Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Which formula is best?

I had gotten up to full supply with nursing my baby. Then at 3 months she stopped gaining weight so I am supplementing her with milk I froze. Unfortunately, we had a freezer accident and I lost most of my milk. I am looking for a donor, but for some reason the milkshare site isn't posting new messages. Anyway, if I can't find a donor, I will need to supplement with formula. That makes my stomach turn as I really do see formula as poison. A bit extreme, but it's how I feel.

Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone has done a lot of research into formulas. What brands did you find to be best?

Thanks

How old is she now? It has been 8 years since I had to use any formula but back then my DD had so many issues with constipation and stomach upset that I switched to Carnation Good Start, it seems easier for them to digest. Their maybe something better now but frankly there are so many different types now that it is quite confusing.
I remembering a few people in the past posting about making their own formula. Maybe you can research that too.
Not to scare anyone, but I just saw today that the FDA has found Melamime in US formula. I'll see if I can find that link.

well I can't find the link now. They said it was trace amounts but still.

She is 3.5 months and doing well on only breastmilk.

I would just work to boost your supply. Did you contact Nona in regards to a donor?
Are you able to pump after feeds? Are you taking dom? Herbs?

I am taking dom 160 mg a day and double doses of more milk special blend. It has goat's rue and fenugreek plus other herbs. I'd gotten to full supply, but then she stopped gaining weight. I have just found one donor who will get me 100 ounces a month, though I will need more as my baby gets bigger.

I also have a 3 year old who nurses--though I am greatly limiting what he takes in now. I'm not sure when I could find time to add pumping. Given that I had gotten to full supply and couldn't keep up with her, I don't know that pumping would do anything except make the day harder.

I'd love it if I could increase my supply, but I don't know what else I can do.

Nona helps with donors?

I would take the fenugreek seperately. It has higher doses than what is in the blends I think.
Jennifer

I agree with Jennifer about the fenugreek. And yes Nona helps with donors.
Thanks for refreshing my memory. You are right you really don't have time for pumping. It sounds like you have plenty of milk though if they are both nursing and getting milk. Are you nursing her on demand and allowing her to nurse until satisfied on both breasts? What I mean is you aren't limiting the time she spends at the breast and or limiting how often she nurses? When you say she stopped gaining. ??? How much has she gained since birth and what is her current weight? How long has it been since a weight gain and has she lost any weight?

second where are you from? I do have donors on my website.
http://www.breastmilkdonations.com

We live in Tucson, AZ and I would love to find donors.

I nurse her as much as she wants, whenever she wants.

She is in the 5% for weight and had been gaining 4 ounces a week--just right for her growth curve. I weigh her on Saturdays. Missed two so weighed her on a Monday and her weight was 10.0 as predicted. She then had some frustration with nursing and That Saturday it was only 10-1. The following week she increased with frustration when nursing and had no gain. I started supplementing when she was frustrated with sns and that week she gained 5 ounces. I continue to supplement with frustration and will weigh tomorrow.

The motherlove people told me you get more fenugreek with their product than with pills. Either way, I've never smelled like maple syrup--that I am aware of.

I've cut way back on what I allow my son to nurse. We're even reorganizing bedtime and wake up time to limit his nursing. It breaks my heart because he loves nursing so much. I let him nurse a bit after the baby or if I pump, but it's never enough for him anymore. I am so sad about that.

I am trying to pump and have gotten in some mini-sessions today. We'll see if I can keep this up. Regarding the fenugreek--Do I have to smell like maple syrup for it to work?