worried about low supply w/ #2

[jayell79]

With my first baby I had a mild low supply issue. I have always been naturally well endowed, but all through the pregnancy I never went up a cup size. I didn't have any soreness, or any changes with my breasts at all. Every professional who looked at them said "you'll be fine." I guess just assuming a C cup could feed a child? After delivery (induced for 12 hours, then C-section) everything seemed normal. I was producing colostrum, and DD was happy. I wasn't until about day 3 started having problems. My milk was late & didn't fully come in until about a week after delivery. I used an IV tube & syringe to feed 1-2 ounces of formula while breast feeding. Then when it did come, it was very slow to build up any supply. After about a month with no change, I went to LL who said my latch was not a problem. The Dr. inspected DD's mouth, that was not a problem. Everyone said I shouldn't have a problem, and to stop with all formula to build my supply. I did that for about a week, unsuccessfully (even with constant nursing) and put my DD in harms way (dropped weight & got dehydrated.) Back to supplementing with formula. When DD started demanding more formula than the 4 oz syringe would hold, t broke my heart, but we started bottle feeding. On the plus side, DD preferred breast, and never had any problems latching. So we BF first, then I pumped while DH topped her off with a bottle. I started pumping as much as possible, not getting more than 1 oz total at a time. The amount of formula continued to increase until month 3 when it leveled off at about 6 oz per feeding, and I think I started producing a little bit more. At about 6 months, the demand for more milk increased, and I didn't want to fill that with more formula. I started taking herbal supplements. I got pretty good results with Breastmilk Plus from Silver Sage. Production increased, FF decreased, and I was then able to pump about 3-4 oz total. I should have stopped there, but I heard about Shatavari and wanted to try it. Big mistake, it caused my milk to almost instantly dry up! After only 1 week of taking it, I couldn't pump anything & DD started to refuse to nurse. Thankfully that was at 14 months, and eating solids. I just decided to call it good and stop BF.

I'm hopeful this won't happen again, and I'm willing to do what ever I can to make sure it doesn't. I'm about 8 weeks preg, and have already gained a full cup size. And they ache, don't know if that's good or bad. I'm planning on taking more Breastmilk Plus, or something similar right after giving birth. I've heard conflicting stories if herbs like that are safe in the last trimester or not. Is there anything I can do now? What about a natural progesterone cream? I've heard it's safe to use while pregnant, and could help develop new milk producing tissue.

[poorlittlefish]

I had low supply with #1 due to a breast reduction and nursed her for around 14 months.  With #2 I had plently.  I am not sure if that will be the case with you but I know a lot of times it is easier with #2, almost like now your body knows what it is supposed to do :)  Good luck!

[jayell79]

Thanks! Most of what I'm reading seams that things get easier each time. However, I'm 100% sure I want to be sterilized after this one. I'm researching all of the options, and found there is a risk of PTLS (post tubal ligation syndrome) with a traditional tubal. Apparently the ovaries can be damaged by lack of blood supply, or the network of nerves to the brain gets damaged causing a drastic change in hormones. There's nothing concrete as to how often it occurs, I found anything from 5% - 35%. One of the many symptoms is a reduction of milk supply. So there is a risk I wouldn't be comfortable with, and now I'm not sure. There is also Essure, which sounds better, more effective & less side effects (no known PTLS or chance of hormone changes.) However, you have to have an x-ray with contrast media and I have a known allergy to that. Definitely have a lot to talk to my Dr. about for sure!

[gemasita]

So much of my story is like yours.  Well-endowed (a double D) but no breast changes at all during pregnancy.  DS lost a lot of weight after the birth and we had to start supplementing with donor milk.  Never was able to pump more than an oz from the time my DS was one to eight weeks so I stopped.  His latch seemed off but everyone thought it looked fine and it did improve over time.

I do think achy breasts are a good sign.  They are supposed to be "tender" anyway.  I never had that.  Since you have time to prepare, I urge you to read "Making More Milk."  It's REALLY good and has some ideas to prepare for a new baby.  They actually mention the progesterone throughout pregnancy idea and say that it may help develop milk-making tissue during pregnancy.

[Taryn237]

I am working with IBCLC Diana West, author of Making More Milk, personally this time with #3.  I haven't been able to get my supply back up unfortunatly (IGT and baby's tongue tie) but she was adament that my next pregnancy I should be on metformin (I also have PCOS) and progesterone supplements the entire pregnancy.  She said most breast development happens in the 2nd trimester.  If your provider will write you a script I would try that.  I went from making about 12 oz a day with DS to a full supply with both DD1 and DD2.  We're still not sure why my supply tanked at 3 weeks postpartum this time but my DD was gaining well for 3 weeks.  I took the herbs recommended on the MOBI site during the 3rd tri and took progesterone the 3rd tri before DD1.

Diana does do phone consults as well: http://www.mahalamom.com/default.html