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| Name: mamal | Date: Aug 14th, 2007 1:15 AM |
| I can't believe your doctor didn't give you any other alternatives. That shows that someone needs to be educated a bit more about breastfeeding. There are many ways to up your supply. Don't worry we can work it out. First by supplementing you are hurting your supply because he is not given the chance to increase your milk naturally. Another thing to keep in mind is what you pump in NO way shows what you produce at a feeding. Some people are good pumpers some aren't but it NEVER shows what you truly give out at a feeding so don't worry about that so much. I can definitely understand your worry. Also when you feed him baby food are you doing so before or after nursing? Always do it afterward. Feeding before 1 yr is just for practice, so to speak, all of their nutrients are coming from breastmilk before that 1 yr mark. Have you started on birth control yet? This decreases milk supply and for some dries them up. Some solutions: Take a nursing weekend and nurse every 2 hours for 48 hours. Remember to try and empty each breast at each feeding. An empty breast makes for a full supply. When he is done feeding go ahead and pump some more afterward even if you don't get anything. Try incorporating oatmeal into your diet, it is an all natural milk increaser. You can also try some Mother's milk tea, blessed thistle, brewers yeast, or fenugreek. I know a lot of mother's that have had such success on fenugreek. I do believe you have to take at least 9 capsules a day for desired results. The only drawback is you tend to omit a slight odor of maple syrup. I have included a few websites to help you out. I do not know your exact situation but I do belive your doctor is not a big breastfeeding supporter and I would definitely question him if he again says to feed baby formula. There are so many solutions out there before formula and most women only need info and a little support to get everything right again. If any or all of this info helps I would definitely bring a print out of what helped so that he is able to inform his other patients. You are such an amazing mama for hanging on so long and making it through a ruff beginning. Big high 5's for you!!! Don't worry we will do whatever we can to get you through. Just know that we are here if you ever need anything. You are doing a great job and I am sure with a little help your milk will be up in no time flat. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/l ow-supply.html http://www.kellymom.com/herbal /milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html http://w ww.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.ht ml http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growt h/weight-gain_increase.html http://www.kellym om.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html "If the baby is older than three or four months, and supplementation appears to be necessary, formula is not necessary and extra calories can be given to the baby as solid foods. First solids may include: mashed banana, mashed avocado, mashed potato or sweet potato, infant cereals, as much as the baby will take, and after the baby has nursed, if he is still hungry. Even at this age giving bottles when the baby is not getting much from the breast will often result in breast rejection. If you must give formula, mix it with the baby’s solids. " ↑ |
| Name: alex1 | Date: Aug 17th, 2007 12:54 PM |
| i dident even actualy get to speak to the dr i just delt with his one annoying nurse. i have been nursing every two hours as many hours as i can keep my son awake, i have been nursing at 6am,8,10,12,2,4,6,8pm with food also at 10,12, and 2 and at 10 pm i pump, and am only getting a half ounce to ounce out of each breast. he is happy after the first nursing, but all subsuqent he starts fussing and screaming, if i try and get a bottle of formula out, hes all over it till he realises whats in it then turns it up. i am quite sure that at each feeding he is taking out everything i have. after looking quite closely at the calender i first wondered if i was prego again, its still four days till im due for my pd and when i take an early response test it says not preg. but i am also pucky and realy tired, whether thats from the stress of my son not eating enough i dont know, i just hadent wanted to give up nursing, but i know im making hardly anything and my son isent happy with it, where do you get fenugreek and could i take it safley if i am preg? ↑ |
| Name: mamal | Date: Aug 19th, 2007 4:43 PM |
