Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I really need any advice/personal stories you all can give. You can FM me if you want. I have seen a private lactation specialist as well as call the ones in the hospital because they were so nice. We had to introduce Similac to my DD when she was 5 days old due to jaundice. Despite my best efforts and the absolutely sorest BBs you can imagine, I absolutely cannot pump more than 1/2-3/4 of an ounce at a time. She can get MUCH more out of me than that darn pump can. About every other day, if I'm lucky, I can get an ounce at a time. I am pumping for less time, which is great, but I am at my wits ends.

I am just having a really bad day and could use anything you ladies have to offer, even hugs....I have never wanted anything to work MORE but I think I am trying the impossible

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I hope it gets better for you, BF is very hard and trying, don't give up

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I'm just curious -- why are you trying so hard to pump instead of letting her do the work? I absolutely hated pumping!!

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

i have no advice but i wanted to send you what do the experts say???? hang in there dana xx

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I finally decided as much as I wanted to EBF, no matter what I did- feedings every two hours, frungreek, mother's milk, two gallons of driking water a day- I was never going to produce enough milk for my DD.

So I gave in and supplemented- best decision I ever made. I still mostly BF but I added formula when she was hungry. It made her a happier baby and me a MUCH happier mommy.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I did. I beat myself up about, drank fennel tea & a ton more water (which helped tremendously). Then I cut myself a break & started supplementing around 8 months.

I would say try as much as you can & dont be too hard on yourself. If you can get her to nurse, you're better off.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

How do you know she is not getting enough? I wouldn't supplement until your sure she is not getting enough (until you go to the dr. and have her weighed). Are you seeing the wet/poopy diapers?

I felt during that first 3 weeks DS wasn't getting enough b/c every time I pumped I was getting about the same amount you are...so I stopped pumping. (With the exception of the 1st week when my milk came in, I got a lot pumping those first few days, then suddenly I couldn't pump anything unless I skipped a feeding)

Hang in there and if see if she is gaining!!

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Dana, (excuse my poor grammar. ds is nursing.)

don't beat yourself up. how is the baby's weight? i can typically only pump a few ounces at a time too. and my baby is bigger than life right now. i was a wreck at the beginning, then i found out he was fine. i did supplement in the first week or two because i was still hospitalized. i refused to let them feed him a bottle in the beginning, but sh!t happens.

if the dr says the baby isn't gaining enough weight, then supplement a few ounces per day. it was a lifesaver for me and kept my sanity. please fm me if you'd like to talk.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

i sent you an fm.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I had to supplement with formula starting when DD was less than a week old because she was not gaining any weight, even though she seemed to nurse so often.

I agree with others who said that you shouldn't beat yourself up. You are doing your best. Whatever breast milk you are able to give your baby is better than none.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Actually, it sounds like you are totally getting enough milk for her.... You really can't go by the pump... it will always be less than what your DD eats. The best judge is her weight... is she gaining? Is the pediatrician concerned? If not, then I wouldnt worry about what the pump produces and try to let her feed off of you for as many feedings as possible. I also supplemented because I became obsessed with the fact that when I pumped it was only a few ounces, however DD now nurses like a champ. If DD is still hungry after you nurse, give her a few ounces of formula if it will make you both feel better. You are doing great!! Hang in there!
ETA- My DD was also hospitalized with Jaundice and fed formula... its perfectly fine!

Message edited 10/11/2007 6:43:50 PM.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

I just wanted to send some positive stay strong vibes your way. BF is not easy. I am around if u need an ear.

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Dont give up i had the same problem in the beginning. Now i pump like 5-7 ounces each session. The more you pump and breastfeed (i suggest doing both to increase your supplY) the more milk u will make.

U should try power pumping for a couple of days once your child is one month old. FM me if u want details. This increased my milk supply ALOT!

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

The one thing I did that saved me and also got me 70 feedings and still have 50 left at 9 months is pumping one side while feeding the other. After DS was done, I stopped pumping and he fed on the other side I was pumping. The first few days he was attached all day and night but then my supply increased dramatically so I had those 70 feedings saved in 3 weeks.

I think it's some sort of conditioning thing like Pavlov's dog and the bell with food thing. It's the neuroscientist/doctor in me that made me think to do it.

Seriously, I had no pumping output before I did that and now I get what I should, not too much, not too little (about 1 oz/hour).

Re: Anybody feel like they will never make enough milk to feed their DC?

Dana, Dont beat yourself up I am kinda going through the same thing. When I pump I can get 1.5-3oz a session and DD is drinking 3-4 sometmies 5 oz per feeding. I have pumped like crazy and it hasnt increased But for most people once you are consistent with letting baby feed/pump your supply will go up. For me I think its stress so take a nice warm shower, or let DD nurse while pumping the other side-thats when I get the most.