For many breastfeeding mothers, low milk supply is a constant worry. During my first few months as a nursing mother I dealt with minor supply issues. However, I was so distracted by other breastfeeding issues that I didn’t fully address the problem of low milk supply until my daughters were over 6 months old.
I have twin daughters, Julia and Aria, they were born April 27th, 2011. We had planned on having the twins naturally at home, but they ended up being born by c-section after a long 3 days of labor. Needless to say the birth was traumatic, but my work was far from done. I was DETERMINED to breastfeed. In my mind there was no other option.
I’ll recap the first 7 months for you. It was a seemingly endless test of my determination to breastfeed. I had grown up around women who breastfed their babies and knew it wasn’t always a walk in the park, but I had no idea how hard it would be.
Both girls had clampdown bite reflex. It took Julia 4 months to outgrow this and I was so concentrated on Julia the first months I didn’t realize Aria had the same problem. Because of this, Aria formed a habit of bad latching that will still show up if she’s stressed or overly hungry. I also dealt with thrush, mastitis, post-partum depression and have Raynaud phenomenon.
Raynaud’s is basically a circulation problem. I won’t explain more about it here other than it is intensely painful. Breastfeeding did not let me win without a long hard fight, but I did finally win. I have a wonderful husband, supportive family, a faithful God and a determination inherited from my mother that saw me through those tough months.
Breastfeeding Crisis: Low Milk Supply
When Aria and Julia turned 7 months old my milk supply started to diminish. The girls became very fussy, and I began to use the milk I had stored in the freezer for extra feedings.
I increased my liquid intake, food portions and nursed frequently. In the past that’s all I had to do to resolve low milk supply. But I didn’t see any difference even after weeks of doing this. In fact, my milk supply was watery, and diminishing.
After everything I’d gone through I couldn’t and wouldn’t believe that low milk supply would be my Achilles heel!
My diet during this time was full of pasture raised organic eggs, grass-fed beef, broths, lots of veggies and an occasional smoothie with raw milk. I was healthy, exercised, cooked 99% from scratch… I didn’t know what I was doing wrong!?
I had loaned my copy of Nourishing Traditions to a friend, so I headed to my library to see if they had it. I searched Sally Fallon in the database and found that the library’s copy of the book was checked out, but another book showed up that Sally Fallon had written the forward to: The Untold Story of Milk by Dr. Ron Schmid. I took it home and started reading.
I’d always been a supporter of raw milk, but had never really read up on it. When I saw the book at the library I figured I should research the raw milk issue more thoroughly. As I made my way through the book I was fascinated by the corrupt history of pasteurized milk and the benefits of raw milk. I hated drinking plain milk, but it was obviously very nutritious so I half-heartedly bought a whole gallon of raw milk and intended to increase my smoothie making. It sat in my fridge for several days until I read this about Dr. Francis Pottenger MD:
“Pottenger’s research so convinced him of the importance of raw milk that he recommended one quart of raw milk per day to pregnant and nursing women. According to Pottenger, women who did not have access to raw milk, or who refused to drink it, put the development of their babies in jeopardy and should not breastfeed.”
Ouch!
It was late at night and I had already pumped. But I went into the kitchen and gagged down a huge glass of raw milk. It wasn’t that bad, but I was still grossed out at the thought of drinking a quart a day! I thought, Oh well, that guy was just over the top and it probably wouldn’t even help. I brushed my teeth very thoroughly and went to bed.
Low Milk Supply Resolves After One Large Glass of Raw Milk
Then the miracle happened…I woke up around 5am engorged and leaking everywhere! I pumped almost 6 ounces, and then nursed my girls when they woke up an hour later.
Well, that was the end of me refusing to drink raw milk!
My milk that I had just pumped was thick and my daughters were obviously happier than they had been in days. I was an overnight raw milk advocate!
It took me awhile to get used to drinking plain raw milk, and I did cheat… I added carob, homemade chocolate syrup, or made smoothies with it the first month or so, and I didn’t always drink an entire quart… But I now drink 2 large glasses a day, and crave it if I’m tired, hungry or after I exercise. It’s a mother’s dream food because it doesn’t require cooking or prep, just open the fridge and pour a glass.
In March my milk supply was once again put to the test. The girls were 11 months old at this point… So, they had large appetites. Both of the girls got the chicken pox and exclusively nursed for almost a week. Aria had them worse than Julia and so she exclusively nursed for over a week. I was tired, but didn’t have any supply issues. In fact, I was still able to pump extra at the end of each day. After the chicken pox was over I knew I didn’t need to ever worry about low milk supply issues again.
Raw Milk Helps Moms With Low Milk Supply!
