Breastfeeding: A Series {Milk Supply}

 

Being that my supply has always been low, I am totally jealous of women who have over production.  I occasionally get engorged, but that’s because I may have gone an exceptionally long time without nursing.  It takes upwards of 7 hours for this to happen to me.  I nurse around 7am before I leave the house in the morning and by the time I get home at 5 I am ready.  But it isn’t really painful, just uncomfortable.  I have been on the lookout for anything that will help increase my production.  Some worked, some didn’t.  

How to Tell Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk

If your baby is latching well and you are comfortable the next thing to check is that your child is getting enough milk.  The first thing to try when you want to increase your milk production is to increase the number of times and/or the length of time you nurse.  It is literally about supply and demand. Your body attempts to meets the needs of the child and “anticipates” the amount it should make based on experience.  If the baby eats more, the body makes more.  If s/he eats less, the body makes less.  It can take a day or two to adjust.

Doctors and midwives recommend that you feed your child every 2-3 hours in the early days, even waking a sleeping baby (gasp!).  In fact, you may need to nurse even more than that.  In the first 1-2 weeks, allow your child to feed whenever they want.  This is very important because it gives your body a sense of urgency, jump starting your supply for overall success.  

Beer Increases Milk Supply -  True or False?

I usually abstain from anything that could remotely affect my baby when nursing (unless absolutely necessary) but I have always heard the rumor that drinking a beer can increase milk supply.  I assumed it was an old wives tail.  Then one day, after doing some research on the effect of alcohol on breast milk, I decided to have a beer with dinner.  I had just nursed and knew that I probably wouldn’t be doing it again until around 3am.  I woke up that night with LOTS more milk than I would normally have at that time.  Nemo got his fill and went back to sleep while I could have nursed much longer.  I have decided that one or two beers on the weekend is ok now.  It seems to help me produce more which is kind of a reboot for the week.  I try to nurse more on the weekends (since I work) so that by the time I get back to work on Monday I have bolstered my supply a bit for the week.

Why does beer, not other alcoholic beverages, increase milk supply?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, beer may increase milk supply because the Polysaccharides in Barley stimulate Prolactin levels.  Not to say that you shouldn’t enjoy a drink here and there, but if it does not include Barley, it will not help your milk supply.  The same effect can be achieved from drinking non-alcoholic beer.

This is important to know when you decide to breastfeed and consume alcohol:  

The body Metabolizes alcohol.  There is no reason to “pump and dump” unless it is for your own comfort or to keep your body on schedule.  

The theory that you can simply get rid of the milk that contains alcohol is a myth.  Just like your body metabolizes the alcohol and eventually eliminates it from your blood, it lessens in breast milk.  This chart shows how long you need to wait to nurse after drinking alcohol (bases on ounces consumed and the weight of the mother).  

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a spice that has been used since ancient times to increase milk supply, originally used in the Middle East, Africa and India.  There is no known reason as to why this works.  Some suspect that the oil produced by the seed is what helps.  Despite scientific evidence, mothers have seen results and it has remained a tried and true milk stimulant.  Be warned: You may end up smelling like Maple Syrup.  That can be a good thing though, right?  Fenugreek can be bought in capsule form at health food stores and many grocery stores.  

Other Supplements that may help stimulate milk production

• Milk Thistle
• Blessed Thistle
• Chaste Tree
• Fennel Seed
• Goat’s Rue
• Anise Seed
• Red Raspberry Leaf
• Nettle
• Oatmeal

Before taking a new supplement/herb,especially while pregnant, nursing or on medications,  please consult your doctor or midwife.  

RELAX to Increase Milk Supply

Depression and Anxiety have followed me for most of my life and, as I mentioned when I introduced this series, I suffer from Postpartum Depression after each baby.   My personal issues greatly affect my milk supply.  I definitely notice a difference in the amount of milk I produce when I am able to relax and eat and drink properly.  I have even heard of women creating a specific room or space with a relaxing theme, soft music, candles, etc...  

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Breasfeeding: A Series {Position}

 

Photo Credit: Raphael Goetter
 

I  knew I was in trouble the moment I attempted to nurse for the first time.  You see women nursing with their babies cradled in their arms and it looks so natural.  When I tried to do that, I realized that the babies neck was not at a natural angle and was not getting a good latch.  It hit me that I had no idea how to hold her.  The nurses quickly corrected her positioning a bit but I couldn't figure out how to do it comfortably.

I wasn’t until I had the lactation consultant visit me at home that I was shown the Cross-Cradle Position, which is how I still nurse.  I know someone who holds the baby in the Football, or Clutch, Position and is able to walk and multitask while nursing.  Others prefer laying down with their babies. I have tried various positions but none of them feel as good to me as the Cross Cradle.  You find what you are comfortable with.  

The most important thing to remember when breastfeeding is how your baby is positioned.  Baby must be facing you, tummy to tummy (unless the hold does not permit).  Baby’s nose and mouth should be directly in front of the nipple and offset just enough so that the baby needs to open wide and jut their chin onto your chest.  If the baby has to turn or wriggle for comfort, the latch will suffer.  When the latch is wrong it leaves Mom sore and baby unsatisfied, so this is really important.  This diagram is a great visual for proper latch when Breastfeeding.

It is also important to remember your own comfort.  My favorite place to nurse is in a firm leather chair that we have in our family room.  My feet are set flat, my back needs just a small pillow for support and the arms are perfect for propping a pillow to support my arms.  I have nursed in many uncomfortable positions and it has taken it’s toll on me physically.  I tend to hunch and strain when I am not focused and my upper back and neck scream sometimes.  I suffered from pinched nerves in my left shoulder after having two under two because of bad habits I have tried hard to break.

