https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:35:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-948244 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:58:56 +0000 Espion 948244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: @tysonja: @autumnlove: @septemberlove: *humbly salutes those who have gone before* Seriously, I could not have done this without the wisdom of your experiences! Yay for HB!</p> <p>@septemberlove: That is music to my ears! Did you have to use a scale to transition him off the supplemental formula? This little guy nurses forever and still acts hungry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-947145 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:38:30 +0000 lomom 947145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I'm so glad to hear about the Dom helping! My LO, at like 8 weeks, could latch well and could transfer but there was just something missing. He wasn't getting full despite nursing for long periods of time. Time was the missing piece. By 11 weeks, he was finally nursing efficiently and getting full (he had a 13oz weight gain that week!!) </p> <p>Hang in there! You've been so strong and so dedicated, it's incredibly admirable! I hope you continue to update us :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-947128 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:33:21 +0000 autumnlove 947128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Yay! Glad it works for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-947115 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:31:45 +0000 tysonja 947115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: so happy for you!!</p> <p>LO and I had a similar journey as you, except we began supplementing with formula early on. He got bm every day until my supply was truly gone at 7 months :) it was hard to swallow at first, but i'm happy with the end results! :D</p> <p>will try EBF'ing again for #2 coming in a few weeks, but having gone through it I hope I will both have the resolve to try my hardest again, AND be okay with supplementing if it turns out that way again :) it would be nice not to have to shell out the $$ for the formula though! that is the only real downside haha :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-946072 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 12:52:20 +0000 DillonLion 946072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Awesome!!! Thanks for the shoutout. </p> <p>I checked my bottle of domperidone at home and it only has like maybe 10-15 pills in there. You are welcome to them if you want them, but it isn't all that many. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-946013 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 12:31:57 +0000 Espion 946013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An update:</p> <p>Domperidone is officially the bomb. I definitely have more supply after just 3 days. (I pumped 4 ounces at 3 am!). I re-visited a LC and she thinks budgie still is not nursing efficiently and effectively, even though his mechanics appear otherwise good. Hopefully that is something he'll figure out. </p> <p>And if anyone searches this in the future, I want to highlight (paraphrase) what @highwire: said, because it improved my state of mind significantly: it's not all or nothing. My little guy will (and has!) get breastmilk every day. If I have to give him a little formula to get chubby thighs, it's not the end of the world. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-924645 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 20:01:40 +0000 Doodlesmama 924645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I took both Reglan and Domperidon. I didn't see an increase with either, but I have heard of a lot of people who have had success with Dom. If you are going to get Dom you can get it from inhousepharmacy.biz it is much cheaper than going to a compounding pharmacy.</p> <p>I know it can be so stressful to not make enough milk. Using an SNS is hard and, for me, took away the natural feeling of breastfeeding. Don't worry about using bottles in the meantime. Try Dom, hopefully it will work. Good luck and give yourself a break! Also, drink a beer, it's good for supply :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-924597 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 19:51:51 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 924597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I haven't taken it personally, but all the women I've prescribed it to swear by it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-924543 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 19:42:22 +0000 Espion 924543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: Thank you for the information. And that last part. It is something I have to remind myself. I really like what @highwire: said...he's gotten breast milk every day of his life. It may not be exclusively, but he's gotten at least some. I like that. </p> <p>@highwire: I'm definitely interested. Let me know how I can contact you. </p> <p>@BabyBoecksMom: My sister gave me some. I'm taking a different brand (from Whole Foods?) but I will start taking it as soon as I'm done with this bottle. </p> <p>@septemberlove: I can't wait to try my hand at them. I bought some Brewer's Yeast and flax seed. Now all I have to do is wait for my cookie sheet to make it through Canada, heh. </p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: If it works, I will definitely figure how to get a supply. I'll look in to Canada. </p> <p>@hergreenapples: That makes me feel better. I think E's birth weight was overstated as well. I had at least two boluses of saline, not to mention the basal rate of fluids. He's been alert and loves to kick his legs, so I can't imagine that he's been starving this whole time, but I can't let him stay hungry. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-923383 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 15:10:58 +0000 lomom 923383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had great success with lactation cookies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922921 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:57:10 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 922921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I think if you write a script you can order from Canada. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922920 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:57:07 +0000 heartonastring 922920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I boosted my supply around week six with massive quantities of fenugreek and blessed thistle, but it sounds like you're already doing that. I also pump between 3 and 4 times each day.</p> <p>You know, my DD was a slow (but very steady) gainer for the first six-ish weeks. She was 8lbs 4oz at birth (that was somewhat inflated though thanks to the massive quantity of fluids that were pumped into me!) and didn't get up over 9lbs until 5 weeks pp. no one was worried though, as she was bright and alert and transferring well. Not every baby gains 1oz/day! They can still be incredibly healthy babies without meeting the textbook weight gain requirements.