Breast Feeding gone down hill please Help...

[BensMommie112807]

Hello everyone! My name is Allie. I'm 22 years old and a 1st time mommy. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy Nov. 28th 2007. My pregnancy was not a good one. I was mainly depressed, though I tried never to show it. Every morning I threw up so much I always ended up crying and making myself get up to go to work. My OB doctor was nice but I felt like I was just a number on the day I gave birth. I had a horrible experience at the hospital while I was there.
OK now that thats out the way, I'm writing to ask for help. I have been trying to find out how I can increase my milk supply. It has gone down mainly because I've stressed myself out so much. I never slept for the fear of waking up to my son not breathing. I jumped at every grunt and movement he made. {I worked with a coworker who was a year and a half younger then me. She had a 2 year old daughter and a 6 month old son. (I work at a day care/learning center.) We worked together for a few months. I have the older toddlers class and I also worked in the Babyroom. On the Friday before Thanksgiving I worked in the babyroom where my coworkers son was. I held him and gave him a bottle. I knew the little fellow. Thanksgiving morning My coworker awoke to find her son not breathing. It hit me hard but I tried to be strong and finally I broke down and cried. It was the hardest thing because This girl was younger then me and lost a child. I had just held that child 2 days before. Well ever since then I have always thought of that child. Now that I have a son. I think of him more and more.} I've eased up a bit on being so paranoid. I wasn't sleeping and wasn't eating, all my time was on him. My milk has gone down hill and I feel like I've failed my son. I had to start him on formula and I'm not happy. I want to breast feed him or at least feed him breast milk and not so much formula. I was wondering if there was a special diet that I can get on. I will do anything! I've started eating oatmeal again. I've read somewhere that there is a pill that helps with breast milk but I have yet to find it. Please let me know what I can do. Thank you!
Sorry for talking to much.
<3 Allie and Baby Benjamin <3

[sferguson17]

That is so incredibly sad about your co-workers son. I can see how it would affect you. I think every mom freaks out in the beginning about her child stopping breathing. I know I did. I finally got to the point where I realized I wasn't being the best mom I could be b/c I was walking around like a zombie from not sleeping when I had the chance. That was a turning point for me. I realized that I needed to take care of myself in order to be the mom I wanted to be. I'm glad that it isn't affecting you as much as it was. That's a really positive thing.

With regards to increasing milk production, the best thing to do is put that baby to the breast every time he squeaks or even thinks of squeaking. Diet wise, oatmeal is good, make sure you get enough protein every day, and drink a lot of water. You have not failed your son. Here are some links to help you with getting the baby back to the breast.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html

[TayNRobbiesMom]

Allie,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through, although I have no real advice ( i only BF dd 1 for 3 weeks and am expecting ds any day NOW lol) I just want to say I've been there w/ the worry and depression you are doing the RIGHT thing by not letting it stop you from breastfeeding! I think my PP depression and worry had ALOT to do with giving up so early...hang in there girl!

[gingerbread_ca]

The only advice I have is NURSE, NURSE, NURSE! I have twins and I have ALOT of milk, but I BF most of my day. I know that you are working and that isn't possible. On the weekend though, maybe you could stay home and bring baby in the bed with you and have a bf-athon! Kellymom.com is an excellent site with good info.

[BensMommie112807]

Thank you all So much for the info and I'm trying. I was in bed most of the morning, before I had to get up and run to a baby shower, I had Benjamin hooked on to the breast. I enjoyed the bonding and want to continue. I havn't drank a coke or dr.pepper in days. Mainly because I heard that can lower your milk supply. I've been drinking water and juices. Is there a website that gives you what foods are best to eat? I ate Oatmeal for 4 days and I got sick of it. I started eating Honey bunches of Oats.
I'm so glad I came upon this website. Thanks again!
Allie and Benjamin <3

[maabell]

I am so sorry about your friend's loss. I am also sorry for you.

I agree with what has been posted.

1. rest when baby rests
2. eat healthy (basically just healthy fruits, veggies, meats, whole grains)
3. DRINK WATER
4. trust your body, your baby was made from your body and was made to be nurtured by your baby, it will work out.

[yoyossupply]

Hang in there it will get better. Some one put in a link for the Fenugreek, I had to use it when my daughter was in the NICU. Take at least 3 caps 3 x/day. I got them from GNC store, they are only $7 for a bottle of 100 or $12 for 200. Good Luck!!!!

[still_me]

All the advice given here was great.
Things will improve for you and please don't feel like you are failing your son. You obviously love your son and that is what counts. I had depression and it is hard some days but I found snuggling with my baby and nursing helped me a lot. See if you can get someone to watch the baby while you take a hot bath. You'll be able to relax knowing that the baby is okay and it is vital that you take care of yourself as well. I hope everything starts to go more smoothly for you. Keep us updated!

