Feel like there s a lower breast milk supply. What to do?

Get a lactation consultant to help you figure out the latch issue that is likely causing the pain. It is often something relatively simple. Getting baby back on the breast is the most effective remedy for any issues with supply, and certainly the best solution for the long term.

A pump is just not as effective as a baby at getting the milk out, and you need to pump just as often as baby eats if not more so to have a chance at keeping up supply.

You can not judge supply by the amount of leaking as this will tend to diminish over time. And measuring ounces of breast milk is just not helpful - the best way to judge whether baby has enough intake is by watching output. If baby has 7 or 8 good wet diapers a day, then your supply is just fine.

In general, this site is a great resource for all breast feeding matters: http://kellymom.com/category/ages/newborn/

You are a very, very good mother for trying so hard! You have no reason to feel guilty at all. You need to contact a lactation consultant, to come over and see you. They can help you the most. You can try La Leche League. Just because you're not pumping enough, doesn't mean you don't have enough milk. Your body lets down a lot better for your babies, than for a pump. Continue to pump everytime you supplement, even if you only get a few drops. You're still giving your body the message that you need more milk. A hospital grade double pump, will help your supply. Sleep with your girls, and always have your breast available. Take a bath with them, and let them reach up to your breast. The closer you are, the more ocytocin you'll produce, and therefore more milk. Don't wait until they're hungry to try and nurse, because then they'll be impatient. Offer the breast a little before they're too hungry. So if they usually eat every 2 hours, offer the breast every 1 hour, or 1.5. You can also take fenugreek and blessed thistle. 6 capsules of each daily. Also ask your doctor about domperidone. The best thing you can do to up your supply though, is to stimulate your breasts. So nurse for as often and as long as they want, and pump every time you supplement. Or even after every feed, if you have the time. Ask hubby, mom, or a good friend, to come over one day, and take care of the house work and meals for the day, so you can spend the whole day in bed, nursing and cuddling with babies. This works wonders for supply. A lactation consultant will help you the latch. If she says she can't, contact another one. This problem can be solved. Congratulations on your babies. Good luck, and hang in there. I'm sure you'll all do just great!

Back to the breast! Breast feeding should not hurt. The baby could have been trying to learn the right way to latch.

Get to a lactation consultant to check latch. That should help stop the pain. our nipples will be sore for a bit. Make sure the baby is not sucking off the nipple, get as much of the brown area into the mouth as baby can. You Tube has some good newborn latch videos to help you.

As for pumping. I couldn't pump more than an ounce or two all day. Babies are more efficient at getting the milk out vs any pump.

Also. your milk supply will reduce as your body changes to meet the needs of the baby. Your breasts will even go soft around the 3rd week.

Measure milk supply by diaper output, plenty of soaking wet diapers means baby is getting milk.

Drink healthy nursing tea by secrets of tea. It's an organic formula that has no caffeine, sugar or any preservatives.

Pumping lowers your supply. You need to nurse the baby.