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Full Time Pumping

Kelly - posted on 08/01/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

9

8

I have had to resort to just pumping since my daught quit latching at about 3 wks old. She is now 4 months. At first I produced plenty of milk and even had extra to freeze but in the last month my supply has decreased to the point that i have used every bit of what i had frozen and having to supplement with formula which is quite a disappointment. I have also recently started suffering from depression. I was wondering what ways work the best to increase milk supply?

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Kimberly - posted on 08/01/2010

709

64

I had a lower supply after starting on the Micronor birth control pill. I was prescribed Domperidone to increase my production. Fenugreek was also something I was recommended, which I believe you can get at health food stores.

Jennifer - posted on 08/01/2010

1,501

37

i have exclusively pumped for my now 8 month old son since he was 1 month old. my supply also diminished once my body regulated because pumps don't provide enough stimulation. here are some things that will help...

*make sure you pump between 8 and 12 times per day.
*when you are pumping, and the flow of milk starts to wane, make sure you pump at least 5 minutes past that.
*most women don't need to pump any longer than 20 minutes (if you are doing both at the same time)
*you should never go more than 6 hours without pumping
*drink plenty of water
*relax!

that being said, once your supply goes down, sometimes these tips simply are not enough to get your supply back up to where it needs to be because pumps just do not work as well as baby does. i had to take fenugreek the first time this happened to me...3 capsules, 3 times a day. after about 3 days you should notice a big increase in your supply, and you will also notice a maple syrup smell to your urine and sweat. once you notice the increase, you do not need to keep taking it but you do need to make sure that you are COMPLETELY emptying your breasts regularly in order to maintain the increase.

over the past 8 months, my milk suddenly decreased 4 times and it was a huge struggle to correct it each time, and there have been times i have had to supplement with formula which my son was SOOO not happy about. stick with it, and fight through, it is definitely worth all the hard work. i'm at the point now where i have run out of space in our freezer!

good luck, and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have in regards to pumping! i really want to help moms like me to reach, and exceed their pumping goals!

Lhot - posted on 08/01/2010

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1

How often do you pump? I've read from a good book about breast feeding that if within 10 mins and not much milk comes out from pumping, do not prolong it more. Rest and relax and try it again later. Try to pump 8 to 10 times in a day. Frequent pumping would help stimulate milk production and I do hope to hear from you with a good news!

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