Anyone else having supply issues?

[calimomof1]

Hi ladies! I haven't been on ProBoards really at all since the move, since I've been dealing with some issues here and haven't been able to get online that much. I'm formerly known as "Liv In CA."

Well, I'm feeling super down lately, and just want to hear from anyone who can relate! (And those who can't, but have some sympathy...I need it right now!) Ever since my LO was born on December 2nd, I've been talking about how she has extremely LONG nursing sessions. I'm talking 45min-1 1/2 hours. Then I'd get a 15 or so minute break, and she'd be back for more. It's gotten worse lately...she NEVER seemed SATISFIED after a feeding, starting around 4 or 5 weeks or so.

This has been so stressful for me! It took me a long time (because I felt like I was chained to my chair), but I finally made it to a breastfeeding support group 2 weeks ago. Only to find out that my LO only took 1 ounce during the feeding...she should have had 3 or 4! And this was AFTER an anterior tongue tie clipping. So...long story short...I had an IBCLC swing by, and she found that my LO had a severe lip tie (ended up being classified as a Stage 4, the most severe) and a posterior tongue tie. We had both of those "released" by a dentist yesterday. Because of those, the IBCLC said that initially, my milk supply was probably great, but since LO wasn't getting much, my body has slowed down production.

I've been pumping after my feeds for the past almost 2 weeks...been taking all of the supplements, eating the cookies, eating the oatmeal, drinking tons of water...etc. And I'm still not seeing my production increase. Unfortunately, we've had to start supplementing with formula, which was NOT in the plans! I'm also going stark crazy...I'm going back to work on March 2nd and to tell you the truth, I wish I was going back tomorrow! I am trying to do all that I can to get my supply back and to keep my LO happy with the formula...but this whole situation has really taken a toll on me. Dealing with an unhappy baby all day is hard. My DH was supposed to have 2 meetings this evening for work and he cancelled both of them so that he could take care of our LO because I just need a damn break!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. Has anyone else dealt with this or a similar situation? When did you start seeing your supply increase? I pumped earlier, at the same time as a feeding (usually I pump after, but this time I pumped INSTEAD of the feeding because I really needed a break). I got less than an ounce. Seriously feeling deflated. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I'm off to pump again.

ETA: My body hasn't stopped producing, but has slowed down production.

[pixie523]

Girl, I can beyond relate. This is the same story that I've been living (w a few minor tweaks). My LO was also not getting enough at the greats because of tongue tie and low supply, but instead of feeding for hours she'd feed for three minutes and rage at my boobs.

I've done all the tricks to try to up my supply in hopes that more milk would equal more time at the breast. I hate to say it, but all the tricks haven't mattered. (Herbs, oatmeal, water, protein, hospital grade pump, frequent pumping) Right now we nurse MOTN and first feeding of the day, but after that it's all bottles. Some days I can pump 12-14 ounces. Other days I pump 9-10. It sucks and definitely wasn't my plan either.

I too go back to work in march and am going to reassess then, but until then I'll keep pumping 6 times a day to give her some breast milk. While bottles weren't in my plan, they're keeping LO full and much happier, which is better for our family.

I'm sorry you're also dealing with this. When I started down this road at week 6 I remember feeling so down. It's better now. I hope it gets better for you too.

[pixie523]

Holy shit that's a long response. I apparently have a lot to say about this...

[MrsAdventure]

I can't help with ideas for supply issues because nothing worked for me, but I wanted to tell you not beat yourself up over formula. You are giving your baby nourishment, and as a mom, that's your job, whether it's from you, or otherwise.

I had no plans for fomula myself. But my supply was never much and Pips' jaundice got worse not better, once the doc started talking about her possibly going back into the hospital, I made up my mind to formula. She got healthy really quick, and my supply never increased no matter what I did. In fact, it got worse. At about 6 weeks pp, I was getting about 1/2 ounce a day from pumping. It was upsetting to say the least, I felt chained to my pump and it felt like a waste of time that I could have been spending with pips. I was making myself crazy. Finally, I was so stressed at 2 month pp that I chose to stop. Best decision for Pips and I.

Normally, I would get up at 8, change Pips and lay her in bed with her daddy who got to cuddle and enjoy her morning happiness while I played milk cow. The first morning I didn't pump, Pips laid in bed with me and cuddled, talked and laughed for two hours. Best morning ever, and that's how we spend every morning now.

