https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:05:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151628 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:01:27 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I hadn't thought of that! I did totally monopolize the LC's time when I was in the hospital, but it's a good idea to try to plan ahead. </p> <p>@Greentea: did you do every 2 hours at night too? pumping and nursing at the same time is so daunting to me, but I'm totally willing to do what it takes (for a limited time) to help in the long run. </p> <p>@Cchoi4: Thank you - that's so encouraging! And you hit the nail on the head with the point about just enjoying it. I need to remember that. Though easier said than done! </p> <p>@jetsa: Amen sister. We need to give ourselves a break sometimes! :) </p> <p>@MrsH: @miramira: I am not a high anxiety/stress person, but when it does happen I just don't know how to limit it! I wish I did, but the more I try it seems the worse it gets. </p> <p>@NavyRN2012: That's so good to hear too - thank you! </p> <p>You ladies are super encouraging :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151590 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:17:33 +0000 NavyRN2012 2151590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a hell of a time with DD, and finally gave up and formula fed her. I was on the fence with even attempting BFing little brother. I decided to go for it- and 3 weeks in and zero issues. It's seriously so easy. I had one flat and one inverted nipple, so I wore breast shells starting at about 36 weeks. That's about all I did to "prepare" for BFing this time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151587 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:16:38 +0000 miramira 2151587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my experience, pumped supply vs direct-from-source supply can vary considerably, with pumping not always being a great indicator of actual 'output'. Don't let a small pumped output make you think your supply is low, especially in the early days. Pumps can't empty the breasts as well as a wee baby :)</p> <p>I agree with making sure you get lots of skin-to-skin with baby. It really helped me when DS was newborn.</p> <p>Also, I believe there is a psychosomatic element to milk let-down; if you're anxious or nervous, it might be affected. </p> <p>Breast massage can be helpful as well; touch stimulates the let-down reflex.</p> <p>And put the baby to the breast as often as possible and endure/enjoy the cluster feeding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151545 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:46:10 +0000 MrsH 2151545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: @blackbird: @jetsa: word. My supply sucked so bad last time that this time I just need to chill out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151500 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:22:12 +0000 jetsa 2151500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: @Mrs. Lovejoy: I'm with you ladies, this time I just want to be okay with however it turns out. I fought nursing and we eventually made it but damn was I mean to myself over it. I acted as if bottles/formula were life changing...and they weren't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151477 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:04:43 +0000 Cchoi4 2151477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any specific advice but wanted to tell you that it could work out the 2nd time around without any additional effort on your part!</p> <p>My first son didn't want to nurse almost at all. I ended up pumping from 4-9 months and then switching to full formula from 9-12 months. It was a constant struggle with what I thought was low supply. I was taking everything I could think of (Blessed Thistle, lactation cookies, oatmeal bfasts, mother's milk tea, extra water throughout the day) but would never pump enough for full feedings throughout the day. It was heartbreaking and stressful.</p> <p>My second son was a PRO at birth. It was like night and day and it wasn't until my 2nd son that I realized that perhaps it wasn't anything I could have done the first time around. DS2 nursing and would refuse bottles! He nursed until 19 months at which point I was ready to wean. </p> <p>Honestly, i didn't do anything extra, different, or special. DS1 was on the smaller side of babies. DS2 drank and drank and drank and ate and ate and ate...he was a bigger baby. I would just say to do what you can do in nursing your babies (drinking water, nursing on demand, etc). And enjoy...that was the biggest mistake I made with my first....stressing out and not enjoying the moments as much as I could have. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151463 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:58:53 +0000 Greentea 2151463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pumped every two hours as well as bf and ate a lot.of.calories! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151423 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:34:27 +0000 Kemma 2151423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: are you able to meet with an ibclc in the next few weeks to troubleshoot your first breastfeeding journey? I didn't suffer from low supply but i had plenty of other issues (ties, bad latch, took awhile to get my milk in) so i met with an ibclc at 34 weeks to make a plan for my when my wee dude arrived (i also had gd). I felt so much more confident knowing i was supported and had a plan to deal with any problems! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151419 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:33:27 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: yeah, I'm NOT good at that. So, I will bug you when I need reminded! