My supply hasn't been dropping, but it's going up very slowly or more slowly than I'd hoped. In part it may easily have been affected by trauma in our lives (husband's mom hit and killed by a car four weeks ago, then husband's dad had a heart attack two weeks later with need for open heart bypass surgery performed on the day our son was born). I tried the lact-aid once but it was so awkward I used the Avent bottle last night and today. My son empties the 20-30cc in my breasts every 3 hours today, then I've offered him thawed breast milk I'd stored in whatever amount he wants once I've finished nursing him. He is now content rather than crying unconsolably, and he's sleeping and urinating and stooling better. He is at breast 10 minutes per side and seems to have emptied me prior to the end of that ten minutes. I am very open to whatever advice you have for me. I will continue to nurse him and am dedicated to making this work. I just want to know if anyone has been successful bringing in a much better supply of milk once they've put a baby to breast, and how long it took them. I have seen a certified lactation nurse and his latch is good. Thank you.

Okay, I would say keep trying with the lact-aid. You are right it is awkward but once you get it, it goes smoothly after that. It will really help with keeping up with the demand of baby as his sucking is more stimulating than the pump. Also I would say 10 minutes each side may not be long enough. First off if you are timing, don't. Every baby is different and every nursing session is different. Let him nurse as long as he will. Switch back and forth if necessary. Some babies willstay interested in the breast longer if you keep switching sides. I also personally think it encourages multiple letdowns. The other thing to think about is nursing him more often than every 3 hours. I would suggest nursing on demand. Some babies need to nurse more often. How much did he weigh at birth?

He weighed 8lbs12oz but looked really swollen for lack of a better word. He dropped to 8-4 in 24 hours, then down to 8lbs another day later. He dropped to 7-12 at six days old. He's now up to 8-0 at 9 days old. I'm getting better with the lact-aid. I was just so spoiled by my 1st child who I put to breast whenever and wherever she wanted it. I would put my son to breast more frequently but he won't do it. I cannot wake him up no matter what I do. If I take him off of the breast he's nursing on, he often won't nurse on the other side. I can't get him to latch on.

Sounds like things are going better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> What are you putting in the lactaid? If he is getting lots of formula he won't want to nurse as often as a baby who is getting all breast milk. If he just won't nurse on the second side then leave him on one side the whole time and pump the other side. If you can pump while nursing to maximize your letdown. Then next session nurse him on the side that got pumped and pump the side that got nursed etc... Does that make sense? This makes the most sense to me. Nona? Lenore? what do you think?