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mama2many
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| Posted: June 07 2010 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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I have TRIED to breastfeed all 4 of my kids.. I have just learned about the "Lact-Aid" system, and want to order it, having used the SNS and I really didn't care for it..
Do any of you ladies have any ATB supplementing tips/tricks?? Advice?? I really want to have a longer nursing relationship!!
Thanks,
God Bless
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Krystin
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stacykay
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I had to use this with #3 ds. (Wish I had known about it with #2, if it was around then!) Anyhoo, it worked great, and he ended up switching, painlessly, to completely nursing. He grew to off the charts, so I know he was getting what he needed. He ended up never using a bottle, and went from nursing to using a cup at about a year and half.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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JaysFamily
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| Posted: June 07 2010 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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Hi Krystin,
I used the LA with my son. Once he was past his preemie stage and had a stronger suck, just past his due date, I switched from the SNS to the LA. The main difference that I noticed is that the baby has to actually suck to pull the formula or breastmilk up through the tube, which stimulates the breast to make more milk. It also forces the baby to suck, instead of just dripping the milk into the mouth like a bottle or the SNS, so in a way it teaches them how to properly nurse. There are slots in the side of the LA that you can use to clamp the tube. You can leave the tube clamped for a few minutes and cause a delay in satisfaction, much like the natural delay between the beginning of a nursing session and let-down. If the baby becomes too frustrated with the delay, then you can go ahead and unclamp the tube, and gradually lengthen the time for the LA "let-down."
If you have to supplement because of low supply, you can go ahead and latch the baby to the breast with the tube in place, and then wait until the breast has been emptied before unlocking the clamp to supplement. One other benefit, is that if you get the accessories, you can attach it to your bra, so it doesn't draw attention like the SNS. It's possible to nurse in public with the LA, though I never did.
The LA does not have as many slow-flow tubes as the SNS, but since the baby's suck controls the flow, that might not be as big of a deal. It is a bit high maintenance. You have to clean it with vinegar and warm water, and rinse it thoroughly. I recommend ordering more than one since it's sometimes difficult to find enough time between feedings to clean them. Also, if you have a slow gainer, you might want to consider putting extra hindmilk in the LA, if you have enough supply. As with all tubes, the fat in breastmilk tends to stick to the tubing, so the baby may not get all the fat or hindmilk from a single pumping session.
One other thing to consider, is making your own system. You can order a medical grade tube, and stick one end into a cup of milk or formula, or through the nipple of a bottle that is tucked into a diaper bag.
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Jaysfamily
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mama2many
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| Posted: June 08 2010 at 2:01pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for the info!!! 
I used the SNS before and I didn't like it. I feel like it was drippy and the bottle itself didn't hold enough. (I think it was like 5oz??)
Anyway I have to supplement b/c of poor supply, thus I'd like to get as much at the breast feeding as possible. I will also be trying goats rue, I have read that this herb helps with PCOS milk production (I have PCOS).
I have tried a lot of other supplements and I always pray that I'll have more milk, but it seems my cross to bear. 
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Krystin
wife to Kevin
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A (7/10)
C (11/12)
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JaysFamily
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| Posted: June 08 2010 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
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You and I have a lot in common.  Fortunately, just a teaspoon of breastmilk has over a million disease fighting agents, so you should be proud of any drop your babies have gotten! Do you have any support, such as a IBCLC, or LaLeche League?
I tried Goat's Rue, and it certainly helped! I also used Motherlove's More Milk Plus Special Blend, which has several other herbal galactogogues in addition to GR. However, the taste is horrible, and I mean horrible. Have you considered trying Metformin? It can also boost supply. Don't be surprised if it takes the GR a month or two to really kick in. It didn't give me a full supply, but did help me to make more milk. My supply was so variable that one day I'd only make a few ounces, and then I'd make 15 on rare days!
I ended up nursing my little one for 2.5 years, even though I didn't make much milk. One thing I credit for that was that I pushed through those first few months, and when he turned 4 months old, he became addicted to nursing.  At that point, I was able to gradually change our routine to nursing first, then follow-up with a bottle. I let him comfort nurse as much as he wanted to, instead of using a pacifier. I also pumped and did breast compressions after he nursed the first couple of months In the end, it was worth it, but it took a lot of work.
I'll pray that things go more smoothly for you this time around!
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Jaysfamily
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mama2many
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| Posted: June 09 2010 at 11:49am | IP Logged
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JaysFamily wrote:
You and I have a lot in common. Fortunately, just a teaspoon of breastmilk has over a million disease fighting agents, so you should be proud of any drop your babies have gotten! Do you have any support, such as a IBCLC, or LaLeche League?
I tried Goat's Rue, and it certainly helped! I also used Motherlove's More Milk Plus Special Blend, which has several other herbal galactogogues in addition to GR. However, the taste is horrible, and I mean horrible. Have you considered trying Metformin? It can also boost supply. Don't be surprised if it takes the GR a month or two to really kick in. It didn't give me a full supply, but did help me to make more milk. My supply was so variable that one day I'd only make a few ounces, and then I'd make 15 on rare days!
I ended up nursing my little one for 2.5 years, even though I didn't make much milk. One thing I credit for that was that I pushed through those first few months, and when he turned 4 months old, he became addicted to nursing. At that point, I was able to gradually change our routine to nursing first, then follow-up with a bottle. I let him comfort nurse as much as he wanted to, instead of using a pacifier. I also pumped and did breast compressions after he nursed the first couple of months In the end, it was worth it, but it took a lot of work.