</p> <p>And now, at 11 weeks, DD is gaining about 5 to 6 oz a week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922871 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:49:56 +0000 DillonLion 922871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I have some Domperidone as well if you are interested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922869 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:49:38 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 922869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Have you tried More Milk Plus capsules? They made me go from not having enough to having an oversupply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922864 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:48:45 +0000 rachiecakes 922864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I took it for two months. It was $199 for a month's supply. It was prescribed from my lactation consultant and I got it at a compounding pharmacy. I also have fantastic insurance and was shocked it wasn't covered. </p> <p>If you're comfortable with it, there was some on the classifieds section here. :) </p> <p>And I totally get you on the the "I wish the internet had more unbiased information and less "you are a terrible mom" or "you will automatically kill your supply forever" - part.<br /> I was incredibly depressed over my situation. If there's one thing I wish I could change, I wish I could go back and tell myself to relax, everything will work out, you're a good mom. Because moms need to be told that, and really believe it. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922835 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:42:21 +0000 Espion 922835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I'm trying to find a compounding pharmacy that will make it. I'm in north Texas right now and haven't had much luck yet. I'd also have to prescribe it to myself, and I've always felt weird about that. I may wait until we get up to AK to get some to prescribe it for me or figure out a different avenue. </p> <p>@rachiecakes: How long did you take the Domperidone? Was it expensive? (Just so I have an idea.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922775 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:30:09 +0000 brownie 922775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Yes, it is often easier said than done :). You will get to a point that works for you and that is all that you can do. </p> <p>We coslept starting at 6 months to get more food into the kid. Nothing like all night access. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922727 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:17:59 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 922727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you get some domperidone? Way better than reglan and without the side effects </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922699 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:12:11 +0000 rachiecakes 922699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I tried just about everything and the only thing that worked was Domperidone. There are a million and one things you can try and HB is AWESOME for all of those suggestions, many helped us out. Try not to stress yourself out or beat yourself up over it, your LO loves you no matter what :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922698 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:12:05 +0000 Espion 922698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: He does spit up, but is never in pain when he does so. I went through a litany of observations with a friend of mine who is a pediatrician, and she doesn't think he is MSPI (although I harped and pursued it as a possible cause). He is a fairly happy kid as long as his belly is full.<br /> We've been living out of fast food drive thrus lately, because we're in transit while moving (from Georgia, to Texas, then flying to Alaska). We won't even have a bed or a chair to sit in for the first week and a half that we're in Alaska. Or a car. I'm trying *really* hard to not be stressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922679 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:06:12 +0000 Espion 922679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: I think that is what will be our perfect scenario. It helps to hear from those that have been there. I would love even a meager increase in supply!</p> <p>I said it once and I'll say it again. If I had to choose between an easy labor and easy breastfeeding...I'd choose breastfeeding, hands down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922661 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:02:04 +0000 brownie 922661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: My son NEVER took to a pacifier as much as I had tried because it would help him feel better. You say he spits up? Is he in pain? If he is you may want to lay off of the dairy. My son ended up failure to thrive because he wasn't digesting food due to his MSPI (which is my experience so I always jump to it as a solution/issue).</p> <p>Other things to think about that may help (and are so much easier said than done): reducing stress, eating more good fatty foods like nuts and avocados, making sure you are eating and drinking enough and quality foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922638 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:57:03 +0000 DillonLion 922638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I intentionally decided to become a combination feeder (both breast milk and formula) and we've been successfully doing that for almost 8 months now. Just remember it isn't all or nothing. </p> <p>I supposed I could have pressed on harder, but choosing to let it go meant that I was finally able to just enjoy my time with my newborn, still nurse, but she was getting enough nutrients and calories to be healthy and thrive. </p> <p>It has provided us with a lot of flexibility in terms of nursing when able and willing and giving a bottle other times, and it has worked out great for us. I have periods of guilt that I could never EBF, but I'm proud to have given her breast milk for this long, and while my supply was never enough to do it exclusively, she has gotten breast milk every day of her life and my supply has slowly increased over the last several months since being at work means that i stay on a regular pumping schedule and don't have to deal with LO not latching, sucking, or being disinterested. </p> <p>Anyway, hang in there. It is hard to deal with but there are plenty of ways to handle it and you just have to find what works best for you and your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922603 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:49:57 +0000 Espion 922603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: @edelweiss: That is interesting that nursing for long periods may be counterproductive. Everything