Do you remember bringing your baby home from the hospital? I’m sure you were high off of love, completely enamored by this little being, ecstatic to be home, and most likely ignoring any pain you were in the first time you placed your baby in their crib. I was so ready to be home with my second little girl, but exhaustion set in real quick. Seasoned moms will tell you there is no such thing as “sleep when baby sleeps” when you have more than one child. When baby is sleeping, that means it’s time to focus all your attention on your older child(ren) because they may be feeling a little left out. This was my situation just a few days after my baby was born. Everyone went back to work, and it was time to establish a routine with both my girls, while recovering from a c-section, and dealing with engorgement.
With my first baby, I pumped and stored so much milk, I decided to invest in another freezer to store my milk in the basement. I knew I would need a good stock, because I would have to return to teaching when she was only 2 months old. With baby #2, I was a little more laid back, knowing I would be a stay at home mom and perhaps didn’t need as much milk. Besides, it seemed like I made enough milk to feed every child in the nursery! So, I really took for granted my ability to make milk for my baby, until it was nearly gone. I felt that although I had to return to work with my first baby, I was on a regimen of pumping every few hours that I was able to maintain my supply for an entire year. This time around, my supply dwindled as soon as my little one started solids.
It isn’t unusual to deal with supply issues when baby starts solids, but it seems that my baby is getting frustrated at the boob and wants her milk to come down quicker. Her frustration isn’t enough for her to take a bottle- she’s stubborn. I even bit the bullet and gave her formula last night, but my little champ spit it out. In my mind, I was actually happy she refused formula, and made me more determined to get my supply back, just enough so that I am full when she wants to nurse.
I’ve added extra pumping sessions, added more calories to my diet, and have become more mindful about how much water I am drinking. I’ve tried Fenugreek, but it doesn’t seem to help this time around (it helped more with my first baby.) At the suggestion of a friend, I’ve started taking Mother’s Milk Plus, and have also ordered Mother’s Milk Plus Special formula (you can find both of them at Amazon.) Since I’ve just started, I don’t have anything to report back, but I will be sure to update you with my progress.
Have you experienced milk supply issues? Please share if you have any tips!
nursing was so hard for my first son (he has autism and low muscle tone – but we didn’t know that at the time) I would have died if I lost any milk. I hated pumping but I did it for him.
I had 2 kids who wouldn’t latch — one was just stubborn and the other physically couldn’t. I pumped for them both. My advice is that to not beat yourself up over it. Supplementing isn’t the end of the world.
I had two kids who wouldn’t latch but I did pump and yes, I cried if I spilled my milk
Aw, I had supply issues at first but then all worked itself out. I would totally have cried over this. I hope you find something that works mama.
I never pumped because I was a SAHM, but I would TOTALLY cry if I spilled it!
I did early on with my 2nd. Seemed like he was latched all the time but then it increased
I didn’t experience supply issues but for some reason I could never pump, barely any milk would come out, but they ate fine from the source LOL.
I never breast fed my children so I have no suggestions for you. I am always so envious of women who do feed their children at their breast. If I had it to do over again, I would go the breast feeding route.