SonshineLearner Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 (edited) Hi There, Dehydrated Mom.. low milk supply What advise would you give. I have little since I never had supply problems. What would you say?? What should she eat? Drink? and how is supplementing going to harm the nursing problem? And... if she's going to supplement, should she have the baby suck for a few minutes on her first? Ten minutes? how long? I know we have some knowledgeable moms on here.... and some Lactation consultants:-) Are you on?? Thanks!! :-) Edited January 19, 2010 by NayfiesMama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I'm not an expert by any stretch, but a very good friend of mine always drank at least 8oz of water every time she nursed. She carried her water bottle everywhere (she allowed her children to wean themselves so was nursing them into toddlerhood) and was always, always taking sips, but drank in earnest whenever she sat down to nurse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 That's a great idea:-) Right now, she's throwing up.... and so.... I'm not sure what else to tell her.... Keep the suggestions coming:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I would drink plenty of fluids and have one beer. It work for me.:001_smile: I never supplemented or used a bottle. I did not 'drink' either except for maybe one beer during a growth spirt. It worked so very well for me that I only needed about 4 oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 That's a great idea:-) Right now, she's throwing up.... and so.... I'm not sure what else to tell her.... Keep the suggestions coming:-) OH! Now, that is a different story. This happened to me with my second one. She can contact her doctor. Mine was able to help me so that I was able to drink fluids again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peri Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Lots of water, almonds, and oatmeal. I have heard that these can increase milk supply. She can also take some blessed thistle which also increases milk supply. I would keep a pitcher of water and a jar of almonds by the chair I would nurse in. Whenever I was nursing I would just grab just a few almonds and snack on them and then I would just sip on water while I was nursing. I would not supplement with formula unless the baby's health was at risk. Formula curdles in the tummy and takes longer to digest which is quite the opposite of breast milk. So she can profoundly decrease her milk supply if she supplements on a regular basis. Stress can also profoundly affect breastfeeding which is why when you nurse, your body releases a hormone that causes you to relax and makes you ver sleepy. She should take the breastfeeding time that she has as opportunites to relax. Sit in a comfy chair and put her feet up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Is the mom dehydrated because she is ill? Is she not able to keep down fluids? It is easy to rehydrate a mom unless she's ill. If she is ill, in an ideal universe, I'd get her IV fluids & put the baby to breast & shove them both into bed for 48h. Supplementing is problematic because a) it results in reduced stimulation to the breasts & therefore down-regulates the supply further. This can be sometimes partly alleviated by aggressive pumping with a hospital grade pump + massage but not all women's breasts will respond as well to the pump as to the baby. In face, IME, MOST women's breasts don't respond as well to the pump b) it permanently changes the gut of the baby by introducing foreign proteins and exposing the infant to potential allergens. See Just One Bottle Won't Hurt - or Will It? (the answer is it will btw for those who don't have time to read it :)) c) it can lead to nipple confusion or a simple preference on behalf of the infant to get an 'easy meal' d) it attacks the women's self confidence in her ability to nourish the infant at the breast While the prime prerogative for any lactation consultant is to 'feed the baby', the second prerogative is to not harm the nursing relationship. I'd need to know more about the mother's condition. Does she have a severe GI upset which is preventing her from becoming fully hydrated? Barring hospitalization with an IV, she could be taking an anti-emetic (suppository possibly) and drinking gatorade, mother's milk tea, pedialyte or home made oral rehydration solution. Recipes for ORS are here. Lots of small sips is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I have more questions than answers. What kind of medical support does she have? What is the medical community telling her? How was milk supply and nursing established? Are bottles, pacifiers or supplementation happening? Is she nursing on demand or a schedule? What lead to the dehydration (and who diagnosed it?) Was she ill? A mom's body should be able to produce adequate milk if the mom has a normal diet of food and liquid. If she is indeed dehydrated, she can sip water, tea, diluted juice until her body is back to where she needs to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Just saw that she's throwing up - definitely anti-emetic. Gravol/Dramamine comes in suppositories. Safe for use while breastfeeding. May cause drowsiness in mom - mom should not be left alone with infant if she's drowsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smrtmama Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Is the mom dehydrated because she is ill? Is she not able to keep down fluids? It is easy to rehydrate a mom unless she's ill. If she is ill, in an ideal universe, I'd get her IV fluids & put the baby to breast & shove them both into bed for 48h. Supplementing is problematic because a) it results in reduced stimulation to the breasts & therefore down-regulates the supply further. This can be sometimes partly alleviated by aggressive pumping with a hospital grade pump + massage but not all women's breasts will respond as well to the pump as to the baby. In face, IME, MOST women's breasts don't respond as well to the pump b) it permanently changes the gut of the baby by introducing foreign proteins and exposing the infant to potential allergens. See Just One Bottle Won't Hurt - or Will It? (the answer is it will btw for those who don't have time to read it :)) c) it can lead to nipple confusion or a simple preference on behalf of the infant to get an 'easy meal' d) it attacks the women's self confidence in her ability to nourish the infant at the breast While the prime prerogative for any lactation consultant is to 'feed the baby', the second prerogative is to not harm the nursing relationship. I'd need to know more about the mother's condition. Does she have a severe GI upset which is preventing her from becoming fully hydrated? Barring hospitalization with an IV, she could be taking an anti-emetic (suppository possibly) and drinking gatorade, mother's milk tea, pedialyte or home made oral rehydration solution. Recipes for ORS are here. Lots of small sips is the key. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.