Colostrum Powder - Am I producing enough milk?

Am I producing enough milk?

I gave birth 6 days ago. I have had trouble with my milk coming in. My baby lost over a pound and started developing jaundice so I had to supplement with formula (docs orders). Now, he refuses to nurse (pushes away my breast, cries, kicks). I try about 45 minutes to get him to nurse, and then give him a bottle (now mostly pumped breast milk, some formula). I am only getting an ounce at one sitting though (1/2 out of each breast) and pump for about 20 minutes at a time. It still has a yellow tint also. Is this colostrum mixed with milk? I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to produce enough milk, but I am trying my best. It is very disappointing for me and I know frustrating for him as well. Is it safe to be mixing formula and breastmilk like this? It seems to be agreeing with him. I don't know what to do. Scared first time mommy. Thank you in advance.

Public Comments

Relax, you're doing great! All babies lose weight after birth, my son lost about 2 pounds and was way healthy and getting enough milk. Once they lose, they will start gaining again in a week or so. Unfortunately, the baby does get adjusted to the bottle quickly and it does undermine breastfeeding with some babies. Keep offering your breast, and pumping. I think you should expect your milk supply not to be as great as it would be if you nursed as well because breastfeeding is partly mental/psychological. As far as the color, it varies from woman to woman and based on your diet. Mine was cream colored, but don't stress because your body will put whatever nutrients your baby needs in your milk. You should know if your milk is in because your boobs will just get huge! Mine were like double the size until it evened out. You can contact the WIC program for lactation support or la leche league. You can also call the maternity ward where you delivered and ask if they know where you can get free lactation support. Good luck and keep up the good work. I know how stressful it can be.
I think what's happening is pretty normal. My wife wasn't able to produce a lot of milk either with our first child. We did the same thing, both breast milk and formula. It's okay to do that. The thing about breast milk is that it has the purest nutrients for the child. That's why everyone recommends breast milk. On the second, yes, it will be yellowish in color. That's normal. Third, try massaging the breasts before pumping. This will help the flow. Lastly, don't try so hard on getting the child to latch. If he/she won't take it, don't force it. Pump instead. It's the breast milk that's the important thing. Breast milk is the same whether it comes from a bottle (by pumping) or the breast. As you are a first time mother, just relax and smile because you're doing just fine. It's okay to have some issues about nursing, but it's not a problem. However, baby losing a pound just born 6 days ago is a problem. Talk to your doctor about that.
You *can* produce enough milk - trust your own body. Breastfeeding is a tricky business for new mums AND new nurslings, but if you are determined enough, you can do it. - if you are not determined enough, this is no bad thing either - the invention of formula has been a life saver for millions of babies and is also a life saver for many mums - there's a lot to deal with being a first time mum and don't try to take it all on board if you aren't up to it. However, for perseverance, i would suggest: > lots of skin to skin contact - just remove your top if necessary and have him in just a nappy and just let him nurse and nurse in a warm room > try it in the bath as well - mimics womb/newly born scenario which sometimes stimulates the suckling reflex again. > he might be getting nipple confusion so try nursing him MORE than you bottle feed to encourage familiarity again > expressing is no indication of the milk you can produce - no pump can get the milk out like a baby can, so don't worry about what that indicates. i have just stopped breastfeeding after a year and I could never express a drop. > feed him when he is not desperate and not crying - cryiing raises the tongue into an unnatural position for latching on > try feeding him when he is a bit sleepy - babies tend to be less fussy then Yes, the yellow tiny is probably still colostrum. It is quite safe to mix formula and breastmilk and many mums do mix feed, but it can lead to exclusively formula feeding as your milk supply can lessen when not stimulated so much by baby and a nice contented baby feeding less often because his tum is nicely full of more dense, less easily digested formula can make mum feel really pleased he is all full up....! - That's how it was with my first - I only breastfed her for 6 weeks because i introduced formula and didn't know enough about breastfeeding. Visit the kellymom.com website for loads of great info. Good luck - and congratulations on the birth of your gorgeous son!
Everything that you just describe is very normal. From the jaundice, the baby not wanting to take the breast, to the color and the amount of milk (the milk is a supply and demand thing).At this age they don't drink very much. Its much easier for the baby to drink from a bottle then to work at getting it from the breast. DON'T GIVE UP...IT WILL GET BETTER. Do make sure you are getting enough fluids. Try hot showers to encourage the milk to flow. Call your doctor and ask about a support group. There are people out there to help you though this time, even show you how to get the baby to latch on properly. I have to children, both breast feed. The first time around, no one told me these things and it was very frustrating. Good luck and best wishes!!!
Only offer the breast. If that's all he has- then that is what he'll eat. The more he nurses the more milk will come in.
Ugh! I'm so tired of doctors messing up breastfeeding with their lack of knowledge. Tell your doctor to stick with medical concerns and let you take care of dietary issues. You need a lactation consultant. A certified LC can help you undo this mess that the doctor made. Call your hospital and ask for the lactation consultant. A La Leche League leader is another great person to ask for help. You don't have to be a member, you don't have to pay her, she just wants to help you breastfeed your baby. Take advantage; that help is very valuable. You can do this. You can lose the bottle and breastfeed your baby. You need help, just like many of us. We're meant to learn to breastfeed while we're surrounded by experienced mothers. Keep working on getting baby on the breast and losing the bottles for good. You can do it. BTW, that's a totally normal pumping output. How much you pump is NO reflection on how much milk you have. It sounds like you have transitional milk now. Each of us gets mature milk in at a different rate, but there is no nutritional concern with that.
