My breast feeding journey
So I had an appointment with a new lactation consultant, because the first girl I had an appointment with, wasn’t super helpful. With this new girl she gave me a lot of relief with the information she provided. So basically she told me I don’t really have a supply, that yes I’m not dried up because I get drops when I hand express but I don’t have enough to where I get some in a bottle when I pump, and since before I was making enough and I was pumping enough, that everything is fine with my pump parts. She also said these remedies or eating oatmeal or coconut water or lactation supplements won’t really help because I don’t have a supply, so I have to get a supply first. And that made sense to me because I did try all these things, I’ve looked up countless videos and eating good and drinking a lot of water I’ve tried Oreos and I’m currently using flax seeds and yeast. But none of that worked. So we talked and she said I have to consistently pump because honestly I wasn’t before. Then in two weeks if I don’t see a difference then we’re gonna go from there. So let’s see what happens.
⚠️I want to note that before my baby was latching, but because I’m not making anything he gets frustrated and he’s not latching any more⚠️
⚠️Also I’ve tried oatmeal, and protein, and yes I drink water, coconut water, flax seeds, brewers yeast, I have tried soups and Oreos, I pray about it too, I’ve tried other things as well and it hasn’t worked⚠️
and yes I have the correct flange size 👍🏻
From my experience, one of the most important lessons when dealing with low milk supply is the power of consistency. The lactation consultant emphasized that pumping regularly is key to signaling your body to increase production. I hadn't realized how sporadic my pumping schedule was impacting my supply, but now I make sure to pump every two to three hours, even if it feels tiring. While many suggest natural supplements like oatmeal, flax seeds, or brewers yeast, I learned that these are only supportive if there is already an established milk supply. It's crucial to first focus on stimulation and emptying the breasts frequently. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a balanced diet certainly helps overall health, but it's not a quick fix for low supply by itself. Another challenge I faced was that my baby stopped latching due to frustration, which is common when supply is low. Skin-to-skin contact and gentle attempts to reintroduce breastfeeding helped maintain a connection, but supplementing with expressed milk or formula became necessary. Each baby and mother’s journey is unique, so it’s important to seek support from a lactation consultant to develop a tailored plan. Using the correct flange size on the breast pump also made a difference in comfort and effectiveness, something I overlooked initially. Sharing this journey, I hope other mothers struggling with similar issues feel less alone and more empowered to keep trying different strategies. Above all, patience, support, and persistence are key on the path to improving breastfeeding success.
