Need Breastfeeding Help

I want to thank Nicole for her e-mail. She reminded me of what a wonderful group of moms we have on her. I have gotten so busy that I have not been on this site in a long time. Not since it was down. With that said, I need help. And I know there are som moms on here who can help...

I don't know what to do. My milk supply is almost nothing. I have pumped with my Medela Pump in Style, nursed every couple of hours, done the Mother's Milk Tea, and upped my fluid intake. Nothing seems to be working.

It started when I had to cut a feeding out to give her her iron meds. She can not have milk or food an hour before or an hour after. At first I wasn't adding a new one somewhere else. My supply dropped significantly. Then I added two additional feedings and it went back up but only lasted about two weeks. It has gone back down again. When I pump I get nothing. Half the time I don't even feel my milk come in when she nurses. I know she is getting some because I can see it on her cheek or lips when I pull her off. She nurses FOREVER though. Like she isn't getting enough. She is so thirsty. I give her water with a little juice and she gulps it down. Her lips have become chapped over the past two days. However I think this is due to the heater in the house and not dehydration.

I am so afraid I am starving her (thirst/milk wise). I am not ready to wean but I think I might have to. I tried to give her formula and she did not want anything to do with it. So then what?

My goal was to nurse her till she was 6 months. We reached that so easily that I changed it to a year. I am so worried we are not going to make it that long. I have less than three months to go.

I don't know what to do. I am not ready for this. I never thought I would have a hard time giving this up, but I am. I really am.

I can imagine how hard this must be ... I don't have much advice as I am a first time mom and I have weaned my daughter very early. My goal was to nurse a year as well but I only made it 3 months due to several feeding issues/bad reactions that we could never pinpoint and that never seemed to get better. So now my little one is on formula. She struggled for a few days taking the formula. She hated it and only wanted to nurse. It took a lot of patience and perseverance (I don't think we really left the house those 2 or 3 days because the feedings took FOREVER). But eventually she started to take the bottle.

I wish so much that I could have nursed longer although I haven't REALLY given up on it though - I am still pumping 3-4 times a day in hopes that she will be able to go back to breastfeeding but like you I don't make very much. So sometimes I feel like it's a futile effort.


Anyway, I definitely think you should do what is best for you and your baby, taking under advisement your doctor's suggestions. I know that wasn't of much help, just wanted you to know that I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best for you.

I wouldn't worry about not feeling the let-down. I don't ever feel that anymore.

How much solid foods is she eating? She might be nursing "forever" because she's hungry. I know Julian started to need more solids in addition to breastfeeding as he got more active and mobile.

Have you tried eating oatmeal. That's always done wonders for my supply.

As far as pumping, even with a great pump like the PIS, Juls is more effecient, and will get more than the pump will.

Julian has needed a TON more liquids lately too - I think it's the weather.

Keep offering her as much as possible. If you're up for it, try waking up in the night a few times to nurse. Prolactin levels are highest around 2-3am, so it's the best time to "build up" your supply.

Have you been to a LLL meeting or called a LLL leader? PM me if you need names/numbers of LLL leaders (lalecheleague.org) or lactation consultants. I know several that I can highly recommend.

Over the past 19 months of nursing Julian, we've had our easy times and our difficult patches. My best advice is try not to stress (which is easier said than done I know, but it affects supply), and take it one day at a time.

(((HUGS))))

I haven't a clue as to what will help maybe call a LC they can maybe help or LLL!! ((((HUGS)))) to you and congrats on making it this far!! I am sure if you want to continue BFing then there is a way!! Keep us posted and hopefully someone else can give you some better help I just want you to know htat I am thinking of you!! :love

Jaimie, if you'd like to call me, I'll try to help you.
My name is Denny Rice and I'm a lactation consultant.
972-727-2500

Anyone heard of or used Domperidone? This is a very new drug in the US. I am using it to increase my milk supply. My ped. prescribed it for me. It is a drug that is used to help increase bowel movments with a weird side effect of increasing milk supply. It is used for this purpose over seas widely and has just come here.

Any info would be much appreciated. I am not ready to give up yet.

Jamie I was about to ask how everything was going!!! I haven't heard of the drug. I am glad you aren't giving up :love Have you spoken to LLL or a LC?? They may know something about that drug???
Have you read this article??

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml

Keep us updated!!

WOW! Dorothy. Thank you so much. I had not seen that. I could not find anything about it regarding it's breastfeeding use. Thank you so much!!!!

Domperidone isn't actually new to the US, it's that the manufacturer doesn't sell it here. In order to obtain it, your physician writes the prescription and you take it to a "compounding" pharmacy (usually the smaller, independent ones) The brand name is Motillium. We Lactation Consultants have been using it for years, primarily when an adoptive mom wants to breastfeed her baby. This is not something that should be taken with out medical supervision and it's certainly not indicated for everyone with supply issues. Nearly all the time there are other, non-medical things that need to be addressed and when corrected, the supply issue resolves. I'm concerned that many woman who are just concerned about their supply will rush to their doctors and request a prescription.
Denny