:wave: I have a question, I'm trying to manually pump breastmilk, and I don't seem to be getting that much milk out. Does that mean that my baby won't be getting enough milk? I had to spend some time in the hospital in bed rest after my baby was born so she got used to the ready to feed milk. She likes what I barely pumped out but will not take my breast. But has anyone had this problem? Or maybe I have to wait a certain amount of time before pumps? Or maybe is there anything I can eat that can produce more milk?? Please help!!!!

Babies have a tremendous amount of sucktion power. Are you saying that the baby WON'T latch on and take the breast, or the baby does but you worry about the amount she is getting when she does?

If she won't latch on, consider seeing a lactation consultant. I did and found out that my DS mouth was too small.

As far as milk, the manual pumps are nothing compared to an electric pump..AND you can't pump every hour. I pump ever three hours and if I pump before the 3 hour mark then I hardley get anything. Every three hours REALLY got my milk supply up. I am sure a lactation consultant would tell you every three hours..I am assuming.

I would drink a lot of water and eat a good, healthy diet. As far as supplements, I am not sure what there is out there to increase milk supply. Good old fashioned pumping should do it. If your baby won't take the breast, but you still want to give breastmilk, I would rent a pump and try it out for a week. This is what I did and I STILL have the same pump becuase it worked so well!
Hope this helps some!

I used the following supplements: fenugreek (3 pills 3-4 times per day) and blessed thistle (3 pills 3 times per day). You can also try brewers yeast. I have not used it but have heard it works well.

I also use the mother's milk tea. You can find it at natural food and health stores. I think even GNC carries it. I personally like the way it tastes, some dont, but then again i put a small amount of sugar;) . It works very good at getting your suppply back up. I will have two cups and see a huge improvement the next day!

Like the other posters said, there is nothing comparable to your baby's suction. I went to see a lactaction consultant and it was very helpful. they will check on your latch and holding positions as well as the baby's ability to suck effectively. Your hospital or ob can probably recommend one and they are really not that expensive and well worth it.

My guess is, without getting baby to effectively latch, bf'ing in general will probably be pretty hard as you probably won't get all that you need by pumping. I pumped with the Avent Isis hand pump for about 5 months when I was at work during the day. It worked great and I am glad I didn't invest in an expensive pump. However, I did't start with the pump until nursing was well established and my supply was strong.

My lactation consultant recommended fennelcreek to boost supply. She also said that a dark beer would help with let down. Definately keep your fluids up. I would notice when I wasn't drinking enough fluids.

Good luck!

I was a pumping queen with my last son and thank God everyday that my newborn is able to breastfeed with only a few issues.
My oldest was born in stress and was unable to suck. We tried to use nippleshields and this endedup confusing him somewhat and he still couldn't get enough. He was then fed breastmilk from a bottle and decided real quick that it was way easier that way. I ended up pumping for 7 months and had enough to feed him from my frozen supply till he was 10 months old. I used an electric pump, one that cost over $300 and took the herbs mentioned on another post (fenugreek and blessed thistle) until I had a good supply. Alot of it was stress though and once I got rid of that my supply was almost doubled!!!
I had been told that I would never have enough to feed him if he never went to the breast...definately not true. I was also told this time that if I used nipple shields I would always have to pump as I wouldn't have enough without the extra stimulation of a babe right at the nipple....again not true. I think the secret is to do whatever feels right to you and not worry about the 'experts'.

Thank you for your responses, I appreciate it so much!!!:wave: As for my little angel, she was given bottle for the few days I was in the hospital, so she would feed alot of milk during her feed, when she tries to latch on she does it with out problems, but what I think happend is that she does not get enough milk, her suction is real good but I think she is used to the gush of milk that comes out from the bottle, I think. Do you know if the herbal supplement Fenugreek affects the baby? Or will it give me any bad side effects? Thank You so much for your support, and responses. God bless you guys.

:angel:

I don't think that it has any side effects. It is a purely natural herb. You can take it as a tea or in pill form. My lactation consultant recommended it without hesitation. I didn't try it cause I never really needed but I see it as a recommendation in most things I read on bf'ing as well.