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

[Anonymous]

Is breastmilk supply basically set by this point or can it still be improved? If you had success after 8 weeks - what did you do? I'm so anxious about this.

More info - I've been struggling to keep up with my baby's hunger and am setting aside this weekend to just do a ton of time with her on me, nursing on demand, in hopes of improving supply. She is typically not content after nursing and it's heartbreaking. I posted once before for pumping tips, but I am realizing I probably tanked my own supply from the start by handing her off to my husband too often. He's been working from home due to Covid and she takes a lot of naps very contently while he wears her in a carrier (whereas on me, she fusses). I'm now thinking she slept so heavily these past few weeks in DH's carrier that I missed opportunities to feed her and boost supply. I feel awful.

We had her 8 week appointment yesterday and she has slipped in the past month from the top to near the bottom within her growth curve. Her weight is 16th %, height is 46th %, BMI is 9th % (BMI of 13.9). The pediatrician said he was fine with her weight gain in the past month (about 22 grams/day, which seems to be on the very low end of "okay" from what I read online), but the crying after nursing and my instinct say she needs more. I haven't been doing formula but am strongly considering adding one formula feed per day to relieve some anxiety about her intake.

I'm also thinking about ordering Domperidone from a Canadian pharmacy online. It's not available in the US but some of the Canadian and British women in moms forums I read have had success with it.

This was kind of word vomit-y...I've had so much on my mind. I really appreciate any thoughts or experiences.

[Anonymous]

Oatmeal every morning or oatmeal bars. Fenugreek teas. And beer at night after feeding the baby.
Hang in there, your supply will catch up and your baby is just doing it's job to stimulate more milk production.

Totally normal to worry (you're a good mom), and as long as the pediatrician isn't worried, trust them.

[Anonymous]

Op,

Please deep breath.

One, the growth curve is important not the percentiles. The pediatrician said the weight gain was good, so please don’t worry unnecessarily.

Are you sure she’s hungry or is she disgruntled for another reason, eg gas? Have you talked to a lactation consultant? I remember speaking to a la Leche league volunteer over the phone when I nursed.

You sound exhausted. Please check with your pediatrician b/f taking anything over the counter. Drink lots of water, and know it’s going to be okay.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Pump after you nurse once or twice a day. I found it reassuring that more came out and it helped with my supply. That said, I eventually ended up doing a combo of breast milk and formula. It took a ton of pressure off me and seemed like the best of all worlds (I enjoyed breastfeeding, but also wanted my partner to be able to feed her without worrying if I had pumped enough). The combo worked well for me and I breastfed for 14 months. Maybe it’d work for you too.

[Anonymous]

I’ve cranked up my supply with both kids by “triple feeding”: nurse, pump and bottle feed. Before going to drugs, consider trying this:
—Nurse baby on one-side for 20 minutes of continuous sucking. If baby nods off, wake her up and add a minute or two to nursing.
—Hand baby off to spouse or put in crib.
—Pump immediately for 10 minutes. If you get anything, spouse can give that to baby. Don’t be surprised, though, if you get just a few drops.

Do this every 3 hours during the day and when baby wakes up at night. All weekend. Switch breast for each feeding. One breast per feeding.

It’s breastfeeding boot camp. But it’s only a weekend. I did it for 36 hours and went from pumping drops after nursing to pumping 5 oz after nursing. Basically you’re tricking the body into thinking the baby wants more by pumping. Once that was done, I stopped pumping after nursing.

Drink lots of water. No guests or chores. I just rinsed the pump in the middle of the night. Breast milk is very hardy and can sit out for up to 10 hours.

Just sleep, eat and feed the baby. And be kind to yourself. One thing that does impact supply is stress. If you don’t pump after nursing, that’s fine. Sleep is always more important than pumping.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oatmeal every morning or oatmeal bars. Fenugreek teas. And beer at night after feeding the baby.
Hang in there, your supply will catch up and your baby is just doing it's job to stimulate more milk production.

Totally normal to worry (you're a good mom), and as long as the pediatrician isn't worried, trust them.