| Fenugreek use during pregnancy Medicinal doses of fenugreek, not the amounts used in curries, are considered a uterine stimulant. Fenugreek has been used to aid and induce labor [Dehlvi, Bingel 1991, IntelliHealth] and is considered to be an emmenagogue [Turner]. For this reason, fenugreek use is not recommended during pregnancy (particularly late pregnancy). Fenugreek is used as a morning sickness remedy in Chinese medicine. [Richmond] "Use only in moderation during pregnancy. A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or during labour." [Ody 1999] Motherlove Herbal lists fenugreek as a cleansing herb which is "too strong or irritating" to be used during pregnancy. [Motherlove] One study effectively used fenugreek as a source of fiber to control blood glucose and lipid levels of pregnant diabetic women. [Madar 1987] "A stimulant effect on the isolated uterus (guinea pig) has been reported and its use in late pregnancy may not be advisable." [Hale 2002] "Water and alcohol extracts of fenugreek are oxytocic. They stimulate contraction of uterine smooth muscles during the last period of pregnancy according to studies on isolated guinea pig uterus tissue." [Willard 1991] "Fenugreek exerts an oxytocic effect in guinea pigs. Its use in humans has not been sufficiently studied, but could potentially lead to SAB or preterm labor and prematurity secondary to its oxytocic effects. Its use in pregnancy is not recommended." [Rice] Not recommended during pregnancy. [CommE, Brinker 1998, McGuffin 1997, MHO] Possible side effects for baby Most of the time, baby is unaffected by mom's use of fenugreek (except that more milk is usually available). Sometimes baby will smell like maple syrup, too (just like mom). However, some moms have noticed that baby is fussy and/or has green, watery stools when mom is taking fenugreek and the symptoms go away when mom discontinues the fenugreek. Fenugreek can cause GI symptoms in mom (upset stomach, diarrhea), so it's possible for it to cause GI symptoms in baby too. Also anyone can have an allergic reaction to any herb, and fenugreek allergy, though rare, has been documented. Another reason for these types of symptoms --and perhaps more likely than a reaction to the herb-- may be that mom's supply has increased due to the fenugreek and the symptoms are those of oversupply, where baby is getting too much foremilk. Fussiness, gas and green watery stools are classic symptoms of an overabundant milk supply. Some things to try: Try a different herb. This should help if baby is reacting to the fenugreek in mom's milk. Stop the fenugreek (without switching to another herb). If you are taking fenugreek for low supply, and are having problems with oversupply when taking this herb, it may be questionable whether you needed to increase supply in the first place. If you are deliberately trying to maintain an oversupply (such as when you're pumping part/all of the time rather than nursing directly), then you might also try the following things: Cut back on the fenugreek dosage to see if baby's symptoms disappear. Take measures to remedy the oversupply (help baby get more hindmilk) by doing things such as keeping baby to only one breast for up to 2-3 hours. The main question in this instance, however, is whether the fenugreek is needed at all. Many moms feel that their supply is low when it really isn't. See Increasing Low Milk Supply for more information. Where to get fenugreek Fenugreek seed capsules, tinctures and teas can be purchased in many health food stores and online. You can also buy empty gelatin capsules and bulk fenugreek seed powder to make your own capsules. Fenugreek tea is a weak form of the herb. For the tea: use a teaspoon of whole fenugreek seeds. Steep in boiling water for 15 minutes or so and drink three or more times a day. Fenugreek sprouts are another way to eat fenugreek. Fenugreek seeds can be obtained in the bulk food section of some health food stores, or you may be able to find them at a store that specializes in Indian or other eastern foods. Soak 1-2 teaspoons of the seeds in water overnight. Pour that water off the next day (or drink it - it's fenugreek tea) and rinse seeds with clear water. Place the seeds into a sprouter (this can be as simple as a small, clear plastic clamshell carry-out container), and place on a windowsill or table with the lid slightly ajar. Rinse with water daily. The seeds will sprout in around five days. Fenugreek seeds for mastitis or engorgement: Steep several ounces of seeds in a cup or so of water. Let seeds cool, then mash them. Place on a clean cloth, warm, and use as a poultice or plaster on engorged or mastitic breasts to help with let-down and sore spots. More directions and recipes for using fenugreek can be found in the article Fenugreek by Della Richmond. ↑ |
| Name: cgloceri | Date: Aug 21st, 2007 5:54 AM |
| Hey Alex1, what formula did you try.. we had the same issue. We actually ended up in the ER cause he threw it up in the middle of the night and asperated.. we tried all formulas and almost went soy. The last one we tried was Enfamel Gentlease... it is amazing. I just weaned my son from the breast and he did not skip a beat... good luck.. ↑ |
| Name: Jude | Date: Aug 24th, 2007 9:02 PM |
| Alex1, I would suggest you get a SNS (supplemental Nursing System) made by Medela. This wouls supplement your milk, and since he would be at the breast while using it, he might be vetter with the tates. Additionally this will stimulate milk production. ↑ |
