Expert: ruth kraft - 8/26/2010

Question
Hello, Ruth.

I have several questions on breastfeeding. 5 weeks ago I gave birth to a beautiful girl of 9 1/2 lbs. What food is good for improving lactation, is the milk necessary, and if it is, how much to drink it and when?
I am supplementing my breastfeeding with bottle from the beginning, I'm feeding her with Aptamil three times a day, 60ml twice and 90ml in the evening. I'm afraid this regime might stop or decrease my milk production. Also, I'm afraid that baby may become nipple confused, because she seems to refuse breast sometimes (especially when very hungry or nervous) even if it seems to be full of milk. Can you give me some advice on this? I would like to exclusively breastfeed, but my baby usually falls asleep after only several minutes of breastfeeding. I try everything to wake her up, but with little success. She wakes after several minutes, and wants to suck again - it seems she could do it whole day.

Thanks a lot,
Jane

Answer
Well, there are many things going on here. Because the baby is 5 weeks it is normal for her to wake and want to eat often as she is going through a growth spurt.  This is good for her and does not last but more than a couple weeks typically.

The formula you are giving her does decrease your milk supply and can quite likely be causing nipple confusion. go to www.llli.org and look up how to overcome this. I suggest seeing if there is someone local who can help you more on a one on one basis to see your whole situation and give you the best advice. I do in depth counseling but it takes more time than the internet will be able to provide.

You can increase your supply by getting a good breastpump, eating LOTS of fiber, and possibly mothers milk tea or fenugreek suppliments. In the USA they have those in health food stores all around.

The only way to get the nipple confusion gone is to stop giving bottles and nurse as often as you can . You may need to supplement for a while because you have been so far, just don't give a bottle. You can use a spoon, or a medicine dropper or eye dropper to give the feeds like that until you build your milk supply back up.

I hope that helped!
Ruth Kraft CD CLD HBCP FOCEP
Mother of Emma & Jacob
www.honoringwomen.com
http://welcometotheworld2.blogspot.com/
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