HELP!!!!!!! Don't wont to stop B/F

[bpato]

Here is the situation:

I returnerd to full time work 6 weeks ago now, and am finding in the last week my supply has dropped dramatically, it has almost halved.

I am expressing every 3 to 4 hours while at work, but have to admit that somedays I have only been able to express once due to students behaviour.

DS has always had at least 1 formula bottle a day (which is daddy time) so to always have a bit extra EBM for the next day. But lately he has gone from having 3 EBM bottle while I am at work to two if I am lucky.

I expressed at one of his feed time today and only got 60mls out of both boobs. He usually has around 170 of EBM from a bottle
What do I do????????????????????????????
Do I keep trying or do I put him on straight formula. I don't want ot stop BF but I don't want o strve him either.


HELP I NEED ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belinda

[MariaO]

belinda, feed and express as much as you can to keep up your supply.

When your baby has the daddy time bottle of formula, do you express then as if you had fed the baby? If not, can I suggest that you do and then freeze it.

As you know breastmilk works on a supply and demand basis so expressing and feeding as much as you can will get your supply back up.

[MariaO]

and try and make sure that you do express 4 times a day in work (I know, easier said than done).

[aardvark]

I'd also express each breast after he has had a feed, too. That way there is more stimulation of the breasts.

A few days of that sort of regimen, and you should find your supply increasing.

You can also try taking herbs to increase supply. Fenugreek is one, you can get tablets from a health food shop. There is also Weleda Nursing Tea, which is supposed to help boost your supply.

[bpato]

Maria

I always express when DH is giving DS his bottle.

[Rhys'Mum]

If you are still stuggling to rebuild your supply after trying an expressing blitz you could talk to your GP about whether trying maxalon or motilium would be appropriate for you. I did have some success with motilium after 2 1/2 weeks trying on my own. You still need to express like crazy and it takes a couple of days but it can help.

I also put my little one to the breast as often as possible (way more than normal and really only short feeds) as I was told this can help stimulate your body to produce more.

Good luck with it. You are absolutely fabulous to have got this far, I have seen how difficult working and breastfeeding can be.

[Goosie22]

Hi
Could you skip giving the bottle when you are available to breastfeed there are lots of things Dads can do besides feed the baby you could have the bath as Daddy time:D ? Is there any chance who ever is looking after bub could bring her to feed a least once during the day? If she is sleeping for most of the night you could also get up after midnight for 30 min and express/or wake bub up for a feed. Motilum(domperidone) is also useful in increasing your supply you need a script though and take it 3 times a day for 3 weeks. The natural remidies are best tried first as they are very effective.:)
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/prescript_galactagogue.html

[xkwzit]

There's alot of good advice here that I won't repeat :yelclap:

But my LC told me that the best time to express to build supply is about 20 minutes after a feed (not straight after - I don't know why), so you might want to try that.

Best of luck, it should just be a question of the right amount of stimulation by feeding/expressing. Actual feeding will be much more stimulating to your supply.

Cheers

[Tea Lady]

Maybe you could threaten the naughty students with having to sit with you while you express - that ought to put them off misbehaving :D

[Mother Duck]

Also worth trying is "Blessed Thistle" from the health food shop

When I was having trouble I was advised against Maxalon as it sort of masks the reasons why

Also make sure you are having enough water to drink (especially when you are busy at work) - I realise that is stating the obvious :o

Anyway - good luck!

[Goosie22]

Maybe you could threaten the naughty students with having to sit with you while you express - that ought to put them off misbehaving :D

Thats a good idea, early exposure to Breastfeeding they could have some time off thier science time quota then its a win win situation.

[bpato]

Thanks for the advice. Hav an appointmet with GP next week. If things don't improve I will ask her what I can do.

I have already had a couple of studetns walk in while I was expressing, and one went back to my teaching partner and asked her why my boobs weren't working.

Another student while on wash up duties decided he would wash the breat pump for me, and while doing so was standing in front of the sink singing and dancing 'I'm milking my baby". I guess you had to be there.

Belinda

[Tea Lady]

he he he you cracked me up bpato!! I can't imagine anything harder than trying to express in lunchbreaks :eek: Do you still have time to eat and get ready for the "next round"? I could barely keep on top of things when I didn't even have a baby!! I admire you!! :)

[xkwzit]

Bpato
That's hilarious:laughing: :laughing:

"Milking my baby" :D its still funny, even second hand via cyber space

Cheers

[bpato]

Tea Lady

I don't express during lunch breaks but 30 mins before otherwise I would never get to eat. Eating is a misson in a Special Education unit. I litterally have to hide from the kids so they will leave me alone.

Belinda