Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply I am giving it one more week before giving up

I have been pumping and/or nursing for 2 months now, and I am barely producing anything - like less than 10ml/day. I have decided to give the protocol one more week of Dom, herbs, oatmeal, extra pumping (has been impossible with 2 kids around), and anything else I can think of before finally admitting to myself that it has been a failure. I am increasing, but at a pace of 1 ml/week I am supplying so little for my daughter that it isn't worth the stress and aggravation of taking meds and trying to pump for no reward. I will probably continue with the lact aid as she loves it.

I am still holding out hope that things will turn around, but I am almost through the
Medfomin that the lactation consultant said was the only other thing to add and it didn't make a bit of difference. I guess for some people the protocol just doesn't work.

Turns out 10ml was a bit of an overstatement. I got 3ml today from pumping 6 or 7 times, plus nursing via lact-aid 6 times.

In case it helps someone else, here is what has not worked for me:
a) 50 days of prometrium and domperidone as directed
b) 2.5 weeks of pumping with an electric pump every 2 hours, plus oatmeal, fenugreek, and blessed thistle
c) baby arrived - added goat's rue (briefly) and then 1000mg of metformin for the past 5 weeks. I only managed to pump once or twice a day, and the baby typically nurses 5 or so times daily (on demand).

I wanted this to work. I REALLY wanted this to work. I even toyed with the idea of going back on prometrium (i.e. restarting the accelerated protocol) before my husband talked some sense into me.

6 more days to go.

Thank you for posting this. The first time I was on protocol it was Yasmin for 68 days with domperidone. Then I pumped for three weeks and just obtained about 1 mL a day. I wrote to Dr. Newman and he said I was not on the protocol long enough. I still had time to go back on the protocol for three more months. But this time I did take Prometrium with estradiol patches on my breasts. I start pumping March 25 so we will see how it goes for me. I will post it also for people to read. I think that when we all share our experiences others learn from us. Thank you Molly's mom! Are you going to continue using the lactation aid and breast-feed her? As you have stated, she does enjoy it a lot. That is wonderful you have the close Bonding experience of breast feeding.

Sorry mollysmom, you'll have to forgive me, but I disagree with you. I don't see this at all as a failure; you worked hard, you did what was possible for you to do and you continue to breastfeed your baby. Using a lactation aid is not a failure, providing your baby with food she needs to grow (even if that has to be formula) in a nourishing way is not a failure. Although this journey did not go the way you hoped, I sincerely congratulate you on all your time, and devoted effort and on continuing to meet your baby's needs in the best way you can.

I'm wondering why you think she isn't getting anything from you while you are bf with the lactaid? Just because you can't pump anything doesn't mean that she isn't getting anything. That is one of the benefits of the lactaid, it can help baby to increase your supply. Some people are just terrible pumpers.

I hope you don't feel like a failure. You are doing a great job!

Jennifer

I don't feel like she is getting anything because I don't feel full and if I put her to the breast without the lact aid when she is hungry (as opposed to when she wants comfort) she drops off almost immediately after a few furious sucks. Ahe is also demanding more and more formula and I would think some of her appetite would be quenched if I were producing. I had engorgement issues when I nursed my son and had milk come in with my losses so I know how it feels to make milk - unless this is somehow totally different.

I reached out to a different breastfeeding doctor in the us to ask if she thought it were worth pursuing another protocol. We have been trading emails and I have yet to hear her response.

I don't mind continuing with the lact aid even without the meds.

Hi Molly's Mom,

The protocol is definitely different than breast feeding a birth child. When you give birth, your milk comes in. When you are on the protocol you have to slowly build the supply. It doesn't just "come in". I understand your frustration. It is a lot of work and a lot of time and commitment. I agree with the other ladies in that you have to move on from your disappointment at the outcome. Feed with the lactaid and enjoy the bonding experience. The suckling at the breast will provide the stimulation your body needs to understand that it needs to produce milk. Reduction of the stress you feel may help. Enjoy this time with your child because they grow up so quickly!