my baby needed. I used donor milk as much as I could to supplement - though I was totally against the idea at first.

I hope things work out for you. And please remember that you can still have a very close and wonderful nursing relationship with your baby, even if you need to supplement. My daughter is 15 months old and still nursing like crazy - I am so thankful that I stuck with it through all the challenges.

Cindy

[mariposa77]

Thank you ladies.
I am going to give all a go, all advice is so much appreciated.
I so want to give my son the best, it breaks my heart that I may not be.
Last night was rough, he was awake until 1:15, and I supplemented him with a dropper about 1 oz or so, was very messy.
We go to the lc soon, and I will pick up herbs too and hopefully a pump and lact aid as well.
I have Making more milk and been all over BFAR.org.
I ll let you know how its going.

[mariposa77]

Hi all!

We went to the LC first 5 days ago- Arie was 7lbs. 9ozs. then again, yesterday and he dropped a ounce ...
I was recommended from now on to breastfeed for no longer than 45 minutes 8-12 times per day(the LC says that he sleeps too much at the breast, and wastes energy that he needs), then supplement him with 2 ozs, of breastmilk or formula, then pump for 15-20 mins(after nursing).Also I am taking goats rue/fenugreek blend, eating oatmeal 1-2x per day.
Doing this it seems like he only is eating 8 times per day-maybe the formula puts him to sleep. And maybe less stimulation to the breast? The LC says it could be better to have more pauses for my breastmilk to accumulate
I am pumping with a hospital grade dual breast pump, but I am getting anywhere to 1/4-1oz,(per session) but usually 1/2oz. (is that discouraging????)
The LC said dom is unavailable in US, I will ask her about it again.
I am feeling pretty down, ashamed, bad not to be able to nourish my little angel. I would do anything to get the milk production up.

Thanks for any help or advice

[PatioGardener]

.5 oz is great!!!!! hang in there! i would also strongly suggest at the breast supplementation. have you been able to look into donor milk? do you do breast compressions while nursing? see videos at www.drjacknewman.com also have you eliminated other reasons for poor weight gain like tongue-tie, latch, etc?

hang in there - you guys will work this out!

sorry so abrupt - nak

[mariposa77]

THANKS just checked out the web site, I am doing compressions too!
i ll ask lc about donor milk too? lc says he has a short tongue
i have a medela sns, i ll try it again....
thank you baby is nursing now-must compress!

[Megan73]

The SNS is a great idea. I would really strive to eliminate bottles.
Also, check out the thread on domperidone in this forum. MANY women in the US take dom. I'm in Canada where it's available by prescription but I think Americans can get it online from out of the country or from compounding pharmacies.
Hang in there, mama.

[Vegan Princess]

If you are pumping after feeds you shouldn't be able to get much milk bc hopefully baby is taking it all. The point isn't to get milk, it's to stimulate your breasts to produce more.

You can get domperdone from compounding pharmacies but I don't suggest it - it is VERY expensive. Order it from www.inhousepharmacy.com. I got mine from there and most others do. It ships from Canada. Much much cheaper than compounding. Typically orders take 7-10 days to come. My first order got delayed at customs for 3 weeks but that never happened again after. PM me - I have some extra I could sell you in the meantime.

As far as supplementing..perhaps you could give a bit less more frequently so that he eats more often? It's tough to find a balance. I nursed and then supped and typically she ate every 3 hours - which is probably a bit longer than you want to go. I also highly suggest using the at the breast supplementer. If you don't like the SNS, order a lactaid - many women like it better - myself included. I made the mistake of using bottles and my baby got horrible nipple confusion and was sucking on me all wrong and not opening her mouth wide enough. If you must use bottles, use Breastflow bottles. I was able to correct Makenna's latch once I switched to those.

Hang in there! It will get easier!! You will find you groove. You are doing awesome so far!

Cindy

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by mariposa77

lc says he has a short tongue

If he is tongue-tied (see sticky at the top of this forum) then this could be 100% the reason for your weight gain/supply issues. Definitely worth investigating with someone who can diagnose and offer treatment if needed.

Keep going, Mama!

[mariposa77]

Good news, Arie gained now 6ozs in 2 days, and we can decrease supplementation(breastmilk or formula) to 1 and 1/2 ozs. per feeding.
We are using the sns, think thats a better plan of action.
Also dom is on the way!
LC doesn t think Arie is tongue tied....
Off to pump again!

Thank you all!!!!!!

[Megan73]

Glad to hear things are going so well! You're doing great

[goodygumdrops]

Also, you may not need to take the Dom since it seems like things are working themselves out. I would consider waiting on the meds until your absolutely sure that your dealing with low milk supply.

[mariposa77]

Hi All,

So we went to the lactation consultant today and he gained 1.5ozs. since Monday....was hoping he would weigh a little more since today Arie is 2 weeks.
she said to stay with the current plan and I told her that I just started with the dompermine
yesterday.....
Hoping that the milk factory will increase production!

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

[Vegan Princess]

Hang in there! It will all get worked out. You're doing a great job so far.

Cindy

[mariposa77]

Hi All,

Good news Arie is basically up to his birth weight
Have been taking the dom as well, it seems to me that I have more milk, and am fuller at times
We are continuing the current program, and am trying to keep up with the pumping after every feeding-was so sleepy last night-didn t want to stop cuddling with Arie to go pump.
Thanks for all your help ladies!

Hugs

[PatioGardener]