Breastfeeding mom, needs more milk

Question

my baby was constipated so i used Karol's corn syrup in a bottle for 2 days, i been breastfeeding for a month now, so now hes regular again and it seems i'm not getting enough, i been pumping n i could pump 2 oz every hour but yesterday i only did 3 oz all day, how can i get more milk? is it possible it dried up in just a few days?

Answer 1

Milk production is all about supply and demand. The more you extract (take out) the more your body will make.

If pumping you need to be relaxed and think of baby.  It's harder to have a let down when pumping because unlike a baby, a pump is hard, plastic, and dry.  A baby is better able to stimulate your milk glands and able to extract more milk than a pump, so do not freak out by what you see you are putting out when pumping b/c it is not equivalent to what is in your body. It is better to have more frequent pumping sessions than longer ones.  

However, I recommend that if you can allow baby to nurse directly from you.  Do NOT remove the baby and switch sides.  Allow baby to nurse until he latches off.  If it's been less than 15 minutes than relatch on same side after you burp or on next feeding.  Pump the unused breast so that you don't get engorged.  If it's been more than 15 go ahead and offer other breast.

Remember that it's supply and demand.  The more you nurse or pump the more milk your body will make.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hello! Your baby is only a month old?  Congratulations! I wouldn't be too concerned about how much milk you are expressing. Often times you will not get as many ounces expressing milk as you will by actually breastfeeding your baby. The baby has a totally different suckling ability when it comes to getting the most milk out of the breast vs. the pump. Just keep an eye on your baby's weight. When is his/her next well baby visit? The pediatrician will tell you whether or not your baby is getting enough nutrients. Remember, the more your baby nurses the more milk you should produce. Supply and demand. Also, you can always try drinking Mothers Milk Tea (usually located in the tea or natural foods section). My lactation consultant suggested this when I went back to work 2 months ago and I really think it works!! Also, before you pump (or breast feed) try massaging your b*****s. Starting at the top of your breast...take your fingers and move them down towards the areola. Continue doing this in a clockwise motion around the whole breast. This sometimes helps get the milk flowing more easily. Please email me if my "massage" instructions are hard to understand/visualize. Good Luck!!!

New mother to a 6 month old baby girl!!!

Just out of curiosity, are you using a hand or electric pump? I use an electric pump and feel that I express milk more easily via the electric pump.

Answer 3

some mother dont breast feed and when they dont  the glands stop production of milk and there for after thier babys are born s breath feeding does not take place the gland stop production... the same with when u stop breathfeeding if the glands dont get that possitive feedback of the baby breathfeeding everyday then the glands will stop producing milk.. it is possible  

Answer 4

keep nursing on demand, and do not supplement if you can help it. With increased demand, your milk production should go up within a day or so. Also your baby is much more efficient then a pump, so maybe he is getting more then you could pump

Answer 5

I agree with Danie...supply and demand are so true with breastfeeding. And baby is more better at getting the milk out than a pump ever will be. Also drink LOTS of water and I've been told that oatmeal increases milk supply. I've even been told to eat oatmeal cookies. I would put baby right to breast and that'll help increase your milk ASAP! Like a few days to a week max. Otherwise if you really just don't want to put right on your breast you should still increase your water intake and have the oatmeal! Good luck and a pat on the back for choosing to give your baby the "breast" milk!

Answer 6

just keep breastfeeding and don't supplement with formula.  your supply will increase with demand.  try to get your baby on your breast more often than pumping, it is more effective.  feed every hour and your supply will be where it needs to be before you know it.

Answer 7

is your baby nursing directly from the breast? if so then 2 ounces is a lot. jsut because your abby didnt p**p for a day or even 5 doesnt mean they are constipated. breastfedd babies can go a week without a bowel movement and it's completely normal. if their p**p isnt ahrd then they are not constipated. how much you can pump has nothing to do with what your baby takes out of the breast as tehy get much more than a pump does.

try taking fenugreek, its an herbal supplement you can get from teh health food store- take 3 capsule 3 times a day

here is a great breastfeeding site

http://www.kellymom.com/