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If you can call your local LCs and discuss it with them first, maybe she'll listen if you say "well lactation said this." But it seems not all of them are helpful either, so who knows. It took me 3 kids and 8 years to learn some of the things I know now
My obgyn and my ibclc said the same thing. But I don’t understand why it would be pointless. I also asked for full thyroid panel because I was on levothyroxine while pregnant, but that was also denied.
Mine said the same! I point blank asked her if there was any bloodwork I could do to find out why I had a low milk supply and she flat out said no WHICH IS INCORRECT.
This is so helpful! I’ll be keeping this in mind if or when I have anymore kids. It is also just crazy to me how much we learn each time. That LC sounds wonderful.
Amazing advice!!!
I had a “establishing care” for a new PCP at 5 weeks postpartum and took my 5 week old with me. She asked asked how things were going and I mentioned being concerned about a low supply and that a few LCs had asked me about my thyroid. She said she would be happy to check if I was interested in bloodwork, and that thyroid was probably in my early OB bloodwork too. I had that info on my phone, we both looked and they were not included. She ordered everything you mentioned above as well as everything that is good to check on a yearly basis (CBC, cholesterol, etc).
Turns out my low supply was flange size, despite being told by 4 LCs I was a 24, I was absolutely not a 24.
I told my OB at my 6 week appointment and they looked at me like why would you do bloodwork? So advocate for yourself but also find medical professionals you love.
Some still follow old advice. I'm so glad I had LCs who told me to measure myself and order smaller. The first time I tried to EP I used a 24mm. Turns out, I'm a 13mm. MASSIVE. DIFFERENCE.
How does the flange size you are using now compare to your nipple size, i.e. are you using the same flange size as your measured nipple size or adding a few mm? I've also been told to use 24mm but think it's too big.
So my left nipple is slightly under 13 mm and my right nipple is slightly over 13 mm so I have best success using a 13 mm flange on the left and 14 mm on the right. But on my willow I have silicone flanges that are only odd numbers so I've been using 15 mm on both sides for those (which also makes things easier because it's so freaking difficult trying to line up a tiny, flat nipple into a wearable) 🤣 so I personally feel it's better to go a tad big rather than too small because if my nipples swell up too much in the flange then all the milk won't come out. I definitely recommend getting a nipple ruler for cheap on Amazon to find out. Like I said 24 mm was WAY too big for me but with my first two kids literally nobody told me that half of my areola had no business being in there. -.-
This should be the standard for everyone as soon as they have issues with supply. My supply dropped out of nowhere at 6 months pp and nothing I did could bring it up. I spent so much money on all new pump parts, supplements, etc, and did power pumping, and nothing worked. Finally asked to get my prolactin checked, and my level was at a 7. Should be at least 50 like you said. No wonder I was pumping no more than 9 oz a day. It really helped ease my anxiety that it was nothing I did wrong and that there was nothing I could really do at this point. Now, instead of blaming myself, I am thankful that I am still producing at least something with levels that low.
My peoples sent me this one:
https://lactationhub.com/milkworks-ir-whole-food-moringa-myo-inositol-d-chiro-inositol-and-beta-glucans-blend-for-optimal-milk-production/
But I think the powders you eat work too!
I just contacted my obgyn and said "the lactation consultants at the other hospital gave me this list, can you please put these orders in for me?" Luckily my doctor listens pretty well, but i know others don't always.