At first I wasn't thrilled with the idea of formula, and angry at the fact that I couldn't produce enough. But formula is what made Pips healthy, and in the end it saved my sanity.

Formula is not a bad thing so cut yourself some slack in that department

[kaimee27]

I don't have quite what you're going through, but my supply doesn't always seem to be adequate at night especially-it is incredibly frustrating for DD and myself. My OB gave me a prescription for reglan-a nausea med that she says is used off label to help with low supply. I haven't started it yet, so I can't say if it will make a difference or not, but I hope so. I can completely appreciate not wanting to have to supplement with formula since I'm hoping to avoid this myself, but just remember that either way, you are providing for your child. Whether with formula or breast milk, you ARE feeding your baby! Hang in there mama, you're doing great!

[pixie523]

Re: reglan - my LC had very strong feelings about this drug. A huge and common side effect is depression. She suggested domperidone, which I have not tried. It's not FDA approved and can only be obtained by a compounding pharmacy. I haven't tried it because I was hoping natural ways would work first. Now I've come to terms with the lack of nursing and in some ways prefer it, so won't be going down that road. If I was a sahm? Maybe I would. But the clock is ticking on my time with LO.

[wildflower810]

I'm not in your situation, but you have my sympathy and internet hugs.

[ladybird]

Feb 4, 2015 23:37:06 GMT -5 wildflower810 said:

I'm not in your situation, but you have my sympathy and internet hugs.

calimomof1 ^^this^^

Like PPs have said, at the end of the day, even if it involves formula (whether a little or a lot), you are taking care of your baby and making sure her needs are being met. That's really all that matters. You're doing your best and you're doing a great job!

[moonandback]

Feb 5, 2015 1:01:15 GMT -5 ladybird said:

Feb 4, 2015 23:37:06 GMT -5 wildflower810 said:

I'm not in your situation, but you have my sympathy and internet hugs.

calimomof1 ^^this^^

Like PPs have said, at the end of the day, even if it involves formula (whether a little or a lot), you are taking care of your baby and making sure her needs are being met. That's really all that matters. You're doing your best and you're doing a great job!

Yes! Keep on, mama!

[jjh1119]

Wow, you wrote the post that I have been thinking about writing for the last few days. I am in the same situation as you, pixie, and mrs. Adventure.
LO nursed for forever, was constantly miserable, cried all.the.time. Basically since we had left the hospital. He didn't have enough dirty diapers, and was super jaundice, and his weight continued to go down. Dr told me I needed to supplement with formula and pump after each feed. I took every damn thing on the planet to increase to my supply and it too did not increase (I'm sorry to say that it didn't as well). We no longer nurse, that stopped this week. He used to nurse in the mornings. I've done multiple weighted feeds and he only transferred at the most one and a half ounces in 30 minutes. So I pump between 6-8 times a day. He gets between 2-3 full bottles of Breastmilk, the rest is formula.
I do sometimes feel guilty for having to give him formula, but honestly? He is gaining great. He is super happy, and we still have our own bonding moments with the bottle. He still gives me eye contact, he holds my pinky finger on the hand that is holding the bottle or I can still stroke his face while he eats.
Steel cut oats seem to be the only thing that sort of helps me. The days I don't have it, I only produce about an ounce to an ounce and a half. With oats, about 1.5-2.5 ounces. Total he gets about 10-12 ounces a day of breastmilk.
Do whatever is best for your situation, but don't beat yourself up. Just know that providing nourishment for your baby is most important.

Sorry, I know this is long, but this has been on my mind a while. Good luck!

[pixie523]

jjh1119 yes to bottle bonding!!I've actually had MORE bonding experiences with the bottle than breast! I think it's because she's so much more satisfied. Less wiggling and raging on her part and less frustration on mine. Instead we just hang out, eat and chat.

[jjh1119]

Also- reglan's side effect of depression is just not something I feel comfortable with. There are lots of days still that teeter on the ppd/ppa scale and I don't want to make that worse. I've come to terms that he won't be EBF, so half and half works for me.

[ninergirl52]

I am not in your situation by wanted to say, like pp's you are doing the best you can & don't beat yourself up. You're doing what is best for your lo. Big hugs!!

[lissydee]

have you tried giving LO formula via SNS so that your breasts are still getting stimulated by LO suckling? That may help as well.

[gldnbearz]

I wrote a response last night and have no idea where it went. There are several ladies who have already spoken up. A satisfied baby and no raging frustration was what we achieved with EPing and formula supplementing.

