A Low Supply First Time Mum

Documenting my journey as a low supply FTM so far.

How it all began: 2 nights after my C-Sect and baby boy was born, I woke up feeling pain in my left boob and thought to myself: this is it. ENGORGEMENT. True enough, it felt hard, full and PAIN. My boobs also increased in size. I was desperate and determined to get whatever input I could on how to ease the pain as it was increasingly awful. I called the nurses and lactation consultant (LC) in. I was taught how to massage and gynae introduced the rolling nipple technique. LC even measured my nipple size and squeezed out my colostrum and those first few drops of milk. There was even a small spray!

After my discharge from hospital, I decided to engage a masseuse and she did a fantastic 45 mins job of clearing that awful engorgement. After the session, my boobs became soft and most importantly the pain was gone. I decided to pump and there was some milk. Unfortunately, since that day, I’ve tried means and ways to increase my milk supply but to no avail — even tried power pumping for an additional 10 mins with 10 mins rest after main pumping.

What I’ve tried so far:

MilkForBubs lactation cookies (5 cookies a day), Oatside Choc milk, oats, avocado, red bean soup, red date tea, fish soup, etc. Can’t help but think: Maybe I’m not doing enough? Maybe I’m not having enough rest, insufficient water, not eating enough to increase my calorie intake and milk supply?

Hence, baby is currently having mixed feedings — 60ml formula + 20ml-35ml of expressed breast milk with an approximate weight of 3kg.

Having a low supply is nothing to boast about and the first two weeks were the hardest. I cried daily at night because of the stress from having to wake up just to pump, not to mention living with a confinement nanny who always gives unsolicited comments like “so little (milk)?” “So much (milk)?” oh got improvement” at some point she even commented on the thickness/creaminess of the milk! There were days I wish she could just leave but she’s doing a decent job taking care of baby boy so we are just tolerating til the last day.

I am still struggling to come to terms with my new reality as I bid farewell to my previous life and those precious 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep but it’s getting better day by day. Having to wake up every 3-4 hours just to pump is seriously exhausting, draining and demoralizing when you have manual pumps stuck to each side of your boobs for 20-30 mins and supply is only like 20ml to 40ml for both sides.

Of course, everyday I feel like giving up and just can’t wait for baby to start his hands on solids, for his mood to be a little less erratic.

These days, my motivation for pumping lies mainly in the fact that I want to get something to feed baby. (Latching isn’t that smooth because of the positioning and I feel he doesn’t latch well entirely though he’s trying his utmost best — he’s really aggressive when hangry) 🫠

If anyone has tips or suggestions on increasing milk supply, send them our way! Lecithin? Fenugreek?

#FTM #breastfeedingmomma #breastfeedinglife #pumpingisbreastfeeding #pumpingjourney