Breastfeeding Issues

by Sara
(FL)

My entire life I have believed that breastfeeding is the only way to go. As a nurse the benefits were taught in school and as the child of self-proclaimed hippies I grew up with it engrained into my fibers. With my first son it started off fabulous, I was producing a lot of milk and he was doing well, but after a few months it seemed to fizzle out. Then he became interested in other foods and I started to dry up after only around 8 months. I had my daughter 16 months after having my son and she only breast fed for about five months as I was not producing enough milk to feed without supplementing with formula- per the nutritionist.
Now, my son is 3, my daughter is 2, and I will be having my third child, another little boy in less than a week, I want to breast feed so much and I know that it is the best way to go- however the anxiety is already starting. My breasts are not swelling and there is no evidence of milk at this time. I remember with my first I started to produce milk at around seven months gestation, I know that I had some dripping with my second, and now it's like there is nothing. I am hoping to try to increase my milk supply with natural options prior to frustratedly giving in to the easy out of formula- as I will be heading back to work soon after the birth and must be able to not only make enough to feed him, but also to store for future feedings.