If I'm pumping drops should I give up?

Tracy - posted on 10/14/2009

I agree with what the other moms said about trying your best not to give up. Keep using the pump a few more minutes even after no more drops come out. I used Reglan (Metoprocalmine) for my two older kids, but I luckily did not need it for my third baby. Reason? This is kind of insane, but it worked like a miracle! My husband "took one for the team" and literally nursed out as much milk as he could every night. You would not believe how much he could stimulate them. A pump can't do it and your baby is too frustrated to keep nursing if the milk is not coming down. The more he nursed on them, the more milk I produced. And it is fun!! I still pump about an extra 8oz a day (that I freeze), and I attribute a lot of that to his stimulation in the beginning. Give it a try and see what he can get out. You may be amazed!! Hey, moms will do anything for their babies, right? Good luck!

Nikki - posted on 10/14/2009

You are in a perfect situation to get your milk back. Do not give up! Put the baby to your breast as often as you can - like as often as you can get her to latch on. She will drink when she is thirsty. The only thing you need to watch is wet diapers - if you are getting 6-8 per day then she is getting what she needs! The more you can get her to nurse, the more milk you will produce. Babies always work better than a pump :) After a couple weeks, you should be right back to where you want to be and can start trying to get into a schedule if that is what you want. DON'T GIVE UP :)

Teresa - posted on 10/14/2009

I found a combination of fenugreek and Mother Love More Milk Plus (suggested by the lactation consultant) helped a whole bunch. At my peak I was getting just over 40 oz a day!

Sara - posted on 10/14/2009

okay stack up on your milk products and then get some fish (i like salmon) bake it in the oven with other things that you like with it and eat it for next 2 days. I guarantee you that your milk with flow. Just keep putting her on. it will work. Dont panic that worsen the problem just relax and "love up" on your little one while she feeds. you can also pump on one while she feeds. your just starting out so you need to work to get it to the point of a bottle full.

Jacqueline - posted on 10/13/2009

my body will not produce for a pump at all whouldn't for any of my children i have three happy children ages 20months 8 and 11 years i nursed them all i was so disappointed when my oldest was born i couldn't pump i tought this ment i wasn't makeing milk thankfully i had supportive people around me who help me learn that not all people produce for a machine it isn't the same as when the baby is on the breast. so what ever you do don't give up and don't belive that what you pump is all you make.

Sylvie - posted on 10/13/2009

I had an oversupply and couldn't pump much so don't gage your supply by what you can express. A lot of the times, we have much more milk than we think, and sometimes the baby's action are missread. Think about these questions before you assume it's you supply.
Does she have reflux? ( back arching, wiggling and crying during a feeds)
Is she really hungry? ( sometimes cues are misread, I know I have)
Do you have a fast letdown? (usually happens within 1min, but could take longer)
Have you tried different position? (of it's fast letdown, it best to lie down to feed)

A good way to ingrease supply, is to try to nurse as much as possible (every2-3hrs). And if he refuses try nursing right after a nap while still very relaxed. Co-sleeping for a few days would also help.

Another supplement you could take apart from fenugreek ,is domperidone(prescription). I'm not sure where your from, but if in Canada, ask you Dr about it. There's rarely side effects with this drug and safe for baby. Reglan is another drug but has side effects, maybe this is the one you're thinking about.

Good luck, you can do it.

Samantha - posted on 10/13/2009

My doctor told me beer bring in milk. Now I am not talking about getting drunk. Drink one or two. I have done that and the next morning I would be engorged. It really works. And one or two beers will not hurt the baby.

Kelby - posted on 10/12/2009

First of all, don't give up if you really want to keep going... Secondly, being stressed is not going to help your pumping situation. I was getting stressed about pumping and building my freezer supply for when I go back to work and found that my pumping was getting harder. I was given the advice to take a break from pumping and it was just what I needed. I stopped pumping for a week or so and now am doing fine since I am less stressed about it. Try to have your baby nurse as much as possible. Nursing is the best way to up your supply. Even the best pump is only 50 percent as effective as your baby. Fenugreek is a good idea too. I take 2 a day just to keep my supply up, but you can take up to 6 a day. Do you have any breast feeding support groups in your area? I go to a free one twice a week and it has been invaluable! Good luck and let me know if I can help you further!

