Question about breastfeeding...

[Adriana Rose]

I have been brestfeeding Little Bit all month and there has not been any problems. But now I have come down with a pretty nasty case of Mastitis... It really sucks but there is one hitch it seems that I have stopped producing enough milk for Little Bit ( granted he is 10 and a half pounds already) Is there any way that I can boost the production? I have been supplmenting with formula to help him get what he needs..
Please Help me!

[AnnaFaerie]

Honey, put him to your breast first. Then if you must feed him from the bottle. You production depends on him. The more he feeds the more you make.

Taking a bottle is easier for a baby. Some babies will not take the breast after getting a bottle for a while.

It is a fine line you walk. Your baby is still hungry so you give them the bottle (this is a reasonable thing to do) Your milk production goes down...not helping your problem.

I feel for you. Been there, done that. I'm sure some of the great women here will have newer info for you. I nursed back in the dark ages. LOL

[Buxom Wench]

About the only thing I can suggest is a breast pump.

Between feedings of Little Bit, try to express milk to put in a bottle for later.
Two things happen;
A.) Little Bit still gets breast milk instead of formula (formula is NOT a bad thing by the way)
B.) Because you are expressing more frequently, you'll produce more milk.

Other than that, I can only suggest asking your OB/GYN.

Hope this helped.

[Mistress_Autumn]

Antibiotics and frequent nursing. I don't recommend formula because you'll start producing less milk... which will create a vicious cycle that will end with him totally on formula and you producing nothing.

I had that problem with Anna... did the formula thing and ended up having to stick with formula because my supply died out.

Nurse the little one on the unaffected breast first (when he'll be suckling vigorously) and switch to the tender one in the middle of the feeding. Try to completely drain the tender one at each feeding. If Lil Bit isn't getting it done... breast pumps are your friend.

Ice packs can help with the pain...

Hope this info helps...

[Sorcha Griannon]

I agree with the others, get a breast pump. One with a variable speed is better. I ended up using it and not traditionally breast feeding mine. She still got breast milk, but I could give her to dad or g-ma to feed. (I was in bed much on my first week in a lot of pain from pulled episiotomy stitchs, and was not able to get in a good position that didn't cause extreme pain to breast feed). Pump more than you think you need to, to get your supply up, even if you aren't getting any milk.

Sorcha

[SHpepperKat]

I remember when my oldest was a infant, I had the same probloem and one of the theings that the nurses told me was to get in the shower with hot water on the affected breast. That helped the mastitis and then just nurse the little one as much as you can. It's so worth it all in the end. Best of luck to you .

[Adriana Rose]

Thanks for all the advise ladies.
Little bit has hit his 4 to 6 week growth spurt on top of me being sick! So I have been putting him on the breast and giving him a bottle too! He eats like a pig last nigh he ate like 10 oz! and he was still hungry!
But on the bright side I am feeling lots better and on meds from the doc and my production is getting back to what I think is right...

This mommy thing is taking a lot to figure out!

[Mistress Morigianna]

I have seen ive packs on ebay for thebreast that look like hair scrunchies with rice or corn in them so they can go in the freeze to get cold.

I am sure we have an herb pharm formula at the store for helping with nurseing. I will check tomarow.

[Mistress Morigianna]

Ok the herbpharm formula you need is " Mother's Lactation Tonic".

it has in it- chaste tree berry, fenugreek seed, caraway seed, fennel seed, and anise seed.
it is all blended in a bottle- you take 30-40 drops in water 3-4 times a day (reading off the bottle)

it is for " enhanceing the quality and quanity of breast milk. Especially where the production of milk is lacking or scanty"
it also settles nausea and gas in mom & baby.

we have it in stock if you need it. Just call and order if it's not on the website yet. 951 276-1116

Hope you are feeling better!