Instead of throwing in the towel when we hit our road blocks in the beginning, we powered through and after several appointments with our pediatrician, a lactation consultant, an ENT snipping Lily's tongue and one lofty purchase...we are well on our way to successful feedings!
Lily started life tongue-tied...yes, it's an actual thing. I had no idea! It isn't anything serious but it was making it difficult for her to latch when nursing. When Lily wasn't gaining weight as quickly as we liked, we decided to get help. The lactation consultant informed us that since Lily wasn't demanding enough milk during her feedings, my supply was decreasing and we needed to fix this ASAP.
So, off we went to do just that with the help of these tips and tricks...
Fenugreek
A funny name but a serious herb! Used for medicinal and culinary purposes by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, this herb has been known to reduce fever, flavor curry, make lip balm, treat skin infections, curb menstrual cramps, treat bronchitis and other respiratory or sinus problems, etc. Thanks to the hormone precursors in the seeds, this magic little herb can also increase milk supply in nursing moms.
I've been taking the pill form of fenugreek, found at Whole Foods, for a couple weeks now. I take 2-3 after each meal with a full glass of water. Now, this herb does affect everyone differently and it isn't guaranteed to increase supply for every woman. But, it has been known to have some results within 24-72 hours. Once your supply is stabilized, you can stop taking the pills.
With the increased milk supply comes some unfortunate and weird side effects. The worst is the upset tummy and increased sweating. Some scientists believe that fenugreek increases milk supply because it stimulates sweat production and breasts are simply modified sweat glands. I'll leave the reasoning to the smart guys!
The most bizarre side effect I've encountered is the maple syrup smell to both mine and Lily's urine. Yep, I told you that it was bizarre! But hey, if I have to spend a little time being a sweaty mess with sweet smellin' tickle to improve Lily's feedings...worth it!
Organic Mother's Milk Tea
This herbal tea contains bitter fennel, aniseed, coriander, fenugreek, blessed thistle and a blend of spearmint, lemongrass, lemon verbena and marshmallow root...all of which are organic ingredients! According to the packaging and my lactation consultant, the combination of anise, fennel and coriander has been used for centuries by European women to promote healthy lactation and to increase production.
It is suggested that you drink one cup 3-5 times a day the entire time you are nursing. Unfortunately, my stomach just can't handle it so I only drink 1-2 cups a day...one in the morning and the other before bed. Some think the tea is rather bitter, but I actually like it and find it almost sweet. To each their own!
Also, you can print a $1.50 off coupon after signing up for their newsletter here. Every little bit helps!
Lifestyle Changes
I say "changes" but most of these things are common sense...just be healthy! Tips include resting as much as you can, drinking tons of water, and eating a well-balanced diet. Also, cutting out smoking, caffeine, alcohol and unnecessary medications.
Remember, breastfeeding burns calories (approximately 600 a day...depending on what study you look at), so make sure you are eating enough and eating enough of the right things! My lactation consultant encouraged lots of raspberries, blueberries, oatmeal, whole grains and leafy greens.
Increasing Demand
This has been the biggest challenge! Mastering the art of supply and demand is the key to successful milk production. So...pumping has been a necessity. Lily tends to satisfy herself after approximately 15 minutes on each breast but she doesn't necessarily empty either one each feeding. So, to make sure their is a sufficient demand, I pump for an additional 10-15 minutes. With her feeding every 2-3 hours, you might as well call me "Daisy the Dairy Cow"!
I didn't notice a big change when adding the pumping until I added the night sessions. Lily is an excellent sleeper so we thought we hit the jackpot when she started sleeping through the night. Everyone says "sleep when the baby sleeps" so that is exactly what I did! Well, sleeping 6-8 hours at night means missing feeding sessions...which decreases demand and ultimately decreases supply. So, as much as I hate waking up at 3am, I'm loving having the extra milk around!
Now that it is time to return our rented breast pump back to the hospital, I researched and researched various pumps to purchase. Finally, I decided on the Medela Pump-In-Style Advanced. Although this is a lofty purchase, I used a coupon code and saved over $70 at Target.com! I should receive the pump tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to having the battery-operated option and the ability to easily travel with it! I'll let you know how it goes!
Now, all of these things have been a huge help and we have seen GREAT progress. BUT, the biggest thing that has led to Lily's successful weight gain and happy feeding sessions is...wait for it...patience. Remaining calm and as stress-free as possible is key to a happy mommy and a chunky baby!
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