Expert: ruth kraft - 5/25/2009

Question
Please help me.I have a 6-week-old son, and I found about 2 weeks ago, that my milk supply had diminished to the point that he was still below his birthweight at 4 weeks old!I got a manual breastpump (that's what I can afford)and got some formula to supplement, because the doctors threatened to hospitalise the baby if he didnt put on some weight by the next check-up/He did put on one lb with the help of the formula.The problem is, my milk supply never increased with all the manual and hand pumping I did.I even tried fenugreek capsules  (1 three times daily), with Mother's Milk tea, and that seemed to help my lactation slightly, but it also appeared to irritate my baby's stomach as he began to vomit his milk.I have stopped the herbal supplements for just over 24 hours now, and it appears I have no milk left.I ahve kept my son all day yesterday at the breast,to no avail.It is 3:49 in the morning, and he has been on the breast almost all night.I am desperate to reestablish my milk supply.I am also exhausted.Please help me.The manual breast pump was getting out a little bit of milk, but now it doesnt get anything out at all.The same thing with hand expression- it worked at first, but not anymore.I do not know what is happening to me.I am distressed about this situation, which I'm sure is bad for my milk supply.

Answer
You need to go to a lactation consultant and have them help you. There is more going on here than I can help you through the email unfortunatly. My guess is its a latch issue that started it with the baby not nursing effectivly. but thats not a problem I can fix through this means. Pumping certinaly will help if you have an effective pump. I am not sure where you live but there are programs here in florida through non profits that can get you a breast pump very cheap. Trying wic and healthy mothers healthy babies and whatever non profits are in your area. I would contact Doulas, midwives and lactation educators to get the referals in the area for community refrences for these things. You can also try la leach league to get the help to increase the supply too. go to www.LLL. org I tihnk and find someone local for you.

there is help. with some persistance you can go on to nurse your baby. theres no doubt in my mind. To help you thouroughly I would need to see you in person.  keep at it. dont stop pumping or trying manual expression. nurse as often as he will let you and get some in person help :) and take a deep breath!  it will be ok  ;)