Breastfeeding and lack of milk?

Question

I need advice and wondering if anyone else is going through what I am. I am currently breastfeeding my son, and pumping afterwards. However, when I go to feed my (2 week) son two hours later it seems like he doesn't have enough milk from my breast because he doesn't calm down or go to bed. We don't have this problem when I don't pump it seems like. I've been trying the last three days to pump my other breast after he is done feeding but we are still having problems. I was told that your body senses the new born needs more milk and your breast will provide but what the heck. The reason we are trying to pump extra breast milk is for when I go back to school and so Josh will be able to help out at nights so Im not always waking up to tend to him and I can get some sleep as well. HELP!

Answer 1

At 2 weeks you are still getting your supply established. My best advice to you would be to put the pump away and only nurse from the breast on demand. Once your supply is better established, you will get more when you pump.

In the meantime, to help your supply become established, take 7-9 capsules daily of Fenugreek and eat oatmeal (not the instant kind) 3x a day. You should see your supply boost within 48 hours.

Answer 2

I also agree, put the pump away and breastfeed exclusively for at least 4-6 weeks. also, I drink mothers milk tea. It gives me instant results (within a few hours) I get mine from Henry's. Congrats on your little one and breastfeeding. It is the most beautiful experience and most beneficial to your baby. :)

Also I would advise you to go to a La Leche League or breastfeeding support group in your area.  

Answer 3

I agree.  It sounds like you're pumping a lot.  Just breastfeed, and don't worry about it if you have to nurse for hours on end.  Just keep switching sides.  It's normal and good for babies to nurse all night.

if you've only been pumping for three days, then you probably don't have enough milk right now.  Back off with the pump for now, and when you start again, go slowly.  Let your body have some time to adjust.

Don't buy into the whole "pump a bottle so my husband can feed and I can sleep" idea.  Who can sleep when the baby is screaming because dad had to get up, make a bottle, warm it up, change a diaper and baby doesn't feel like taking a bottle?  You'll be leaking everywhere, and you'll wake up engorged.  It's easier to learn how to nurse laying down.  Take it from those of us who have tried it--it doesn't work as well as you think it should!

Keep breastfeeding.  It's so worth it, and you're doing a great job.  You can do it!

Answer 4

If he is nursing from one breast try to pump the other breast while he is nursing. As far as being hungry in 2 hours after eating - this is normal for a breast feed baby - they typically eat every 2-3 hours.

One reason why you may not be getting much when you pump is because of a lack of oxytocin. A pump is 'fake' and you have to work on your own oxytocin. The best way to increase milk supply is to have the baby nurse when hungry. Here this exert will explain how the hormones work.

The let-down reflex

How your body responds to your baby’s suckling:

Infant suckling stimulates the nerve endings in the nipple and areola, which signal the pituitary gland in the brain to release two hormones, prolactin and oxytocin.

How Your Breast Responds to Your Baby’s Suckling:

Prolactin causes your alveoli to take nutrients (proteins, sugars) from your blood supply and turn them into breast milk.

Oxytocin causes the cells around the alveoli to contract and eject your milk down the milk ducts. This passing of the milk down the ducts is called the “let-down” (milk ejection) reflex.

Let-down is experienced in numerous ways including:

Your infant begins to actively suck and swallow.

Milk may drip from the opposite breast.

You may feel a tingling or a full sensation (after the first week of nursing) in your b*****s or uterine cramping.

You may feel thirsty.

NOTE: There may be many let-downs during a feeding, of which you may or may not notice. Because the brain plays such a large role in the release of hormones that cause the milk to eject, it is very normal for let-downs to occur in other situations as well. For example, let-down may occur when you think about your baby, hear your or another baby cry, when it is your scheduled nursing time, when you are sexually stimulated or during o****m.

If the let-down occurs at an awkward time, cross your arms over your chest, or press the heel of your hand over the nipple area and apply pressure until the leaking stops. It may also help to wear cotton breast pads (without plastic liners) in your bra to protect your clothing, especially during the first weeks. This type of response will usually lessen after the first few weeks of nursing.

Uterus response postpartum

Release of the oxytocin hormone while breastfeeding will also cause the uterus to contract. This may be more noticeable if you have previously had children. This mechanism helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size quickly.

Interference with let-down

A variety of factors may interfere with let-down:

Emotions such as embarrassment, anger, irritation, fear or resentment

Fatigue

Poor suckling from improper positioning

Not enough time baby is actively nursing

Stress

Negative remarks from relatives or friends

Fear of pain in your b*****s or uterus (i.e., sore nipples or afterbirth pains)

Breast engorgement in the first few days

Suggestions for creating a supportive nursing environment

Find a peaceful atmosphere for nursing. Before beginning the feeding, unplug the phone, turn on relaxing music and do deep breathing. (Take four or five deep abdominal breaths.)

If breastfeeding in public makes you uncomfortable, insist on your privacy and/or drape a light cover over your baby and your shoulder.

Interact with friends and breastfeeding professionals who are supportive of breastfeeding. Do not let well-meaning friends and relatives who have different attitudes discourage you.

Restrict visitors until you are comfortable.

Be around other nursing mothers. Attend a postpartum exercise class and/or support group.

Be sure your baby is positioned properly and allow enough suckling time.