New Here and Need Help

[LavenderSkies]

Hi everybody, I hope you don't mind if I jump in!? Let me introduce myself first so you don't just see me as a stranger. My name is Stacy, I am a somewhat single mom to 4 little girls ages 8, 5, 3, and 8 months. I am a SAHM/WAHM. I have a shop on HC which is how I found myself here.

So, on to my issue and the background story. About 3 weeks ago I became very ill. What for most people ends up being a normal Gallbladder removal, mine turned into a nightmare. I had 4 natural births and the pain of this outweighed them by far (with no wonderful reward at the end). I went to the first Hospital on Friday and was send home with no medication, and zero help because they had no idea what to do with a breastfeeding mom. They do not even have an OB floor there. They told me to call my doctor on Monday. I fought a very high 104 fever all weekend, called my doctor and was told to go right to the hospital. Turns out my Gallbladder was blocked and I had infection running everywhere through me. I spent over a week in the hospital (finally checked myself out because of anger). A friend had to take my girls. I sent my pumped BM from my freezer but it wasn't enough. She bought my baby that had never had a bottle, a bottle and formula. To keep her from crying she stuffed her constantly with food and formula.

Meanwhile at the hospital my milk supply is draining because of my fevers. I took my pump and pumped the first two days to keep some supply up even though I had to dump it. Then my battery died. Can you believe they would not rent an electric pump to me because I was not on the maternity floor? I argued daily about this and finally got so mad I checked myself out.

So my problem is, my supply still stinks!! I have tried Mothers Milk, Lactation Cookies, Milk Tea, etc. I nurse her on demand all day. She's eating so much from being stuffed all the time, I just can't keep up. She's not satisfied at all. It's breaking my heart. She hates the bottle and does want to nurse, I just am not making enough for her.

Any suggestions or help? Super Secret tips? My regular friends do not understand. I keep getting "You fed her 8 months, that's plenty". It's not. Not for me. I'm willing to try just about anything!

[Shadow]

I would keep feeding and keep feeding at every opportunity. Her demand will up your supply within a few days, give it time. I know it's heartbreaking, but if she's getting some and having some solids, then she won't starve. It will be a tough few days, but you will get there.
I hope you're better soon
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Shadow
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[meowsandy]

HI Mama and welcome to the forum. Like Shadow said, your supply shoudl pick up again if you continue to let her nurse on demand. There are also some herbs that are said to increase milk supply, but the names are slipping my mind at the moment. HOpefully someone else will chime in with those.

My Mom ( who nursed 8 kids) always insisted that a good beer increased her milk supply, and usually shared one with my Dad every night when she was nursing. If you don't like beer than a Brewers Yeast Suppliment is also supposed to help supply.

Also make sure you are getting plenty of rest, good nutrition, and staying well hydrated. Your body is also recovering from what sounds like a pretty tough ordeal and raising 4 kiddos alone isn't easy. DO you have any family around that can come give a hand while you recover?
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[bbailey]

I think the herb Fenugreek helps...
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Brittany~nursing student and SAHM to Cole 3/1/03 (autism), Jaden 8/31/04, Cameron 4/8/09, and Skyelar 11/8/11

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[Seun Designs Inc.]

Oatmeal is supposed to help too. You need oatmeal cookies, by the sounds of things.
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Margaret

Seun Designs Inc. on Etsy

[jwpsgurl]

Welcome & sorry to read about the difficulties you are having! Try Fenugeek (sp?) in combination with Blessed Thistle. Also, the hops in beer helps. Non-alcoholic beer actually tends to have more hops in it than regular beer. The website www.kellymom.com has some great info as well!
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Jessica~WAHM to Julianne 5-19-07, Jocelyn 8-10-08 & our new sweet baby Jacqueline 12-30-10
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[LavenderSkies]

Thanks guys. I have tried all the herbs, mothers milk, teas, lactation cookies, oatmeal, etc. I do believe beer helps but I'm limited on what I can handle for food and drink. It's been three weeks of this with little change but I have been on major antibiotics 6 a day, two types and can't really keep many foods down. I guess I'm stuck continuing what I'm doing and hoping. I appreciate the help!

[Just Nikki]

All wonderful advice above about the milk supply but I had to chime in about the gallbladder. I had my gallbladder out a couple years ago (and OMG are you right about the pain of a bad gallbladder being worse than labor...it is unreal) and I am VERY seriously worried as to why they have not got this out of you? If I read that right they have just been treating the infection?
From what I was told, an infected GB that is blocked is life threatening.

Please tell me I just misunderstood and they took it out but are NOW treating the infection?
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~Nikki
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[mykidrocks]

Welcome!
Everyone has given great advice. I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement. I hope you feel better soon, and keep your chin up mama.
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Lindsey- Full time college student and SAHM of three gorgeous girls who are more spice than sugar--
E~ 8/2003 K~ 4/2009 H~ 6/2011
And let's not forget my handsome soul mate Mr. W

[armywife51b]

I just read your story and was wondering how you are doing?
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