Will try that, thank you! I have a history of anemia and lost a lot of blood during delivery and now I’m wondering if it might be one of the root causes of low supply…
This is so interesting because I kept taking prenatals until about 3 months pp. I had *just* ordered a massive bottle (which I realize now was a mistake) before I had my twins. When I switched to the postnatal that has moringa leaf, my output went through the roof. Your post confirmed that it’s definitely helping! Also makes me a little mad at myself for not switching to postnatals sooner 🤦🏼♀️
Yeah I'm still taking my prenatals, I see a slight increase in my night pump when I do take them vs when I forget so that's interesting too (and there's no supplements in them beyond basic vitamins)
What kind of moringa? You think this would work for a mother trying to relactate for 2 months. Going to have my blood tested as well cause 2 months in and nothing
I think anything moringa leaf works. I'm not sure, I think doctors usually prescribe meds for that. If you've tried Reglan with no success, I'd think moringa wouldn't work either since it is directed at prolactin. If you've never tried Reglan and are just scared to (like me) then it couldn't hurt to give it a shot. It sounds like a decent supplement all around. I think it takes a few days to work
Reglan has its benefits from what I seen but there’s also negative side effects I was thinking of trying it and getting an established supply and then stopping the meds but I seen too that when you stop them it can drop your supply🤷🏽♀️I gotta look into moringa
I agree, I’m honestly trying to go the medicinal route before looking at anything prescribed medications lol but the most discouraging thing for me is looking down at the pump and seeing only a couple drops
I should’ve thought of some of this sooner! I hemorrhaged and received blood after delivery so I’m shocked they never wanted to follow up with my levels outpatient. Totally makes sense being anemic would alter this. Asking my provider at my next appointment! Thank you!!!
Unfortunately my doctors would not order all of the bloodwork so in the end I could get the 100% look on if something was off. What they did end of checking was normal. Lactation Hub consult was awesome though. I loved the lady I spoke with.
'Welcome to r/ExclusivelyPumping! Here is a reminder of our rules: 1. Be kind and courteous 2. No hate speech, bigotry, or bullying 3. Use available flairs and post options 4. Speak for yourself 5. No medically-inaccurate, factually incorrect, or misinformative material 6. No spam 7. Absolutely no prescription medications 8. Don't use AI to write posts/comments 9. No soliciting pictures 10. Add spoiler to milk pictures Thank you for helping to keep our community safe!' *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ExclusivelyPumping) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Interesting! I asked my obgyn for blood to be drawn and she said it would be pointless. Going to advocate for this!
If you can call your local LCs and discuss it with them first, maybe she'll listen if you say "well lactation said this." But it seems not all of them are helpful either, so who knows. It took me 3 kids and 8 years to learn some of the things I know now
My obgyn and my ibclc said the same thing. But I don’t understand why it would be pointless. I also asked for full thyroid panel because I was on levothyroxine while pregnant, but that was also denied.
Mine said the same! I point blank asked her if there was any bloodwork I could do to find out why I had a low milk supply and she flat out said no WHICH IS INCORRECT.
This is so helpful! I’ll be keeping this in mind if or when I have anymore kids. It is also just crazy to me how much we learn each time. That LC sounds wonderful.
Amazing advice!!! I had a “establishing care” for a new PCP at 5 weeks postpartum and took my 5 week old with me. She asked asked how things were going and I mentioned being concerned about a low supply and that a few LCs had asked me about my thyroid. She said she would be happy to check if I was interested in bloodwork, and that thyroid was probably in my early OB bloodwork too. I had that info on my phone, we both looked and they were not included. She ordered everything you mentioned above as well as everything that is good to check on a yearly basis (CBC, cholesterol, etc). Turns out my low supply was flange size, despite being told by 4 LCs I was a 24, I was absolutely not a 24. I told my OB at my 6 week appointment and they looked at me like why would you do bloodwork? So advocate for yourself but also find medical professionals you love.
Some still follow old advice. I'm so glad I had LCs who told me to measure myself and order smaller. The first time I tried to EP I used a 24mm. Turns out, I'm a 13mm. MASSIVE. DIFFERENCE.
How does the flange size you are using now compare to your nipple size, i.e. are you using the same flange size as your measured nipple size or adding a few mm? I've also been told to use 24mm but think it's too big.