Alicia - posted on 10/12/2009

Are you stressed out? I know when I was stressed out I couldn't pump or breast feed that well. You are doing everything right, but try and relax if at all possible...I know easier said then done. Don't give up!

Natalie - posted on 10/12/2009

DONT GIVE UP!!! I have had several drops in my supply and I tried it all...pumping all the time, fenugreek, mothers tea, all of that and it did not work!!! That is when my daughter was 4 months old. My OB Dr gave me a rx for Reglan. MIRICLE!! I am happy to say that my daughter is 13 months old and I am still nursing. I do find that if I miss a dose my supply is down. I have had no side effects and my Dr says it's completely safe. Good Luck!!

Charlotte - posted on 10/12/2009

Dont give up! ive been prescribed domperezone which is an anti sickness tablet. it produces breastmilk. I went from having no milk to being able to get milk out daily. I still top up with formula but any breast milk is better than none!!

Rebecca - posted on 10/11/2009

Relgan can have VERY serious side effects. Make sure you talk to your doctor and stay in the care of your doctor while taking it. It can cause or make depression way worse!

Rebecca - posted on 10/11/2009

Reglan is a prescription that you can get from your doctor to help with milk supply, it is usually ordered as a 10 day course. I would not recommend it if you have postpartum depression, because it can cause depression. I agree with a lot of the other posts regarding relaxing. Try to find a comfortable chair to relax in while pumping, that usually helped me. I could actually fall asleep pumping and get a lot more milk. When you are stressed, i know first hand, milk production is impacted:( Easier said than done but consciously tell yourself to relax and think about making milk for your baby(my friend told me to do that) and I think it works!

Melody - posted on 10/11/2009

Well everyone has said it just relax and she will too. I still have problems like that with my daughter and shes almost 4 months old but she eventually gets milk and relaxes. The fenugreek you need to take 4 pills 4 times a day a total of 16 pills. You might not be taking enough( I felt it didn't help me too) and drink tons of water and you need to eat if you don't eat neither does she. Don't give up its such a joy and the best thing you will ever be able to do for her. And don't hesitate to ask around for help. GOOD LUCK!

Kimberly - posted on 10/11/2009

CALL A LACTATION CONSULTANT. its not too late!

Kim - posted on 10/11/2009

I was given a script from the dr which I still take, as well as Fenugreek and also three glasses of two dessert spoons of akitive in a large cup of milk three times a day. Don't know why this works by my supply increased afterwards. Still having that and breastfeeding my daughter three times a day. I know that heart sinking feeling when you're expressing and nothing seems to be appearing in the bottle but we got through it. Good luck.

Amanda - posted on 10/10/2009

Also there is a mother's milk tea at price chopper that works great too!!

Amanda - posted on 10/10/2009

Make sure you are relaxed if you are not relaxed the hormone that makes milk called relaxin, cannot make milk. Make sure you have a comfortable pump and use LOTS of lansinoh or lanolin cream, that makes it so much more comfortable. It sounds like you just are not comfortable while trying. Think of your baby and close your eyes while pumping with lots of the cream on your nipples. It will come just believe!!