I also recommend the assistance of a nursing pillow.  Some people say it facilitates bad form, but I could not disagree more.  I have both the Boppy and My Brest Friend and I love both for different things.  

The My Brest Friend is wonderful for the early days when you are learning because it stays put. There is no sliding, slouching or adjusting.  You buckle it around you and you are good to go.  I keep this one in my bedroom to use at night, sitting on my bed.  When I am groggy and disoriented in the middle of the night, I like the structure it provides.

The Boppy supports you when you are sitting in a chair or on the floor (which sometimes I do when I am playing with the older kids).  I also love the Boppy for bottle feeding.  It's great support for the arms and baby.  It’s easy to adjust and remove if necessary and it multitasks as a pillow for the baby. I lay the baby down on it to keep him elevated (with supervision), place him on his belly for extra lift at tummy time and to prop the kids up when they are just learning to sit on their own and need support. It’s also an awesome neck pillow when baby is done with it ;)

What tips do have for new Moms on this topic?  What position was your favorite?

The next installment of the series will be on Milk Supply.

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Breasfeeding: A Series {My Story}

 

Photo Credit: Raphael Goetter,

When it comes to the great breastfeeding debate, I have stood on both sides.  When I became pregnant with my first, I was dead set against using formula or bottles unless they were absolutely necessary.  It never occurred to me that I may not be good at breastfeeding or have a low supply.  I can’t for the life of me think why I didn’t prepare more for other possibilities because that is at the core of my being.  I have a really hard time focusing in on one thing and putting all of my eggs in one basket.

This Is Our Story

When my daughter was born, she wouldn’t latch.  I was a new mother and learning the art of nursing just as she was and it seemed like everything that I tried failed.  We lasted 3 full days of tears (both hers and mine) and finally I received help from a lactation consultant that knew what she was doing.  My insurance company offered the option of a visiting nurse/consultant and I reluctantly took the help, unsure of what she could do for me.  By the time she arrived Princess had lost quite a bit of weight and my stress level was through the roof.  

The nurse was very helpful.  She examined me and the baby and explained what might be wrong.  She discussed different ways to go about fixing the situation.  She was patient and kind and just what I needed......but 3 days too late.  I highly recommend taking any help you are offered even if you think you know it all.  I have learned new things with each baby.

I was suffering from Postpartum Depression and the stress of everything was making me a crazy person.  I continued exclusively breastfeeding for 3 more weeks (3 torturous, sleepless weeks of screaming and crying...) and then I finally gave into introducing formula.  Princess ate like I had never seen.  She was still a fussy baby but she finally seemed satisfied after a feeding.  Giving her a bottle became a time of peace for me.  It was solace when nursing felt like such a struggle.  I continued nursing for another 3 months while supplementing 1-2 times each day with formula.  Once I went back to work my measly supply dwindled even more and I switched to formula completely at 4 months.  At that point I also consulted my doctor about my PPD and was put on medication.  Things go a lot better after that.

I have thought back on that time and wondered if the PPD was to blame for my lack of supply.  Stress can definitely affect it and I had a very hard time eating and drinking.  I know it contributed to the stress and the stress added to the depression.  It was a bad cycle. However, I would see the same thing happen with my boys despite my increased efforts.

The idea of nursing my son when he was born stressed me out before we even got to it.  He latched well, but he was a ravenous and I never felt like he got enough.  Again, I suffered from PPD but sought treatment much earlier.  I decided that I would follow the exact same schedule with him as I did with his sister and introduced formula at 3 weeks old.  I stopped nursing at 4 months.

Before Nemo was born, I could tell depression was already seeping in.  I began a very low dose of medication at 35 weeks in attempt to keep it in check.  For the most part, it seemed to work.  I still had the "baby blues, " but I was much more functional this time around.   Nemo was born trying to find something to put in his mouth.  He latched right away and nursed almost non stop.  The nurses at the hospital even told me to take it slower.  This is my first baby that has done well nursing, but he also lost the most weight of all of them.  The doctor had me supplementing at 1 week old and we never looked back.  I decided not to put the additional stress of pumping on myself.  I learned with my first two that I didn’t have to force myself into anything.  My babies are healthy, happy, smart and well adjusted.  Formula has helped me meet their needs and I am grateful that science has come so far as to replicate mother’s milk so perfectly.  Nemo, just like his siblings, is getting my antibodies and all the benefits that breastfeeding offers.  He will continue until my supply gives out, just like with the others.  

Despite what you may hear or feel pressure to do, you need to do what is best for you and your family.  I wanted to share my experience because there seems to be shame and guilt associated with our choices as mothers and I know that reading the stories of other mothers gives me a feeling of fellowship.  I hope it does the same for you.

This was a LONG introduction to a new series on Breastfeeding.  I hope you will join me!

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The Ultimate Memorial Day Menu

Photo Credit: Chichacha

This week will be all about salads because Memorial Day Weekend is going to be a pig out sesh!!!

My Dream Cookout would taste like this:

Mexican Layer Dip
Fruit Salad
The Perfect Burger (The LA Burger)
The Chicago Dog
Southern Corn Bread
Barefoot Contessa's Mac and Cheese
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Patriotic Berry Trifle And/Or Mixed Berry Cheesecake (probably more And, not Or....)

Generous Amounts of these too:
The Worlds Best Frozen Margarita
Miller Chill (my summer staple)

There is more there than what I could possible eat in one sitting (try as I may), but that's what the whole weekend is for ;)

Join me over on Pinterest and take a look at my Memorial Day/Fourth of July Board!

Looking for more recipe inspiration? Check out Menu Plan Monday! 

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Friday Pics

Today I am sharing some pictures.  Some are from my Instagram feed and others are from my personal collection.

{New Shed // Hula Hooping // Baby Feet // Mother's Day Gift // Fairy Catching // Me // Flowers //Sunset}