Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Decreased Milk Supply after Pumping | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Last week I went through major oral surgery and was unconscious for the procedure. I normally breastfeed my daughter but because of the surgery I had to supplement her with formula. When I started nursing her again I noticed that I wasn't making enough to satisfy her even though I pumped and disposed of the bad milk during the this time. Now I have to nurse and supplement her because I still do not make enough for her. Why is this? I am also taking pain medication but only take it after I feed her.— RBGarver in Virginia Beach | | | ANSWER |
December 4, 2001 | | | Dear RBGarver,
For many moms pumping is unfortunately just not as effective as nursing. I think maybe your milk supply dropped off a bit and then as you continued to supplement the baby, you sent your body the wrong message. Maybe if she only got your milk, she would be nursing more frequently to try to get the supply up. But now when you give her formula after nursing she gets satisfied, and then she doesn't try to nurse again soon enough to stimulate your milk supply to increase. The biggest determinant of your milk supply is how much the baby nurses. It is totally supply and demand--or rather, demand determines supply.
You might want to nurse more frequently for a few days, pump between feedings, and try to discontinue supplementing her as soon as you can. Some women find that non-alcoholic beer helps stimulate their milk supply as well. And don't forget to drink plenty of water!
If you want to get back to fully breastfeeding, it's important to get on top of this problem as soon as possible. Your daughter, in her efforts to get full sustenance from you, will be your best partner in trying to get your supply back up. Good luck to both of you!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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