Breastfeeding advice

[Cindy]

Okay so I'd love some breastfeeding advice for my friend. Her baby is almost 3 1/2 weeks old and wants to nurse contently. My friend feels like she isn't make enough milk for him and he just isn't satisfied, even after nursing for 45 minutes or more.

I know nothing about it but what I have read online from friend who nurse. I know there are cookies you can eat to up milk supply, right? Are there other foods she can increase in her diet to help?

She has supplemented with formula a few times because he was screaming for more. He also has reflux and gas issues. She really wants to keep breastfeeding so I told her I'd try my best to get some info for her. So any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you ladies!

[Ashley]

Mother's milk tea has given me a difference. It makes me feel better about my supply. That being said, I know that more often than not, they say supply is not really an issue. Elaine will be better with this, and I would check out kellymom, lifesaver!!

Try this link:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

[Elaine]

If her baby is only 3 1/2 weeks old nursing often is quite normal. Their little tummies are tiny and breast milk is digested much more quickly than formula so for the first 2 months it can seem like they're eating all-the-time. Not producing enough milk is a fear that every breast feeding mother has at some point in time but generally it's an unwarranted fear. It's so hard to know when you can't actually see what's coming out.

The best way to produce more milk is to nurse. Nothing stimulates milk production like a baby suckling. Also, an empty breast produces milk faster than a partially empty breast so making sure that the baby drains one side before switching to the other breast is important.

Something else to watch for is a change in the baby's suckling pattern. While it is normal for a new baby to take a while to eat sometimes they comfort nurse closer to the end of the session. Tell her to watch for her baby's swallowing motions. If the baby stops swallowing every few sucks then they're comfort nursing, not eating.

Ashley is right. Kellymom (http://www.kellymom.com) is a fantastic site with a vast wealth of information. She should be able to get some great tips there.

Give your friend a thumbs up tell her she's doing a great job. Any words of encouragement to a new nursing mom do a wonder of good. :support:

[Jojo]

fenugreek, goats rue and oatmeal. Those are my 3 lifesavers

16 capsules of fenugreek (500mg each) spread out 4x a day (so 4 capsules 4x a day).

1tsp of goats rue 3x a day. Chase it with OJ cause it's nasty unless you buy the capsules.

I eat oatmeal 1x a day.

Make sure to drink water but don't over do it. I learned the hard way. Drink when you're thirsty.

I also pop lecithin for clogged ducts but that has nothing to do with supply.

That's about it. Feel free to ask any more questions. This regimen helps me get about 8-10oz at each pumping session every 5 hours. (when my hormones get wacky my supply pays for it.)

I think there are different latches to help with flow. Not really sure because I pump more than I BF.

Good luck to your friend!

[Cindy]

Thank you all so much. Like I said I don't know much about it, as I never breastfed Conner, I only pumped. I just don't really know if supply is an issue with her because he's already put 2 lbs on! She's just getting so frustrated and I know this is something she wants but it's getting hard on her. I will share your stories about how they nurse quite often in the beginning. I hope she can pull through, but I hate seeing her to unhappy.

Thank you again ladies! :support:

[Jojo]

oh if he put on that much weight then he just likes to eat :hehe:

[Elaine]

Oh, and tell her that it does get better. The first few weeks are the toughest but it's not always like that. :support:

[Cindy]

That's what I told her. I said he just likes to eat like Conner always did, and still does! He was born at 9 lbs and already weighs 11! I think I just have to talk to her and explain that it'll take time to get use to him taking up so much time eating. That's her main thing and it makes her think he isn't getting enough. Her and her DH are fighting because he eats so much but if this is what they want for him then they will have to work through it together.

[Jojo]

I remember when I tried to nurse on demand and I was so exhausted because he was eating every 45 min- 1 hour. My nipples were sore and I couldn't do it anymore hence the reason why I started pumping.

[Cindy]

She also said that (sorry I am randomly remembering things as you girls reply lol) she is just so sore from him nursing so much that she gets to the point where she just doesn't want to do it because it's so painful. :(

[Jojo]

Yes. It's extremely painful. At least for me it was. What helped a lot was a nipple shield. I still use it to this day and refuse to nurse without it!

[Cindy]

She does plan on talking to her LC also. So maybe she can help her with a shield and stuff.

[Jojo]

Yes. that is who helped me. (the LC) If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have made it this far.

[Elaine]

For some moms the first few weeks are painful. Her nips aren't used to the constant friction but they will toughen up. My doctor compared it to breaking in a new pair of shoes. It takes a little while to get used to it.

Jo, you and I were on the extreme side. Most women don't go through the pain that we did. Some go through no pain at all and I'm jealous... :p

[Cindy]

I'll keep re-ensuring her that it WILL get better and that this is the worst of it. :) Thanks for all the great advice and help that I need to help her through this!

[Farah]

I had so much pain the first month or two of BFing that I cried/winced each time he latched on. Eventually my nips did toughen up and I went on to BF for 15 months!!!

[Jojo]

Yeah, I'm jealous also. :hehe:

I think that was the main reason why I hated it. It was traumatizing.

[Ashley]

Tell her to use the lansinoh stuff on her nipples too, it really helped!! I was in horrible pain for the first few weeks, I would cry and get frustrated. It did get better though!!

[Leah]

Tell her to hang in there it gets soooo much easier and better if you can just get past the first month or two. Encourage her to get on a message board or join a new mom's support/breastfeeding group or find a lactation consultant if possible. I was hesitant to see a lactation consultant because I thougt it would be so pricey but I ended up seeing a couple different ones and different places that offered free consultations. ;) This was amazing and really a life saver.

[Cindy]

She's feeling a lot better today. I explained to her that he is gaining so well that I don't think supply is an issue and she agreed. I told her she'll have her hard days, but that you ladies said it will get better she just has to hang in there. She agrees :) I think she can do it if she can just work through those rough days.

He also just got circumcised last week and she believes it might be infected! :( So that would DEFINITELY explain his crankiness!

[Farah]

Ouch! What makes her think it's infected?

[Cindy]

Blisters! To be honest I am mad that she has waited! I mean why wouldn't you take him to the ER or something! :angry:

[Farah]

OMG OUCH!!!!!!!! Poor guy :(

[Leah]

Yea...Ouch! I would be more worried too if she suspects infection in such a young baby.

[AshleyMommyto2]

I didn't bf. But I do wish her the best of luck.

[Jojo]

I hope she brought the baby to the doctor...blisters? OUCH!!!

[Cindy]

She did.. He's fine, they said it was normal. Thank God.

Also he is now 12 lbs! He was 9 at birth and will be a month old on Friday. So I am thinking there are no supply issues what.so.ever lol Mom just has to make it through this tough time and him wanting to eat a lot.

[Jojo]

She did.. He's fine, they said it was normal. Thank God.

Also he is now 12 lbs! He was 9 at birth and will be a month old on Friday. So I am thinking there are no supply issues what.so.ever lol Mom just has to make it through this tough time and him wanting to eat a lot.

Holy crap! What a little piggie! :hehe: