Advice needed to increase breastmilk | ExpatWoman.com
 

Advice needed to increase breastmilk

984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 August 2012 - 23:01

Hi there!
Ive seen alot of great advice here on breastfeeding.
I had some questions though they might sound dumb. My DD is almost 6 weeks old, I'm feeding her and giving her Aptamil formula as well. I started her on formula when she was 3 days old due to the paediatricians recommendation (I didnt want this, Ive ranted about this in another thread) so shes been getting both.
I try to pump more so I can see how much shes getting, Im always worried my milk isnt enough for her so I like to see how much Im giving, though sometimes she feeds directly too but her latch isnt always good so pumping makes sense to me.
At 6 weeks now I usually average 30-60ml each pumping, which Im sure isnt enough so I always top up with formula.
My questions:
- Since starting formula means my supply will automatically reduce anyways because shes been feeding less from me, does this mean Im on a downward spiral of 30-60 ml per pumping to nothing? Or is it possible for me to make more milk as time goes on?
- Are there supplements/vitamins I can take to increase milk?
- My left one sometimes produces very little milk, like 5ml, but sometimes it produces the same amount as the right one, can I fix this? I know Im pumping correctly, it just doesnt produce alot most times.

Thank you so much!
<em>edited by sourskittleashnut on 26/08/2012</em>

1
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2020 - 01:57
Just very quickly There are herbs and medicines thant can help somewhat but the most effective way to increase your supply is to breastfeed more frequently, how often are you breastfeeding now? Be...
The very first thing you have to do is calm down. I ran through your situation. Eat healthy, live healthy. I’m going to tell you how you can increase breastmilk. Tea to increase milk supply is lactation tea from The Spoiled Mama. You should once visit the website, you will definitely love their products, a very famous website for breastfeeding tea.
708
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2013 - 15:30
Brewers yeast did wonders for me. I was surprised how fast my flow came in. I have a bottle spare. Read up about it. Where did you buy yours from? It seems to be out of stock at all the pharmacies I've checked last weekend.
849
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2013 - 10:09
Babies nursing frequently and often isn't typically due to low milk supply, it's normal behavior for a newborn. It is comforting and soothing to them. It also helps establish the bond between baby and mother. It helps bring in mother's milk supply, too. You cannot nurse a newborn too much but you can easily nurse too little. There is no need to have your meals in liquid form. Getting enough calories and staying hydrated is a must, but whatever form those calories come in is irrelevant.
4
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2013 - 00:03
Also do take care of your diet.. my mother in law ensured i had all my meals in a liquid format for atleast the first 2 months after delivery.. lots of chicken and lamb soups, dry fruits and herbs.. and this really helped me to increase my breast milk supply.. plus my baby would always want to suckle since he would not get enough milk and despite a hard c-section, i took the pain of letting him latch on and suckle for a long time whenever he demanded it.. tht too really helped!
189
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2013 - 20:24
Lots of great advice on here - think its wise to see a lactation consultant to get tips on how ensure breastfeeding is going well. My second child was a tough feeder and I eventually had to rent a high accuracy scale (I was in the States) to see if she was getting anything. Was great piece of mind. If you are pumping, I would up your frequency if possible. At six weeks, my children would take 6-8 feedings. You'll have to pump/feed roughly the same number of times (if you are trying to increase your supply, do 8 a day). After a feeding, I would pump each side for 10 min. That will stimulate your body to produce more. Medela makes excellent pumps - most hospital pumps where I am from are Medela. Don't worry - it gets better. You are in the hardest part!
167
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2013 - 19:37
thanks sherryd, yes please provide me with the number andreamarshall at yahoo dot com. thanks. Email sent :-)
167
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 August 2013 - 21:43
You could use fenugreek as that helped me a lot. Also as others advised you should pump after bf. if you do use a pump then its very important to use a good pump. I use hospital grade pump and rented it. I rented it from a lady in jumeirah. Would be happy to provide you with her number if you want. For my first baby i remember i used avent pump which was rubbish as it took me hours and i would get very little milk but with hospital grade pump it took 10 minutes only and i had produced lot of milk. Lastly look at kellymom website as it gives you good tips on how to increase milk supply. Drinks lots of water as well :-)
