QUESTION

Dear Lactation Consultant,
I am nursing my second child and did not have any serious milk supply issues with the first. With the second, he is beginning to outpace me - he's drinking 14-18 ounces per day at day care (I work full time) and I produce 12-15 via the pump. The only differences are that I am taking Ortho Micronor and that my job is more intense (and more enjoyable).

Over the weekends, I do not pump at all -- I feed him. I would prefer not to supplement. Do you have any suggestions to ramp up my supply?

Thanks.
Joelle

QUESTION:

Dear Fitness Expert,
I did fine during pregnancy. I kept jogging until about the last 7 weeks. Then I walked. I assumed I could just pick up again once the baby was here. I have the okay from the doctor to start jogging again, but here's the problem. I'm breastfeeding and my boobs HURT when I run.

What can I do to lessen the pain? I am really looking forward to being on the go again.

Domperidone (Motilium™) is a drug that has, as a side effect, the increasing of milk production, probably by increasing prolactin production by the pituitary gland. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates the cells in the mother's breast to produce milk.

Jaundice is due to a buildup in the blood of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that comes from the breakdown of old red blood cells. It is normal for old red blood cells to break down, but the bilirubin formed does not usually cause jaundice because the liver metabolizes it and gets rid of it into the gut.

QUESTION

Dear Lactation Consultant,
My name is Amy and I went to my OB/GYN for my annual and I asked her was there anything I could take to reestablish my milk supply. It's been a 3 ½ month break since I nursed my son (he's 5 ½ months) and she stated once the milk ducts dry up its not possible to relactate. Is this true or not? I just want piece of mind while I start this quest because others say that it is possible but the professional that I'm putting my trust in says no. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Human milk contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and trace elements. So does infant formula. But the bioavailability (the amount of a nutrient that the body can actually absorb) of the nutrients in each fluid differs markedly.

by Anne Smith, IBCLC

Nearly all nursing mothers worry at one time or another about whether their babies are getting enough milk. Since we can't measure breastmilk intake the way we can formula intake, it is easy to be insecure about the adequacy of our milk supplies. The "perception" of insufficient breastmilk production is the most common reason mothers give for weaning or early introduction of solids or supplements. Although there is a very small percentage of women who can't produce enough milk no matter what they do, this is very rare.

QUESTION

Dear Lactation Consultant,
Hello. I have a small concern. Last week I had a longer lasting than normal period. Now this week, I still have all the physical aches and pains that go along with menstruation. I also noticed that I have a liquid that sure looks like colostrum leaking from both breasts. I weaned my son eight months ago. Do you know what could be causing this? Any help you could give me would be appreciated.