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Frequently Asked Questions:
Breastfeeding
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| Q. |
Hello I just read
your article about breast milk and was wondering if it is possible
to get my milk supply up again, my son in 4.5 months old and struggling
to create a let down when feeding. It can take quite some time and
then the actual feed lasts about one to two minutes each breast, this
is now happening after he has not fed thru the night , although last
few nights waking again due to low milk supply and getting hungry.
How much fennel tea should I drink and what else do you suggest. Is
expressing by pump a good idea between feed to get supply up again.
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| A. |
Expressing after each breast feed will
help to increase you milk supply. It would be important to be feeding
your baby every 3 to 4 hours during the daytime. Usually if he goes
a little longer at night that would not be a problem but with a low
supply, you might want to consider waking him at least once during
the night. There are many things to consider when a woman finds herself
in this position. Are you doing too much and not getting enough rest?
Have you looked at improving your diet? Make sure you are getting
enough fluids, mainly water and fennel tea during the day. Coffee
and chocolate (caffeine) suppress milk production. Are you giving
him many other foods? The more solids that you give him the less breast
milk he is going to want so do be careful otherwise it becomes a bit
of a catch 22.
You can drink as much fennel tea as you like. If you make up a litre
in the morning and then drink it either hot or cold throughout the
day. Some other suggestions that I would make would be to see a herbalist
and get a herbal mixture made up. Express a little by hand to get
the milk flowing before you but your baby to the breast. Phone the
breast feeding help line. They have different numbers for each state.
The NSW number is (02) 9639 8686 or the main contact number for the
association is (03) 9885 0855.
They have a web site that may be useful. www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Hope this information is helpful and that you continue to have many,
many more months of breastfeeding
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