Kelcie - posted on 10/10/2009

Never give up! Definitely the fenugreek.. I had this same problem as well I was getting almost nothing... I took the herbal supplement for about a week and a half and my supply was comming right back up... also the brand of pump you are using just might not be strong enough the only pump even worth buying is a medela pump in style double electric pump or renting the hospital lactina for a few weeks just to boost that supply... also if you watch tv for an hour or so pump during every commercial even if nothing is comming out the stimulation will trigger your brain to produce more milk

Nikki - posted on 10/10/2009

i would talk to a breast feeding councillor not every one can express even when there is milk there so don't give up also try plenty of skin to skin and carry your baby round in a sling if you have one this can help increase milk supply. good luck

Shirley - posted on 10/10/2009

I'm not sure how often your pumping/nursing. But the more you do it the better. I've heard of women pumping months after they dried up and getting their milk to flow again. Try pumping every half hour, if you can. I'm sorry

Carla - posted on 10/10/2009

dont give up, keep pumping (for at least 5 minutes after you express the very last drop of milk), feeding and taking your supplements. Have you tried the system where baby is supplemented through a tube attached to the nipple? (I think its called an sns or something, someone please correct that if its wrong) That way she will still suckle on the breast as she is being rewarded and theres no nipple confusion or preference to a bottle? Your baby will be getting much more than you can pump, some people just cant pump but can nurse successfully. good luck :)

Karen - posted on 10/10/2009

We were successful with fenugreek,brewers yeast tabs (instead of the dark beer), Mother Milk tea all found at GNC, eating 1-2 servings of oatmeal daily and tons of water. Try to relax...coming on here and sharing some experiences and asking questions helped set my mind at ease a lot hearing others going through or have been through similar situations. And i also found a local lactation consultant who made the above suggestions. I was stressed going from engorged to almost nothing after a depo-provera injection. My daughter has been EBF and she is now 6 months old thriving. A lot of people told me DO NOT stress over ounces in that pumped bottle. Your baby is way more efficient getting you to let down than that pump is. I STILL can hardly get anything from the pump and am wondering how I'm going to get enough to mix in her cereal lol. Good luck!

Emma - posted on 10/09/2009

Definatley talk to a lactation consultant. Try the hot compresses before you feed and make sure you and your baby are alone in a nice quiet room, until feeding is back on track. When I was in the hospital and had to pump to get my milk supply going it took days then all of a sudden I was pumping milk and my son started to latch on. But like I said I pumped for days, every 3 hours and for a minimum of twenty minutes. Even if I pumped just a few drops it was success. And while we were in the hospital I was giving him bottles of formula. Just remember breastmilk will only produce what you need at that moment, but that is ONLY once breastfeeding has been well established. Whatever you do don't give up. Definately pay for the scrip to give yourself that extra boost to get yourself going.

Danielle - posted on 10/09/2009

oh and no side effects either!!!!!

Danielle - posted on 10/09/2009

Have you ever tried to get a perscription for reglan?? ask your doctor!! I used it and it helped so much!!! it was insane how fast it came too!!! i was engorged for about a weeK!

Rebecca - posted on 10/09/2009

Take Blessed Thistle with the Fenugreek as they work best together. You also need to take enough of the Fenugreek so that your urine and your body odour smell somewhat like maple syrup. If you dont smell you are not taking enough. But know that you are doing a fantastic job and sounds like you are doing everything right! But try to get a hold of a LC or LLL leader as they may be able to give you more tips/advice and give you some more support in person!!! Take care!!!

Tara - posted on 10/09/2009

docs can give you a scrip, but you can also go all natural with herbs to increase your supply. I worked from 6 weeks on with my son and my milk was never that great a flow to begin with, but I got some increases by eating oatmeal, and taking the suppliments fenugreek, fennel, alfalfa, and drinking tons of water. You can also massage them while you pump and that with help you get every last bit out, and that forces the breast to make more. The fenugreek works best with a combo of the other herbs, but the biggest improvement you will see is with relaxation. The more you stare at that little collection bottle, the less milk you will get, I know this from experience and having to suppliment my breastmilk with formula cause I couldn't give him enough milk and he was not going to suffer because of that. I have also heard that a beer with help your increase, but I have never tried it. What worked for me, was going to a party one night with my hubby and having 2 drinks (after so long that was all it took for happy Tara). I had planned on pumping, but after drinking I decided to get rid of the milk. That party chilled me out so much that when I pumped again the next day (my son was at his gramma's) my milk was almost twice what I usually had. One more thing, actual nursing increases the milk best so if you can try and be home for as much nursing as possible. I totally understand where you are coming from and my little guy is 10 months now and besides solids, is only on breastmilk, but please remember that a healthy baby and happy mommy are your ultimate goals and stressing about your supply cant get you there, formula is not evil and you are not a bad mom if you have to suppliment. The b

