Getting more from pump ..?

Samantha - posted on 02/27/2010

Thanks for that Im going to buy some today and try it cause I pump but dont get a lot of milk and he will not latch at all.

Marissa - posted on 02/24/2010

Audrey: Yes, I've tried it on every setting. Slowly but surely I'm accumulating a fair bit now. I'm finding drinking more water has been the most help. I was never much of a water drinker but I'm forcing myself to now and it seems to be helping.

Audrey - posted on 02/23/2010

Have you tried setting the pump to the maximum setting? The instructions to my pump say that it is most efficient at the max - and I have found that to be true. Also you can gently massage / squeeze your breasts while pumping, it helps to empty them.

Patricia - posted on 02/23/2010

To Samantha: Actually, it was my lactation consultant who recommended Fenugreek. She came to help me when I was starting to let my son latch on while he was still in NICU.

Melissa - posted on 02/23/2010

Some women just cant pump, i know it sounds crazy, i can breat feed but cant pump.. well my sister in law and myself both nursed our kids, and while we were able to feed them very well when it came down to pumping it was close to impossible, we were both lucky to get more then an ounce out.

The doctor told both of us that it wasnt our fault, or even the pumps fault, it just happenes, the sucking from the baby versus the pump it different no matter what.

My doctor also told me that if i had to leave over night and wouldnt make it back for the morning feeding that as long as he is over 8 months old and has enough weight that whole milk would be fine for a 1-3 times as long as he was eating really well on food also.. You do what you feel you need to do, and dont forget to ask your doc any questions you have..

good luck

Marissa - posted on 02/23/2010

My pump is pretty loud (it's electric) and my baby won't feed if I am pumping the other breast at the same time, so unfortunately that's not an option for me. :(

Jessica - posted on 02/23/2010

latch your son to one breast and pump the other. then latch him to the other side and pump the opposite breast. it makes your body think your only breastfeeding, and your letdown will come more naturally. i pumped all the time with my baby cause my boobs were so sore. and thats how i did it. most of the time i got a good 6 oz from each breast. but be sure your drinking enough water and eating properly because without those other 2 factors you wont make any more milk. also do everything that Tracy Christensen says!

Marissa - posted on 02/23/2010

The fenugreek I'm taking (from GNC) says specifically on it used to increase breast milk production. I haven't really noticed a difference with it though. Thanks for all your suggestions! I will definitely drink more water and keep pumping every couple hours and putting my son to the breast. Hopefully it helps! Keep the suggestions coming though!

Samantha - posted on 02/22/2010

I went on gnc.com to look up that fenugreek it says not to use if you pregnant or lactating. So you used it and it didn't harm your baby?

Kari - posted on 02/22/2010

Drink lots of water. Eat oatmeal, and pump early in the morning after you have slept. You can also pump every couple hours, but don't pump for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. I also felt that you had to get use to the pump. Every time I started to pump again it took a few days before my body adjusted. Hope this helps.

Selinarose - posted on 02/22/2010

Kudos to you Patricia for continuing to work out a solution. I don't know how you were able to stand the frustration. Usually the breast aren't ready and it ends up being more painful than anything else. Everyone has excellent ideas. It is supply and demand. The more frustrated you are the harder it will be. Relax, relax, relax. And drink plenty of water.

Katherine - posted on 02/22/2010

I pumped religiously every 2 hours. That kept my milk up. Water is also good, I drank an insane amount. Try not to stress, that can affect your supply. Good Luck!!

Patricia - posted on 02/22/2010

Well, I certainly agree with Tracy, she's on the right track, however, there are just some Moms who can't produce a lot of milk, even when nursing as often as she suggested. I had a problem when my son was in the NICU: I needed to pump at least every two hours to simulate the demand he would have when he got out, plus supply my milk for him while he was there. Unfortunately, I still had other things I had to do (finish baby's room, clean house, lawn, dishes, laundry, eat, sleep, bathe, etc.), and because I was alone (my hubby drives a truck long distance) there was no way I could keep up that pace.



Until Fenugreek.



You can find it in any GNC or other health food store. Fenugreek has been used for hundreds of years for women who couldn't keep up with their babies' demand for breast milk. It's all-natural, completely safe for your supply, and IT WORKS! Sometimes a little TOO well, so be careful. It was very helpful in keeping up with my son's demand when he came home and I could finally be the "sleep when the baby sleeps" Mom. I hope this helps.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/22/2010

One thing that always helped for me was to nurse my son on one side and pump on the other. Alternate sides with each feeding. Within a matter of feedings, I was getting a heck of a lot more milk. Tracy also has great suggestions as well. Drink lots of water! Express first, and then let your son nurse while pumping the other side as well. Take fenugreek if you have access to a health foods store. Eat lots of oatmeal for the next couple of days. Even if you don't feel like you are getting very much, remember that can be normal. Babies are much more efficient extractors, so to speak! Good luck!!

Tracy - posted on 02/22/2010

I never used a pump! Start by drinking a lot more WATER. Then have the baby nurse more frequently throughout the day. It's a supply and demand thing! Express milk first, then let the baby drink you dry. You will get more milk really fast that way. I let the shower and my natural let down reflex do the rest. I'm not sure if I trained my body to let down in the show when I was a new mom who was very engorged or if everybody has a let down in the shower. I just always take a bottle w/me into the shower to catch the good stuff.

At one point, I was nursing my youngest, a day care baby, donating milk to the nicu and donating milk to a grandmom who lost her daughter during childbirth and needed milk till her milk came in. It can be done :)