I just had a baby 3 weeks ago and my milk supply came in, but just doesn’t seem to be enough. So we are supplimenting the “missing” milk with formula. Our baby is having a hard time with the formula and we would prefer only breast milk. How can I get a GOOD supply in??? BTW- I pump every 2-3 hours, sometimes, 15 min after the first pump (like the books said). I also try to get my baby to latch on to stimulate the hormones, she kinda does, but she’s a preemie and is having some trouble. Pumping would be best… just if I had enough milk!
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2 responses so far ↓
1 AmandaH // Nov 10, 2008
I would suggest to stop supplementing. Very very few women don’t make enough milk for their baby. The supplementing is only hurting your milk supply, even if you are pumping as baby can do a much better job than any pump at stimulating your milk ducts. You can also look into taking fenugreek and milk thistle as both will stimulate milk production. I would also suggest finding a good lactation consultant in your area, as they can help you with getting a good latch. Just keep nursing nursing nursing, it’s the best thing you can do to increase your milk supply. In the beginning it seemed like I was nursing my son constantly, but trust me, it does get better! Just stick with it.
2 tata // Nov 10, 2008
It may not *seem* to be enough, but you can make enough milk.
Breastmilk is superfood - it is processed so efficiently and babe’s belly is still so small that she very well may be hungry a lot more than you expected. In the first weeks, it is very, very common to be nursing 12 hours (or more) out of a day. Newborn babies need to eat about every 2 hours and may spend up to an hour eating. So if you start a feeding at 2pm, you nurse her until 3pm, it is entirely possible that at 4pm she is hungry again.
Supplementing with artificial infant milk is “formula” for disaster - baby is much more efficient at emptying the breast than any pump - no matter how expensive it is! - could ever hope to be. Just keep nursing your little one and trust the boobies!
If you must use a bottle, I strongly suggest you use a Haberman bottle for your preemie.
If you are having problems latching, try the asymetric latch. See here: http://asklenore.info/breastfeeding/additional_reading/movies/asymmetric1.wmv
It would be really helpful for you to find a LLL leader and/or meeting where you can find some real-life support.
You can use oatmeal, mother’s milk tea and a good ol’ fashioned nurse-in (where you stay in bed with baby for as long as possible, letting her nurse on-demand).
Best wishes to you. Feel free to contact me if you need any extra help. tatasmagik at yahoo.com