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Infant feeding

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

Urgent Advice Needed re milk supply

36 replies

TALLULAHBELLE · 02/07/2007 21:37

Urgent advice needed here re B/F. My milk seems to be drying up. My LO has lost weight at every weigh-in and yesterday the m/w advised me to top up with formula. Had been trying to top up with EBM but an hour's pumping gets me barely an ounce which is guzzled in seconds & just not doing the job. Gave her some formula & she then slept for hours, couldn't wake her for next feed & when did eventually get her on the boob she was very half-hearted and barely fed at all. Today she has tried to feed from me but I just don't seem to have anything to give her. She is only 16 days old and I really don't want to stop B/F - is there anything I can do to boost my supply or do I just have to accept that B/F is over for us?

OP posts:
determination · 03/07/2007 20:02

Tallulabelle,

has your mastits completely cleared and you definately have no blocked ducts or lumps there? If it has completely cleared and there are no blockages then i dont see why you cant take something to increase your supply.

I know people here would not believe what im gonna suggest, but, it really did work for me and still does.. Eat Oats, either porridge, oat cakes, oat cookies.. anything with a high content of oats. Oats have been used for centuries to naturally increase breast milk supply. Also stimulate your breasts as often as humanly possible. By latching your LO on and also using the pump after each feed for extra stimulation - even if nothing comes out. LOADS of skin to skin contact, carry your LO in a sling if you can't lie down for a rest together.

Oats (Avena Sativa) *this info was found here

The humble oat is one of our most nutritious foods, and contains proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements that nourish the nerves, support the metabolism of fats, and uplift the spirit. In traditional medicine, both the seed and the leaf?called oat-straw?are taken. Oats are prescribed as a nervine tonic in the treatment of nervous exhaustion. In Europe, women traditionally take oats after birth. Oats are taken today in the US to increase milk production, both as food and as a supplement. Like other galactagogues, oats are antidepressant, antispasmodic, and they increase perspiration.

Allergy: Occasional. Persons sensitive to gluten in wheat are frequently able to tolerate oats.

Dosage and Preparation:

Taking large dosages of oats is helpful in kick-starting milk production.

Oatmeal can be taken for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Oat-straw is especially rich in minerals. It is available as capsules or as an ingredient in so-called ?green-drinks.? Take as indicated on the package.

Fluid extract: 3 ? 5 ml (15 ? 35 drops), three times a day.

Or in worst case scenario if the oats, skin to skin and nursing, nursing, nursing doesn't work (which would be very rare!) you could take one of these

callmeovercautious · 03/07/2007 20:33

Yes I think you advised me of this (in a previous persona!) and I am sure it helped. I bought organic oats and had porridge every day for a week! Made it with whole organic milk (whole milk contains fat that helps you to absorb the calcium for your sake not neccessarily los!)

I am sure this helped even though the theory is that eating more does not help, a balanced and healthy diet must do.

callmeovercautious · 03/07/2007 20:36

Oh and in case you are interested (sorry if tmi!) - apparently organic milk is better because the cows excrete less mucus into the milk, as well as the no chemicals thing.

DP is a bit of a research freak since I got pg and am bfing! (never cared about my diet before )

determination · 03/07/2007 20:48

Callmeovercausious,

Im so glad someone can 2nd me on the Oats.. I just wish more people knew about them as they definately do work

TALLULAHBELLE · 03/07/2007 21:58

ok - porridge for breakfast from now on. Mmm - are hobnobs made from oats ?

OP posts:
calordan · 03/07/2007 22:01

chickpeas, my friend from india made me chickpea curry, apparenly thats wha they use there to increase milk, did help

skatergirl · 03/07/2007 22:09

I understand why you are so determined to keep going and that it good. Are you eating and drinking enough? When I was breastfeeding I had a very high calorie diet and I drank an awful lot of water. Try to have something to eat and drink everytime you sit down for a feed if you get the chance to organise it. Are you getting much rest? Try and snuggle with your baby as much as you can and take it easy (easier said than done I know). Unless it is desperate I wouldn't give formula if you are reluctant as the more formula you give the less milk you will produce. Have you tried expressing by hand to stimulate supply? You may find it easier than a pump - there is a knack though so you may need some help. Good luck and keep going! Oh, and get those hobnobs in to you, eat whatever you fancy and more!

MrsKrabadger · 03/07/2007 22:16

yes they are
so is flapjack...

determination · 03/07/2007 22:18

These were my favourite

No Bake choc cookies

2 cups sugar 1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk 1 stick butter

Boil the above ingredients for 2 minutes, remove from heat and mix the below ingredients in. Spoon onto wax paper and allow to cool.

1/2 cup peanut butter (if wished or replace with raisins)
3 cups of oats initially, add extra oats until mixture is very stiff
1 TSP vanilla

callmeovercautious · 03/07/2007 23:12

Chocalate hobnobs were a craving of mine! Must be a natural urge - go with it!

LIZS · 04/07/2007 10:26

Hope the appointment is helpful

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