Trying to Breast feed and Work

Hannah - posted on 11/21/2008

I am pumping at work again for my second son, and I get less than I did with my first. Probably this is because he doesn't nurse as aggressively as my first did. What has helped for me is to have a picture of my baby to look at while pumping. Also, try drinking water while pumping- I can't seem to let down easily without at least a sip. I pump for at least 15-20 minutes even if they seem to have stopped. Good luck! Try to nurse as much as possible when you're together, and remember you're doing your best.:)

Jessa - posted on 11/21/2008

You could try some honey in it? Is it the licorice/fennel taste that is putting you off? It is kind of an aquired taste... I would stick with the fennugreek if you can't tolerate the tea. I used to take three capsules three times a day.

Marissa - posted on 11/20/2008

Ok now does anyone know how to make the mothers milk taste edible. I can't even stand the smell of it. :(

Marissa - posted on 11/12/2008

Thank you so much I will try the power pumping and see how it goes.

Alanna - posted on 11/12/2008

Try Power Pumping- With a double electric pump pump 10mins, take a 10 min break, pump 10 mins, take a 10 min break, pump 10 more mins. Do this at night after kids have gone to bed. Do it 3 nights in a row. Its not about quanity, but stimulating the breast to mkae more when you are pumping.



I am a Certified Lactation Counselor

Jessa - posted on 11/12/2008

The fenugreek and teas worked wonders for my milk supply, and I was able to get the mothers milk tea right at either whole foods or in the natural section of my regular supermarket. I had a really hard time pumping and was very discouraged also to get such small amounts and have to give my son formula. I found that if I massaged my breasts while I pumped, and kind of squeezed almost like I was rubbing down the milk, I got a lot more. Good luck to you.

Sabrina - posted on 11/12/2008

http://www.breastfeedingwomen.com/teafor...

Natanya - posted on 11/12/2008

www.traditionalmedicinals.com or your local health food store.

Marissa - posted on 11/12/2008

thanks to all of your advise I do have fenugreek that I am going to start taking again. Does anyone know where I can get mother's milk tea?

Sabrina - posted on 11/11/2008

One thing that i try is to nurse on one side and pump at the same time. I have also used the fenugreek and it does work and i also try the scared nursing tea (www.breastfeedingwomen.com) I hope that everything works out. Best of luck

Kimberly - posted on 11/11/2008

When I was having trouble with supply, I took fenugreek, it did help. Also, make sure drink ALOT of water. The other thing I have found this time around that really helps is to bring a magazine or book with you so you don't think about how much you are not pumping and just relax. I usually get a 2nd let down when I can read while doing it.

Good Luck, its really tough to keep up the pace. I agree with the last poster, closing your eyes can relax you and help too. I also made sure to pump constantly. I found that pumping before a feeding could help- the baby always could get more out of me than any old pump could and they would then nurse and get a 2nd let down too.

Cristan - posted on 11/11/2008

There is a great tea- Mother's Milk that worked instantly for me! I also found that pumping at work got easier over time. Stick to it! You'll get more with time. Also, as a teacher I know how hard it is to steal away for 5-10 minutes during the day but, think of it this way- pumping is a physical NEED for not just you but your baby too. Anyone who objects or refuses to help you is just heartless!

Natanya - posted on 11/11/2008

Sometimes pumping is really hard for people. Try hand expressing. You can do it more times during a busy day, like when you are in the bathroom. Get a little cooler for your classroom, so you can just put your milk in that.The more frequently you can express (even if it is small amounts) the better your milk supply will be. Also, try supplementing with goats milk instead of formula. You can find it at any health food store. It is sooooo much more easily digested in an infants stomach. To keep up other benefits of breastfeeding, put the 1oz or 2 of expressed milk into 3 oz of goats milk. Trust that you will be able to do what you can. Have faith in your pumping or expressing abilities...keep trying.

Laura - posted on 11/11/2008

After as many feedings as you can at home pump after for about 10-15 min. This will help build up your supply. Also if she goes more than three hours at time at night or once during the day pump that missed feeding at home. If she only eats of one breast during a feeding pump the other one out. Are you using a double pump? Double pumping actually helps you have an increase in prolactin. I have a medela pump in style and it really works well for me. You need to make sure you have a strong enough pump. You can rent a hospital grade pump they help build up supply the best.

Cathy - posted on 11/11/2008

I can feel your pain!! I am working and have a Medela pump. I was trying to pump 3x a day but it just wasn't working with my schedule. I'm now only pumping 2x a day and I'm lucky if I'm walking out with 5 - 6 oz. My son eats at least 12 oz at daycare. I had to supplement one bottle a day with formula, but he's taking well to Infamil. I will soon have to do it with both bottles a day and just continue feeding him morning, late afternoon and bed time.

I know getting enough water is a big factor. Also the ability to pump throughout the day. A teacher I worked with used a pump called Whisper Wear. She said it was the best investment ever. It's a bra pump and she would wear it in class and turn it on during teaching and then store the milk in-between periods and rinse out the components. You might want to check into that if your child is still young for it to be worth it. I think it runs between $200 - $300. Good luck, and if you find a miracle cure to increase your milk supply please let us know ASAP!! :)

Valene - posted on 11/11/2008

Have you tried different brands of formula yet? I pump at work also and needed more milk to supplement for my son. We tried one brand and he would cry when the bottle came near! We switched brands of formula and he grabs the bottle and eats just fine. My nephew has been on formula since he was 2 weeks old and only does well with soy versions. Good luck!

Kristy Zee - posted on 11/11/2008

You should always find a place to relax when pumping. Some say pumping in the bathtub helps. Your milk supply is always fullest first thing in the morning so that is a good time to pump. Also if you pump one breast while your daughter nurses the other side, you can usually pump more because her sucking is creating a greater let-down-effect. Also there is an herbal tea called "Mother's Milk" and that helped me. As far as the formula, I has the same problem with my son and had to give him a hypoallergenic formula (Gentelease Enfimil or the purple label of Similac).



Hope this helps!

Liz - posted on 11/11/2008

Drink PLENTY of water and dont stress out so much. Easier said then done. When I stressed out about it I never pumped well. Someone once told me to think of a waterfall when pumping. Also just close your eyes when pumping and imagine your baby sucking, that worked for me too. Hope this helps.

Joanie - posted on 11/11/2008

I just heard that pumping for at least 15 min will usually get a 2nd let down. I don't know how you can keep your supply up if you have to go all day without pumping. People say that fenugreek helps a lot with supply.