Need help with low milk supply

[bjmjyjm]

I have been supplementing my 9 week old since he was about a week old due to excessive weight loss (he weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. at birth; at 5-day check-up, he was 5 lbs. 12 oz.) and low milk supply. I've missed a few chances to stop supplementing and build up my milk supply, so now my baby takes whatever breastmilk he gets while I nurse and 2 oz. of formula. I've been pumping and nursing as often as I can but the most I've been able to pump is 2 oz. total (I use Medela Symphony). Right now I feed him every 2 hours but feeding takes about an hour altogether, he falls asleep at breast easily even while being fed on SNS. He weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz. a week ago and has 1-3 soiled diapers and 6-8 wet diapers a day. Is it too late to try to increase milk supply? Is he getting enough? I've read that pumping right after nursing is most effective to increase milk supply but it's not working for me. I'm taking fenugreek, I'm drinking lots of water, sleeping as much as I need, doing everything I can possibly do (I'm not eating oatmeal though). What else can I do? What am I doing wrong? One day I experienced my breasts getting full every 2-3 hours, but once I pumped it all out to see how much I had right before I woke up the baby to feed him (a lactation consultant at the pediatrician's office told me to do this), it seemed like pumping messed up the whole thing and that feeling of fullness in my breasts every 2-3 hours never came back. I'm just not wired to breastfeed? Sorry for rambling but I'm feeling pretty stupid for asking for help now and kicking myself for not doing enough much sooner. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[debbie_page]

Hello. It sounds like you have worked very hard. That is true love for your baby.

Breasts that make milk can make more milk. Have you worked with an IBCLC? Have you had your thyroid checked? Any histiry of ireg periods or PCOS or fertility problems?

Debbie Page, RN, IBCLC, CEIM
The New Born Baby
978-422-9070
www.thenewbornbaby.com/blog/
Join "Breastfeeding Babies" on Facebook
http://twitter.com/TheNewBornBaby

[bjmjyjm]

I worked with an IBCLC with my first son. I haven't really worked with one yet with my second; I have an appointment with an LC in a week. I had my thyroid checked and everything was normal. My period is very regular on a 27-day cycle. It did take us 6 years to get pregnant with the second child, although I never got on birth control after the first one's birth. I don't know what PCOS is.

My milk supply has dipped even further yesterday and today. I've used SNS, but my baby has figured out how to suck out the formula with the corner of his mouth without having to latch on properly. I'm this close to giving up, but part of me still wants to continue nursing with whatever I have for 4 more months (until the baby is 6 months old) which seems like an eternity.

[bjmjyjm]

I forgot to mention that I'm on an antidepressant, although I was not on any with my first.

[debbie_page]

One trick that might work for the SNS is to tape the tubing under the breast. His weight sounds good. How much formula is he getting?

Debbie Page, RN, IBCLC, CEIM
The New Born Baby
978-422-9070
www.thenewbornbaby.com/blog/
Join "Breastfeeding Babies" on Facebook
http://twitter.com/TheNewBornBaby

[bjmjyjm]

2 oz. every feeding.

[debbie_page]

Why don't you go to www.lowmilksupply.org and read what Diann West says. Do you live in Massachusetts? If so I would love to help you.

Debbie Page, RN, IBCLC, CEIM
The New Born Baby
978-422-9070
www.thenewbornbaby.com/blog/
Join "Breastfeeding Babies" on Facebook
http://twitter.com/TheNewBornBaby