Thanks. I take levothyroxine for a lowish thyroid and I understand fenugreek is contradicted for thyroid issues. I actually took it twice before realizing.
I’m having some oatmeal each day too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op,

Please deep breath.

One, the growth curve is important not the percentiles. The pediatrician said the weight gain was good, so please don’t worry unnecessarily.

Are you sure she’s hungry or is she disgruntled for another reason, eg gas? Have you talked to a lactation consultant? I remember speaking to a la Leche league volunteer over the phone when I nursed.

You sound exhausted. Please check with your pediatrician b/f taking anything over the counter. Drink lots of water, and know it’s going to be okay.

Yes, I’ve met three times with lactation consultants and had her weighed after feeding. She took enough for a full feeding but just barely, and that was a better than average feeding. I haven’t seen any signs of gas or allergy.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

**feed the baby.** you know she is hungry and not gaining like she should. formula is fine. it’s better than the baby going hungry or you taking dodge meds you ordered online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pump after you nurse once or twice a day. I found it reassuring that more came out and it helped with my supply. That said, I eventually ended up doing a combo of breast milk and formula. It took a ton of pressure off me and seemed like the best of all worlds (I enjoyed breastfeeding, but also wanted my partner to be able to feed her without worrying if I had pumped enough). The combo worked well for me and I breastfed for 14 months. Maybe it’d work for you too.

Unfortunately I’m pumping after feeding several times per day already. I do get a bit of milk; not a lot. I need to do it to have some supplemental bottled milk for when she is still so hungry after nursing. No idea how this will work out when I go back to work at 12 weeks.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cranked up my supply with both kids by “triple feeding”: nurse, pump and bottle feed. Before going to drugs, consider trying this:
—Nurse baby on one-side for 20 minutes of continuous sucking. If baby nods off, wake her up and add a minute or two to nursing.
—Hand baby off to spouse or put in crib.
—Pump immediately for 10 minutes. If you get anything, spouse can give that to baby. Don’t be surprised, though, if you get just a few drops.

Do this every 3 hours during the day and when baby wakes up at night. All weekend. Switch breast for each feeding. One breast per feeding.

It’s breastfeeding boot camp. But it’s only a weekend. I did it for 36 hours and went from pumping drops after nursing to pumping 5 oz after nursing. Basically you’re tricking the body into thinking the baby wants more by pumping. Once that was done, I stopped pumping after nursing.

Drink lots of water. No guests or chores. I just rinsed the pump in the middle of the night. Breast milk is very hardy and can sit out for up to 10 hours.

Just sleep, eat and feed the baby. And be kind to yourself. One thing that does impact supply is stress. If you don’t pump after nursing, that’s fine. Sleep is always more important than pumping.

Good luck.

Did you do this as late as 8 weeks? I wish so much I’d done this when DD was just a few days old.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve cranked up my supply with both kids by “triple feeding”: nurse, pump and bottle feed. Before going to drugs, consider trying this:
—Nurse baby on one-side for 20 minutes of continuous sucking. If baby nods off, wake her up and add a minute or two to nursing.
—Hand baby off to spouse or put in crib.
—Pump immediately for 10 minutes. If you get anything, spouse can give that to baby. Don’t be surprised, though, if you get just a few drops.

Do this every 3 hours during the day and when baby wakes up at night. All weekend. Switch breast for each feeding. One breast per feeding.

It’s breastfeeding boot camp. But it’s only a weekend. I did it for 36 hours and went from pumping drops after nursing to pumping 5 oz after nursing. Basically you’re tricking the body into thinking the baby wants more by pumping. Once that was done, I stopped pumping after nursing.

Drink lots of water. No guests or chores. I just rinsed the pump in the middle of the night. Breast milk is very hardy and can sit out for up to 10 hours.

Just sleep, eat and feed the baby. And be kind to yourself. One thing that does impact supply is stress. If you don’t pump after nursing, that’s fine. Sleep is always more important than pumping.

Good luck.

Did you do this as late as 8 weeks? I wish so much I’d done this when DD was just a few days old.

look, triple feeding at 8 weeks when you already have weeks of exhaustion built up is not necessary.

[Anonymous]

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.