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Milk Supply Question

Erinthebodo
Erinthebodo Posts: 215 Member
in Social Groups
Hello All,
I have a breast feeding question. I didn't produce enough milk with my first son without taking medication. For the first 7 weeks everything was fine and I produced enough but then I couldn't keep up with him no matter what I did. I took meds and was able to pump and breastfeed him until he was 14 months but I couldn't come off the medication. Does this mean that the same thing will happen with this baby? Has anyone had milk supply issues with one baby and been fine with another? Thanks!

Replies

  • igottaworkout
    igottaworkout Posts: 298 Member
    My milk supply was pretty constant with all my babies but I don't know if that is common.
  • Erinthebodo
    Erinthebodo Posts: 215 Member
    Any other thought on this? It is something I am really worried about. Thanks!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I never had to go on medication, but with my first child I could have fed an army, and I struggled with supply for my second child. It isn't necessarily going to be the same.
  • mormonmomma11
    mormonmomma11 Posts: 358 Member
    I was in general an "over producer", but I think it is due to my crazy pumping schedule (I pumped A LOT and OFTEN in order to get my supply up) and "More Milk" and "More Milk Plus" (http://www.motherlove.com/product/5100-More-Milk-Plus-Capsules.html). They have several different items, one of which is even to help adoptive mothers start producing milk.

    I took their "more milk" (I don't remember if it was regular or "plus") in capsules after I had mastitis because my supply had greatly diminished and after 3 or 4 days of taking it I had doubled my supply.

    I'd STRONGLY suggest talking to a lactation consultant (one that is patient and kind - my first one was crazy!) and asking them for advice and talking to them about the MotherLove items. Most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff - and if they are the ones helping you establish your breastfeeding in the first 24 hours, it may be a good idea to meet a few of them and talk about some of your concerns anyway!

    GOOD LUCK!!
  • kellykneppergrundy
    kellykneppergrundy Posts: 234 Member
    Hello,
    Well done on feeding you first for so long. I don't have a definate answer to your question, but I do think that just as every pregnancy is different, every breastfeeding experience/baby is different too. I don't think that because you had these problems with your first that you will necessarily again. Can you think of anything that might have happened at around 7 weeks with your first that made your supply suddenly decrease? Any illness in you or the baby etc.? Are you worried about ti because you don't want to have to take the medication again?
  • RBXChas
    RBXChas Posts: 2,708 Member
    I had a rough time with my son and never had a good supply. I took brewer's yeast tablets, fenugreek (which makes you smell like a pancake house), and blessed thistle to no avail. I asked my OB about prescription meds, but they have side effects, and she was like, "Drink a beer." I went on pumping binges, no dice. My son was latching just fine, but no one could pinpoint why the crap I couldn't produce enough.

    My sister had the same issue with her first. With her second, he wouldn't latch, but she could pump 8-10 oz in a sitting without any herbs or medications. I couldn't do that in one day!

    Your nursing experiences can vary greatly between kids - so there is hope for us who had less than ideal nursing experiences the first time around!
  • myfitnessisavirtue
    myfitnessisavirtue Posts: 673 Member
    With my first, I had an awful time. I couldn't get enough for him by pumping either. By 5.5 months I just gave up since I was givi
    ng him mostly formula by then. With my second, he latched on right away and we did pretty awesome for 10 months until I got a virus or flu, something that took me completely down and my milk dried up. Oddly enough, with my second pumping didn't yield much but he was gaining weight really well.

    I don't know if it is related, but after my first I got my TOM back six weeks post partem, with my second it was around the time my milk dried up. It seems like once TOM arrives I just can't produce milk like I should. Anyway, there is hope that things will go better this time. Best wishes for this time!
  • Erinthebodo
    Erinthebodo Posts: 215 Member
    I had a rough time with my son and never had a good supply. I took brewer's yeast tablets, fenugreek (which makes you smell like a pancake house), and blessed thistle to no avail. I asked my OB about prescription meds, but they have side effects, and she was like, "Drink a beer." I went on pumping binges, no dice. My son was latching just fine, but no one could pinpoint why the crap I couldn't produce enough.

    My sister had the same issue with her first. With her second, he wouldn't latch, but she could pump 8-10 oz in a sitting without any herbs or medications. I couldn't do that in one day!

    Your nursing experiences can vary greatly between kids - so there is hope for us who had less than ideal nursing experiences the first time around!
    Thank you! This makes me so hopeful :)
  • RBXChas
    RBXChas Posts: 2,708 Member
    I had a rough time with my son and never had a good supply. I took brewer's yeast tablets, fenugreek (which makes you smell like a pancake house), and blessed thistle to no avail. I asked my OB about prescription meds, but they have side effects, and she was like, "Drink a beer." I went on pumping binges, no dice. My son was latching just fine, but no one could pinpoint why the crap I couldn't produce enough.

    My sister had the same issue with her first. With her second, he wouldn't latch, but she could pump 8-10 oz in a sitting without any herbs or medications. I couldn't do that in one day!

    Your nursing experiences can vary greatly between kids - so there is hope for us who had less than ideal nursing experiences the first time around!
    Thank you! This makes me so hopeful :)

    You're welcome, and it makes me hopeful, too! I went through a LOT of guilt the first time around, and I had everyone and their mom trying to help me, including a lactation consultant. My dad is a pediatrician and told me he talks to moms all the time who have a hard time with their first and do so much better with their second simply because of experience, patience, and persistence. I often find that I learn more from my failures than my successes, so hopefully everything will work out this time around, and I'll do better! If s/he can't latch, I have a pump that I love, plus with the Affordable Care Act my insurance company reimburses me for the purchase of a new pump, so I am buying a second one for good measure :)

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