LO transferred less than half an ounce during the LC visits. The recommendation was BF/pump/supplement to reduce the jaundice and gain weight. We were on that crazy train until we decided to EP.

I love looking at LO over her bottle. MH can share feeding duties and bond his own way.

I've used the fenugreek, oatmeal, and Mothers Milk tea and still only produce 11-13 oz a day. During her two months visit, she had gained appropriately, so we keep chugging along.

I set small goals: 10 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, back to work in a month, and then 6 months.

We're here to listen so feel free to vent away.

[calimomof1]

It's been great reading all of your stories and getting some Internet sympathy from you ladies. This is such a frustrating experience! For all the big push on breastfeeding babies, there sure seems to be a lot that can go wrong that people don't talk about. I sure wish I had figured all this out before my supply took a major hit, but there's nothing I can do about that now. We gave my daughter 6 oz of formula for "dinner." (I pumped 1.5 oz at that feeding, and did not feed her before pumping...yikes.) She was a happy baby after that. Made me feel good. So yeah, I'm trying not to feel guilty that I'm having to supplement this early on, it IS the best decision for our family.

Edited: emoji didn't show up correctly

[jjh1119]

calimomof1 I had a huge post with tips on pumping but my phone crashed and I lost it before I was able to hit send. But there are lots of blog posts with people who pump and how to get the most milk out.
Massaging them before and during is probably the biggest thing, and not stressing about how much is coming out.
Good luck! It totally sucks to think supply can be this big of an issue but the more I talk about it, the more people have had the same issues as me. Thank goodness formula is so much better now than it even was when we were younger.

I was formula fed, I'm healthy, smart (ish), and don't have any long lasting effects that I know of ;-).

[tacocat]

Hey calimomof1 I'm sorry to hear you've been dealing with this. I remember your issues a while back on the dump and I can't believe you have dealt with it so long! I hope things get easier. It can be so depressing to have a fussy baby 24/7 and feel helpless. I hope something works!

[calimomof1]

@jjh119 I didn't even think of searching for blog posts about tips on pumping, great idea! I've noticed that massaging while pumping helps but I haven't tried massaging before pumping. Yeah, it's amazing how many people have trouble breastfeeding. I guess I naively thought (or hoped!) that I wouldn't be one of them.

[calimomof1]

tacocat Thank you! It is slowly getting better supplementing with the formula...I'm hoping it continues to improve! And get easier on us all :-)

[jjh1119]

Feb 6, 2015 14:44:43 GMT -5 calimomof1 said:

@jjh119 I didn't even think of searching for blog posts about tips on pumping, great idea! I've noticed that massaging while pumping helps but I haven't tried massaging before pumping. Yeah, it's amazing how many people have trouble breastfeeding. I guess I naively thought (or hoped!) that I wouldn't be one of them.

Warm compress or a shower beforehand works, too. I never thought low supply would be an issue, either.

Good luck! We're here if you have any other questions

[pixie523]

Feb 6, 2015 14:52:23 GMT -5 jjh1119 said:

Feb 6, 2015 14:44:43 GMT -5 calimomof1 said:

@jjh119 I didn't even think of searching for blog posts about tips on pumping, great idea! I've noticed that massaging while pumping helps but I haven't tried massaging before pumping. Yeah, it's amazing how many people have trouble breastfeeding. I guess I naively thought (or hoped!) that I wouldn't be one of them.

Warm compress or a shower beforehand works, too. I never thought low supply would be an issue, either.

Good luck! We're here if you have any other questions

I've had good results with a rice sock in my hands free bra. It'll get me an extra .5 oz at the night sessions where pumping output feels extra pitiful.

[pixie523]

Feb 6, 2015 14:47:45 GMT -5 calimomof1 said:

tacocat Thank you! It is slowly getting better supplementing with the formula...I'm hoping it continues to improve! And get easier on us all :-)

I think it was about two weeks into supplementation that I was able to feel better and see a real difference in LOs disposition. Hang in there!

[pixie523]

Guysss! Yesterday I pumped 16oz!! Record high. How'd it get that high? I do not know and I'm not on track for anything that high again today but it sure felt good.

[jjh1119]

pixie523 yay!!!

[wildflower810]

I'm EPing one side because LO refuses to nurse on that side. I have found out that I get a better letdown when he is in the room and I'm interacting with him, or I am looking at pictures of him. My body might be hooked up to a pump, but it still reacts to my baby.