Before I brought him home I was producing so much milk I had to freeze half of it. Now he's eating like crazy and I'm not filling up fast enough like I used to. I don't know if it's the mastitis I'm getting over or the antibiotics I'm on or if he is just eating to much but it's just not enough and I'm almost out of frozen bags which I give him a couple ounces in a bottle after each breast feeding so I may half to supplement with formula but I really don't want to. I'm gonna talk to the lactation consultant on Monday but I was wondering if any of you have any good advice.

There are a few things that may hinder production.

First of all are you eating and drinking enough?? You need lots of good food and lots of fluids. You have been through alot of stress, not only from childbirth but from his hospital stay, then your poison ivey, then the mastitis, (you poor thing it sounds worse clumping them all together!!) Could be the mastitis or stress. If it has only been a day or so that your supply has been low then he could have just doubled his intake and your body is taking a day or two to catch up. Are you making sure he is nursing you dry and on both sides?? Make sure he is so that your body knows to produce more. Definetly follow through with the consultant. Don't stress yourself any more than you already have over it...(I know..easier said than done, right??)

Hopefully it's just your body taking some time to catch up!!

Hi Mary...I just noticed the post on the La Leche meeting tomorrow under this one. Could be a little too much too early, but if you wanted to you could also go there to seek some help/advice.

Good luck

Isn't he about 2 weeks old? Somewhere in 2-3 weeks of age, they have a growth spurt. So in the first few days they will eat like crazy and nurse more often. That could also be part of it.
The first 6 weeks are the hardest to get through when breastfeeding, so just stick with it with small goals, like getting through just today, or a few days or a week. And then re-evaluate yourself.

I remember I felt like I was growing roots from my bottom to the chair sometimes while I was breastfeeding my daughter, but like all things, this will pass and you will have the next challenge to overcome.

You are doing great

I had this as well. However, it would tend to be around growth spurts. If you let him nurse a lot-even when you are not producing anything-this will signal your body to produce more for him. Also the lactation teas sold at Wards and Mother Earth are great! W/ the tea, you are not only getting more liquid- it is just relaxing to drink a nice cup of tea! You are a trooper. Hang in there! It really gets so much better with a little time!

Definitely get with the lactation consultant, as she'll be able to really help you. My advice would be much of the same as here. You've been through a lot of stress, so that very well may have impacted your milk supply. But if you eat well, drink enough and (try to) get some rest, your body will respond. And a growth spurt is a definite possibility. I'd say make sure you're letting him empty out each breast. As long as he's gaining weight, then he's getting enough food. It's always hard for a breastfeeding mom to know her child is getting enough. There are no little oz. markers to follow, which can be very frustrating.

Good luck. You're doing a great job!

If you can get with an LC, they will really help! If you don't get good answers PM me and I will give you the name of a great LC whose husband I work with. She helped me a lot when it came to breastfeeding.

The most important thing is to not give up if you are really committed to doing this. So much that you have been through can contribute to your having less milk, as well as your baby being more hungry. When my daugther was that age I seriously felt like I sat in my rocker all day long and she just kept switching sides. You can also use pumping to help your milk supply. I knew I wanted to breastfeed when I went back to work... so I would get up in the middle of the night and pump, even when she slept through the night. (I know it sounds crazy.... but I work 24 hour shifts and had to have lots of milk stored before I could go back to work and leave her!)

Remember the more you stimulate (by pumping and by feeding) the more milk your body will make. People can feed two babies, you know? I used to pump after she finished feeding (I was a cow, I am telling you!) just to get the little extra to freeze. (BTW we made it to 6 months, then the craziness got the best of me and I was producing enough to keep up with her hunger. But the stockpiles of milk we had gave us lots of time to do half BM and half formula for awhile.)

One other thing... DRINK WATER! Every time you nurse, drink, drink, drink... Its so hot outside and you will get dehydrated and that can affect production.

I just realized how long this is. WHEW! I hope it helped!

Thanks! It was just a growth spurt cause we're on schedule now!