January 2008 Expecting Club

Anyone have a low milk supply problem? I have to give my 6 week old ds a bottle of formula after each feeding. He takes about 4 0z after each feeding. My ped says that he is probably getting very little from me, but he would like me to continue nursing and giving him formula for the next month b/c the flu season is so bad this year. I love nursing and I am so sad to have to stop. I am just curious if anyone else is in the same boat and if you have any advice for me. Thanks!

Tami

I'm in the same boat as you, my 9 week old dd taking 2-5 ounces of formula after most of her feeds. She wasn't gaining weight as expected from "her" curve and had been pulling a lot on the nipples, so she was started on formula 4 days ago. Already a much happier baby.

As for advice, I can pass on some that I didn't take myself. My sister's friend is a lactation consultant, and she said that if you really, really want to, you *can* make your milk supply more adequate. For many women it's fairly easy, for some it's a lot harder work and takes staying all day in bed w/baby, keeping baby sucking as much as possible, even in her sleep. No housework, no stress, no tending to older children. You'd need maybe a whole week of such a regimen before noticing any results. For us, that is just not a realistic scenario... but I have noticed that if I get a good nap late in the afternoon, with DH cooking supper and taking care of big brother, there is a lot more milk in the evening. Alas, those days are rare! So supplemental bottle feeding it is. AND double work...

Hope you find a solution you're ok with. After all, what's important is that those little babies thrive and are happy.

Kristine