tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post8548806095540557705..comments2024-02-01T03:58:24.562-08:00Comments on LactConnect Breastfeeding Blog: Why Fenugreek Isn't Working for BreastfeedingTanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-83395229808653900602023-04-21T07:44:36.310-07:002023-04-21T07:44:36.310-07:00Breast milk frozen when you were taking fenugreek ...Breast milk frozen when you were taking fenugreek may or may not make your baby gassy due to the fact that your baby's digestive system is now more mature. If it does, and you still need to use your older supply, mix with fresher breast milk to lessen the effect.Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-6433586412249343432020-09-09T11:07:01.359-07:002020-09-09T11:07:01.359-07:00Fenugreek definitely helped me increase my supply ...Fenugreek definitely helped me increase my supply and I now pump 30-34 oz a day. My kiddo is only 3 weeks old. I pump every 2-4 hours, basically right after he eats (I exclusively pump for personal reasons). However, my little dude has been really gassy, lots of spit up, and some diarrhea followed by diaper rash. And I've been pretty gassy lately too, to the point of nausea. I read somewhere that this could be a fenugreek side effect. So since my supply is up and maintained, I can stop taking the herb. Here is the conundrum... I have frozen 115 oz over the past couple of weeks while taking the fenugreek. I wouldn't say the milk is tainted but it probably still has traces of the fenugreek. We probably won't need the frozen stuff for another few months, but I can't bring myself to throw it out because I worked hard for that so that when I go back to work in 2 months and my supply drops that he is well taken care of. But I also know that the digestive system is still developing and should be well established in the first 3 months. So am I okay to keep my frozen milk around or will it just make my baby gassy and spit up all over again in a few months once the milks thaws?? Chelsea Kauffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01765928448804673570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-29801014556333884052018-03-29T05:12:39.789-07:002018-03-29T05:12:39.789-07:00Some IUD's release progestin which in most cas...Some IUD's release progestin which in most cases does not reduce milk supply, but some women are susceptible to low milk supply with progestin only pills and progestin-releasing IUDs. If the low supply coincided with the insertion of the IUD, it may be the culprit. For other women reading this comment, it is advisable to try progestin only mini pill prior to committing to an IUD as it is easier to stop the pill than to remove the IUD. Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-82286272887242907142018-03-01T06:21:48.429-08:002018-03-01T06:21:48.429-08:00I have been breast feeding and now bottle feeding ...I have been breast feeding and now bottle feeding my LO since I returned to work 1/30. upon returning my supply was @ 4oz total per session. 2 weeks later supply dropped to 1-1.5 per session. I have tried goats rue, moringa, prenatals, diet, lactation cookies etc. No luck. Lactation consultant advised against fenugreek and recommended Go-Lacta. Another form of Moringa. could this be a result of an IUD? this was put in place end of DecemberEricahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14180198889742297346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-58270467105540430652018-02-13T12:11:32.568-08:002018-02-13T12:11:32.568-08:00I am not sure why your milk supply would drop with...I am not sure why your milk supply would drop with Fenugreek, but there are definately ways to increase milk supply without herbs. Cluster nursing is helful if you baby is amenable. Using a good double electric breast pump to simulate a growth spurts works well. To simulate a growth spurt to spur your body to increase milk supply, pump for 10-15 min of double pumping 3 times per day in addition to the normal nursing/pumping sessions on your current routine. Do this for 5 days in a row and then check milk supply again on Day 6. Best wishes!Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-34319650655332472392018-02-13T08:15:32.183-08:002018-02-13T08:15:32.183-08:00This was a great article and gave me a ton of info...This was a great article and gave me a ton of info as I am EBF my LO. Ive read some of the comments and answers provided but still have questions regarding my own situation. My LO is 3.5 mos old. Ive been EBF since birth but started to look for ways to increase my supply so I started taking funugreek capsules (1 3xs/day). I noticed that my supply seemed to decrease so I never upped the dosage. I came across another article that recommended Birth Song Botanicals "Let there be milk". Tried that (1ml 3xs/day) and my supply seemed to almost instantly drop. Do you have any suggestions on increasing my supply a bit so that Im able to store milk for emergencies and others to feed my LO? Nikki Ceehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14913614135178357792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-69246922904155681932017-09-15T08:08:56.296-07:002017-09-15T08:08:56.296-07:00You are welcome! That is not necessary since she ...You are welcome! That is not necessary since she is 6 months of age. The average infant that age only feeds 5 times per day, but you are pumping or nursing 8 to increase supply so as long as you get all that in during the day, there is no reason to wake either of you at night. Best wishes!Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-70220655307682484382017-09-15T07:46:16.169-07:002017-09-15T07:46:16.169-07:00Thank you for all the great tips! We quit using th...Thank you for all the great tips! We quit using the nipple shield at around 3 or 4 months, so I was really happy with that. I will increase to 5 capsules three times daily and see if that helps. <br /><br />Should I be waking up at night and pumping? My daughter has slept consistently through the night since she was 5 weeks old. I want to increase my supply, but I also want to be well rested for work. It's a hard balance. I've heard that my body should adjust but I've also heard that I should be waking up and pumping. I'm not sure what to do. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607542217628525948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-67178074931768057882017-09-14T12:23:22.477-07:002017-09-14T12:23:22.477-07:00I am so sorry you have had so much trouble. A nipp...I am so sorry you have had so much trouble. A nipple shield can decrease milk supply by 10% without additional pumping stimulation, but it sounds like the supplementing caused a downward spiral. A 6 mo old infant needs approximately 24 oz of breastmilk in conjunction with her solid foods daily so while 6 oz may not seem like much, you are giving her 25% of the best milk possible. Having said that, I would love to help you increase your supply. First, unless you are having loose stools, I would either increase your fenugreek to 5 capsules three times daily or do 3 fenugreek and 2 blessed thistle combination 3 times daily. Continue pumping or nursing 8 times per day until supply is re-established, but re-position the breast shields every 3 minutes so you engage more milk ducts. Make sure you have replaced valves and filters or diaphragms as new ones will improve the suction on your pump. Finally, use a feeding tube to keep her interested at the breast. Here is a link to an inexpensive tube that can be placed in her bottle and then slipped into the corner of her mouth while she is nursing. http://www.lactationconnection.com/Jack-Newman-s-Lactation-Aid-Feeding-Tube-p/54-5036-2.htm There is also a video of this in use on the linked page. <br />Best wishes!<br />TanyaTanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-43348488594814609262017-09-13T14:19:48.194-07:002017-09-13T14:19:48.194-07:00My daughter is 6 months old and I have struggled w...My daughter is 6 months old and I have struggled with milk supply since she was 2 months old. Her first month, we did great and she was gaining as expected. However, at her 2 month checkup, she was only 9lb 4oz (her birth weight was 7lb 14oz). She swallowed meconium at birth and was in the NICU, so I did not get to nurse her often in the hospital. We only tried twice and she wouldn't latch, so the LC suggested I use a nipple shield. With her poor weight gain and lack of wet/dirty diapers, we were encouraged to supplement. I work full time and pump 7-8 times a day and only get 6 total oz. She nurses great in the morning and acts satisfied, however, the rest of the day she refuses to nurse and gets very frustrated because milk isn't flowing out like a bottle. So far I have been taking 8 capsules of the 610mg capsules of fenugreek daily. Should I be increasing this? I do not want to wean but I feel like I've tried everything to increase my milk supply and it's not working. Pumping countless times a day and only getting 6oz is deflating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-52696702512822938272017-08-24T06:25:34.398-07:002017-08-24T06:25:34.398-07:00It is most likely stress induced or a lack of adeq...It is most likely stress induced or a lack of adequate stimulation and not the fenugreek. Make sure you are pumping a minimum of eight times per day with a good double breast pump for 10-15 minutes per pumping. Hang in there mama! Your breast milk is golden!Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-25714116968639348212017-08-24T06:14:37.532-07:002017-08-24T06:14:37.532-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-62321222479247322952017-08-23T17:24:56.563-07:002017-08-23T17:24:56.563-07:00Hi, my son was feeding with a tube when he was bor...Hi, my son was feeding with a tube when he was born, I started pumping at the hospital I got an emergency c section, I started producing some milk not much but he never wanted to latched it was very frustrating and still I never give up I been pumping and still trying to latch him they feeding later at the hospital with a bottle a heavy flow so now it's impossible for him to latched on. I'm taking fenugreek although I didn't have a problem with my milk supply, wanted to increased it I started taking fenugreek notice an incredible increase within 2 days but for some reason on my 4 th day my milk almost dried out!! I don't understand could this be the fenugreek??Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08609473678408292802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-52841455631652118892017-08-17T06:12:33.761-07:002017-08-17T06:12:33.761-07:00The Honest Brand may honestly not be doing you any...The Honest Brand may honestly not be doing you any favors. Since the Lactation Plus formula combines other herbs, I cannot tell you to take more than recommended. Find fenugreek that has been freshly stocked on the shelf in 610-626 mg and start with three capsules, three times per day. If you don't get loose stools, you can move up to five capsules three times per day. Instead of power pumping, I usually recommend simulating a growth spurt. Pump 11-12 times per day for a 10-15 minutes of double pumping for five days in a row. Studies show this amount of stimulation to increase milk supply in most women. Best wishes!Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-21598115511594672542017-08-17T06:12:00.731-07:002017-08-17T06:12:00.731-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-40631496355310642772017-08-17T06:05:39.497-07:002017-08-17T06:05:39.497-07:00The mg content on the brand you are taking is not ...The mg content on the brand you are taking is not enough for the dosage you are taking. Also, fresh herbs are best so if the bottle has been open for a while or you have had it for a while, you might buy a new bottle. The optimal dosage is 3095mg to 3130 mg three times per day so calculate that according to each capsule mg. Also to simulate a growth spurt you must add three pumping sessions for five days in a row. Best wishes!Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-37739069714271439112017-08-16T23:42:28.381-07:002017-08-16T23:42:28.381-07:00My daughter is now 1 month old and I've been e...My daughter is now 1 month old and I've been exclusively pumping for 2 1/2 weeks now. I tried breastfeeding in the beginning but she was extremely tongue tied and even after having it corrected she wasn't getting enough milk by nursing. I had 2 appointment with a lactation specialist before I decided to exclusively pump. I have a Medela double pump and I've been pumping every 2-3 hrs. Mostly every 2 hr. In the night I wake up every 4-5 to pump. I have been taking lactation plus capsules (the honest co. Brand) for 3 weeks but only 2 capsules a day which the directions said. I have been taking 9 fenugreek capsules for 6 days and after 3 days bumped up to 11 capsules a day. Some times I'll pump out 2 oz. combined from both sides then other times I'll get .5-1 oz. I'm really trying to build my supply enough to start saving for when I go back to work. At this point my baby is getting more formula then breast milk and that's not what I want to do at all. I put in so much work to only give her 1-2 oz a feeding when she's up to almost 4oz each feeding. I tried power pumping, pumping for 10 min then resting 10 then pumping 10 etc. for 60 min 3 days in a row like the lactation nurse recommended and still my supply has barely increased. Majority of the time I get about 1 1/2 oz. about every 2 1/2 hr. I never had issues with milk supply with my other kids as they were strictly breastfed I did not pump. Do you have any suggestions that I haven't tried? I read to increase the fenugreek to 15 capsules a day which I will try and I see there is other herbs I can combine with it I will try. I'm just ready to give up which makes me very sad but I feel like it's so much work for such a small amount. Please if you have any recommendations please please let me know! Thanks!!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10264914062530727863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-59275823055819992612017-07-31T05:25:01.733-07:002017-07-31T05:25:01.733-07:00Hi. I will also like some help. Im taking fenugree...Hi. I will also like some help. Im taking fenugreek from a well known brand South Africa bought at a pharmacy5x 500mg three times a day thus taking 15 caps daily. No increase in milk supply. Baby is drinking every 3 hours. I have even tried powerpumping for 3 days as well as pumping from the breast he had his feed from to make sure its EMPTY. Still no luck Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07018343078749563911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-11084778277572402242017-05-04T09:11:10.869-07:002017-05-04T09:11:10.869-07:00It sounds like she is right on target having regai...It sounds like she is right on target having regained her birth weight by 2-3 weeks. Although if she was premature, they might be wanting her to gain more rapidly. The pump you are using may not give you an accurate reading and it needs to be 3 hours since you fed to get an accurate amount that you are producing. My recommendation is to use a good double pump such as the Hygeia EnJoye, Spectra S2 or Ameda Purely Yours. To get her to do a longer stretch at night, wake her every 2 hours during the day and make sure she is not sleeping at the breast, but rather actively sucking and swallowing. Massaging the breast towards her mouth helps with this. She should gain at least 0.141748 kg which is 5 oz each week right now. Supplementation with formula can decrease your milk supply so it is better to put her on the breast frequently as long as she is wetting and pooping well as discussed previously. IF you supplement, make sure you pump for 10-15 min with a good double pump or your milk supply will be compromised. Best wishes!Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-83332414170840996822017-05-04T08:39:12.697-07:002017-05-04T08:39:12.697-07:00Her birth weight is 2.53kg. Last check was yesterd...Her birth weight is 2.53kg. Last check was yesterday and weight was 2.62kg. Im currently using Avent single pump and usually I pumped in the day time but not often as Im always getting that little amount which always demoralised me thus, I chose to latch on demand throughtout and used formula at night when she just wont sleep despite the hourly feeding and crying for more milk. If I pumped, I would do it 3hours after last feeding. I did tried to pump post feeding and of course, amount was even lesser than 10mls. I did ever pumped at night and its just the same. I had no issue with baby wetting diapers eversince birth and before supplementing with formula as she has been able to wet diapers both urine and motion up till now and yes, 6-8 diapers with 3-4 mustard coloured stools. I do know baby will wake up for feedings at night but what makes me wonder and tires me is that she tends to want more even with hourly feeding and dont really sleep much as she does in the day time where she slept at least 2-3hrs before nxt feeding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-34606133380776759192017-05-04T07:21:37.348-07:002017-05-04T07:21:37.348-07:00In order to best assist you, I will need a little ...In order to best assist you, I will need a little more information. What was her birth weight. When was her check up and how much did she weigh? What pump are you using? What time of day did you pump and how long had it been since the last feeding when you got the 10ml? Was your 2 week hold having 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 mustard colored stools before you began supplementing? (As a side note, please know that it is not common for babies to sleep through the night at that age.) Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-72233007466961706682017-05-04T01:01:43.789-07:002017-05-04T01:01:43.789-07:00Hi! I have just delivered my baby girl 2 weeks ago...Hi! I have just delivered my baby girl 2 weeks ago and have been breastfeeding her exclusively till few days ago, I really had to supplement with formula milk as she just refused to sleep at night and woke up every hour for feeding. Gave her both breasts and still insufficient and cried for more feeds. Almost every night she has been doing that and at the same time, Im also wondering if Im really producing enough milk for her. She did pass urine and stools. The thing is, whenever I did not latch and chose to pump instead, I could only get 5-10mls out of each breast. Shouldnt milk supply gets more when we latch often? Im really into breastfeeding and hoping that with my pumped milk, i could use it for night time if she needs extra milk instead of using the formula. However, my milk dont seem to increase and it really saddens me. Baby latches well and in day time, she slept 2-3hrs after every feed before waking up again for the next. May I know why my milk just dont come out when being pumped out? Am I really producing that much of milk only? & I wonder why baby refused to sleep despite hourly feeding. Im amazed with how other mothers can get 2-3oz everytime. ohh and i always get a let down every time during the start of latching. I thout i had an oversupply but when i pumped, its just the same little amount. help! :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-3045698769149011132017-05-01T06:33:49.368-07:002017-05-01T06:33:49.368-07:00This often happens when pumping moms get what they...This often happens when pumping moms get what they need in less pumping sessions, but your body thinks you are weaning unless you are pumping 8 times or more per day with a baby under 6 months. My recommendation is to pump every 2 hours during the day for 5 days in a row and then go to every 3 hours until your baby is 6 months. Make sure you get at least 8 10-15 minute double pumping sessions with a good double pump such as Ameda, Spectra or Hygeia. Pump even if milk is not flowing as the principle of supply and demand applies. If you day gets busy and you miss a pumping, put the next two closer together as little as 1 hour apart to get in 8 per day, but pumping for 30 min does not equal two 15 min pumpings. They need to be spread apart to be effective at telling your body your baby needs more milk. Best wishes! Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-30260067019148755152017-04-30T06:30:05.829-07:002017-04-30T06:30:05.829-07:00Hi I am trying to increase the amount of pumped mi...Hi I am trying to increase the amount of pumped milk. Baby is two months old, about 14 pounds. He never latched, so I just pump. I eventually just went to 4 pumping sessions a day and he is formula fed for the rest. I went to 4 sessions bc it was just too much to feed him, hold him and try to spend quality time with him if I was also pumping every 2 to 3 hrs all day. I was getting 16 oz total over those 4 sessions and now it has gradually dropped to 12 oz and I'm afraid it will keep dropping. I've been taking natures way fenugreek 5 capsules 3 x a day for a week and haven't noticed an increase. Some days I try to add an extra 15 min pumping session but that totals in maybe another oz max. Any suggestions? I am fine with him being 50/50 formula and breast milk, but I am nervous my supply will just keep dropping to nearly nothing. Thanks! LauraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108763729877342279.post-3219369955257174682016-09-03T07:51:27.216-07:002016-09-03T07:51:27.216-07:00Don't give up mama! Premature babies health is...Don't give up mama! Premature babies health is greatly affected by whether or not they receive breastmilk. Every ounce or ml counts! Email me with specifics about your baby's weight at birth and how old your baby is now and what the current weight is so I can give you specific advice. Contact me through my website here: http://www.lactationconnection.com/articles.asp?ID=252Tanya Roberts, BSEd, LChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092865643001577666noreply@blogger.com