8 month old and milk supply HELP!

[rachaelmomma]

My son is 8 months old to the day. He has not gained an ounce since his 4 month check up. He HAS grown a bit, length wise, but not a lot. He is generally a fussy baby. He is always crying or sleeping. Last Friday, his pediatrician recommended that I start seriously thinking about supplementing with formula. He simply is not getting enough milk from me any more. There are probably several factors contributing with my low supply. We had 6 thrush infections over the summer, along with a milk blister on my nipple that got severely infected, and turned into a massive staph infection and mastitis. Then there is a LOT of stress in my marriage right now, enough that is causing ulcers and probably some depression. We had to move practically over night last weekend, and my mom agreed to watch the kids. While they were there, she ran out of pumped milk to feed my 8 month old, so she went out and got some formula to feed him. It broke my heart. I tried to pump, but as of last weekend, I can't get even an ounce to come out. I pumped every hour, and still nothing. I have been taking every remedy that I can think of or find, and STILL no increase. Being away from my baby all last weekend, I think that was the last blow to my supply. He screams at my breast, tries to nurse and gets frustrated that there seems to be nothing there. I wanted to nurse him for longer so badly. My first son stopped nursing around this same age, so I was determined to make it to a year and beyond with this child. I have done every thing I can to try and make sure that nothing affects my supply. He barely started solids, and won't touch juice. I can't think of a single thing else to try. What makes me even more sad, is how happy he is now. He never cries, and is smiling all the time. He even started laughing for the first time. Its because he is finally full. He is even starting to fill out. I should (and am) happy that he is gaining weight, but [I]I[I] wanted to be the one to give him nutrients. I still want to get breastfeeding back. I don't want this to be the end of our nursing relationship. I just don't know what else to do. The LCs here tell me that it is not uncommon for babies to wean or need more than what their moms can make at this age. How can that be when I see and hear so many people nursing for so much longer?

[studentmama]

Oh mama, how frustrating!

How frequently are you nursing? Do you offer to nurse before you offer solids? Is your baby sleeping with you?

Here is some more info on low supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

Also, pumping is not an indicator of supply. I have had oversupply with both my guys(moreso witht the second) and I couldn't pump to save my life(maybe an ounce, if I am lucky).

[attachedmamaof3]

I am so sorry!

kellymom.com is a GREAT resource.

The key to supply is:

1) Nurse whenever your baby wants to, for as long as they want to, wherever they want to.
2) Keep yourself hydrated and de-stressed as much as possible.
3) Don't judge your supply by pumping. (I also have oversupply and couldn't pump an ounce to save my life)
4) Call the La Leche League leader in your area and get a second opinion.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[rachaelmomma]

thanks for the support. I do let my little guy nurse all the time, as often and for as long as he wants. It just seems like he wants to less and less.... and he never nursed for that long anyway. Now it feels like he will only stay latched for a minute or two. He is at that busy age I guess. What is disturbing to me, is since I have started supplementing (last weekend) he has gained an entire pound. We don't have an LLL here, I know they can be a great support system, I wish we had a chapter. The closest one is over two hrs away. I just get so frustrated, because it seems like no matter how much I try to increase my supply, it keeps going down. I used to be able to "feel" when I had milk. Now I feel like there is nothing there. My let down has always been real strong, borderline uncomfortable, and now I don't feel anything. I don't hear him gulping milk down like he used to either. I am thinking about starting reglan again to see if that helps. I just hate taking it because it makes me sooo sleepy. But none of the herbal stuff has helped me. Does anyone know any tricks to getting a busy 8 month old baby to stay on the boob longer? Is he to old to use a SNS so he could nurse, and I can be sure he is getting enough milk?

[studentmama]

Originally Posted by rachaelmomma

thanks for the support. I do let my little guy nurse all the time, as often and for as long as he wants. It just seems like he wants to less and less.... and he never nursed for that long anyway. Now it feels like he will only stay latched for a minute or two. He is at that busy age I guess. What is disturbing to me, is since I have started supplementing (last weekend) he has gained an entire pound. We don't have an LLL here, I know they can be a great support system, I wish we had a chapter. The closest one is over two hrs away. I just get so frustrated, because it seems like no matter how much I try to increase my supply, it keeps going down. I used to be able to "feel" when I had milk. Now I feel like there is nothing there. My let down has always been real strong, borderline uncomfortable, and now I don't feel anything. I don't hear him gulping milk down like he used to either. I am thinking about starting reglan again to see if that helps. I just hate taking it because it makes me sooo sleepy. But none of the herbal stuff has helped me. Does anyone know any tricks to getting a busy 8 month old baby to stay on the boob longer? Is he to old to use a SNS so he could nurse, and I can be sure he is getting enough milk?

How many times do you nurse him a day? Do you switch sides each time? Does he have a favorite place to nurse? How much solids is he getting, and do you offer to nurse beforehand?

[studentmama]

And the link I provided on low supply has sooo much information, there are tons of links just within that page as well.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by rachaelmomma

The LCs here tell me that it is not uncommon for babies to wean or need more than what their moms can make at this age. How can that be when I see and hear so many people nursing for so much longer?

It sounds you are having a lot of stress, and I wonder if this is a partial nursing strike.

I'm worried about the above statement though. Your local LCs are telling you this? I really have never heard this from a reputable source before. This IS a common age for nursing strikes for a variety of reason (distractableness, teething, growing independence, etc.). But, strikes are usually temporary, if you can work through them.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html