breastfeeding.....

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Try to nurse or pump more on the side that's producing less. Most women have a dominant breast though which produces more milk than the other so there may not be much you can do about it.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

You may have heard it said that breastfeeding is a supply and demand relationship...the more you nurse the more milk you make. Sometimes what happens is that we tend to favor one side. We nurse more on that side, begin to notice that the other side doesn't make as much so continue to nurse more on the side that does...pretty soon we are in a cycle. Some moms try nursing more on the side that isn't producing as much in an effort to bring things back into balance.

I have been nurseing more on the side that produces less, as it started this in the hospital, but then last week it was producing the same as the other, now it is 2-3 oz less.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

I have been nurseing more on the side that produces less, as it started this in the hospital, but then last week it was producing the same as the other, now it is 2-3 oz less.

It sounds like you are also pumping, yes? (I'm sorry if I missed that earlier). Sometimes moms have trouble letting down for a pump, so the amount you are getting may not be an accurate reflection of what you are actually producing when you nurse. I admit, I am not sure why you would let down for the pump better on one side then the other...it may be that you are just more sensitive on that side.
How does your baby seem when you nurse on that side vs the other?
Keep at it. As long as your baby is gaining weight and having wet and dirty diapers she will be fine.

 

[Linnis]

Pumping in no way reflects how much the baby extracts while nursing. The only way to tell is to weigh the baby nude, then nurse and weigh her again. That's a much more accurate way to determine how much she's getting.

I have one breast that produces much more milk and I can get milk from it easier when pumping, the other is less so. That's probably because I have more milk ducts in one than the other or something.

Good job for nursing! Keep up the good work.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Pumping in no way reflects how much the baby extracts while nursing. The only way to tell is to weigh the baby nude, then nurse and weigh her again. That's a much more accurate way to determine how much she's getting.

I have one breast that produces much more milk and I can get milk from it easier when pumping, the other is less so. That's probably because I have more milk ducts in one than the other or something.

Good job for nursing! Keep up the good work.

You are right about pumps. I think sometimes we get caught up in the amount, instead of having faith that we can meet our baby's needs.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I am pumping because Miss Mary does not stay latched on and loses most of the milk on my shirt or blanket.

Yesterday I started heating that breast and it started letting down a lot more milk, so I am guessing I have clogged milk ducts in that one.

 

[jgonz]

If you had clogged milk ducts they would be very painful... I'm guessing that the heat is just helping you get a better let-down. (yay!)

Are you working with a Lactation Consultant to get the baby latched on/to stay on?

 

[PegasusOnFire]

.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

If you had clogged milk ducts they would be very painful... I'm guessing that the heat is just helping you get a better let-down. (yay!)

Are you working with a Lactation Consultant to get the baby latched on/to stay on?

no I haven't can't really afford to go to anyone.

though after a day off the breast she is latching really well.

 

[jgonz]

no I haven't can't really afford to go to anyone.

I can certainly understand that. Have you thought of finding a La Leche League group in your area? Many moms who attend have had issues with breastfeeding (as well as the Leaders' advice & training). You could get free help there... Just a thought.

though after a day off the breast she is latching really well

That's wonderful!

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I can certainly understand that. Have you thought of finding a La Leche League group in your area? Many moms who attend have had issues with breastfeeding (as well as the Leaders' advice & training). You could get free help there... Just a thought.

That's wonderful!

Now when I looked up the LLL in my area it said you had to pay dues of like 40 a year.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Now when I looked up the LLL in my area it said you had to pay dues of like 40 a year.

Dues are $40.00 if you want to join, but LLL meetings are always free. Many Leaders post their contact info online, so you can also call them for free info as well.

HTH

 

[PegasusOnFire]

Dues are $40.00 if you want to join, but LLL meetings are always free. Many Leaders post their contact info online, so you can also call them for free info as well.

HTH

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I have printed out the ones that I know how to get to so I might looking into attending a meeting

 

[Leanna]

get there fast!!! the longer she takes bottles while not latching successfully the more difficult it will be come!

 

[PegasusOnFire]

Ok I am not likeing the whole breastfeeding thing, it just feels weird and I feel like I can't take care of my other daughter because I have Mary to my breast all the time. That being said we can't afford to formula feed so I have to stick with it.

How can I keep my milk supply up, I don't think I am making enough to keep her full. Tonight she nursed every hour on the hour for 4 hours, this has been going on alot, and then last night she slept for like 5-6 hours without nursing so I had to pump because the pain was horrid.

 

[Leanna]

Every time you breastfeed or pump, go to the kitchen and put two inches of water in a glass and down it.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I do drink alot of water, I keep a 1 liter container with me and try to drink it down before lunch, before dinner and before bed, so I guess 3 liters a day, is there anything else I can do?

 

[Leanna]

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

 

[PegasusOnFire]

Thanks for the links

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Ok I am not likeing the whole breastfeeding thing, it just feels weird and I feel like I can't take care of my other daughter because I have Mary to my breast all the time. That being said we can't afford to formula feed so I have to stick with it.

How can I keep my milk supply up, I don't think I am making enough to keep her full. Tonight she nursed every hour on the hour for 4 hours, this has been going on alot, and then last night she slept for like 5-6 hours without nursing so I had to pump because the pain was horrid.

You're one of the lucky ones that's got an evening cluster feeder so they'll sleep longer at night! Mary is only 4 weeks old so your supply is still regulating itself. Within the next 2-4 weeks it should get better regulated. The first 6 weeks feels like they're nursing constantly because they go through several growth spurts. You don't have too much longer to tough it out before it starts getting easier. Keep at it!