Pumping Problems

Julia - posted on 01/26/2009

You could also get your Dr to prescribe Reglan. But if you had a problem with post-partum it can worsen that. A side effect of Reglan is an increase in prolactin, which increases your supply. I hate constantly being attached to the pump, but if I want to keep my supply up along with my stock pile, I have to! I'd also like to nurse or do breastmilk until at least a year (maybe). The past 7 months have flown by!

Samantha - posted on 01/25/2009

I had similar issue in that I saved a mess of milk so that I could take my honeymoon and than blam no milk and I was struggling to get the supply up.  If you have a flexible job - I started by pumping one extra time at work to get my supplu boosted back to when she was newborn and nursing every 2-3hrs.  Than I also noticed that because she is eating solid food I am able to pump one side and nurse her on the other after she eats.  Giving me a little extra. It is really hard for me to pump any inthe morning or night because unjfortunately that is when she eats the most.   If your lil one is eating solids than that might give you a lil extra oppurtunity to pump a little than just combine the whole days if it is just a few ounces (lactation consultant said same day chilled can be combined)  Good Luck it took me 3 months to get an overload of milk.

Sonya - posted on 01/24/2009

have you tried pumping during the night? I found, tho tiring to get up, that pumping when theres a bigger gap in feeding times , like you do at work, helped me save more milk for my first baby.

Lindsay - posted on 01/24/2009

Thanks.  I guess my body has just finally settled down to where it is only giving me what she needs. 

Melody - posted on 01/24/2009

Mother's Milk Tea is also a great way to improve your supply. You can find it at any whole food store. Fenugreek Seed works as well. You can also try drinking a malt beverage before bed.

Anne - posted on 01/24/2009

I understand you paranoia about running out of milk. I too am a working, pumping mom determined to breastfeed at least until my daughter turns 1. I pump in the morning while I eat breakfast and then 2 times at work. It only gives me about what she eats ( occasionally an ounce more or less) but we amazingly seem to match each other pretty well. I like for the babysitter to keep close track of her intake, then if she eats more I squeeze an additional pumping session in for a couple days to bring my supply up to match. Try not to stress too much and just enjoy the nursing sessions at home. Good luck!

Lindsay - posted on 01/24/2009

She is eating just about everything.  She eats all kinds of baby food, real bananas, cereal bars, etc.  I am not really worried about her getting enough.  I guess my problem is I don't want her to run our of milk at the babysitters.  She drinks about four bags each day at the babysitters and I generally pump four bags at work.  So I don't guess it is really that bad.  I guess I am just getting nervous because I used to produce much more than she needed and now by reserves are getting lower than I am used to.  I have been taking fenugreek for a while now.  My sister told me about it.  She had more problems supplying my nephew than I have had.  It has helped.  I think the biggest thing for me is getting over the lasiness.  I know I should pump before bed but am generally too tired.

Ann - posted on 01/24/2009

My sister had a hard time producing milk with her first and her Dr reccomended a vitamin called fenugreek. You have to get it from a natural foods store and be sure there is no other ingredients. It helped her, she had to take it 3 times a day to increase her milk supply. Don't get discouraged, keep it up milkin mama.



The general rule is supply and demand. So if you pump more you "should" produce more, but that doesn't always happen. Is your baby eating more solids? If she is maybe she is getting enough milk. Good luck! Happy milking!