My friend was unale to nurse so pumped exclusively and was able to do bottles of half breast milk and half formula. I think any breast milk they can get is better than none. There are foods that you can eat that help to produce milk production (like oatmeal) and also be sure to get plenty of liquids. Talk to a lactation consultant and see if they can help you with the latching on. Also they can give you pointers that might be more specific for you. Best of luck with your little one!
You need help, in person, from a qualified professional (or two or three) and even other breastfeeding mother's to get your baby back to breast. Nothing stimulates your production like a baby breastfeeding directly. Also your milk is SUPPOSED to be yellowy. It isn't like one second your breasts make colostrum and the next second they make milk. Besides that even "mature" milk can be blue-y, white, yellowy, orange-y, pinkish or even greeny depending on how much fat is it in and what mom's been eating. 1 oz is a pretty normal pumping output. Furthermore your baby shouldn't really be drinking more than an oz per "meal" Help -- My Baby Won't Nurse! http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html
yes its still colostrum and no you probably aren't producing enough milk but you will! supplementing is good, he has to eat right and you can't force your body to produce quicker than it is, and I know that they say that it isn't true but you should have a beer it wont hurt your baby, it really helped me i hate beer but i gave it a shot and i was amazed i went from hardly anything coming out to 3-3 1/2 from each side. and when you go to pump you should try putting a heating pad on your breasts and make sure you are really relaxed and it will really help with the let down of your milk! and you probably will suprise yourself with how much you have in there, but once you are comfident at the amount that is coming out you should try to get your baby back on since pumping is so time consuming! I had to pump for a week and it was hard to get my son back on but then one feeding it was just like we had been doing it for years! Good luck, things like this can really play on you emotions! don't be scared as long as your baby has a full belly everything will work out!
I agree with Hunny Bunz answer. Congratulations on the birth of your baby - it's a challenge as you learn your new role. La Leche League are the experts when it comes to supporting Mums to breastfeed the best they can. Be gentle with yourself and spend lots of time Skin to Skin with baby(baby just a nappy & your chest bare or in a bath together) - especially when he's half asleep as he is more likely to latch onto your breast with no pressure - just lots of loving & close cuddles. Skin to Skin promotes oxytocin levels to calm baby (& Mum!) & assist the let down reflex in the breasts. A teat is much easier to feed from so it may take some time to encourage him back to your breast fully. It will be so worthwhile to keep pumping & giving him natures best - maybe from an ordinary cup instead? Colostrum is mixed with early milk for a couple of weeks then changes to mature milk that looks like "trim" milk - it's meant to because it's species specific - ie human milk for human babies. Best wishes - relax & enjoy your new baby! Ignore everything else (like housework etc) & spend this early & precious time together setting up a longterm milk supply & special relationship with your precious offspring.
Milk can take a week to come in, esp with a C section. It is safe to mix formula and breast in a pinch, but here is a better idea to get that milk coming in. Rent a hospital grade (2 boobs at once) breast pump (some insurance covers it if your doc confirms you are having problems), pump every two hours until you are getting a good let down reflex. Drink plenty of fluids, drink mother's milk tea twice daily. Once your milk starts to let down well, coat your nipple with it, and offer the breast to your infant, running the nipple area over his lips and make sure he's latching on well.. Also, my lactation consultant suggested weak camomil tea to supplement my breast milk as it was building up, to fill her stomach. My baby lost 9 oz in the hospital, before my milk came in, so I know how scared you must feel. I did too. But my milk finally did come in and now, geez, I could supply the neighborhood. My baby is now 12 days old, and things have gotten 100% better. Also using formula is not evil as some granola earth mommas would like you to believe, it's just that breast is best, so do what works for you and your baby.
Don't feel bad if every now and then you give the baby some formula from a bottle. If you have been cluster feeding and you are tired just give in a give a little formula you won't wrek your breastmilk supply. Don't listen to everyone and don't feel guilty relax and give the baby a bottle. You are trying your best remember the baby pulls more out of you then the pump I could not pump that much al all. I t so frustrating but learn from my mistake and don;t feel guilty about whatever plays out your intention is there. Keep try if you have to go to a bottle of formula it is not the end of the world. Breast or bottle feeding gets easier twrds the 3 month because the baby is usually less gassy and can stay awake more during a feeding. I t is hard in the first few months IT GETS BETTER.
First, switch doctors. The best thing for jaundice is non lazy doctors and very frequent nursing. The baby is only 6 days old. I would imagine that the jaundice started at one or two when babies really don't need to take in much of anything. Kick the bottles. Find a licensed LC and work with her. She can help you get your baby to latch and suck right. Do it soon, before it's too late (well, it's never too late but the longer you wait, the harder it is) Good luck
I found that a nipple shield helped with latching issues. I would suggest you talk to a lactation consultant. The best thing to do is to keep trying with the latching. It is hard to establish your milk supply with a pump (a hospital grade pump works best). 6 days is still very young. Try to do it when she's hungry but not so hungry that she's fussing. Congrats and good luck.