Heidy is a little over a month old and I been forumal feeding her sent the day she was born.But now with her have reflux and being colic. I wanted to start breast feeding her.My milk is almost gone but I still have a little left maybe enought for her to get 3 sippes out of it.I wanted to know if it is to late for me to breastfeed now and if not how can I get my milk to build up again.
I don't know much about breastfeeding but I want to learn and know about what I need to eat and drink to make good milk for my baby girl.
See if the hospital where you gave birth has a lactation consultant. They actually have a breastfeeding support group every week at ours. Your daughter's doctor may or may not know about them. A lot of doctors are pretty clueless when it comes to breastfeeding, which is too bad.
But first, if your baby will nurse, let her even if she's not getting any milk. If you do still have some milk, you shouldn't have a problem building up a supply, though it will take awhile. When it's time for a feeding, nurse her first for as long as she will let you and if she is upset, try nursing her for comfort. This will also help stimulate hormones to start producing milk for her. This might help you understand how milk production works: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/milkproduction.html
Here's an article about relactation (getting milk supply back or starting it if you adopt a baby) on KellyMom.com.
I used Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle, herbs from our local health store, to build up my milk supply. Also, drink TONS of water. I drink at least four 16 oz cups of water a day.
As for what to eat, you can probably stick to your normal diet. Stay away from alcohol, obviously, since that is secreted in milk.
I would pay attention to how much dairy, wheat, soy, and eggs you're eating. Keep a food diary to see if she reacts more after you've eaten a lot of something (usually a few hours after you've eaten it). For instance, I know my son is sensitive to soy, eggs and gluten (the protein found in wheat and barley) so I'm sticking to a diet that doesn't include those items. It can be tough at times, but I feel like I have more control over what my son is ingesting and he's finally getting to where he's not screaming from gas all the time (five months after he was born!). Since he is sensitive to soy there are not really any formulas out there for him. There are tons of formulas for babies sensitive to milk, but you have to get a prescription for a special formula if they can't have soy!
I hope this helps - and good luck. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. I nursed my daughter through her colic three years ago and I'm on month five with my son!
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Cup size doesn't matter when it comes to milk production. Some women have A cups and produce enough milk for multiples! Now, your breasts would probably get a bit bigger while you're nursing. I'm normally a small C, but am a D while breastfeeding. Not everyone's get that big, but I guess I'm lucky (?). :)
I had trouble with supply in the beginning. I did with both babies. Neither were great nursers at the beginning. They found it way too comforting and would instantly fall into a deep sleep. So deep, they didn't nurse as often as they needed and would wake up screaming hungry to empty breasts! I had to supplement with both, then pump while they drank a bottle. No fun, but it worked. I have more than enough milk now!
It is sometimes very tempting to give up the breastfeeding when I've eaten something that bothers my son, but ultimately, he's never been sick (and hopefully it'll stay that way with cold and flu season coming up this winter) and since he's food sensitive, I know what I should avoid giving him when he starts with solids instead of having to go through allergic reactions and possible hospitalizations from any reactions later! I am even trying to go to an allergist now to double-check how sensitive he is to these things just so I know what I can and can't feed him when he starts solids.
There is a great breastfeeding group on CafeMom if you're interested in relactation. I will warn you, some are DIE HARD breastfeeders and may take issue with formula. Don't let them bother you. Some of the people who frequent the group are lactation consultants...
Good luck!
No problem.
It's called Breastfeeding Moms and here's the URL: http://www.cafemom.com/group/325
Yes, pump! That will help lots, but nursing your little one is by far the best way to get your supply up. I would say, just nurse before you bottle feed and after too, if she'll let you. That way she's getting full, but associating her feeding with nursing.
Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. I'm not a pro (you should talk to a lactation consultant if you can find one), but I'll do my best!
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on Oct. 8, 2009 at 1:20 PM