on the internet seems to say to let them nurse forever and the bottle is the devil in terms of supply. It does make sense, though. Definitely going to try what you both have recommended with the nursing/pumping. Homeskillet will get angry, because he comfort nurses quite often. (I've even tried the "evil*" pacifier to placate this, to no avail.) DH has been wonderful and a huge help now that he has the time and ability to give E his attention. </p> <p>@meredithNYC: Thank you for your support. E also spits up a lot and is it weird that I don't mind when he spits up formula? It puts me on the verge of tears to see him spit up breastmilk! I think we'll be constantly reassessing where we stand, but I'm going to try to continue this as long as possible. Or at least until well after we get settled in our new city. </p> <p>* Just to be clear, I don't judge pacifiers, formula, or any adjunctive feeding methods. Not that I judged them in the first place, but I wish the internet had more unbiased information and less "you are a terrible mom" or "you will automatically kill your supply forever". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922464 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:15:51 +0000 edelweiss 922464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i had supply issues at the beginning because LO was not an efficient nurser and would fall asleep constantly during a feeding. it wasn't creating enough of a demand. my pediatrician also mentioned that nursing for long periods of time may be counterproductive if the act of it burns more calories than the baby is getting. not sure if that is true or not, anyway, this is what my lactation consultant told me to do for 2 weeks, and it worked:</p> <p>nurse on each side for 15 minutes<br /> give LO a bottle of pumped milk or formula<br /> pump both sides afterwards for 10-15 minutes</p> <p>this was easier when my husband was at home with me because he could give LO the supplemental bottle while i pumped. </p> <p>hope this is helpful, i'm sorry it's been difficult--breastfeeding has so many intricacies and complications! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922451 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:12:41 +0000 meredithNYC 922451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I, too, had a really low supply and looking back, I think it was down to my stress levels? Although, it's hard to tell since there may have been other factors, too. Anyway, I was supplementing maybe one bottle of formula per day for the first two months and then it kept creeping upwards as my LO wasn't satisfied/gaining enough weight. By the time she was 3 months old, we were on formula full time.</p> <p>I won't lie. It sucks to have to give up. But just know that you are your own worst critic and you need to try and go easy on yourself. Now my LO is 13 months old and she is strong, happy and such a delight. Honestly, if I had to do it over again, I probably would have gone to formula earlier since I didn't enjoy parenting until I switched over. The round the clock stress of breastfeeding and all the pressure was too much for me.</p> <p>Wishing you good luck no matter what you decide to do! You'll find lots of support here either way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922378 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 11:52:03 +0000 brownie 922378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a number of problems which did cause some supply issues (not to the level that you are discussing). My son was MSPI but I didn't know and we ended up going to scheduled feedings at 2 weeks old so he could have his Zantac and wouldn't hurt. Somehow, we did make it to 2 years old with supplementation at 9 months old. </p> <p>I hate the pump as well, but I think that it may be a good fit. One thing that may help is not to let him just languish on the boob because he isn't being affective (and it isn't helping). Limit him to maybe 15 min per side and then offer it again a short time later (maybe 30 min). So you offer often, BUT he has to get what he wants as soon as possible. I'm not a LC and this is a stab in the dark. But if you limit his time and pump immediately after, that may help.</p> <p>One thing I found useful was to pump the side he wasn't feeding on initially. This could help you get more pumped milk for supplementing and it did demand. Then I put him on that side after I pumped.</p> <p>If you do want to FF you can and there are some women who have been very successful just breastfeeding when together and FF when away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-im-going-to-have-to-accept-that-i-have-a-low-milk-supply#post-922304 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 11:35:12 +0000 Espion 922304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My little budgie exactly 5 weeks old and he has gained a mere pound from his discharge birth weight. While he has never lost, he is gaining extremely slowly. </p> <p>I have been nursing around the clock (sometimes letting him nurse for hours at a time, which thankfully, is not too uncomfortable most of the time), taking fenugreek, eating oatmeal, and staying hydrated. The only thing I haven't done is pump after every BF'ing session, because honestly, when the average interval between nursing sessions is about an hour and a half (after he's been latched for an hour), I never feel like I have the time or the reserve. (I never feel full after the morning, if I feel full then at all.) </p> <p>I've weighed E before and after a morning session (when I feel the most full) and he only transfers 1.5 ounces after 40 minutes. </p> <p>I don't know if it is because of his initial disorganized suck reflex (which is better; however, I feel that he is still inefficient at the breast), his jaundice, the fact that DH had to be gone for two weeks after E was born, or the stress of moving 4300 miles away (at one point, I was nursing on the floor in our closet, because movers were in and out of our house for a week getting everything loaded on the truck). But I have never been able to pump more than an ounce per session. So many strikes against us. </p> <p>I've already let him nurse around the clock on demand for the last 5 weeks and he is not gaining enough weight. As much as everyone says "stay away from bottles" we are giving him bottles, because his health comes first. The plan has been to give him pumped milk and top it off with formula, which we alternate with nursing. I hate pumping and would so much rather be able to breastfeed. </p> <p>All of this is really breaking my heart that I cannot provide such a basic thing for E. I do have an SNS system, but it has proven awkward and messy to use. The reality is that he will require bottles anyway as soon as I go back to work in September. My last ditch is going to be Reglan. </p> <p>Has anyone been able to rebound their supply after the first month? I really love the bonding of breastfeeding and it hurts that I cannot produce enough to provide him what he needs. I've thought long and hard about it and I just can't give it up to go FF only. </p>