Only pumping-any ideas of how to increase milk supply?

Carrie - posted on 11/04/2008

I have a fabulous breastfeeding book I got from my childbirthing class. It is put out by WIC and I think the author is Amy Spangler. You should look it up. Of course it recommends breastfeeding when possible and pumping while on the job but you are wanting to avoid the teeth :( I had a difficult time establishing a milk supply from the beginning and pumped every two hours for thirty minutes. For instance, from 8-830 then again at 10. It worked like a charm as I was soon producing enough milk to feed a small country but that may be nearly impossible for you at work but you could always just do it once at work and try to follow that schedule for awhile. It may exhaust you though. It did me, but as I said, it worked!

Michelle - posted on 11/04/2008

Katie,

I know the biting thing can be a real challenge. Understand though, that often it's just bub either teething (sore gums and tries it on you!), or really isn't that into feeding. When they're serious, they feed. If they bite say "ouch!". Let them know they've hurt you. Take them off the breast for a moment or two. If they protest, give them another chance. Often they pick up very quickly what you mean. If not, put them down and go for a feed when they bring it up next and repeat the process, if necessary. Chances are, it won't be.

Pumping is simply about supply and demand. The other thing to keep in mind is that you should really invest in a really good pump. A double electric would be ideal. Then you could get it done quickly, as you are a working girl! Another thing is to remember that it can take a good 24-48 hours for your milk supply to truly increase. Try to limit supplements, as they can cause adverse reactions in bub.

You're a champion to be so committed and should certainly keep up the good work! Maybe think about giving him a night feed and see if he's less snappy at that time of day?!

Hope this helps love!

~Michelle~

Marissa - posted on 11/04/2008

Pump as often as you can... even if just for a few minutes. Also, try getting mother's milk tea from a natural foods store. There's nothing weird in it. It's all stuff you might eat anyway (spices and herbs that are common to baking and cooking) and it really works. It tastes kinda funky and you need to let it steep for ten minutes, but it really works. Just be careful that you don't drink it before going somewhere that there's going to be a lot of stimuli that would make you leak.

Heather - posted on 11/04/2008

Pump every couple of hours to increase your supply-it is all based on supply and demand. I know it can be a hassle but once your supply is up then you can build up a stock pile in your freezer and slow down again. Make sense?

Nicole - posted on 11/04/2008

There are prescriptions you can get from your Dr. too. Relgan I believe is one. Also, my son is 22 mo. old with a full mouth of teeth. He has bit me a number of times, but only a couple times while awake. All other times were as he's falling asleep. When he bit me I firmly told him NO and took him off the breast. He wanted to nurse again and I said, OK, but do not bite me, if you do we're done. Again, he only did this once or twice and quickly learned, biting means no nursing and he stopped that. So it can be done w/o having to completely stop BFing. Good luck!

Katie - posted on 11/04/2008

Wow... It's nice to be able to get advice about these things. Thank you everyone :)

Carla - posted on 11/04/2008

Visual imagery or meditation...whatever you want to call it, it works for me! Find a quiet place to sit, with or without baby, and imagine that your breasts are overflowing. Sometimes I even try to imagine that I'm engorged again because I have so much milk! Sounds hokey, I know, but it really does work. It just might take some time before you get comfortable enough with it.

Angela - posted on 11/04/2008

As odd as it sounds, dark beer can also increase your supply. But honestly the best way to increase your supply is to express more, be it by nursing or pumping. Remember that it will take 3 days to see a real difference. www.kellymom is a GREAT bf reference!!

Caryn - posted on 11/04/2008

Alfalfa increases supply- try it in a tea (like Mother's Milk)

Robin - posted on 11/04/2008

Drink plenty of water. That in itself increases the supply. Start pumping at other times than when your child feeds. When you pump at the sametime everyday, your milk will increase as well.

Alesha - posted on 11/04/2008

I've been pumping at work and have managed to increase supply by taking all of the supplements mentioned previously and pumping every 2-3 hours for a couple of days in a row each month. It is not ideal, but it does the trick. The other trick is to really get comfortable and relax when pumping. Again, tough at work, but if you can do it, you can get WAY more milk.

Starr - posted on 11/04/2008

Fenugreek and blessed thistle supplements are great! Get them at the health food store. Drink Mother's milk tea all the time especially prior to pumping. Get it at grocery or health food store. Also warm compress and nipple stimulation prior to pumping helps.

Joanie - posted on 11/04/2008

The stretching of the nipple stimulates milk let-down (a pump does this as well as a baby), but it's the touch on the skin of your breast that stimulates milk production (a pump doesn't do that). In theory, placing your hand on your upper breast during pumping (you can massage or just touch the skin with a little movement) should help stimulate milk production. In reality, it's really hard to produce as much milk with just a pump as you would with the baby eating, but people do it. Everyone is different. Pump as often as you are able. At 7 months, your baby requires less milk and can have solids so if you continue to pump every three hours (if that's possible at work) then you may be able to produce enough. Good Luck!

Katie - posted on 11/04/2008

Also, eating Oatmeal can help. It's easy, and good for *you* too! :)

Katie - posted on 11/03/2008

I used fenugreek (it's a commonly used spice, but you can find it as an herbal supplement) in the early days after my son was born. Wow does it work! I took 2 tablets 3 times a day and the results are almost instantaneous (within 24 hours). In terms of pumping, I would think pumping every time you would be feeding him if you weren't working should keep your supply up too. But someone might have some better info on that. I think when you are working, you can get away with pumping less (every 4 hours or so).