Nursing can be such a bitch. As you know from one of my previous posts, it took peanut and I six weeks to learn how to breastfeed and about two weeks after that to actually feel comfortable enough not to travel without bottles, my breast pump and my nursing pillow in my car 'just in case'. It took about that long before my child's latch didn't feel like razorblades on my nipples. Since about eight weeks ago peanut has been sleeping 12 hours a night straight through. Amazing right?! I was stoked up until about a week ago when I had a gut feeling that peanut wasn't fully satisfied after nursing for her regular length of time. My fears were confirmed when we went for our 6 month appointment to find that peanut wasn't gaining weight like she should be. SHIT. As it turns out, having your baby sleep soundly through the night isn't all it's cracked up to be. My body seems to think that I don't need to produce the same amount of milk anymore. When I left the doctor's office I felt completely defeated and guilty. My poor baby wasn't getting what she needed from me anymore and that broke my heart. We both worked so hard to get to this point and I was so pissed off that things started to go down hill again. I'm happy to report that six days after that appointment my supply seems to have increased! YAHOO! For those of you reading who are looking to up your supply this is what I found to work for me;
- Fennel tea, twice per day (From Bulk Barn)
- 9 Blessed Thistle pills a day (from Bulk Barn)
- longer and more frequent nursing sessions with peanut
- pumping 20 mins just before bed
- 10 glasses of water per day
- Relaxed shoulders down during nursing (My lactation consultant often told me the importance of relaxing shoulders as it helps with flow)
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