breastfeeding question... :)

So my baby is 3 1/2 wks old and breastfeeds like a champ, but I have to supplement because my milk is getting lower than what it first was. I've been told that eating oatmeal and whole grains help with milk supply, do I've Bweb eating them everyday... does anyone know of any other ways to increase ur milk supply?? I love breastfeeding and I really don't want to stop!! 0 btw... y aren't there any forums for breastfeeding support on here?? Geesh lol

Don't supplement. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. The more your baby eats, the more your body makes, and vice versa. Have you tried Fenugreek? It didn't help me, but some women swear by it. Also, brewer's yeast might help. You can buy both at GNC.

Your supply is going down because you're supplementing. Stop the formula and put baby to breast more often and your supply will be just fine. You can also try fenugreek

Quoting Jennifer Manwaring:" So my baby is 3 1/2 wks old and breastfeeds like a champ, but I have to supplement because my milk is ... [snip!] ... and I really don't want to stop!! 0 btw... y aren't there any forums for breastfeeding support on here?? Geesh lol"

Definitely stop supplementing, it just lowers your supply.
Put baby to the breast very very often. While feeding, pump the other breast at the same time. It signals the glands to produce more

You should constantly breastfeed and don't supplement at all. I drink lots of water and oatmeal really helped me I just ate it for breakfast everyday

Best thing to do is breastfeed more and don't supplement, supplementing (even if you pump in its places) makes the situation worse. Breast milk is supply and demand, if baby demands more by suckling at the breast your body will make more.

You can try fenugreek or mothers milk tea to help increase your supply.

What is fenugreek? Like a vitamin?

Quoting Jennifer Manwaring:" What is fenugreek? Like a vitamin?"

It's an herb. It will make you smell like maple syrup, but it's very effective for some women.

How do u know your supply is going down?

What the other mamas said. Stop supplementing.

I had a hard time with Bfeeding in the beginning what helped me was eating alotttttt the first 2 months post partum your body is healing and it takes a lot out of you to produce milk ..you need an extra 500 cal a day for the first weeks after ..also... drinking a lot of milk ..you need the calcium and although its controversial and people will tell you not too .my lactation consultant suggested and my mother who breast fed all of us for 2 years each agreed..one glass of dark beer a day. Just one. It won't hurt your baby and in increased my milk supply immensely ....and while you baby is not nursing keep a pump on your breast every few hours for a half hour ...its time consuming but the constant stimulation will help your body produce more milk and bulevar up a supply ...you baby is only 3 week your milk hasn't even fully come in yet don't be discouraged keep it up  

<blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" How do u know your supply is going down? What the other mamas said. Stop supplementing."</blockquote>




When I pump I'm lucky to get barely an ounce from each side... where as a week ago I was getting a little over 2 ounces from each....

Quoting Jennifer Manwaring:" <blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" How do u know your supply is going down? What ... [snip!] ... pump I'm lucky to get barely an ounce from each side... where as a week ago I was getting a little over 2 ounces from each...."

That means nothing. Your supply regulated, it's normal and a good thing. You have more milk in your breasts that the pump can't get out but the baby can. You do not need to supplement.

Quoting Jennifer Manwaring:" <blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" How do u know your supply is going down? What ... [snip!] ... pump I'm lucky to get barely an ounce from each side... where as a week ago I was getting a little over 2 ounces from each...."

Your supply may be starting to regulate itself. Plus, your body doesn't respond to the pump like it does your baby. As long as your LO is having 5-6 wet diapers a day, he/she is getting what they need. Do you work outside the home? Is that why you need to pump?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Jennifer Manwaring:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" How do u know your supply is going down? What ... [snip!] ... pump I'm lucky to get barely an ounce from each side... where as a week ago I was getting a little over 2 ounces from each...."</blockquote>


Pumping is no indication of milk supply hun. This is a common misconception people have that ruins a lot of bfig relationships. Just keep nursing him on demand. He's getting enough  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Squeaky McGee:</b>" Your supply may be starting to regulate itself. Plus, your body doesn't respond to the pump like it ... [snip!] ... is having 5-6 wet diapers a day, he/she is getting what they need. Do you work outside the home? Is that why you need to pump?"</blockquote>




I don't work, but some days he just won't latch on so I pump and give it to him in a bottle... also that way my husband can get involved and feed him too