Re-lactating questions

[maisiedotes]

I don't know what happened early in my BF relationship with my daughter but I suspect she had a poor latch from the get-go. Then I was stressing because she was losing weight. I tried motilium along with fenugreek and blessed thistle and saw no increase in supply. The LC did a naked weight at 3 different appointments and she never took in more than a total of an ounce to 1 1/2 oz at a 45-minute feeding. I tried nursing as often as she wanted and pumping every three hours on top of that but my supply never seemed to increase. She is nursing at every feeding and then we supplement with formula but she is still not getting more than 1 1/2 oz from the breasts. Should I try the motilium/herbs again? I guess I may be in denial that I may just plain ol' have low supply. I want to keep trying to EBF but we are pretty hard up financially so if I won't see any success with motilium and/or herbs I won't do it. Her latch is great now but again, no increase in supply.

Can anyone offer any success stories or advice? I really want to nurse exclusively. This is so hard emotionally. Thanks!

[mama24-7]

Wow, sounds like you are really working hard! And, that's great to hear that her latch has improved. And, yes it's emotional - you want this to work! You want to breastfeed! Plus you have all the hormones running through you body!

You said you think she had a bad latch from the start - how long was it until you feel like it was fixed? And, you said she's nursing now & then you are supplementing w/ bottles?

I would suggest you talk w/ an LLL Leader. She can talk on the phone w/ you, have more of a conversation & may give you additional ideas. http://www.lllusa.org/MENH/MaineNH.html

I've never heard of motilium so I can't comment on that. How much fenugreek & blessed thistle are you taking? Are you getting enough to drink, eat & rest?

Skin-to-skin contact can help a mother & baby to get better with breastfeeding. Many mothers have found it helpful for a variety of concerns.

Your daughter sure is lucky to have a mommy who's working so hard to breastfeed her!

Sus

[maisiedotes]

Thank you. I went through a long stretch of feeling really inadequate about it but I kept at it. I don't know for sure that she had a bad latch- the first night after she was born she was giving my breasts hickies because I had NO idea what I was doing but the nurses at the hospital kept working with me and released me from the hospital but I suspect her latch may have been a problem. The first night home she was up all night- I kept nursing and nursing and nursing constantly all night because she would not sleep. The next day I called the LC and we went in and lo and behold she was not getting enough at the breast. Then I went through being so sore from pumping (thinking since she was not getting much at the breast maybe her suck was bad).

Also, instead of doing the fast suck at first and then going to the slow suck, she alternates every few sucks. I am going to get my hiney to a LLL meeting and figure out what to do. Thanks again!