Troubles producing breastmilk - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

bacardi73 · 01-25-2006, 08:49 PM

My body has troubles producing breastmilk. I know this for a fact it is not my imagination. With my first son I had to be given a pill to get things going and with my second son I have been taking Brewer's Yeast on the advice from my delivery doctor. My son was not doing well on breastfeeding so I started pumping full time. I was finally starting to produce lots of milk but the last couple days I have had trouble getting anything at all. I was wondering if any one had any suggestions on how to increase my supply?

Gayle0000 · 01-26-2006, 07:32 AM

Of course, the most obvious way is to keep feeding and pumping as often as you can.

I notice my supply will decrease as quickly as overnight if I'm not drinking enough water, not taking in enough calories, or I'm really worrying about something.

10kDilsey · 01-26-2006, 10:44 AM

I have had the same thing happen and now pump full time as well. Just try eating more and make sure you drink ALOT of water! There is an old folk remedy that if you are having trouble producing milk, drink a dark beer like Guinness or such.

(How come all the folk remedies I know about always involve alcohol?)

Elliesmom · 01-28-2006, 03:23 PM

My lactation nurse told me a few things (all of which I tried so I can't say which one worked).

Drink plenty of water!!

Foods/drinks with malt - this includes beer, malt beverages, ovaltine, malt-o-meal. Try for 3 servings a day. She recommended for the alcohol to drink it immediately after you feed your baby for minimal transmission.

Herbs - an herb called fenugreek. I got a liquid from our local organic grocery store that had fenugreek and some other herbs. It was called "mother's milk plus." I liked it better than the pills because it was easier on my stomach. I could just put 2 droppers worth in a glass of juice 3 times a day. If you get the pills the most she had me take was 3 pills 3 times a day. Warning - Fenugreek will give your sweat a maple syrup kind of scent.

roxyfoxy · 01-29-2006, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Warning - Fenugreek will give your sweat a maple syrup kind of scent.

this is an interesting side effect. LOL

I don't have problems producing milk, but I would like to produce more without all of that horrible pumping. Will these "remedies" work for me too?

Regarding what to eat and drink, I was told that just drinking enough water will keep your supply up as well as keep your milk nutritious. Nothing else is really needed because your body takes what you have and gives it to baby.