Nikki Lee Health

The mother of a two-week old newborn called for a consultation. At the home visit, her baby latched on only once, and refused other attempts. The mother’s milk supply was diminished. Together she and I developed a care plan that included as much time skin to skin as possible, renting a hospital grade pump to pump at least 8 times a day, using hands-on pumping techniques to increase milk yield, considering the use of an herb to boost prolactin levels, pacing bottle-feeding in a breastfeeding position, and using a nipple shield.

Today, the baby is month old. This mother has made an amazing journey; her baby is breastfeeding more often, is now gaining an appropriate amount of weight, and her milk supply has increased. This mother was impressive in that she integrated the whole care plan into her life. Here’s what I wrote to her at the end of our work together:

You are the most unusual client in that you hired me for a consultation, and took everything I gave you and used it and adapted it to fit your life.  You are a dream….and you are doing well. You have your poop gauge and your milk drunk baby to tell you that you are getting on track with breastfeeding. I hope that you are enjoying this journey.

Your love is the most important thing you can give your baby. Your baby can feel your love when you are holding her skin to skin (her father can enjoy this too), and she can taste it in your milk. She can’t understand words of love yet, and is learning their meaning through her physical body and the good feelings that you are giving to her.

Continue to build your supply.  I suggest a hands-free pumping bra that you can either make or purchase, so that you can pump while you are doing other things, like working on the computer.  Some women cut holes out of the cups of an old bra that will do the same thing as this bra does.

As for using a nipple shield, go for it. If the mood or time feels right, offer Baby your bare breast. This might be after she’s fed for a bit, and has something in her tummy. Or, it might be when she’s a bit drowsy and you are holding her and rocking her and the breast is there and she attaches in her sleep.

As long as she is getting some formula (and I noticed that the amount she is getting is less than when we first met, YAY!!), and you are using the shield, pump as much as you can. I realize that life can displace pumping sessions, so use the hands-free bra and organize your life so that there is enough pumping sessions to keep your supply high. You will be in great shape when you return to your job, as you’ll have a pumping routine already thoroughly established.

Awesome work! Please keep me posted.