Worrying about possible low milk supply at 6 months...

Question:

"OK so I worry a lot so hopefully someone knowledgeable will be able to reassure me.

My almost 6 month DD had her tongue tie snipped very recently (so so late!), and I know that tongue tie can cause poor feeding and so low milk supply - and I'm worried that this has happened to us and I wont be able to feed long term - and I really want to do extended breastfeeding for as long as she wants.

Basically she never seems satisfied after a feed - haven't seen that milk drunk look in a very long time, she never feeds for long - 1 or 2 minutes on each side... and has recently dropped to middle/;lower 9th centile from high 50th at birth. She's quite a fussy baby as well.... and not interested much in food yet (planning on BLW)

So... are we doomed to fail in extended feeding? Is she getting enough? Can I boost supply at this late stage if I need to?"

Answer:

Low milk supply can be increased at anytime. The important thing is to breastfeed and/or pump often, without skipping. Unless you are doing one or the other on a regular basis, your milk supply will suffer.

For low milk supply, herbs need to be used as soon as possible. They offer a safe and natural way to increase breast milk production. A great product to try is Breastea from http://www.breastea.com

In order for herbs to increase milk supply, you must use them on a regular basis. Try drinking a glass of Breastea when you sit down to breastfeed or pump.

Also baby might be ready to be started on cereal.

Is Baby Getting Enough To Eat From Breastfeeding?

One of the biggest worries of a breastfeeding mom is whether or not baby is getting enough breast milk. It doesn't matter if you're a new mom or a veteran mom, you're still going to worry.

There are different reasons why mom might began to worry about the amount her her breast milk supply. One reason might be the quantity of pumped breast milk is not very much. Another reason could be because she no longer becomes engorged. Regardless of the reason why she worries, the best way to determine if baby is getting enough milk is by weighing baby before and after a feeding.

Watch the above video for some great tips. If you feel like you have low milk supply and baby is not getting enough breast milk, contact the lactation consultant at the hospital where you delivered. She will be a big help.

If you are experiencing low milk supply, there are several great ways to increase it. Depending on your situation, you might need to breastfeed or pump more. Herbs really help increase breast milk production. A great product to try is Breastea from http://www.breastea.com to get your milk supply going strong.

Breastfeeding Latch On Makes A Breast MIlk Supply .... Or Breaks It!

When breastfeeding you want to make sure baby has a good latch. The best time to work on this is immediately after birth. While you are in the hospital, you will have access to the lactation consultant. By the time you are discharged, you will want to have established a good latch on.

Latch on will make or break your milk supply. If baby is latching on incorrectly, they will not be able to breastfeed effectively. This will trick your body into thinking that not much breast milk is needed. Then you will start a cycle of low milk supply.

Some moms simply aren't sure if baby is latching on correctly. If baby appears to be breastfeeding ok, I wouldn't worry so much. Painful nipples does not mean that baby is latching on incorrectly. Even with a good latch, your nipples are going to hurt for at least a week after you start breastfeeding, maybe longer. Use a good nipple creme to help soothe it. If the pain is unbearable, make an appointment with the lactation consultant. If something doesn't seem right, make an appointment with the LC. She can also weigh baby before and after breastfeeding to make sure baby is getting enough milk.

The above video is really good for explaining latch on. It's not very long, but it covers all the basics.

If for some reason breastfeeding latch isn't working, you can still breastfeed. You will probably need to use a pump, and pump every 2 to 3 hours. The best way to perfect the latch on is simply by practice though. Just keep trying. Even the most experienced breastfeeders were newbies at one time. As baby grows older, it will be easier for both of you. You can also try different breastfeeding positions to help baby latch on easier. For example, if you usually attempt breastfeeding laying down, try sitting up. An experienced lactation consultant can definitely help with all of this.

If you do experience low milk supply, try Breastea from http://www.breastea.com to increase your milk supply. They also offer affordable breastfeeding products like nipple creams, nursing shirts, baby clothing etc.