Should I or shouldn't I add the extra calories?

Mom2ATM

Im trying to relactate, Im producing a tiny bit of milk, nothing substantial yet but should I add the extra calories in or no? We're working on getting my LO back to breast after about 6 weeks off, hes 15 weeks old, he's doing ok, he;s licking and mouthing at breast. Its strange though the first time I put him back to breast he nursed for 30 min then did it again a few hours later!! Now he won't just latch on so we're working on skin to skin and offering him breast often and not pushing the issue. Hopefully nursings not far off!!

Rubyayn

I would personally add some back in. Even if it does not help with weight loss, it would help with supply. Good luck!! How wonderful that you are relactating. I know a couple of people that had success with it.

ks4e

Eat at least 2k calories. My supply drops if I eat too few calories.

How old is your little one? Have you tried an SNS system to help him stay latched on? Are you taking any herbs to help with increasing milk supply (fenugreek, blessed thistle, or nursing teas and lactation cookies containing brewer's yeast)?

Wishing you the best of luck with this!

Rubyayn

Eat at least 2k calories. My supply drops if I eat too few calories.

How old is your little one? Have you tried an SNS system to help him stay latched on? Are you taking any herbs to help with increasing milk supply (fenugreek, blessed thistle, or nursing teas and lactation cookies containing brewer's yeast)?

Wishing you the best of luck with this!

All GREAT advice! I would also be pumping after feedings to stimulate production.

Jenny_Rose77

Yes, pump like every 2-3 hours if you can. From personal experience, it really helps. Also, go to a breastfeeding support group/find a lactation consultant. It was a lactation consultant who finally helped me get my son to latch after nearly 6 weeks of exclusive bottle feeding.

RBXChas

I agree with adding in pumping! Supplements didn't work for me last time, but I've had success this time with the combination of mother's milk tea and lactation cookies. I eat two in the morning and two at night. They're really yummy!

http://www.food.com/recipe/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-lactation-cookies-by-noel-trujillo-192346

If you lose track of the link, just google "Noel Trujillo lactation cookies," and you'll find the recipe.

I drink two cups' worth of cold tea at lunch and a hot cup before bed.

As far as the LC, obviously some are better than others, but in a general sense, unless you have some issue specific to your body, I wouldn't bother unless your insurance pays for it. With my older son I had supply problems and went to the LC. She didn't tell me anything I couldn't read for free on kellymom, and it cost me $150 when money was really tight. She was nice and all, but because my son's latch was fine, all she could do was give the standard advice on increasing supply. I later found out she is like the head honcho of LCs in the state, so it's not like she couldn't help me because she was a bad LC. It's just that she had no special magic.

I'd say it's worth seeing a LC for latching issues, though.

RBXChas

The only other advice I have is to add 2-3 minutes to the end of each pumping session. I know that's mentally painful, but it might help. You won't likely get much, if any, more milk, but it might help increase your supply. If you are really ambitious, adding another pumping session in, even a short one, is good. Supposedly more frequent, shorter nursing/pumping sessions do more to help supply than fewer, longer ones.