Jenifer - posted on 10/09/2009

Don't give up! The pump isn't nearly as efficient as baby, so it's not surprising that you wouldn't get much with the pump. It does take your body some time to get used to the pump, too. I always found it was important to relax to help get the milk flowing. If baby isn't with you, try looking at a picture of her while you pump. I also found that waking for a pumping session in the middle of the night - between 2 and 4 am - always gave my supply a boost.
You may be able to get your daughter on the breast if you try to get her to latch after you've pumped to get letdown, or (if you've been giving bottles) after you've given her an ounce or two so she's not super hungry. If you can work on getting her to latch for feedings, that will do more for your supply than the pump will.
And definitely check out kellymom.com - its an awesome resource. Good luck!

Christi - posted on 10/09/2009

hey there, good for you, don't give up--it's one of the best things you can do for your baby. in the beginning with my boy, i was pumping drops myself. they make a tea called 'mothers milk' you can find it in a health food store or whole foods. try nursing your baby, eating healthy yourself, drink lots of water and pumping every chance you get. if that doesn't work you can see a lataction consultant. did you know that a woman whom has never had a baby can breastfeed her adopted child! what they do is you bring up a small tube to the nipple that comes from a bottle of formula, the baby sucks on the nipple, gets the formula and stimulates the breast to make the milk., just don't give up and good luck.

Christine - posted on 10/09/2009

Hey Mama! First off, good for you for deciding to breastfeed. Second, THERE IS HOPE. Please don't give up. Is there a lactation consultant at the hospital where your daughter was that could help you out? When my son was in the nicu, they gave me a number to call whenever I needed help. It could be the pump. How long are you pumping for? When I was having problems pumping I would try to imagine the first time I saw my son, and would look at pictures of him. This really relaxed me and helped my let down. Also, it takes time. There are times where I won't get a significant amount of milk until pumping for 15 mins...I don't know very much about the medications. I've used mother's milk tea (with success) and made sure to eat, and drink well. Another thing, oatmeal. Try eating oatmeal. I know it sounds weird, but it works for me, and has worked wonders for a lot of others too. I hope you can find some help in real life. You need some support along with some good advice from a lactation consultant. Just don't give up Mama. I know it is hard, especially after a hospital stay in the beginning. Please take care of yourself, and let us know how things are going!



Check out: http://www.kellymom.com/

Isis - posted on 10/09/2009

Don't Give Up!!! Take some deep breaths before you start nursing or pumping. I found that pumping while nursing at the same time helped me to get more milk into a bottle and into my baby's mouth! Get everything on your pump all ready and when you start nursing your baby, pum your other breast. Also go to the Le Leche League Website and find a lactation consultant in your area, there is usually a number to call and someone can give you some pointers over the phone!
Stay strong! You are doing the right thing by continuing to breastfeed!!

Brandy - posted on 10/09/2009

DON'T GIVE UP! My breasts wouldn't let down for the pump at all, even thought they had milk. And I thought there was nothing there because of it but I was wrong and the more I stressed about it, the more trouble I would have getting my milk to let down for my daughter. Just relax, stop trying to pump because your body doesn't want to give the milk to the pump right now and use warm compresses on your breasts before you try to feed. The more you worry and tense up about it, the longer it will take to let down. And even if it hasn't let down yet, you can put baby to your breast and relax as much as possible and with her sucking, it should let down. My breasts wouldn't let down for the pump until my daughter was 6 months old and slowed her feeding to eat solids but she gained weight properly and never went hungry once I realized what I was doing wrong. Good luck!