Hellobee Boards

@78h2o: I am so sorry you're dealing with this! And I am sorry that things are not great between you and DH...I have wondered if things were improving for you guys since your thread about how little he helps you/trusting him with LO. I am so sorry:(. I think your OB would be the one to get a domperidone scrip from? And I always read about lactation cookies and brewer's yeast- which I think is the main ingredient in the cookies. I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this and having to go back to work too:(

@78h2o: I'm so sorry you're going through such a rough time right now. I'm on my phone so can't write loads but will comment again when I get to the laptop. In short though, I had supply issues lately and lactation cookies with a load of brewers yeast in them really helped, as did more milk plus and some meds from my OB. Getting more sleep (easier said than done when you're stressed) helped me hugely with supply, and maybe pumping after midnight when milk production is high. Also, I wear milk collectors that press on your boob and collect any leakage that can then be added to a bottle - every little helps! Big hugs, hope it all gets easier for you soon!

@78h2o: yeah - I actually started a new post about the proper fit - I got a smaller breast shield and have noticed a much greater output!

@78h2o: Yes, those are the MMP capsules. I would first try just the MMP capsules for a few weeks and see if that alone does it for you (4-6 capsules a day was what I needed). Some people find success with just MMP and some people need a bit of a boost of just fenugreek or blessed thistle, etc. The less you've got going on to get the results you need, the better so try to slowly introduce things so you don't over do it. MMP capsules have Fenugreek, blessed thistle, nettle and fennel seed.

You are going to be ok. It is a vicious cycle but you will make it! Call in your BF support - STAT and if that is us on HB great! You can do this - I EBF twins just keep up your determination! How old is your LO, I can give better advice knowing that.

You will find it is going to be easier to build your supply once you are separated from your Little One. It is easier to get milk when you are away than trying to fill in pumping sessions between feedings.

The 13 oz you sent could actually be to much. All you need is 1 oz per hour of separation. The best milk calculator and information is on http://www.kellymom.com. There is a lot of information there.

Also, no need to pump for half an hour. My LC told me 15 min. max no matter the output. Make sure your sessions are no more than 3 hours apart (from the end not the start). You could do every 2 hours for a week if your job will allow you.

Amazon has the More Milk Plus the cheapest (about $25 for 120 pills and free shipping). I ordered them and got them 3 days later, no need to pay for expedidted shipping. I take it daily and it does help. They also sell at Whole Foods for about $40 for 30 pills.

It may also help you knowing that there was a time my supply went down from 24 oz a day (this is not the norm but remember I have twins) to 11 oz. IT DOES COME BACK, and it can come back in a big way. This increase happened over 2 days!

Also, how will your DC space out the feedings? Is your DC breastfeeding friendly? I have seen plenty of stories where the DC tries to use BM like formula. They are not the same so don't let them tell you they need more. Let me know about this because I can give you more advice.

I hope some of this helps.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with your husband -- stress is a huge problem for supply. The first week I went back to work my supply was terrible. I pumped 3x the first day and barely got 6 oz.

It only got better the next week after I stopped stressing a bit. I think the main thing that helped was that we had a small extra stash I dipped into. I think once the pressure was off me it helped. I also ate tons of oatmeal, used MMP, Fenugreek and drank lots of water. I know formula isn't what you wanted, but would knowing that its in your back pocket ease your stress a bit?

When I started supplementing I still had a very good freezer stash. I just started adding in a few bottles of formula so LO could get used to it.

I'm sorry to hear life is rough at the moment, sending you hugs!

I'm not sure if you've heard of it but it's not uncommon for babies to reverse cycle once Mum goes back to work. Basically baby feeds less during the day then more frequently during the evening and night. I think that if you can manage some extra feeds when you are with baby this should boost your supply and take the pressure off your pump requirements.

Hang in there Mama, you're doing a wonderful job!

ETA LO will be far more efficient at removing milk from the breast than your pump so she'll be getting plenty of milk during her nursing sessions

And another thought, LLL usually recommends around 8 feeding sessions in the course if 24 hours, so if LO fed twice before daycare (wake up and on drop off at day care) and three times before bed (pick up, "dinner" and bedtime) plus two bottles at daycare then that's pretty much her daily requirements!

Sorry about your situation. I'm supplementing my DD with formula and breastmilk. It was hard for me too but she needed the nutrients and she nurses from me whenever she can.

You can also try some mother's milk tea. http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Mothers-Milk-Tea-Bags/dp/B0009Y8AGI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362429279&sr=8-2&keywords=mothers+milk+tea

You can buy them at any health food store or vitamin shop

I am so sorry things have been rough for you. PP gave great ideas, just wanted to chime in and let you know I am thinking about you:)

I feel like I have started a million threads on this exact same problem! I totally feel your pain. It has been so hard since DS is older (6 months now) and needs more BM at daycare than 8 oz a day. I feel like I've tried everything and my supply is destined to fail!

Seriously though, I would try anything! There is a great lactation cookie recipe on the boards, just search for it and dump a ton of brewer's yeast in there. Order MMP from amazon (mine is on the way!) I called my OB's office and he prescribed me Reglan, which I think has helped to maintain my supply more than anything. Drink tons of water, pump extra whenever you can. Drink a dark beer. Buy mother's milk tea. I don't think it tastes that bad and I think it is helping my supply also. I took fenugreek for 9 weeks but I don't think it helped me a whole lot, but this is just me!

I do wake up in the middle of night occasionally to pump...I am going oz to oz here. Lately DS has gone through teething and a growth spurt so he has been up in the middle of the night more than he used to so I pump in the morning when my alarm goes off before I get him up and I usually get 2-3 oz then and it rounds out his daycare bottles.

There is a lot of good info on this thread. I feel ya! It is hard and freaks you out! Stay at it.

Yay glad you are producing more!

glad to hear your production has increased!!!