Possible to boost milk supply after 8 weeks? Feeling desperate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, please read this reply because I WAS YOU. I had some sort of demon take over my brain and hiss "you must keep breastfeeding at all costs". I didn't sleep for months because I was triple feeding. I had no support, my baby had terrible reflux and threw everything up, she always seemed hungry even after hours at the breast.

I started supplementing and the world opened up. I could sleep, she was happy and well fed. Everyone was happier. I continued to nurse until eight months. It was the best of both worlds.

There is a combination of social pressure and an evolutionary cog in our brain that makes us keep going to feed our babies no matter what that can conspire so make you crazy. The feelings you're feeling are valid. It makes sense that you feel this way. All that being said, formula isn't poison! It's just food. I know you look at your baby and just want the best and purest thing for her. But someday she'll eat an Oreo and McDonald's and be fine. In two months she'll start eating solids. Just feed her, trust your instincts and I promise you will feel better in a week.

DP. did your baby’s reflux get better when you started formula? mine did. I could never figure out why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, please read this reply because I WAS YOU. I had some sort of demon take over my brain and hiss "you must keep breastfeeding at all costs". I didn't sleep for months because I was triple feeding. I had no support, my baby had terrible reflux and threw everything up, she always seemed hungry even after hours at the breast.

I started supplementing and the world opened up. I could sleep, she was happy and well fed. Everyone was happier. I continued to nurse until eight months. It was the best of both worlds.

There is a combination of social pressure and an evolutionary cog in our brain that makes us keep going to feed our babies no matter what that can conspire so make you crazy. The feelings you're feeling are valid. It makes sense that you feel this way. All that being said, formula isn't poison! It's just food. I know you look at your baby and just want the best and purest thing for her. But someday she'll eat an Oreo and McDonald's and be fine. In two months she'll start eating solids. Just feed her, trust your instincts and I promise you will feel better in a week.

DP. did your baby’s reflux get better when you started formula? mine did. I could never figure out why.

Yes, we used similac for spit up that helped a ton. We had a snoo and you could see the red lines that indicate fussiness drop from one day to the next like crazy.

[Anonymous]

Exclusive breastfeeding isn't the end all, be all. See what a lactation consultant says, but remember that your sanity is important too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m Canadian and did domperidone. The difference for me what night and day. We also utilized an SNS With formula while nursing until my supply was established and DD was gaining weight.

That being said, you need to consult with an IBCLC. DON’T go this alone. Results with the domperidone can vary, and your dosage may need titration. I had pretty clear cut IGT, but it did allow me to eventually BF exclusively.

Again - get the help from professionals. Contact the Breastfeeding Centre in Toronto as they would have IBCLCs used to a domperidone protocol.

All this said, OP - breastfeeding should not be this fraught. I am all for doing what you can, but sometimes you have to let go of the “perfect” experience and make your experience perfect within the constraints of reality.

Thanks, I will call the breastfeeding center if I decide to do the domperidone. I’ve met 3 times with LCs but I really feel my daughter is hungry.

please read what you wrote! why are you letting your baby go hungry when you can literally step out the door and get formula? it’s not rational.

You are nasty.

Op, you’re doing fine but you do sound exhausted.

I don’t

[Anonymous]

My baby is almost 7 weeks and I wasn’t making enough milk. 2 weeks ago I decided I wanted to improve my milk production and began eating more and drinking water a lot more ( never been good at drinking much water), I eat oatmeal every morning and take fenugreek supplements. I also feed more often and try to pump at least once a day after a feeding. In these 2 weeks I’ve noticed improvement in how much milk my baby is getting from me. She seems more satisfied after feedings and I’m supplementing with formula less and less. Don’t be afraid to supplement with formula.

[Anonymous]

I had the same thing with my three DDs. After 3 months my supply was not enough. I tried everything you can imagine. The doctor told me weight gain was not enough, DDs were crying and crying. After I gave that first bottle of formula they literally would not take the breast anymore and they had had bottles of breastmilk from the beginning. I was devastated but my mother said at the time that not everyone is a Jersey cow. Her milk supply diminished at about the same time. I know this is hard to accept but there are a few of us who just can't do the year or even six months. Baby's needs come first.

