New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

Hello!
My daughter is almost 3 weeks old.

I was BF-ing, but due to a major infection I can only pump right now.


Last week I was pumping close to 3 1.2 oz out of each breast- now it is barely 2oz out of each.

Can some help me with tips to build up my supply and maintain it? I may have to pump exclusively.

I am so overhwelmed... I have no family in the area and need some help. My DH is away on business.

Thank you so much in advance.

Sara

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

Hang in there! BFing, for everyone, is difficult, and you'll stumble into empasses every which way you turn... this board is amazing for help though. My doctor told me once that it takes about 6 weeks for your body to even out for supply and demand and until then you'll experience days where you don't have enough and days where you have too much, so it's totally normal...

To increase your supply, remember it's all about supply and demand. You have to trick your body into thinking the demand is higher so it will produce more supply. Try pumping more often, for longer periods of time. Even when you're pumping and there's no more milk coming out, keep pumping for a few minutes. I discovered, for myself, that I had 2-3 letdowns each pumping session. I discovered that by pumping after my milk ran out one day and lo and behold a minute or two later, it started flowing again...

Also, to increase your supply, drink LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of water. Dehydration is one of the worst culprits for a decreasing supply. Eating oatmeal really helped up my supply as well - at least 2-3 packs of oatmeal a day. And you can also take an herbal supplement - Fenugreek - I've heard it can help...

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

In a nutshell I would say, keep pumping every 2/3 hours, take some fenugreek tablets, drink lots of water, drink some fennel tea...and most of all, don't stress. When I was pumping I noticed that the more stressed I was, the less milk I could pump (and I was a dairy queen)

Keep your chin up and relax!
Visit kellymom.com for more help!

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

I agree, pump more often and drink lots of water.

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

Oatmeal, water and pump every 2 hours. It will get there. Be patient. i BF for 16 months and pumped everyday as well and was only able to squeeze out no more than 2 oz. each time.

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

I don't breastfeed, but I know how difficult the first few weeks/months are, even without bf. You'll get through it, and all the ladies here are SO helpful and nice so I'm sure you'll get some good info to help.

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

Lots of water! Oatmeal even Cherrios!Nurse or pump at least ever 2-3 hours. It's all about supply and demand! And don't worry, our supply changes periodicaly, less - more... The best pump is your baby, they can get more out than any pump. Hang in there it DOES get better

Message edited 8/16/2006 9:13:48 AM.

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE

At this time, you need a hospital grade pump..A Medela Classic or Lactina. Nothing under that class of pump should be used.
How often are you pumping? How many times per day?
My first reaction is that you are not probably pumping long enough but not enough sessions per day.
Drink water is VERY important!
What type of infection do you have that is forcing you to pump only?

Re: New mom here.... Need some help PLEASE