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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Re-establishing supply?

50 replies

GroovyRach · 09/12/2011 01:12

Hi all, just looking for advice or to see if anyone has been in my position with a happy outcome!

I have a 10 wk old dd. breast feeding never went well from the start. I have very flat nipples so latching on was always a problem. After a wk or so I switched to expressing. Was going well and I was able to get 4oz each time. Dd went through a really fussy stage and I gave her formula to take strain off me (single parent). It was the easiest to do. Now, it's been probably 5 weeks since I properly pumped but I really really want to give it another go if it's not to late. I wish I hadn't have up so easy

So I done some reading online, spent today pumping for 5-10 mins in each side every hr or so. All I got was a drip. I tried putting dd back to see if her sucking would help but she wasnt interested, so it looks like it will be the pump doing the work!

My boobs are feeling slightly tender, could this be the milk? I last pumped around 7pm. Will try be up through night to give another go. Is it realistic to think I could build supply up again or am I wasting my time? Even if it was just one bottle of milk a day, I'd be so happy!!

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 09/12/2011 10:37

Re-lactating is do-able but hard work. There is lots of info here, here and here. This is the World Health Organisation's guidance on Re-lactation (though it is mainly aimed at HCP supporting mothers who are re-lactating).

Also, speaking to one of the breastfeeding helplines and talking things through might help you to decide how to proceed (or to help you lay bfing to rest if that is better for you).

Original poster

GroovyRach · 09/12/2011 11:10

Thank you! I've been reading all the sites u listed. I'm going to try pick up some of the herb supplements and give it a go

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 09/12/2011 11:25

Do check them out to make sure they are suitable. Fenugreek (for example has some not terribly nice side effects and isn't suitable for asthmatics [even though I am asthmatic and have taken it ]).

If you aren't removing milk frequently enough then all the herbs aren't going to do any good unfortunately.

It might be more worthwhile to try pumping both sides 8 times a day for a week to see what happens before going down the herbal route.

Can you hire a double electric pump (hospital grade pump) or buy a decent double pump as double pumping cuts down pumping time tremendously?

Original poster

GroovyRach · 09/12/2011 23:10

Managed to get in a few pumping sessions again today. Unfortunately was out a lot so not as many as I would have liked . Did see a slight increase in milk tho. Still just drips, but more than yesterday. I picked up some fenugreek tablets so will give it a go. Annoying tho as I will be out most of 2mrw and Sunday do as of Monday will go at it properly.

I would love to buy/rent a good electric pump but I just can't afford to at the moment. I have the tommee tippee and avent manual that are working good (and done me good in the beginning) so will stick with them for the time being.

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 10/12/2011 08:56

You could try your loal bfing group or surestart centre as some hire pumps for free (or very reduced rate).

It will take some time to work though, have you tried breast massage, then pumping then hand expression as that can increase the hormone levels and remove more milk than straight pumping. Hand expressing can be done anywhere so if you have a few 5 minutes hand expressing sessions it should keep things ticking over.

will your DD latch at all?

cairnterrier · 10/12/2011 08:59

What about doing skin to skin with your DD as much and as often as you can?

Original poster

GroovyRach · 10/12/2011 09:20

Have been doing skin to skin and we both had a shower together the other evening.

She won't latch on at all. I've been trying to put her in when she is calm but she just screws up her face! I expressed a bit so there is milk on the nipple but not interested. Put a bit of formula on but same. After a few mins she just starts to cry. The only way I can get her to drink from breast is through nipple shields. I used them before, but not sure if they slow things down, but she would be feeding for almost an hr at times!!

Yeah I will do some hand expressing when I get time today. Pumped last night before bed and I could see another slight increase . I massaged breast for few mins then used hand and pump.

I will look into the pumps again. I feel an electric would be the best, just wish £ wasn't so tight! Been looking on eBay for a cheap 2nd hand one too.

Thanks for all advice ladies

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 10/12/2011 09:25

Another poster recommended the Spectra 3 from Amazon as a good but cheap electric pump. Apparently it is about £50 (not cheap cheap but still reasonable).

If you get a 2nd hand pump don't get a Medela or TT electric pump as they are not closed and milk can get into the motor and mould can grow. You cannot clean this part of the pump. Ameda and Ardo pumps are closed systems so are safe to get 2nd hand (other pumps may be too but can't remember of the top of my head)

TruthSweet · 10/12/2011 09:29

Just had a look and you can make the Spectra a double pump for an extra £9 (so less than £60 for a double electric!)

cairnterrier · 10/12/2011 14:11

Showers with tiny snuggly babies :)

Have you tried latching her on in different places to where you would normally feed her? In the bath can sometimes be good or when she's very, very sleepy or even asleep. Have you tried just putting her on your chest and see if she makes her own way there? Biological nursing or some such similar??

Well done on the increased amounts by pump by the way! That sounds fantastic, how much did you get this time?

Is it worth just getting going with the breast shields to increase your supply, then once she realises that breasts = food, could you try then to wean her off the shields? Or maybe could you try every other feed with the breast shields?

Hope it all goes well today, please update so that we know how you get on.