[Anonymous]

A baby gets basically all the great benefits of breastmilk from just a few ounces a day (good microbes, antibodies, proteins, and so much more) and the rest is just calories! It will get harder when you go back to work so I’d get in a routine now of breastfeeding and formula. Then whatever you pump is a bonus! Your current situation sounds stressful and there’s no reason it needs to be ( though I totally get it - I’ve been there).

[Anonymous]

Domperidone can have lots of side effects. I wouldn't do this without consulting a doctor.

[Anonymous]

Hang in there, OP, this is so tough. The pressure is real. I remember my mom suggested I eat walnuts, oatmeal, tahini, sunflower seeds, and drink tea with milk. I thought it was an old wives tale but it worked for me. I also drank a lot more fluids, increased my calorie intake, and power pumped after every feed. Not sure if any single thing helped but probably a combination of all of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A baby gets basically all the great benefits of breastmilk from just a few ounces a day (good microbes, antibodies, proteins, and so much more) and the rest is just calories! It will get harder when you go back to work so I’d get in a routine now of breastfeeding and formula. Then whatever you pump is a bonus! Your current situation sounds stressful and there’s no reason it needs to be ( though I totally get it - I’ve been there).

Something someone said on DCUM really stuck with me and made me a lot better about supplementing- the benefits of breast milk are because of the presence of breast milk, not because of the absence of formula.

[Anonymous]

To me, exclusive breast feeding is the gift of a lifetime for my children and possibly even for their children too. So much we are still learning about the immune system, I never supplemented a drop. Just wanted to put that perspective into the mix since there are so many just give a bottle posts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like a great mom who's trying to do the best for your child. Why the resistance to supplementing with formula if you think your baby is hungry and not getting enough milk? It will meet all needs -- give your child nutrition you think she's lacking, and relieve your worry and stress levels.

I guess everyone has got in my head. I gave birth at a "baby friendly" hospital, the LCs insist she's getting enough, pediatrician says she's okay...but I know what I see and I'm sort of breaking out of the fog.

OP

OP, have you spoken with your doctor about your mental health? What you’re describing sounds a lot like post partum anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me, exclusive breast feeding is the gift of a lifetime for my children and possibly even for their children too. So much we are still learning about the immune system, I never supplemented a drop. Just wanted to put that perspective into the mix since there are so many just give a bottle posts!

Shame on you! Are you currently taking care of a newborn and the lack of sleep is affecting your judgement that you would say this to OP? Can't you tell from her post that she's already beating herself up about hurting her child that she doesn't need your sanctimonious post.

I hope it all works out for you OP. But your posts are a little uncomfortable to read as I've traveled down this same road of desperation. Do what you want to do, but know that a healthy, happy mother is what your baby needs in the long term. The stress from that time kept me from enjoying fully my time with my infant. They change so quickly at that age. Congrats on having a good sleeper, you won the newborn lottery right there.

[Anonymous]

I really am feeling for this poster because 8 weeks was when stuff smoothed out for me (I am the PP who had post partum anxiety).

It's hard to say here but since the pediatrician and lactation consultants say the kid is fine I do think maybe the OP should talk to someone about anxiety. Look even if the kid does need some formula the way OP.is beating herself up constantly worries me. The therapist I talked to really really helped. For a while I was terrified of everything.

If OP is worried about antiformula LCs, I would try metropolitan breastfeeding. My milk was slow to come in and the LC from there helped me correctly formula supplement so they clearly have their priorities right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me, exclusive breast feeding is the gift of a lifetime for my children and possibly even for their children too. So much we are still learning about the immune system, I never supplemented a drop. Just wanted to put that perspective into the mix since there are so many just give a bottle posts!

And what are your qualifications exactly that someone should take your opinion over all the studies showing that exclusive breastfeeding literally makes no difference for a child’s health and well being, let alone for the grandchildren?