Building up stock milk and having problems.

Kathy - posted on 08/16/2009

What is "power pumping"?

Wendy - posted on 07/24/2009

Make sure that you are pumping enough even on days that you are working. I know that it is hard, but try to pump during lunch and a couple of breaks, even if for a short time until you can get the amount that you are wanting for your baby. If you pump during the extra times, then you will begin to make extra milk during these times.

Also, for moms that have babies that sleep through the night, make sure to try to pump once during the night. Exclusive pumping moms tend to have a problem with their milk decreasing if they don't pump once during the night. Good Luck!

Samantha - posted on 07/22/2009

My problem has been that i have only been able to pump two bags a day, and she takes three a day at the babysitters. So i have to pump a lot on my days off to make sure we have enough! Every week it is close, and i cannot do anything extra because i don't have an extra bag to use while i am gone. any suggestions?

Jaime - posted on 05/23/2009

Thanks for all the tips! This week was my first back, and boy was it tough...but I have about 30 to 40 ounces sitting in my freezer right now! How awesome. I have been pumping in the morning about 2 hours before he wakes up and I get a whole bottle. My breasts have never been so full in the morning. My milk supply has actually increases do to pumping extra. Thanks!

Susan - posted on 05/22/2009

Pump after your baby's 1st feed in the morning, your milk supply is greatest then. You may only get a little at first but if you keep it up you'll eventually get more, maybe enough for a full bottle. To start you really only need enough to get you through 1 work day, (remember you'll be pumping at work too and will use that milk the next day). If you keep pumping after the 1st nursing session every morning (even mornings you don't work) you'll eventually have a "backup" supply.



Another tip is to pump 5 minutes longer than you get milk. For me this equates to 20 minute pumping sessions instead of 15. Eventually you'll pump more than your baby drinks each time and can store the extra ounces.



Good luck!

Amber - posted on 05/14/2009

Quoting Jaime:

Quoting Amber:

"Make sure the sheild is the right size "

What is the right size? What portion of the breast should the shield fit over?

I was using the wrong size for three months and it was so painful to pump that I didn't do it as often.  Someone suggested pumpinpals.com.  They have a size chart that goes by your cup size and nipple size.  I got the biggest size shield cuz I have a really large cup size even though my nipple size is small and it is such a relief.  I would say check pumpinpals.com I love them they are shaped differently and it is such a difference when the size fits. 

Jaime - posted on 05/14/2009

My little guy slept from 11PM until 6:30AM last night, so I was able to get about 8 ounces this morning before he fed! Yesterday I pumped after every feeding and a couple times during his long stretch of sleeping. Maybe this helped for the huge amounts this morning in addition to him sleeping so long. I am also switching him more frequently when feeding to get more let downs which was also suggested. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Jaime - posted on 05/14/2009

Quoting Amber:

"Make sure the sheild is the right size "

What is the right size? What portion of the breast should the shield fit over?

Amanda - posted on 05/13/2009

Things that worked for me:
1. Relax
2. Down a lot of water while you pump (and throughout the day)
3. Massage and hot compresses.
4. Turn pump off after 10-5 minutes, take a short break, then pump again for another 10 minutes. This works best with pumps that have a letdown setting, like the Medela PIS Advanced.
5. Pump right after each feeding.
6. If your little one has a long sleep stretch (4+ hours), pump 2 hours after he goes to sleep. This will give you enough time to fill back up before he wakes up.
7. Again, RELAX! The pump will not work if you are stressing. Read a book, pray, listen to music, whatever you find that works for you.

Good Luck!

Amber - posted on 05/13/2009

pumping more often. Make sure the sheild is the right size I also put a little olive oil on to make it more comfortable so that I don't mind pumping so much. This weekend I tried power pumping that someone suggested and I got some extra milk and it helped my supply after a couple days of messing it up. It is pumping ten minutes then stop ten minutes then repeat for an hour.