Lactation specialist of USA

Words of wisdom ! Surekha, BFing is not the ONLY thing a mommy does. Relax. Dont be so harsh on yourself. Dont feel guilty.

As everyone said, put the baby on you every 2 hours, till she gives up and supplement her as well. The more she suckles the more milk gets stimulated.

Just because you are giving your baby a bottle, doesnt mean you are a bad mom.. it a'int true that stay at home mommies are not entitled to formula .. So, as far as your baby is well fed and her weigh gain is good, dont feel guilty at all and just keep trying.

Dont get stressed. Take care

 

Surekha,
As everyone said don't be hard on yourself regarding breastfeeding...

That being said here are some answers to your questions

1: Ask your baby's peadiatrician about a lactation consultant. My peadiatrician's office has an in house lactation consultant. Insurance was covered. So I just had to pay a co-pay of $ 25. I visited her twice and she gave me lot of tips. Check with your peadiatrician first. I am sure they will be able to help you out.

2: If the Peadiatrician does not have a lactation consultant then check the La Leche league website LLLI | La Leche League of Texas. There will be lot of volunteers who will be willing to help you out for free..

3: Fenugreek tablets - GNC stores have fenugreek tablets. The ones I bought were 610 mg each tablet. I took 3 tablets each time 3 times a day (so about 9 tablets a day) for 5 days. Once my supply increased, I reduced the dosage.

4: You can also use Mother's milk tea - also available at GNC stores. I drank the tea about 3 times a day sometimes more too...

5: Surekha, pumping is not the same as direct breastfeeding. If you are unable to pump it does not mean that you don't have enough milk. May be you are not letting down for the pump..So direct breastfeeding frequently will help to increase your supply..

6: Also I don't understand when you say you are "nursing only on lactating days"!!!
How are you able to determine that certain days you are lactating and certain days you are not?? Breast milk is based on demand-supply theory...The more demand is the more supply will be...When I mean "demand" not pumping..Pumping probably is not working for you...What's stopping you from breastfeeding directly?? Are you not able to latch your baby directly for every breastfeeding session? Did you have to go back to work?

7: This is what you need to do in addition to following all the above tips...Breastfeed your baby directly as often as you can. After breastfeeding if your baby seems still hungry then you can offer the bottle...You can also pump after every breastfeeding session to increase your supply...

8: Also stress plays a major role in your supply...So relax, enjoy your baby and try to get as much rest as possible..

Hope your supply increases soon.

Let me know if you have any specific question.

 

Surekha,

Which pump are you using? Are you using the electric one? Does it have dual pumping? Are you using correct nipple shields??

For the first month after DS was born, I rented the hospital grade pump even though I had the Medela pump at home...Hospital grade pumps are very powerful and fast. I think it costs $ 50 (per month) to rent one..I strongly suggest you to rent that one until your supply establishes..

Are you doing breast compressions while you pump? My LC told me not to look at the breasts or the pump or the clock while pumping. Instead look at your LO or your LO's pictures or even better TV...Because the more you look at the pump, the more you will be stressed out for not collecting any milk...

How often are you pumping? WHat is the time gap between pumping sessions? What is the main reason for pumping? Is it just to increase your supply? Are you able to latch your LO onto your breasts?

I took both fenugreek and mother's milk tea at the same time..They are both considered natural and do no harm...

 

I have medela ,electric one with dual pumping.I have a hard time adjusting my breast into the funnel shaped object.I dont use a nipple shield.

Sorry I meant the funnel and not the breast shield. If you are unable to adjust the funnel then may be you need a bigger size...The funnel is available in sizes 24mm, 27mm and 30mm...Choose the one which works for you..Your hospital where they rent the hospital grade pumps, they usually have extra funnels which you can buy...If not, you can check at Babies R us or online..


I dont do compressions while pumping.As I dont get any milk into bottle i will just press 3-4 times whether anything is coming out.......any difference to notice in breast size......
all this checking i will do only after pumping and not while pumping.

Doing breast compressions while pumping definitely helps. May be you are not letting down for the pump. So try doing breast compressions. It helped me a lot. I bought this hands free bra for pumping. After I started doing this, breast compressions have become easier.
Hands-Free Pumping Bras | Easy Expression Products

I bought this at the hospital (where they rent the pump). Definitely useful..

My LC told me not to look at the breasts or the pump or the clock while pumping. Instead look at your LO or your LO's pictures or even better TV...Because the more you look at the pump, the more you will be stressed out for not collecting any milk...

Yes I am pumping to increase my supply.I am trying to pump every 2-3 hrs or 3-4 hrs but i am lagging behind this schedule on weekends especially.Now i am planning to pump 6 times in daytime very seriously.
I am able to latch my LO.As tikka has mentioned,pumping is to increase my supply in addition to directly breast feeding the baby.

I would suggest pumping after every nursing session...If your baby is able to latch then let him/her latch first then you can pump..The gap between pumping sessions sounds good..

Surekha - You are doing all you can..So just keep trying and don't beat yourself up with this...Did you check with your Paed if they have a lactation consultant?