Aria and Julia are now 13 months old. They nurse 3-4 times a day each, and are happy healthy little girls. I’m not really thinking of weaning at this point. It took almost 9 months to finally figure out breastfeeding, and the past four months have been awesome. Last month they started tandem nursing again… Being a mom is tiring. If it wasn’t for the pauses of nursing during the day I don’t know if I’d sit down and just enjoy my children. It forces you to sit, think and notice your baby. And when nursing is over they’re so endearing that I end up playing with them and ignoring the dishes and laundry. If I was giving them bottles they would independently feed themselves and I would probably continue on with my chores.
As a mother of twins I feel compelled to share my story. I believe it’s vital to breastfeed multiples because of the bonding time. If you’re pregnant with multiples most doctors will assume that you won’t even try to nurse, or that you’ll automatically supplement, but prove them wrong. The first 6 months is insane and even though it was so painful to nurse I’m glad I did. I was able to really get to know each one individually and I’ve never really felt guilty about ignoring one over the other.
One more note to breastfeeding mothers. I did talk to different lactation consultants during those months, but discovered that the research I did on my own was far more fruitful. The lactation consultants were very nice, but I don’t think any of them expected me to succeed.
In our culture it seems to be instilled in us to “try your best, but not to worry if you fail because no one will blame you.” That attitude is particularly prevalent in the medical world towards breastfeeding. Lactation consultants, nurses and doctors would give me a pat on the back for attempting to breastfeed, give me some useless advice, then proceed to tell me that “no one would blame me if I supplemented with formula. In fact, some women just aren’t able to breastfeed, and it would be less stressful if I just supplemented.”
Those kinds of comments fed the fire beneath me to prove them wrong, and honestly helped me stick to breastfeeding no matter what. I will admit that I was a die-hard and nothing else mattered at times. Was I too hard on myself? I don’t think so. I think we’re just conditioned to think that if something is gut-wrenchingly hard and painful then it might not be worth it. Well, it is worth it. Nursing is our special mother/baby time. Breastfeeding is also VERY important for the mother’s health. It helps to lose weight, forces you to keep yourself nourished and to sleep well.
When a mother has her baby she needs to take things slowly and not jump right back into the fast lane. Sit, contemplate and fully enjoy your beautiful new baby. You spent 9 long months making that child lying in your arms, now enjoy the fruits of your labor!
So glad to read this today. I’m also a mother of identical twin girls. My girls are almost five now, but I tandem nursed them for their first 14 months. They had a bit of formula in the hospital but after that I never bought ANY formula for my girls. I was super lucky and had NO problems with supply. Actually the opposite happened to me. The lactation consultants were SO convinced that I wouldn’t make enough that they told me to pump! pump! pump! after every feeding so I dutifully did. Then I got engorged and got mastitis. I’d be nursing my girls and then pump out a second serving (so to speak.) I had to wean myself away from that blasted pump and let nature just take care of itself. So my girls got very few bottles after the first 3 months. They were booby babies!
But, low supply IS rampent in twin moms, and alot has to do with stress of the mom. With a high instance of one or both babies in NICU, tired, worried, stressed moms do not make enough milk. I was lucky that both my girls came home with me and I had a husband who got up with EVERY SINGLE night feeding for the first three months of their lives. It’s baloney to say a dad can’t help nurse! He helped me so much while we were learning the ropes!
I’m excited that this next week I’m going to be speaking to a roomful of Expecting moms of twins and triplets about breastfeeding. I will definitely pass on this info of raw milk. I am trying to spread the word that breastfeeding multiples is doable and really is easier once everyone gets the hang of it. I had no bottles to warm or clean or keep up with. Hungry baby, meet breast. Boom, done.
GREAT article it was very helpful it gave me hope , my dau is expecting and we dont want any formulas soy, etc,etc so to know that raw milk cn keep the milk flow is wonderful thank you.
This message is for K. Manes. What you are describing really sounds to me like you are having vasospasms in your nipples. I went through it with my first two children and was misdiagnosed with thrush both times. My nipples were so sore I can’t even put it into words and they would burn for hours even after I nursed. The pain was so intense, I stopped nursing both times and went to bottles. One lactation consultant told me that if you have thrush your nipples will be itchy as well as burn, which makes sense to me. Mine never itched, just burned like they were on fire. Finally, with my third baby I had done some reading about vasospasms of the nipple and Raynaud’s of the nipple on the internet and figured out that was probably what it was. If you google Raynaud’s of the nipple you can find some info on it. Here is one link: http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/ I have Raynaud’s Phenomenon in my hands, but my understanding is you can still get vasospasms in your nipples with a bad latch, you don’t have to have Raynaud’s. One treatment is a low dose of nifedepine (I think it’s 30 mg) once a day. After trying all the other recommended natural treatments with nothing helping, I decided to try that as a last resort. My OB didn’t know anything about it initially, but luckily I was able to get him to read up on the condition and he gave me a prescription. You take it for 2 weeks and then go off and see if your symptoms come back. If they do, (which mine did) you take it for 2 more weeks and then stop. After the 4 weeks I had no more vasospasms (burning), but what was really amazing was that my soreness was so much better after one day on the medication. Might not be right for everyone, but it sure worked for me. I was able to nurse my 3rd baby to 15 months. Nursing does not come easy to so many women. You are not alone! Good luck and hang in there!
