LaurenS

Etph007 · #1 January 9th, 2010, 04:11 PM

Didn't you have a bad reaction to Fenugreek? I have been taking 2 a day but have heard that in order to see better results I should take more. I want to increase my supply as the baby is starting to demand more and I EP, but I am a little nervous of an allergic reaction. What are your thoughts? Thanks!!

KCMomma · #2 January 9th, 2010, 05:33 PM

OMG yes, I remember she had a bad reaction to it and was taken to the hospital if I remember corectly. I took Mother's Milk Plus and did notice a difference. I EP from about 2-5 months...if you don't mind me asking why are you EP?

Etph007 · #3 January 9th, 2010, 06:01 PM

I have the mother's milk tea but I haven't used it yet. I am EP because when we were in the hospital and Kylar wasn't eating, I wasn't allowed to BF so I started pumping and they would give him some supplements and some BM. Once we got home I tried to resume nursing and he really wasn't interested. He'll nurse every now and then but he gets frustrated. We also still have to add a tbs of Neosure to the breastmilk to give him extra calories. Pumping is a little exhausting and inconvenient but I hope to do it as long as possible.

Celry · #4 January 9th, 2010, 06:27 PM

Yes, Lauren did have a reaction and had to go to the hospital. She ended up needing to pump and dump for a few days if I remember correctly.

You can also eat oatmeal, flax seed and brewers yest to try to up your supply. Also, if you want to BF I encourage you to keep working with him. Many people have success once their kids get older. I go to a moms group at my hospital and there were so many people whose children wouldn't latch the first few months and then all of the sudden decided they'd rather BF than take BM from a bottle. Either way, I hope you're able to up your supply.

When I had to pump for the girls, I found that doing something relaxing (like reading a book) made it so much easier and my supply went up. I was actually pumping more than they were able to eat. I got some great tips from people in my PR. One of which was to not stop pumping once your milk stopped. I always pumped for at least 5 minutes after that, usually closer to 10 minutes. At first I didn't notice a difference. Then I noticed that I'd get a second let down and my supply was increasing.

KCMomma · #5 January 9th, 2010, 08:09 PM

Erin, that makes total senses. I sooo commend you for continuing with the pumping. Yes, it's hard work, but let me tell you to this day I regret soooooooo much stopping when I did. I struggle everyday giving her a bottle. I feel sooo disconnected now. **Not trying to start any type of debate between bottle feeding/BF. It's just my own thoughts on my own experiences*** But you have to do what is best for you and I'm definitely with Valerie on this one, if you can get him to re-latch then so be it! And I second the keep pumping once your milk stops thing...I did that and after about a week of doing that noticed a big difference. Didn't you just go back to work for a little bit too? I noticed for about a week and a half my supply slipped a little when I came back to work, then it came back with no problems. Also, for some reason when I was weaning myself and took away one pumping session, BAM my supply went up like crazy...not sure why. Also, check out the pumping board, they are a tremendous help.

Elijah'sMommy · #6 January 9th, 2010, 08:09 PM

I am so happy you posted this... I was going to ask about fenugreek because of my low supply and Eli's grow spurt demanding more milk. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts on this,

lttle_one · #7 January 11th, 2010, 04:23 AM

I started taking it a few days ago after I was worried my supply dropped after all the stress and not eating well w/ the DB situation. I take 2 pills 3 times a day. I tried oatmeal first, but it didn't do anything. I've definitely noticed a difference! Lauren had a bad reaction, but if you've already been taking it, I would think it would be ok to increase. How much are you taking?

Etph007 · #8 January 11th, 2010, 04:38 AM

Thanks, girls! I have been taking 2 pills... then 4, now today I am trying 6. I am also trying to pump more often. I've tried the oatmeal thing and never really noticed a difference. I have had supply issues since day 1 but I know some of it is my fault for slipping on pumping and not trying harder to breastfeed-- but with having to add the supplement to his milk anyway, he had to have a bottle with at least part of his feeding so I figured I might as well just pump.

Yes, Gwen I did go back to work! I am not able to pump as often but I am going to try to find somewhere today and work something out. It's definitely not a pump friendly environment so I've just been skipping 2 of my pumps during the day- probably part of the problem!! Thanks for all the advice! I'll KUP

And Gwen--- DON'T beat yourself up!! I swear as bad as it sounds, I think first babies are experimental

You don't really know what to do or what you want to do until you've tried it! You also had so much going on with Paige's colic and you made the best decision at the time! She is beautiful and thriving and you're all happy and healthy! Try not to let it get to you! You're a good momma

KCMomma · #9 January 11th, 2010, 06:08 AM

Erin, I hope adding the pills will help!! And I do think that skipping the pumping sessions is probably to blame!! But you can only do what you can do, right? My work was not a pumping friendly environment either (as you can imagine, I work with mainly men!!) But I could have kept it up, just took more work from me!! My decision ultimately though!! Thanks for the encouraging words. Sometimes I just need to vent my frustrations!! I try to not beat myself up, but sometimes it's so hard. That's a good way of putting it though (first babies are "experimental") HA! I know what you mean!! And thanks again for the nice words, truly means a lot!!! Hang in there girl!!

Lauren S · #10 January 11th, 2010, 06:18 AM

So sorry I didn't get over here until now. I've been going through some tough times (sick, had to stop BF

). Anyway, as it turns out they don't think that my bad allergic reaction that day was from the Fenugreek. I had taken Tylenol about an hour before the reaction. They didn't suspect that because hardly anyone ever develops an allergy to Tylenol out of the blue. But lo and behold I had another reaction the very next week after taking it again.

Good luck with the Fenugreek. I hope you are able to up your supply. I also ditto the other ladies who said to keep trying to latch him on. As he gets bigger, he won't have to work as hard at the breast, so he won't be as frustrated. I had to use a shield for about a month, but then he got much more efficient and I was able to get rid of it.

Etph007 · #11 January 11th, 2010, 10:54 AM

Thanks for your reply Lauren. I am so sorry you've been having such a rough time

I hope things start to get alittle better for you!! And thanks for the advice about the breast shield.. I hadn't even thought of that and I am going to try it. Thanks again. Big hugs

Lauren S · #12 January 11th, 2010, 07:30 PM

Thanks! I totally recommend using a nipple shield if he is having trouble latching on and is getting frustrated. It totally worked for us. I thought I would have to always use it, but they really do get better and most grow out of needing it.

Please let me know how it goes. I'll be thinking of you!