milk production problem

[jfilaq2]

my daughter is six weeks old and I am already not producing milk. My doctor had me put her on cornsyrup for a while and so I had been feeding her bottles for a few weeks. During this time I had a hard time pumping. I use to pump 4 oz each side without her eating now I barely get 1. For the last two days I have been pumping every 2 hours and letting her eat for as long and as often as she wants which is about every hour becuase she isn't getting enough I suspect. With this I have yet to see any change. How long will it take to get it back doing this or is there anything else I should do?

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

I'm sorry you're having such difficulty. I'm unclear why your doctor recommend she eat corn syrup? Can you please explain? A newborn baby usually should not eat anything other than breastmilk or infant formula.

What kind of pump are you using? It can take several days or weeks of pumping regularly to see your milk supply increase signficantly. But I would continue with the pumping and nursing her as often as you can, and over time your supply will continue to increase. Are you able to get her latched on? How long will she nurse for at a time (and when she nurses, is she actually actively sucking and swallowing)?

Why do you think your supply was low to begin with? Sometimes a baby will act like they're not satisfied at the breast, but they're actually getting plenty and are just fussy for another reason. The only true gauge of whether a baby is getting enough to eat is appropriate weight gain.

Keep doing what you're doing - pumping often and nursing as often as possible, and your milk supply should rebound.

[jfilaq2]

Thank you for your response. She was on cornsyrup because she was spitting up a lot and zantac didn't work, she is also very gassy and not always the easiest burper. i am using a ameda purely yours pump. The reason I think my supply is low is becuase I only am pumping an oz every two hours where before I would get 4 oz and my baby wants to eat every hour now where before she would go up to three hours. She latches on just fine and before this production problem she would only eat about 7 minutes and then pull off and be fine for two-three hours. Today now she eats for 15 minutes and then is hungry 1 hour later.

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

Today now she eats for 15 minutes and then is hungry 1 hour later.

This is actually very normal behavior and is not an indication that your supply is low. As long as she's pooping at least a few times every day, is having at least 6 wet diapers per day, and is gaining weight appropriately (at least 5-8 oz./week), then she's getting enough to eat. I would continue to feed her on demand, as often as she needs/wants it. THis will also help bring your supply up. How much you're able to pump is NOT a reliable indicator of milk supply.

Is she still getting supplemental bottles, or are you just breastfeeding? If you're just breastfeeding, I would recommend taking her in maybe once a week to be weighed, just to make sure she's gaining appropriately.

I'm not a doctor and I don't know your baby's full health history, but I really question your doctor's recommendation of corn syrup to treat reflux. I would recommend getting a second opinion.

[jfilaq2]

thank you for your help

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

You're welcome and good luck