I've not had any problems nursing. Not since my milk came in and the nugget has been able to get plenty to eat and has been gaining weight steadily after her near whole pound drop in her first 5 days of life.
My concerns are how much am I producing? I pump about every time after I feed her. I want to store LOTS of milk. I fear getting mastitis or some type of infection where I cant breast feed or my production will go down. I'm so adamant about breast feeding because of a lot of reasons, but the biggest is my antibodies. With this winter being one of the worst the sicknesses have seen I am quite nervous. We are still staying home and not taking her out. And now that she is a month old, she's not been sick yet.
So, I'm trying to figure out how to get myself to make more milk. I'm pumping and taking these supplements and have heard about this tea that is supposed to help. I figure why not try? So I'm trying those things and I do think it helps a bit.
But, are there other ways?
9 comments:
Lots and lots of water helps milk production. Whole grains are also really great for increasing it. I think the main way to increase/maintain production is a higher than normal calorie diet. I think you only need 300-500 extra calories while breastfeeding. You don't have to feel like you have to go crazy and pork out, but you shoulding be calorie counting while breastfeeding. I have a sister in law who works with the Utah Breastfeeding Coalition and so I hear this from her a lot. ☺
There's a supplement called Brewer's Yeast that I took with my 4th when I started slowing down. It helped some, even if it was psychological and I just thought I was producing more. ☺ At least it did that much and helped to ease my mind. I never tried the tea, but have heard that it works for some.
I think you're body will make as much as she needs to eat...its hard to make more than that. I use to pump every morning before Isak would wake up when I was working and that helped a lot. If you're production is enough to make her grow, I wouldn't worry too much. Breastmilk can freeze for almost 3 months and I would just pump whenever you feel full before she eats. It will probably get easier when she gets bigger and will go for longer stretches/
Lots of water and letting the girls out of their cage. :)
In the hospital they kept telling me that my body would adjust to the baby's needs. So, as I understood if you only produce a few ounces- they will be jam packed with nutrients and antibodies instead of being watered (or milked) down? I'm curious to see what you find out. I like brewers yeast on popcorn. Call me crazy but it tastes good. Good luck!
Lots of Water, sitting on the couch and eating to your hearts content:) Its horrible I know... But it makes a HUGE difference!
Well since we already talked about this, I don't have to repeat what I've told you. I hope the tea works for you...it sure does for me! I produce MUCH more then Payton eats, I just pump alot! It stores for 6 months in a deep freezer, so its good to have. Good luck!
Hey Whit :) I've heard that wearing an underwire bra can actually decrease milk production, so as long as you don't wear underwire bras, do drink lots of water, get enough calories (500 extra) and pump in the morning after that first feeding (or before), you should have plenty!! :)
I pumped for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours, and twice at night, and even if nothing much was coming out I pumped the full amount of time. After about a week and eating lots of oatmeal and drinking plenty of water I was producing it like crazy and then I had the problem of being so full all the time that it was a chore to slow down :)
-Holly
I read your blog alot :-) I am 26 weeks pregnant and I like reading about the things you experienced during your pregnancy. I am also LDS, I live in Utah :-) Anyhow, I was just wondering, what vitamins do you take so that you won't dry up? I am terrified of not being able to produce enough milk for my baby.
Blythe - I sent you an email. Whichever is hooked up to your blogger account :) I hope it helps!
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