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151403 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:28:52 +0000 blackbird 2151403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: I hope so, too! my main goal is just to chill the fuck out on myself, heh :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151398 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:27:57 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: That's good perspective to keep. It was like my one thing that I was super crazy about first time, but I'm hopeful that it won't be something I even have to worry about. And if it's an issue, I have nothing against formula and would totally do that. </p> <p>@snowjewelz: haha I like that logic!! I feel like it has to be somewhat true. And, hope your supply becomes less of an issue soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151375 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:17:04 +0000 lawbee11 2151375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: Yes! I actually remember seeing those but not until my LO was older. I think something like that would be perfect for the hospital and at home.</p> <p>ETA: And FWIW I didn't pump at all until LO was 6-8 weeks old. I pretty much relied on skin to skin and trying to BF as much as I could so that her suckling would signal my body to make milk. I bet just having done it before and knowing what to expect will help you immensely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151364 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:12:50 +0000 snowjewelz 2151364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: My SIL's weird logic is that the 2nd time around, your boobs already did it once, the milk glands were already "opened up" so they know what to do the 2nd time around?! I don't have great supply currently with my 1st so I sure hope it's true! The pain I can deal with knowing that it will pass! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151359 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:10:39 +0000 blackbird 2151359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot of my friends say it goes better the second time. I hope so, too. If not, well, lord knows the first kid did fine on formula, so I hope, if anything, that i don't beat myself up as much </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151357 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:10:35 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Oh, that's good advice as well! I kind of want to buy one of those tank tops that the babe basically lays in (like a kangaroo?). I borrowed one on day 2 last time, but only had it while in the hospital. It was the best! Good reminder, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151356 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:09:32 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: That's so encouraging to hear! Most of my friends have shared that it's just as hard from a pain perspective (like some have cracks/bleeding with 2nd and 3rd), but I don't really have friends that had to deal with supply issues. That's where I got fortunate enough to find supplemental milk first time around! But, I really want to just be able to do it myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151350 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:06:41 +0000 lawbee11 2151350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the biggest thing that helped with my supply was lots of skin to skin. I limited visitors and basically did as much skin to skin as possible while in the hospital (which also means I barely slept...so that part kinda sucked). My milk came in on day 2, so I think it really helped. I also continued to do lots of skin to skin once we were home from the hospital. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151348 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:06:29 +0000 snowjewelz 2151348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost everyone I know IRL says they have better supply, and easier nursing in general with #2 also! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151347 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:06:23 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I haven't thought of starting a supplement like MMP towards the end of pregnancy, but that's a good idea! I'm sure it can't hurt. Thanks!</p> <p>@Adira: Thank you! That's what I'm hoping for me too. My body should recognize what I'm trying to do this time, so maybe it will kick it's butt into gear :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151339 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:02:23 +0000 Adira 2151339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice, but best wishes for you. &lt;3 I've found that so far, my supply for #2 has been a lot better than it was for #1, so I'm hoping the same will be true for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151336 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:01:21 +0000 regberadaisy 2151336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: we supplemented from day 1 with dd 1 and I always had low supply.</p> <p>I asked my Ob about pumping during end of pregnancy and although she wasn't overly concerned about inducing labor she also didn't feel it was necessary. I did start taking mmp pills at the end though!</p> <p>This time around my supply has been better. At the beginning I even had a tiny stash! But after the 6m mark my output started going down. I've been working very hard via power pumping and my diet to pump just enough for daycare days. I'm determined to try my darnedest at EBF this time! But I have formula at home, just in case. :)</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-supply-first-time-around-tips-for-second-time#post-2151327 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:55:48 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 2151327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm nearing the end of my second pregnancy (36 weeks today), and am starting to think through delivery and postpartum. With my first babe I had a bit of trouble with my supply. I was able to nurse for over a year, but we supplemented with other's milk and looking back on pictures, girlfriend was a twig at the beginning. I think it took about 4 days for my milk to come in, and I pumped starting on day 2 after each feeding. </p> <p>Any advice for second time around? I am already planning on getting a pump in the hospital to try to get my milk to come in earlier, and I'm even considering pumping before delivery to see if it will kick start stuff. I'm really just hoping/praying for a chunky baby that will be hungry and have a demand that prompts my supply. LO1 was a sleepy/lazy nurser and I think that significantly affected it. </p>