Losing weight...supplementing

[lindzoid]

I posted a few days ago about struggling with production....my concerns only got worse when LO went for her 4 month check up. She only gained a few oz since her two month check up and has lost a few oz in the last few weeks (she was at doc for a sick visit). Obviously I am disappointed and concerned. The pedi said we should supplement since I am not producing enough milk for LO. We are starting with one bottle a day while I am at work. I desperately want to continue bf and get back on track. Any advice? I started fenugreek last week but still not pumping enough- today at work in 5 hours and two pumping sessions I only pumped 2oz.

[Deleted]

There are lots of things to check and maybe you covered them in your earlier post. Are you working with a LC? Have you done weighed feeds with an LC or nursing group? Are your pump flanges the right size? make sure you don't have the pump turned up too high too- it can collapse the milk ducts.

How many feeds is LO getting in? Are you eating/drinking plenty? Maybe I need to search for your earlier post...

[Shoe Crazy Me]

PP made good suggestions. Do you have a hospital grade pump?

[lindzoid]

LC is calling me tomorrow or Friday- I worked with one at the beginning for latch issues.
No to the weighed feedings, due to her weight I am fairly confident she's not getting enough from me. When I work and she gets bottles she sucks down 3oz like its nothing.
Pump flanges are good, I changed the membranes and pump is low setting- all same as before when I was getting great outputs.
I can't think of anything that changed, except for an increase in water consumption.
@mananana thank you!

[lindzoid]

Shoe Crazy Me no I don't have a hospital grade pump. But it's the same pump I've been using since 6w and was getting great output with.

[Shoe Crazy Me]

I would really try to rent a hospital grade pump, they are really great at helping increase supply. I wish you the best of luck!

[ellabee]

I'm sorry you are still struggling with your supply. I recall your previous post - did AF actually come back? I know that's what the majority of us attributed a sudden drop to.

Are you taking enough fenugreek? You'll start to smell like maple syrup when you're taking enough. Continue to hydrate tons. Make sure you are getting enough calories. Try Mother's Milk tea. Oatmeal, almonds, lactation cookies. If you supplement, make sure you pump, or it will continue to signal your body to decrease supply. You could also talk to you OB about domperidone.

Glad to hear you're going to work with an LC.

Good luck!

ETA: You could add a power pumping session too.

[lindzoid]

Thank you ellabee
I am taking 2- 610mg 3x per day and yes smelling like maple syrup. Yum!
My AF is all jacked up due to mirena, but yes I spotted off and on all last week and some this week too.
I've stepped up my pumping at work and continuing to pump after milk stops flowing.
I'm going to get an action plan together with the LC when they call and I will ask about the domperidone, as I just don't know what else to do!
I will say hearing from you ladies is a huge help and I don't know what I would do without having this board!!

[narbuckle01]

I second the fenugreek which it looks like you are already on. It took almost a solid two weeks for me to notice the difference in the output. And I second the water intake. I consistently drink about 150 oz make make sure my calories are at least 2000 a day. When I dip in either for just one day there is a significant difference in my output. Perhaps that could be contributing as well.

Edit: spelling is hard.

[Deleted]

Have you had the Mirena long? Some say it doesn't affect their supply but others say they have problems with it. Glad you're going to work with a LC! PPs suggestion of power pumping is a good idea too. GL!

I had my best output when I was drinking nearly a gallon of water a day as well. I took a gallon jug to work for the visual! And my morning "snack" was almost a whole meal- Iif I was in hurry, I'd at least wat a whole PB&J.

[lindzoid]

Well the LC upped my fenugreek to 3x3 and changing my pumping routine at work. Massage 1 min, pump for 7 min, 5 minute break, massage 1 min and pump for 7 minutes. We will see how this goes and I am going to pump after LO nurses this weekend. I'm on a mission!!!!!

[ellewills618]

Have you tried power pumping? Power pumping (also called cluster pumping) is pumping in a series of ten minute sessions - ten minutes pumping, ten minutes off - over the course of an hour, one session each day. It’s typically used when mothers experience a temporary dip in supply, not as a means of establishing a new milk supply. (source: www.motherlove.com/blog/view/What-is-power-pumping) I never had supply issues but I've heard it works for some women who do. Good luck.