I'll pray that things go more smoothly for you this time around! |
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Sweet!! I have tried with all the other kids, and the boys I felt a LOT of weight gain pressure and I had surgery when 4yo was 7mo I had a liver resection, so I had to wean (I couldn't even hold him for 6 weeks).
When 22mo was 5 mo I weaned b/c it was emotionally torturing my whole family!
So, was it the GR that was nasty or the tea??
I'm bad at pills, so the tincture seemed nicer.
I tried Dom.. and will again. I have been on metformin in the past, however I only got the superfun "gastro" effects. 
Thank you for the prayers, I'll take them!
What I've missed most in my 22mo life is the LACK of a nursing relationship.. ya know?
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Krystin
wife to Kevin
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A (7/10)
C (11/12)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 09 2010 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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there are a lot of different "mother's milk" tea type of supplements, alot just depends on your tolerance for certain flavors.. some have anise for instance which for me is horrible.. but others like it.
Alfalfa is another good galactogogue (why do you think they feed it to dairy cows  ). You can get it as tablets, it can taste kinda bad in tea.
Red Raspberry Leaf is another that is often in these teas.. and that one doesn't taste bad and is quite good for you, pregnant, nursing or not.
One of the mints, peppermint or spearamint is often added for flavor.
And I want to second this
JaysFamily wrote:
| Fortunately, just a teaspoon of breastmilk has over a million disease fighting agents, so you should be proud of any drop your babies have gotten! |
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I usually say that supplementing does not negate the wonderful things the baby gets from any amount of bre@stmilk he does get.
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mama2many
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Thank you, I just don't want to wean before we're both ready again. I was MISERABLE for MONTHS after weaning ds #2..
I feel confident in this... now to get the learning curve over!!
I'm driking pregnancy tea now that has RRL and alphalpha (sp?) and nettle and other things..
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Maggie
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| Posted: June 09 2010 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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mama2many wrote:
Thanks for the info!!!
I used the SNS before and I didn't like it. I feel like it was drippy and the bottle itself didn't hold enough. (I think it was like 5oz??)
Anyway I have to supplement b/c of poor supply, thus I'd like to get as much at the breast feeding as possible. I will also be trying goats rue, I have read that this herb helps with PCOS milk production (I have PCOS).
I have tried a lot of other supplements and I always pray that I'll have more milk, but it seems my cross to bear. |
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I have PCOS and have over-supply.
BUT...a dear friend of mine here has PCOS and low milk production. Our nfp doctor put her on metformin (usually for diabetics, but recently used a lot more for women trying to conceive and having problems with low milk production) while nursing, and she said that this worked wonders for her milk production.
She did have to supplement for a while until her supply came back, but I think by 2-3 months, she was totally bfeeding.
Also, Mother's Milk Tea and Fenugreek are great herbal strategies.
I HIGHLY recommend getting in touch with La Leche League.
They saved my bfeeding relationship with my dd.
Will pray for you!!
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Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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mama2many
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| Posted: June 11 2010 at 5:54am | IP Logged
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thanks again, I have found a LLL here, I just have to look and see if I missed June's meeting?? I haven't BEEN yet, but one of my dear friends in OH is a LLL leader and has been a huge help!!
I ordered my LA and goat's rue, will talk to OB about the metformin, I have been on it in the past with only gastro side effects, but I have never taken it for the nursing benefit!!
Thanks again for the prayers and advice!
God Bless
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Krystin
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MaryM
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Lactation Consultant, Lisa Marasco, who specializes in PCOS and lactation research and information has indicated metformin is probably most helpful if taken during pregnancy so that it can support the necessary developmental changes in the breasts. Though breast development changes can continue for a couple months postpartum, so continued therapy is helpful as well. But for that reason starting while you still have a month left of pregancy would be more beneficial.
There is also increasing evidence that a pre- and post-conception progesterone therapy might be helpful as well and has shown some success.
You can google her name for her articles.
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mama2many
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| Posted: June 11 2010 at 11:18am | IP Logged
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Thanks, I'm reading her "new" book and on the website she and another lady started for women with issues..
Goat's Rue was also suggested. I go back to OB on the 23rd and will ask about getting on the metformin now!!
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Krystin
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MaryM
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| Posted: June 11 2010 at 11:38am | IP Logged
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I had the benefit of hearing her co-author, Diana West, speak at a lactation event several years ago. These ladies are really knowledgeable on this topic.
mama2many wrote:
Goat's Rue was also suggested. |
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That is because Goat's Rue also supports breast tissue development, which is the problem in PCOS issues of milk supply. Other herbs like fennel and blessed thistle, which are often recommended to increase milk supply work differently and don't impact tissue development. I've seen differing recommendations on goat's rue use during pregnancy though. Do West and Marasco suggest it during the pregnancy, Krystin?
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mama2many
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I am not 100% on that one. I'm still poking my way through the book, and I haven't seen anything on the site that was definitive!!
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Krystin
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JaysFamily
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The studies on Goat's Rue were done in Germany and the UK. If you Google Goat's Rue Germany UK studies, you should find some good information.
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Jaysfamily
wife to Jay
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: breastfeeding and supplementing..?
