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View Full Version : So much effort, not enough milk!


snaimou
10-07-2008, 01:13 PM
I am currently breastfeeding my 6 month old and have been experiencing an unstable milk supply since he was 3 months. Long story short, I've tried fenugreek, drinking lots of water, eating plenty, and now I've been pumping with the Medela symphony for 6 days after each feeding not to mention all the pumping in the last month or so.... All my efforts and I've seen no significant difference when feeding my son.... Any ideas? Now, here's the long story to contextualize:

Since July have had conversations with breastfeeding support at the hospital and last week I actually visited with one of the specialists who concluded that I should rent the Symphony and pump after ever feeding. I have been doing this for more than a month (3-4 weeks, after SOME feedings with the pump in style) and 6 days with the sympony. I haven't noticed a huge difference except that I can pump about one ounce after each feeding, whereas with the less sophisticated pump the amounts were much more varied, from a few drops to an ounce if I was lucky. I had an excellent supply even when I was working part-time until he was 3 months old when we were hit with so many stressful issues (husband lost his job, i had to work full-time, family conflicts, going on and off of a birth control pill that i feel remarkably lowered my supply, bad news about my rhogam shot not working, then mastitis). Now everything has settled down and I've been staying at home... I want my milk back but have not seen a significant difference with all of my efforts! By afternoon I have to supplement and I can't seem to pump enough to supplement with my milk alone! Sorry for the entire autobiography but I would love your help.

debbie_page
10-07-2008, 01:21 PM
Wow, you have been through so much. That is very stressful. The birth control is likely one if not the only cause of the milk supply, but the fact that you got mastitis also brings up the question of why the baby wasn't getting all of the milk out. The Symphony is a much better pump but I think the Medela Classic is even better if you can find one. It takes at least a full week to see the effects of the new pump. I would suggest you go to www.lowmilksupply.org for great info. You may be able to get your production up with lots of hard work. Have you read about domperidone?

snaimou
10-07-2008, 01:31 PM
I will keep trying with the symphony because the hospital ran out of the original. My son's pediatrician prescribed a different drug that you increase gradually (forgot the name) but I hated it and was only on for a few days. Also... for a couple months my own pump was not working well because of a bad plug which I called medela about and they sent me another, which I think had something to do with the mastitis since I was working at that time. Thank you, I will be MORE PATIENT!!! if possible!

debbie_page
10-07-2008, 01:35 PM
You have been incredibly patient. Give your baby lots of skin to skin time if he enjoys it and just let him nap on your chest. That can be very calming to you and baby. You were probably on Reglan which has some unpleasant side effects. Not the case with domperidone. AS you are working so hard to increase your supply try to enjoy every day with him. He's growing quickly!

snaimou
10-07-2008, 02:08 PM
yes, it was reglan. i have an appointment with a new obgyn tomorrow... i will ask about it then and YES, continue to enjoy my beautiful little boy...thankyou!

debbie_page
10-07-2008, 02:13 PM
And in your spare time read Diana West's site lowmilksupply.org
She's the guru!