Milk Supply

Anyone that has been around me with my first 2 babies know that I have a horrible time with milk supply. The girls didn't gain any weight in the first 2 weeks. I would take them to the pedi and they would tell me that they needed more to eat and I would burst into tears. I could not count the number of tears that have been shed over this problem. I tried everything to make more milk. There was pumping, taking drugs, herbs, all sorts. I would make a little more but never enough.

So, I would supplement with formula and a bottle. The girls would gain weight and do well but I felt like I was a failure as a female. These huge things were useless. (Did I also mention I don't handle postpartum well? Kind if melodramatic ?). Both girls would nurse and then take what ever extra milk they needed by a bottle. Maddie did fine. She loved to nurse, and did for hours a day until she was 10 months. Anna was much more impatient. Once she realized that the milk came out faster and easier with the bottle she refused to nurse. By 6 months I couldn't make her. She would scream, I would get angry and frustrated. So, she was done. After that experience I took breast feeding as my research project.

I found the best book all about it. (The breast feeding mother's guide to making more milk). It is the best one by far that I have found and I have looked everywhere. Jack Newman is another resource for anyone that needs it. He has a great website that has videos for the visual learners. The most valuable information for myself has been how to supplement Natalie while she is nursing. It is called a lact-aid supplemental nurser. It lays along side the breast and works kind of like a straw to give her the extra milk she needs to gain weight. I call it my third breast. Which means no bottles. So far it is working great. She is gaining weight and loves to nurse. I don't have to worry about before and after weights, how much to give her, or how much I am making. It has been the most freeing experience. I have been able to not worry and enjoy the process. It is a huge blessing. Dealing with what I call "Mama guilt" is what I struggle with. I wish I had been able to use this when the other 2 were babies. It would have done wonders with Anna. I hope all of my ranting is able to help someone that is struggling. It has taken me a long time to get "here". It is wonderful.