Laura Y. – Thank you. I’ve done my research and this is exactly where I have been led. I’ve contacted my OB about the medication (although hesitant to take ANYTHING… but at this point will try ANYTHING) and she’s looking into it. Usually pills are my last resort – but I feel like I have reached that point with this. AND with this kind of pain – there’s really no time for to go testing remedies here and there to see what will work. I appreciate this comment more than you know. The guilt for not nursing my first was so heavy for such a long time. I really didn’t want to experience that again. I decided that if I couldn’t find a remedy before the baby was born that I would only nurse as long as I could stand and then stop – no guilt this time. So glad there are options!
That’s not weird at all. I went to a chiropractor regularly during my pregnancy and still do. He uses the activator and toftness methods. My main chiropractor is actually my old employer so I know about the miracles chiropractors can do:) He did help a bit but homeopathy is what has helped heal me. I’m not 100% better but am slowly getting better. Thanks for the advice I’m a huge fan of chiropractors. Mom’s always look at me weird when I suggest chiropractic care for colds, coughs, milk supply, headaches… Pretty much everything:)
I’m happy it has worked out for you.
At the age of 3 years I was infected with raw milk from a cow who had brucillious it has impared my immune system for the rest of my life. I was nearly crippled with arthritis from the age of 16 years. When I see big pussey cysts on cows faces and bodies I know darn well that bacteria is transmitted through raw milk to the person drinking it. Hello, welcome cysts to your body! What about the parasites in the cows systems? There is a reason why milk is pasteurized – common sense is oviously not all that common. Only humans drink the stuff past infancy.
I have been reading, reading, reading your website-so much great info. I am left confused about what to do though if I can’t get raw milk (I live on Oahu, Hawaii and its not here) Right now we don’t drink any milk at all except for kefir (lifeway from while foods) but I’m worried about our calcium intake…should I give my child a supplement??????? Thank-you for any feedback
@sue check your local farmer’s market. the Amish provide ours.
I just got a gallon prior to having supply issues. my son who will be a year on the 17th was just diagnosed with an ear infection. I think I caught a bug and have intestinal issues due to that. I also had an ant problem that made me spray the house like crazy, my husband was concerned that I somehow poisoned him. then I got my period and supply dropped like crazy he stopped nursing as much, during the day, like he forgot his latch, and would only nurse to go to sleep.
I’m going to try drinking the milk since I have it anyways. I have tried fenugreek in the past and mother’s milk tea and will again. but for now I’m going to try a glass of milk.
Hi there, I am a mama to twin boys who are 6 1/2 months old. I’ve struggled with supply issues from the start. My boys get one 4oz bottle each of supplementation a day and are otherwise breastfed with some cereal/purees now. But I nurse ALL THE TIME. I always have one or both on me nursing. It’s a lot of work. I tried ashtanga and fenugreek and pumping to increase supply but always seem to be struggling to keep up. I was vegan for 10 years prior to my pregnancy but added in eggs/cheese. Strangely enough, as much as I nurse, I am not losing any weight beyond the initial 25 I lost when I delivered…I have 40 to go. I am willing to giive the raw milk a shot for my babies and myself. I will report back with my results.
Proud of you for nursing your twins!!!! That is awesome! Have you read what Sarah (this blog) says should be in your diet everyday? There is a lot more to it then eggs and cheese. Healthy fats, meats, cod liver oil… etc. She also tells you what is good to begin feeding babies and cereal isn’t one of them. If you have time (which I am sure you don’t have much of) read what she says! It makes sense. Best of luck to you girl!!!
The alternative to drinking the animals milk is killing the animal and extracting the vitamins A D and K from it’s body & eating the flesh raw. We’d have to hunt every other day, to have fresh food. Cooked food is reserved for when men are on the hunt. We’d live like hunter gatherers used to before they figured out animal husbandry and farming, leaving little or no time to have a culture… all the things civilized societies do.
It’s possible if the milk is raw to have bacteria in it to which you have not yet formed an immunity. Also, could be that you need to start slow. A few oz per day until you build your tolerance. If that doesn’t work, try making it into kefir. Though I like kefir less than fresh, the grains digest the parts I can’t and make the milk more accessible to me. If that doesn’t work, leave it alone and follow your body. Could be that your ancestors were not much milk drinkers. Sounds like your kids are thriving on it.
Can anyone explain how to answer someone when they talk about how humans are the only ones that drink other animals milk and that cow’s milk is for their babies and their babies only? I also do not know how to explain how cow’s milk causes mucus. I hear about how good raw milk is, I buy it and feed it to my family, but it causes me to be clearing my throat because of it. It always happens. I try and go by my instincts as much as possible, but raw milk has been so confusing to me.