[Nipple_nectar]

I wanted to http://www.breastfeeding.com/forums/images/smilies/welcome.gif you to the boards and just see how you have been doing?

[BensMommie112807]

Thank you everyone. I went to the store and bought 2 things. I got the Fenugreek and mothers milk plus(I think that's what it is called). I've been taking them for 2 days and I've never been so happy about my boobs! I try to make time for pumping in between washing and boiling bottles and pacifiers, Changing diapers, feeding my hungry little piglet and resting. I am not a big veggie person but I'm eating what ever I got to. I'm gonna make it work out. even if I only breast feed my son for a few weeks or months I'm trying. Thank you so much everyone for all the help, info and encouraging words!
Bless you all,
Allie and Baby Benjamin <3

[sferguson17]

Keep up the good work, and come back anytime!

[BensMommie112807]

Hey everyone. My milk is still down low. I only can get like half an oz, Maybe an oz if I'm lucky. But I doubt it is going to come back. I'm so up set with everything that is happening. Today My son turned 2 months and had to get his shoots. I found out that he has the flu and that he has a hole in his heart. Just when I thought I had nothing to worry about and that I was just over- freaking about him sleeping at night. I just sat down yesterday and watched my son sleep, He looked like an angel and I thought to myself he is purfect to me in everyway. Now I don't know what to do. I guess breastfeeding is out of the question since I won't be sleeping anytime soon....

[gingerbread_ca]

Bless your heart. I will pray for Ben. I am soooo sorry you are going through all of this.

[ChristmasTree]

don't give up really! really don't do it ok?

order Domperidone"motilium" that helped me soooo much! i got it from www.healthcarepharma.com it takes about 10 days to arrive, so not too long.
it increases your prolactin levels and allows your body to produce more milk even when under stress. it is good to take 8 a day. go to www.asklenore.com, there you will find all the info on motilium, fenugreek, etc. it is a site for nursing adoptive children mostly, but all the info you need for boosting your supply is there.

[juliekathleen2]

It takes a while for the fenugreek to work & you're supposed to take enough so that you start to smell kind of like maple. (That's what my lc told me.) In the beginning I noticed the maple smell on my skin but you don't notice it at all after a while. I'm currently taking 12 pills a day & pumping at least 8 times a day. I'm only producing about 4 ounces in a 24 hr period but that's enough to give my baby at least once breastmilk bottle a day. I was only getting 2 ounces a day (if I was lucky) so anything you're getting and giving to your son is beneficial.

[Kimberly]

If your son is ill, he REALLY NEEDS the breastmilk, so please don't give up.

Feel free to PM me. I pumped for 3 months and got my supply up until my son would nurse. If your son is willing to nurse, then let him nurse all you want.

You mentioned cleaning bottles and so on. If you can, don't use bottles at all, just nurse! :-)

Take 3 fenugreek tablets, 3 times a day---so that's NINE pills a day. When you start smelling like maple syrup, then you're taking enough, but KEEP TAKING THEM.

Let us know if there is anything we can do.

And I don't know what your son's exact condition is, but many babies have "holes" in their hearts that close on their own over time. Sometimes it isn't anything to worry about. What does the pediatrician say?

And honey, you must sleep sometime. You don't do your son any good to be exhausted all the time, so when he sleeps, you try to sleep too. Can you have him sleep in a bassinet next to your bed, or in the bassinet but ON your bed? I had a flat-bottomed bassinett that I put between me and the wall, and so I could have my son with me but not be worried about rolling onto him or him falling down between the bed and the wall. It worked great until he was about 7 months old or so.

Best wishes to you. Take care and let us know how you're doing and how your son is doing. Please know the formula is not really that great for babies if you have any ability at all to give him breastmilk.

You seem very smart. Please read this link (101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child)---I would bet when you do, you'll do whatever it takes to keep breastfeeding. http://www.promom.org/101/index.html

Did you know researchers also just found out that breastmilk contains stem cells? This is in addition to live immune-system stimulating compounds. Did you know that bf babies have a lower incidence of SIDs (which may be what happened to your friend's baby)? Breastfeeding will give your baby the best chance of growing up healthy. Take care!!

[lvnmichelle]

The more you put the baby to the breast the more milk you will make. That is the #1 thing YOU can do to increase milk supply. SUPPLY & DEMAND, that's the way it works. Also, DRINK plenty of fluids-water, water, water..if you HATE water drink Propel/Gatorade. With every meal you eat-drink MILK. If you let your body dehydrate-your milk will dry up. If you don't like milk, buy Carnation Instant Breakfast-it's NOT a diet. It's a chocolate milk mix with loads of vitamins.
You can also try just before going to bed downing a half of beer. Belive me, you will be full when your lil guy is ready to eat. Don't worry, a half a beer WILL NOT hurt your milk/baby.
But definitly DRINK DRINK DRINK!
Good Luck