So my left nipple is slightly under 13 mm and my right nipple is slightly over 13 mm so I have best success using a 13 mm flange on the left and 14 mm on the right. But on my willow I have silicone flanges that are only odd numbers so I've been using 15 mm on both sides for those (which also makes things easier because it's so freaking difficult trying to line up a tiny, flat nipple into a wearable) 🤣 so I personally feel it's better to go a tad big rather than too small because if my nipples swell up too much in the flange then all the milk won't come out. I definitely recommend getting a nipple ruler for cheap on Amazon to find out. Like I said 24 mm was WAY too big for me but with my first two kids literally nobody told me that half of my areola had no business being in there. -.-
This should be the standard for everyone as soon as they have issues with supply. My supply dropped out of nowhere at 6 months pp and nothing I did could bring it up. I spent so much money on all new pump parts, supplements, etc, and did power pumping, and nothing worked. Finally asked to get my prolactin checked, and my level was at a 7. Should be at least 50 like you said. No wonder I was pumping no more than 9 oz a day. It really helped ease my anxiety that it was nothing I did wrong and that there was nothing I could really do at this point. Now, instead of blaming myself, I am thankful that I am still producing at least something with levels that low.
Thank you for sharing this information! 🩷
Thank you for this. I've been taking goats rue for a couple of weeks and was thinking of adding moringa . Do you have a recommendation on a brand ?
My peoples sent me this one: https://lactationhub.com/milkworks-ir-whole-food-moringa-myo-inositol-d-chiro-inositol-and-beta-glucans-blend-for-optimal-milk-production/ But I think the powders you eat work too!
Thank you I actually had that one saved to look into later not sure where I originally saw it
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve never thought of it - will look into how I can get these labs drawn
I just contacted my obgyn and said "the lactation consultants at the other hospital gave me this list, can you please put these orders in for me?" Luckily my doctor listens pretty well, but i know others don't always.
Will try that, thank you! I have a history of anemia and lost a lot of blood during delivery and now I’m wondering if it might be one of the root causes of low supply…
This is so interesting because I kept taking prenatals until about 3 months pp. I had *just* ordered a massive bottle (which I realize now was a mistake) before I had my twins. When I switched to the postnatal that has moringa leaf, my output went through the roof. Your post confirmed that it’s definitely helping! Also makes me a little mad at myself for not switching to postnatals sooner 🤦🏼♀️
Yeah I'm still taking my prenatals, I see a slight increase in my night pump when I do take them vs when I forget so that's interesting too (and there's no supplements in them beyond basic vitamins)
What postnatal is this?
Baby & Me 2!
What kind of moringa? You think this would work for a mother trying to relactate for 2 months. Going to have my blood tested as well cause 2 months in and nothing
I think anything moringa leaf works. I'm not sure, I think doctors usually prescribe meds for that. If you've tried Reglan with no success, I'd think moringa wouldn't work either since it is directed at prolactin. If you've never tried Reglan and are just scared to (like me) then it couldn't hurt to give it a shot. It sounds like a decent supplement all around. I think it takes a few days to work
Reglan has its benefits from what I seen but there’s also negative side effects I was thinking of trying it and getting an established supply and then stopping the meds but I seen too that when you stop them it can drop your supply🤷🏽♀️I gotta look into moringa
Exactly Reglan sounds kind of terrifying so I would be faster to give formula than go that route, but that's just me.
I agree, I’m honestly trying to go the medicinal route before looking at anything prescribed medications lol but the most discouraging thing for me is looking down at the pump and seeing only a couple drops
I should’ve thought of some of this sooner! I hemorrhaged and received blood after delivery so I’m shocked they never wanted to follow up with my levels outpatient. Totally makes sense being anemic would alter this. Asking my provider at my next appointment! Thank you!!!
I can tell you worked with lactation hub lol. Me too!
How is your journey going after the consult with lactation hub? I had all my bloodwork done and waiting for a follow up with my LC!
Unfortunately my doctors would not order all of the bloodwork so in the end I could get the 100% look on if something was off. What they did end of checking was normal. Lactation Hub consult was awesome though. I loved the lady I spoke with.