Not Getting Enough

Visitor Question:I tried to breastfeed my newborn but we were having some latching problems.

I am now pumping every 2-3 hours or as often as I can and am not getting much milk. I had my daughter 12 days ago and I am only getting half to an oz on each breast at every pump. Shouldn't I be making more milk?

At this point I am mixing what I am pumping and Enfamil to give her what she needs. Why am I not making enough milk? What can I do to make more so that all of this time pumping is worth it? Please help.

I feel that I am wasting my time with all of this pumping even though I really want my baby to have breast milk.

Breastfeeding Magazine Response: The best thing to do is to contact a lactation consultant right away. Many are available at local hospitals to help free of charge. You may also we able to get assistance from Le Leche League. With their help, you need to get your baby to latch on.

Breast milk works on supply and demand and the more that you supplement, the harder it will be to make milk.

Pumping is not as efficient as your baby...so if you are pumping very little...it may just be the pump.

The most important thing to do at this point is to get help with latching on and stop giving bottles. If you don't, you are risking your baby refusing to nurse due to nipple confusion or drying up.

IT CAN BE DONE and it is so worth the effort, but you need to get help with that latch soon in order for your breastfeeding to be successful.

Good luck!