what can I do now?

[RachTheWife]

Ok, So I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child.
Breastfeeding was first choice for my first two kids... although I wasnt as informed then as I am now on the matter of Breastfeeding.
I was producing "skim" milk with my first and he lost a LOT of weight the first three months of his life so I switched him to formula, and didnt try anything else to keep him breastfeeding.

With my second son, I breastfed for 5 months but at 4mths he started getting really constipated and I thought it was my milk (not cutting anything out, a month and a half later I quit). I put him on formula hoping that would solve his BM issues but it didnt and i felt HORRIBLE.

I am VERY adamant about breastfeeding this new baby for at least a year. I KNOW there are things to help increase your supply, but my question is this:

I am only 7 weeks pregnant. I know... its a LONG way till my baby is here but Is there something I can do while pregnant to ensure I make good milk? or at least help in that area? I know eating oatmeal, fenugeek(sp), flaxseed all help increase your supply, but is eating that stuff during pregnancy going to help at all? (I dont want this to sound stupid... hahaha but it does :P )
I just dont want to fail this time!

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

Fenugreek isn't safe for pregnancy. I am 14 weeks and just started taking alfalfa which is okay during pregnancy. Just do a lot of research now so you be prepared before birth. Read ,the breastfeeding mothers guide to making more milk" hang out in this forum. Find a good lc prior to birth. I had a lot of problems with#1 and I have suspected igt, good luck and ask lots of questions here someone will know the answer. Gl

[tibeca]

Find yourself a local La Leche League group. There, you should find the emotional support as well as medical knowledge you need to help you succeed. Your local group should also be able to recommend books to help set you on the right path.

[Somemyrrh]

I would go to an IBCLC in your situation. Mine told me to take alfalfa supplements (leaves only, not seeds!) once morning sickness passed, plus goat's rue. But a good LC may have better, more specific advice for you.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

Originally Posted by Somemyrrh

I would go to an IBCLC in your situation. Mine told me to take alfalfa supplements (leaves only, not seeds!) once morning sickness passed, plus goat's rue. But a good LC may have better, more specific advice for you.

why aren't the seeds safe?

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by RachTheWife

Ok, So I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child.
Breastfeeding was first choice for my first two kids... although I wasnt as informed then as I am now on the matter of Breastfeeding.
I was producing "skim" milk with my first and he lost a LOT of weight the first three months of his life so I switched him to formula, and didnt try anything else to keep him breastfeeding.

With my second son, I breastfed for 5 months but at 4mths he started getting really constipated and I thought it was my milk (not cutting anything out, a month and a half later I quit). I put him on formula hoping that would solve his BM issues but it didnt and i felt HORRIBLE.

I am VERY adamant about breastfeeding this new baby for at least a year. I KNOW there are things to help increase your supply, but my question is this:

I am only 7 weeks pregnant. I know... its a LONG way till my baby is here but Is there something I can do while pregnant to ensure I make good milk? or at least help in that area? I know eating oatmeal, fenugeek(sp), flaxseed all help increase your supply, but is eating that stuff during pregnancy going to help at all? (I dont want this to sound stupid... hahaha but it does :P )
I just dont want to fail this time!

I second hooking up with a La Leche League group. Then enjoy your pregnancy and nurse, nurse, nurse when your babe arrives. You could also find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultation before your baby arrives in case you run into trouble again.
BUT there's no such thing as "skim milk." From everything I've read, babies don't gain because they're getting too little milk, not because the milk isn't "good." An IBCLC might well have been able to help you increase your supply with pumping, herbs or medication or pinpoint the problem, for example not feeding on demand or birth control.
Second, lots of breastfed babies appear "constipated" because – after the first months when BMs are a good indicator baby is getting enough –*they may stool less often than formula fed babies. They're only truly constipated if the stools are hard.
Good luck!

[Bebe's Mom]

Originally Posted by tibeca

Find yourself a local La Leche League group. There, you should find the emotional support as well as medical knowledge you need to help you succeed. Your local group should also be able to recommend books to help set you on the right path.

[emilysmama]

Don't stop at simply finding the local La Leche League group.

More important, you should go to the La Leche League group meeting now, while you are pregnant, instead of waiting until after giving birth.

Also, you should take the La Leche League leader's phone number with you to the hospital.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by emilysmama

Don't stop at simply finding the local La Leche League group.

This. I'd also find a really, really great ibilc with good recommendations, and line up some pp help going into 3 months pp. Finally, if you are worried that weight gain will be an issue, I'd read up on different methods of supplementing at the breast, or at least without a bottle. I'd also invest in and familiarize your self with a good pump so you can use to build up your supply/supplement *if needed only*!!

I know that advice goes counter to what you might find here, but I had a baby with a poor latch, but just happend to get an ibclc sent straight from heaven who taught me how to use a pump responsibly, and finger feed responsibly if needed. By 6 weeks I was a bf pro.

A friend of mine was not so lucky, and ended up supp and ff and pumping all the time due to crummy hospital staff. I think it's helpful to know what to do when thing's don't go right.

[Somemyrrh]

Alfalsa seeds contribute to causing lupus.

[RaeDyCo]

I would read through this info and most importantly know that it is normal for a baby to want to breastfeed A LOT in the first 8-10 weeks. In order to get off to a great start, you need to breastfeed often (10-12 times / 24 hours) and that will help you get your supply off to a good start.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/index.html