96
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 August 2012 - 18:51
Brewers yeast did wonders for me. I was surprised how fast my flow came in. I have a bottle spare. Read up about it.
5452
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 August 2012 - 17:38
I agree with a few posters on this thread. The way to achieve an adequate supply is to solve the latch issue and never give formula. That is all that is needed.
743
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 August 2012 - 16:57
fenugreek (sp) and guiness
271
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 August 2012 - 16:50
My advice was Stoney Gingerbear of Sparletta! That and brewers yeast tablets taken in moderation...don't laugh!...it really worked!!
149
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 August 2012 - 15:35
I agree with Kiwispers. It's best to get yourself some good support quickly. There are IBCLCs (the gold standard in lactation consultants) are worth their weight in gold and there are a few in Dubai. There are other supporters as well. Here's a bit of a list for you to pick and choose from. I hope it helps. x Dru Campbell, midwife and IBCLC Baby Clinic and Midwifery Clinic, Health Bay Polyclinic Tel: 04 348 7140 Dr Delphine Dupuis, family doctor (special interest pediatrics, lactation and women’s health) and IBCLC. Speaks English and French. Sun and Wed am MediCentres, Motor City Tel: 04 360 8866 Other days Symbiosis Healthcare, Healthcare City Tel 04 3624955. Fatima Jaaoura Baigar, midwife and IBCLC. Speaks English and French. Symbiosis Healthcare, Healthcare City Tel 04 3624955 Sahar Husseini (Inspiratus Loving Care), midwife trained in lactation management. [email protected] or 055 -6704363. Home visits; fees charged) Breastfeeding Q&A - monthly meeting, 3rd Saturday at noon, Organic cafe in Dubai Mall. MEETINGS NOT TAKING PLACE DURING RAMADAN. http://www.facebook.com/groups/242418372502807 or [email protected] . City Hospital Mothers' Group - monthly meetings on Tuesday. Not a specifically breastfeeding meeting, but facilitated by an IBCLC. http://www.facebook.com/events/329983037054669/
513
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 11:25
The more you feed the more milk you will produce, that was true for me. Another thing that worked wonders for me was ginger beer, I was amazed!
31
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 11:18
Continue pumping for 10 minutes after you milk stops flowing. Its supply demand... the more you demand the more you will supply. It will take a day or two for your body to register. Hipp Organic Breastfeeding tea apparently works - I didnt like it so never used. Fenugreek works well can get that at the health shop. correct dose is that you can smell it on your skin but others should smell it on you. I think I was taking 2 tablets 2 times a day, I can't remember. Lastly Domperidone. Its called Motillium he, over the counter. Its about 40dhs for the box. this is what got my milk supply up. They use it on newborns that have stomach issues so safe for baby. The amount that passes through breastmilk is less than what newborns are given. I think it was 2 tabs three times a day. Used for anti nausea people take 16 tablets a day - It is a very weak medicine. Do research about it before starting and speak to your dr or Lactation Consultant. a place to start http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml Those are the steps I used. I stopped Motillium after about 3 weeks as my supply was really good. You have to gradually slow it down until you are no longer taking. Its a more drastic measure to increase milk supply but its safe and really helped me as I didn't want to give up breastfeeding yet. Hope this helps. <em>edited by sarahlouise on 28/08/2012</em>
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 10:47
Just very quickly There are herbs and medicines thant can help somewhat but the most effective way to increase your supply is to breastfeed more frequently, how often are you breastfeeding now? Because your baby is taking formula they won't demand as much breastmilk, so that will lead to a lower supply, what you can do is gradually give less and less formula so that your baby will feel hungry sooner, and demand another breastfeed. If you gradually give more and more formula then the opposite will happen and you will make less milk. Not everybody lets down well for the pump, I never did but my baby got plenty from the breast directly. Pumping is not a good indication of how much she would get if she breastfed directly or of how much milk you have. I breastfed exclusively, my baby was in the 85th centile for weight (and off the charts for lenght ) and yet if i pumped i was lucky to get 30 ml from one side and maybe 50 ml from the other. You really need to see an LC to help fix the latch, its not too late but the sooner the better.
 
 

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