My wife isn't producing breast milk - I'm scared

[Kobayashi]

My wife gave birth on Sunday and she hasn't been producing enough breast milk. The baby was always crying because she was constantly hungry. We gave her formula today hoping that my wife would be able to pump enough breast milk to supplement the formula.

I'm scared. I never considered the possiblity that my child would not be breast fed. I can't blame my wife as the baby really was not getting enough to eat.

I don't know what to do. My wife is trying to pump but it does not seem to be working. Any advice would be helpful.

BTW, we live in Yonghe (Taipei County).

[Charlie Phillips]

My mother would say eat lots of lettuce, but it might be an old wives tale. It might be worth looking into the diet angle.

BTW, congratulations!

[AmoyMama]

I had the same problem with my first for the first couple of weeks. Could hardly even pump a drop. Very frequent nursing (every 2 hours or so), lots of rest, lots of fluids, and trying to diminish stress (particularly stress about breast-feeding!) increased milk levels.

When you say that your baby is crying all the time because she is hungry--how often is she wanting to nurse? Every couple of hours (12 times a day, for up to 30 minutes a nursing session) is normal for a newborn, even if your wife's milk supply is sufficient. Make sure that your wife offers both breasts during each nursing session, and that your daughter is taking the whole nipple into her mouth, so as to properly compress the milk sinuses.

Fenugreek is often recommended as an herbal supplement to aid in milk production, but I don't know if it's easily available here. Oatmeal is also said to help.

And try to relax. If you and your wife are worried about it, it is going to affect her supply, and the baby will pick up on the anxious cues as well. Give it time. And congrats on the new wee one.

[Tempo Gain]

And try to relax. If you and your wife are worried about it, it is going to affect her supply, and the baby will pick up on the anxious cues as well. Give it time. And congrats on the new we one.

Right. And if it doesn't happen, the baby will be fine. I understand it may be very important to you and your wife, but it seems to me in the big picture, with all the responsibilities and things you'll have to do with a new baby, it's not worth getting overly stressed about.

[914]

Have u spoken with the lactation consultant at your hospital? Theyre very hepful. It could be a bad latch,tongue tie, or baby just doesnt know how to suckle, and not a supply issue with urwife. Also, milk takes a few days to come in, so your wife is probably a bit slower. I have seen "mothers milk" tea bags in the city. The baby stores by hospitals should carry them. If u are in the city, there are a few big bb stores such as theone by cathay hospital. Amoy mama mentioned oatmeal too. Lots of water, dark beer, and keep putting baby to the breast andkeep pumping. An ounce is a good start. Massage and stimulation.

U can contact parentsplace in Neihu, they have breastfeeding class. Or tryla leche league intaipei. Kellymom.com also has good info on milk supply. Keep trying, I know its very frustrating. Give urwife lotsof support. If she wants to give up, dont make her feel bad about doing so. There is nothing wrong with formula.

Also, get yourpump checked out(im not sure if the hospital does this here, ive yet to call the medela company andask if i can bringmy pump in for a tuneup) to see if the suction is strongenough, if your wife has the right sized flange, andif the membrane is new.

[Nuit]

I second la leche league http://www.llli.org/taiwanchinese.html,
there'll be someone local who's part of that, and who will RACE round to the hospital to give you advice and support at this stressful time.
I wouldn't solely rely on the hospital - great as the maternity care usually is, the la leche lass will prob give better advice on this area.

Maybe get a friend to get in touch for you, you're both probably pretty tired and exhausted. Don't be afraid to delegate!

[Ktownboy]

My wife had the same problem with our newborn a few weeks ago.
Some things I got from the local pharmacy that helped:
- Lecithin Tablets
- Special Massage tool for the breast.

Plus, check some online lists for things to avoid. My wife started drinking ginsing tea; a big no-no.

[Petrichor]

I had this problem with my last baby as he was big and very hungry. The solution that worked for me was to keep the baby in bed and let it feed as often as it wanted to, with lots of skin to skin contact.
I would caution to be wary of dehydration in this weather, though, and to offer boiled, cooled water from a sippy cup as and when too.

[touduke]

my wife increases the amount of milk by drinking german malt beer from Costco called "Karamalz".
She says that hops stimulates the production of breastmilk.

[Isha]

It takes couple of weeks of constant try to get enough amount of breast milk flowing. In my opinion your wife should feed the baby as often as possible.