Help! raw, nursing, and milk production going down.

[redfinch57]

I love being raw but have found that since going raw my milk production has gone down. I don't want to quit being raw but have to find a way to produce more milk for my baby. has anyone been through this before? I already take alfalfa supplements, eat nuts all the time. I am starting to get really discouraged.

Rachel

[Essensual]

redfinch57,

Check this link sweetheart:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_fenugreek.html

Let us know how it goes...

Peace and blessings,
Essensual

[Helen Of Tennessee]

My daughter's milk production started to go down and we went and got the fenugreek, which she only used a few times and then for no apparent reason, her milk supply came back. This happened to her a couple of times.

Of course you probably know, the more your baby suckles the more milk you'll produce.

I hope the fenugreek works for you. I don't know if it gave my daughter a jump start on her milk, or if the milk production came back on it's own.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Essensual]

My daughter's milk production started to go down and we went and got the fenugreek, which she only used a few times and then for no apparent reason, her milk supply came back. This happened to her a couple of times.

Of course you probably know, the more your baby suckles the more milk you'll produce.

I hope the fenugreek works for you. I don't know if it gave my daughter a jump start on her milk, or if the milk production came back on it's own.

<>< Helen of Tennessee
This is true Helen,

I read some the link and although some claim it has no effect, others confirm that it does. And yes, it is only intended to be used as a "jump start". Extended use is not encouraged.

[mama2girls]

I have never had a problem with milk reduction since I've been raw, in fact the opposite. But with my first daughter (on a SAD diet) my milk started to dry up at 5 months. Here are some things I used and it work wonderfully:

In a large glass of orange juice mix 2-3 tbsp of nutritional yeast flakes 2x a day. You should start to notice an increase in a day or 2 (for some people it takes a little longer)

Mothers milk tea, (fresh bulk herbs from health food store)
1/2 cup blessed thistle leaf
1/4 cup Hops leaf
1/2 cup fenugreek seed
3 cups fennel seed

Mix dry herbs together in lg glass jar. For single serving fill tea bomb half full and steep for 5-10 min. 3-4 cups a day. Honey can be added.
I know this one wouldn't be considered raw but it definetly works and I think is a much healthier alternative to perscription drugs (which is what my doctor wanted me to go on, but didn't need to after doing these 2 recipes)

I am a breastfeeding budding in our community and every woman I have suggested these to have had great results. Usually just the nutrition yeast is enough. Plus it is also cheaper, so if it works great. If you do end up making the tea it would still be cheaper than drugs, or worse yet, formula.
Hopefully you have some luck with these,
Marie

[truthseeker]

Be sure to check baby's latch on technique. If it's not correct then this sends the "less demand" signal to your body which will in turn will produce "less supply". It's all damand and supply.

Also pay attention and see if baby seems to have a preference or NOT for some of the foods your eating. Being raw you may be trying new foods that baby may have never tasted before. Yes there are traces of "flavor" of what you eat in your breastmilk.

Another question you might ask yourself is...is baby cutting a tooth, going through a nosey stage (usually around 6 months) to busy taking in the world so sessions are cut back or lestened but baby may make up for that at night.

I agree herbs can help to up supply but I've never had to use anything so I don't know to much about them except :

http://www.tealand.com/MothersMilk.asp

You can offer the breast more often to baby and as you increase the number of times you nurse throughtout the day then your supply will increase.

And just remember that you are doing all that you can and what is best. Before you know it you'll be past this and facing a new situation. ;)

[redfinch57]

Thanks everyone, sorry it took me a little long to respond, I have been busy chasing after my 10 month old ( =
I drank some Fenugreek tea that I had and it seemed to help a little so far. I am going to try to drink some more. I already have some nutritional yeast so I will give that a try too. I really appreciate everyone's help.
love, Rachel

[Arky]

Don't forget that a hugely important element of baby nutrition is EFAs, and human breast milk will contain a good amount of EFAs, provided the nursing mother is obtaining these from the diet. Failure to do so may lead to deficiencies in the mother as the body allocates any resources to the milk, for the benefit of the baby, and, eventually, deficiencies in the milk itself if the mother's resources are exhausted.

Take care to obtain adequate EFAs in your diet (Flax, nuts, seeds etc.).


J.

[vegggeeemom]

Well, I must be lost here, but what is EFA's?-never mind I answered my own question right as I was posting...essential fatty acids...is that right? :confused:
And regarding the milk production, man, since I have been eating more raw, it seems my milk production is going up. I don't need that as my baby is almost a year and I am starting to leak again like when he was itty bitty.
Is your baby possibly eating foods that maybe he was not before you went raw? I don't know if you are excusively bf or if he gets some food now and then as well.
I just started my son on some bananas and he LOVES them. So, for me that could be the reason that it appears that my productions has gone up.
I have used Fenugreek in the past with wonderful results and with in 72 hours my supply was up!
Good luck and update us.

Pam

[Arky]

Well, I must be lost here, but what is EFA's?-never mind I answered my own question right as I was posting...essential fatty acids...is that right? :confused:

Bingo! :)


Yes, babies have rapidly-developing nervous systems (most obviously, in the womb, but their brains continue to develop in leaps and bounds through early childhood, as do their other cells, all of which creates a heavy demand for the essential fatty acids on which their structures are so dependent). Human breast milk, for those babies who are fortunate enough to be breastfed, must reflect this need. Also ensure you are getting adequate protein since this is also very important in milk for a developing child.


J.

[Jamie]

I skimmed the previous post and so I hope I am not repeating something.

I have never had a problem with tons of milk, but I have friends who have and they highly increased their water intake. I know when I am nursing I am extra thirsty so I naturally drink tons of water.

One other thing that was mentioned was to make sure you are eating enough...

You sure did get tons of advice!! Hope things get better for you.

Jamie :)

[redfinch57]

Thanks again everyone. Well I have been drinking the orange juice and nutritional yeast and that has definately been helping. I have to keep drinking it though 2 -3 times per day. So whatever is in that yeast works. I am so relieved. I thought I was going to either put her on goat's milk or stop eating raw. I am very grateful for this forum and for all of you.

Rachel

[vegggeeemom]

Well, I am going to try this! My son is a year old and eating EVERY 2-3 hours.
I am going crazy at night not being able to sleep for any length of time.
I hope something I try helps him get more milk.
But, it's hard waking up 3 times a night still to feed him.