Increasing milk supply

First of all, I want to thank everyone for all the input they have given to all my other questions, I usually only have one hand free and as Noah is asleep right now, I have the chance to type with two hands(hooray) so Thanks again for all your help.

I just want to tell you all that Baby Noah has been on only expressed breast milk and at one month old, he has gone from 7 lbs 14 oz to a whopping 10 lbs 13 oz...so through the heartbreak of not being able to BF him, I feel like a real success to see him thriving this way! I have been going to some support groups in my local area through LaLeche and I find the women really supportive about my not being able to BF...

Anyway, yes a question. I feel that my milk supply is erratic and I would really like to increase it. Can anyone give me some first hand advice on what I can do to do this over the next week or so.

Thanks again...Rachel

Re: Increasing milk supply

Have you tried any galactologues (sp?)
Fenugreek
Oatmal
goats rue?

Also try pumping more often. In the beginning I would "power pump" by pumping every hour several times a day and that would usually help.
Its hard to not have an abundance of milk but I've learned to deal with it. I hate giving DD formula but I feel like I've maxed out on what I can make.

Re: Increasing milk supply

I took brewer's yeast when I was pumping but honestly didn't notice much of a difference. My daughter's pediatrician said it would help, but honestly I found more of a difference on the two occasions when I just drank a beer before bed.

Sorry I can't be of anymore of a help, but I have to say, awesoem job pumping so much and giving him ONLY breastmilk for a month. My daughter wouldn't breastfeed and I pumped for the first month but supplemented with formula so I know how hard it is to get that milk supply going. Good luck with everything.
-Melissa

Re: Increasing milk supply

Try drinking fennel tea. I know that helped me.

Re: Increasing milk supply

the more I pumped, the more I would make. make sure you drink plenty of water.

Re: Increasing milk supply

I, too, know the heartbreak of not being about to nurse but also know the feeling of happiness for providing my baby with BM thru pumping.

Pumping with a high grade pump...which pump are you using?
Drink a full 8oz glass of water everytime you pump
Do manual breast massage as you begin to pump to help with let down
Get yourself a hands free bra
The easy expressions bra is on ebay for $30 and was the best purchase I made.
I took the fenugeek and ate oatmeal.

Getting into a stable routine will help with milk supply.

I am here if you need anything. There is also a great Pumping Moms yahoo group. They helped me a ton.

Re: Increasing milk supply

When I needed to increase my supply for pumping I would have oatmeal twice a day, a full glass of water everytime I pumped/nursed and drank mothers milk tea 1-2 times a day. I tried fenugreek and blessed thistle but I cant honestly say I noticed a big difference with them. Congrats on coming this far, your doing a great job!

Re: Increasing milk supply

Thanks so much everyone...

I bought some fennel tea yesterday, so will start with that. Also, I will try pumping more often. I have rented a Medela Symphony pump, which is great and I will look into the hands free bra, which is a great idea.

Thanks again!
Rachel

Message edited 2/11/2006 5:53:19 AM.

Re: Increasing milk supply

Do a few power pump days (i.e. pump every 2 hours on both sides) - that will keep your supply up. Also, drink plenty of water and eat oatmeal (it definitely helped with me!). ANd, make sure you pump long enough. I discovered that if I keep pumping even after it seems that I'm depleted, I'll often get a second, even sometimes a third letdown if I wait a little while with the pump still going.