Not producing enough milk. HELP!

Allison - posted on 06/08/2010

Tarryn, I feel your pain! It sounds like you've done just about everything you can. Just want to reiterate that as a last resort, the 5 bottles over 5 days formula supplement actually worked great for us. Let me know if you have any questions about doing that. I would highly recommend it if nothing else works. Because you get pretty full (as the baby does NOT nurse you first) it's easier to pump the milk out, and you can get those bottles stocked up in the freezer. After that, then you don't have to use any more formula, ever :) Good luck!

Amy - posted on 06/08/2010

Taryn, there are a few groups around for mums who pump and they may be able to offer more help and support than mums like me who pumped little or not at all. I've not had to use them, but a google search has brought up quite a few and I'd suggest reading and/or asking them: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pum... http://www.pumpingmoms.org/ http://momswhopump.com/ The usenet group misc.kids.breastfeeding had a lot of experienced exclusive pumpers back when I was there and would definitely be worth a look!

Tarryn - posted on 06/07/2010

I have met with a lactation consultant twice and she told me to switch from manual to electric the first time she also told me to try to tandem nurse and pump. She told me the best time to pump is an hour after baby nurses and especially in the morning when your hormones are highest for milk production. She was also the one to tell me about fenugreek an herb supplement that some women have been able to use to increase milk supply. The next time I met her she told me maybe my body has not gotten used to the pump and I should try to find out if my insurance will pay for me a hospital grade pump. She also told me to make sure that I am eating well ( i eat oatmeal with peanut butter every morning Allison since I am vegetarian), try to stay as least stressed out as possible & keep trying basically.I have not started ANY meds Amy I don't wish to ever go on birth control again because it had bad side effects for me so I am not taking anything. I am still nursing well my son doesn't seem to be hungry or malnourished. He nurses every 2-3 hours as I said before. I am not judging my milk supply by what I am pumping Celeste I just want to up my milk supply so that I do pump enough to have a good enough amount of milk stored for when I transition back to work and I am not able to be there to literally nurse him. If I don't have enough milk stored I will have to put my son on formula because he has to eat. So I am praying almost pleading for something to give by July so I will not have to formula feed my son.

Celeste - posted on 06/07/2010

How are you determining that you're not making enough milk? Pumps aren't indicative of supply because babies are much more efficient than the pump. Are you putting him to the breast at all? That's the best way to get supply up.

Eliza - posted on 06/07/2010

Well when my daughter was 2 weeks old I was admitted to the hospital due to a cold. I ouldn't have her near me but I was still breastfeeding. During my visit I could barely pump an ounce per session form both breast. I was so stressed out over what if I can't give her enough. I refused to put her on formula at all. So I had my husband bring in one of her blankets with her lovely smell and a picture of her. So when I pumped I could really image her there. Also once I was able to latch her on again, I would pump one breast will she ate off the other one. That way it will flow out easier. Plus make sure you have to right nipple fit for your breast pump...that plays a big part in pumping!

Allison - posted on 06/07/2010

I was never able to get a DROP of "extra" milk pumped and saved up, because my baby nursed a lot as well - there was no "extra" milk left for the pump. I think this is the way it should be, but tough for us working moms! I spoke with a lactation consultant about pumping, and I would really recommend a consultant for you, if you can afford it! And you can also contact your local La Leche League leader for free advice: www.llli.org.



To go back to work at 3 months, I had to give my son one bottle of formula per day for 5 days, during one normal nursing time, during which time I would pump a bottle of milk. So I had 5 bottles frozen when I started work. Once at work, I pumped slightly MORE often than his normal nursing schedule (every 2 hours). This way I pumped enough for him, and never had to use a drop of formula again.



I agree that nursing him more often might help boost your supply. That's probably more effective than any supplements, but I did use "Mother's Milk Special Blend" drops (with fenugreek), too. I also heard that eating oatmeal and just drinking lots of water will help.



Last tip I have, if you pump and nothing comes out, KEEP pumping for 15 minutes. Lactation consultant told me that, and that's how I got my milk to come in for the pump. Once you get used to the pump (took several weeks for me), then the milk will flow more readily for the pump :) Hopefully you have another month at least before heading back to work, and can take this time to slowly adjust to using the pump. Hope that helps!!!

Monica - posted on 06/06/2010

i wish i could help, but i couldn't pump for either of my kids, but i b/f them the whole time so i was producing more than enough milk, i just couldn't pump and i tried diff kinds of pumps too!! I hope you find something that works for you, good luck!!

Amy - posted on 06/06/2010

It's common to not be able to let down for a pump. It doesn't help you as you want to pump for work, but it's not a good measure of how much milk you're making, neither is how engorged you are. Are you feeding on demand? The best way to increase your milk supply is to nurse more often (and pump in between, even if you're not getting much out). Kellymom has a page on pumping tips, I'm not sure how helpful it'll be: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-li... I'm glad you've tried a different pump as it's important to eliminate problems with the pump itself. I've put the 'star' valve in my Avent Isis up the wrong way before, resulting in it not working at all. Just to be sure, have you changed anything else - e.g. you haven't started taking medication for anything, birth control pills etc?