Original poster

GroovyRach · 10/12/2011 17:32

Hello, have been out all day helping at a kids party so haven't had any spare time! With the pumping last night I managed about 2 tea spoons worth. Still a long way to go but I'm hopefully it might just come back. Was worried I had left it to long.

Will def try when she is sleepy and with the shields. Looked up that breast pump online, think it will be money well spent so maybe will just go for it. I guess electric is much better than manual?

Thank you again for advice and support

OP posts:

cairnterrier · 10/12/2011 18:31

So, if I've read your post right, you've gone from a drip yesterday to 2 teaspoons today? That sounds like a really good increase! Well done you!

TruthSweet · 10/12/2011 18:36

10mls is a great start - well done!

Using an electric (esp double) means you can do other things than just pump (including breast compressions whilst pumping!). You can buy fancy pumping bras/bustiers or you can cut out holes in an old bra (doesn't matter so much if it is a bit tight) or a vest top in a size smaller than usual with holes cut for the pump shields. It also saves your hands

Some mothers find using relaxation tracks help when pumping (studies have found higher yield when mothers pumped to relaxation tapes). Some free ones here and here

You can also try having a bath together but be really careful about not dropping her (put her on a towel on the floor before you get out of the bath) as they can get really slippy. Bathing together can trigger birthing reflexes so might help with her feeding.

Original poster

GroovyRach · 10/12/2011 19:39

Well I say 2 tea spoons... Certainly was much more than first attempt when it was just a drip!! Just annoyed that I won't get proper chance to go at it full speed until Monday! Just home so it's bath and hopefully bed by 10pm for dd. I will try get a few sessions before I head to bed too

OP posts:

Original poster

GroovyRach · 10/12/2011 20:30

I just pumped there, tried to collect in tub to measure. Seems to be coming out better by hand but in drips so hard to try collecting in pot to measure. I just tried to get daughter to latch on again while she was settled but refused. Then tried with shields, putting some formula on etc but nothing. Even took bottle out mouth and put nipple in but the little bugger screwed up her face again and went crazy lol! There is no fooling her!

Will aim just for expressing into bottle. Don't want her getting distressed with me trying to get her to latch.

Noticed one of my nipples was bleeding! This is hard work but I'm not giving in! I can do this

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 11/12/2011 00:36

Bleeding isn't a good sign (though luckily nothing on the milk production front!). Is it from a crack or from inside the nipple (coming from the same place as the milk)?

Does your pump 'fit' you - does your nipple rub on the inside of the pump shield? Are you going at full whack with the pump as too much suction can cause nipple trauma (and it doesn't correlate to more milk either)?

Or was it from trying to latch DD? If so using a nipple cream or breast milk smeared around the sore area can help quicken healing. You may also find hand expressing gentler to the bleeding side than a pump until it heals if it's a crack.

Original poster

GroovyRach · 11/12/2011 00:52

It was from a small cut at the side of nipple. Think it was due to to much suction to quick. Only bled slightly and didn't appear to bleed again when I tried pumping later on.

I lay in bed earlier with dd placed on my chest near to breast. Nipples are on the flat side, so I pumped to release nipple out then slightly nudged her towards it. She hovered over and had mouth on at one point, but just seems to screw up her face! Not sure if she doesn't like the taste or the texture! Prob is so used to teats now, 'nipple' is a foreign object!! Hoping to try start the fenugreek tablets 2mrw. Read a lot online tonight about people having great success with them helping to boost supply so fingers crossed!

OP posts:

cairnterrier · 11/12/2011 07:11

Morning! ouch for the cut - hope it heals soon.

Sounds as though your DD may be starting to get interested hope today goes well for you both.

Original poster

GroovyRach · 11/12/2011 14:08

Managed another small amount this morning. Hand expression is gettin the most out but as its drips and not fast flowing in squirts, it's hard to collect to get an accurate measure. Still better than I had hoped!

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 11/12/2011 16:05

I have used fenugreek to great advantage but there are side effects and contra-indications for using it. I found that they worked very quickly (48 hours), masses more milk pumped and went from a DD to an F/G!!

]

Original poster

GroovyRach · 11/12/2011 17:51

Oh jeez, I'm already a J cup !!

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 11/12/2011 18:02

I think why I went up so much was because I hadn't ever really got off to a good start with bfing so when I took the fenugreek and was pumping the breast tissue actually started to develop like it would have done in the days after birth as your milk came in.

Not very scientific I know!

I haven't heard of any other mothers having such large increases in size but fenugreek is often used in those increase your bust tablets advertised in the back of the glossy mags.

Original poster

GroovyRach · 11/12/2011 18:10

That's funny. My boobs may explode if they get any bigger! Did you smell like maple syrup...? Finding that quite amusing!! Fingers crossed it works and I wake up in the morning a milking machine

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 11/12/2011 18:13

Yes I stank of Maple syrup so did baby!

Original poster

GroovyRach · 12/12/2011 17:38

Managed a bit better with pump just there. Collected into bottle and looks about 5ml. Not started tablets today as I left them in nappy bag at friends last night . Def from 2mrw. crack has healed and nipples looking less bruised. Aiming for 10 mins every few hrs

OP posts:

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