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mamato3
06-12-2008, 07:22 PM
Hello! I have a 2 1/2 month old son that I breastfeed exclusively for just over 1 month at birth. Due to many complications, mainly being low milk supply and his 15% weight loss a week and a half after birth ( he was 8 lbs. 13 oz. at birth and went down to 7 lbs. 4 oz.), then the stomach flu which put him into the hospital for two days from severe dehydration, I became completely exhausted and gave up! But, not without trying the supplemental nurser system and pumping.
It has been a month since I have last nursed and am completely dried up for this amount of time. Since then he is very healthy and about 13 lbs. on the bottle. But I feel very guilty and constantly have dreams wanting to breastfeed. So yesterday, In my determination to relactate, I started pumping every two hours and taking the fenugreek and milk thistle supplements. But nothing still. Is is possible to build a supply now? And could I eventually exclusively breastfeed? How?

caryn
06-12-2008, 07:25 PM
Pump the same exact time every day, every 3 hours. It may only increase by 1/8 of an ounce intervals per day, but time is on your side!
ANY breastmilk is better than NO breastmilk :)
Tenacity should pay off, and hopefully you will have a nice supply within 3 weeks - also, rent a hospital grade breast pump, preferably a CLASSIC from Medela; this is the only pump I would recommend for re-lactating.

mamato3
06-12-2008, 07:32 PM
I bought the medela advanced pump in style. Can I use that? What's the difference?
Also, would meds help? I have read a little about them and wonder if they help the milk come initially come in or actually build your supply or both. At this point I want to get off to a good start.

caryn
06-12-2008, 07:41 PM
You can speak with your ob/gyn, nurse practitioner, or local IBCLC.
in the USA there is reglan; abroad there is domperidone.