increasing milk supply

i pump & bottle feed DS my milk... during the last few pumps i've been noticing that i havent been producing as much milk as i have been in the past

is this a supply issue? i pump every 4 hours (sometimes a little longer) and i only pump once in the middle of the night

im nervous bc DS just started drinking a half once more with his feedings -- so im worried about when he starts taking another half ounce -- i feel like im not producing enough milk for that... i pump just enough as it is for his 2.5 oz bottles

Re: increasing milk supply

Do you think you could add another pumping session? I had to do that when Loey increased his ounces by 1. It was the only thing that REALLY helped! After a few days, your body will adjust and start making more milk.

How often is your LO eating? I would try pumping at least as often as he is eating...

Re: increasing milk supply

Re: increasing milk supply

yes, definitely drink water! try to take a big glass with you every time you pump.

i would pump every 3 hours during the day instead of every 4.... and see how that goes.

i'm sure you don't want to pump anymore than you already do at night... so see if pumping every 3 during the day works. you might want to try eating oatmeal for breakfast too.

Re: increasing milk supply

You need to pump as often as DC eats. It's all about supply and demand. If you're not pumping as often, you're telling your body to produce less milk. Make sure you drink plenty of water and eat enough. Drink a large glass of water right before or during pumping. Massage your breasts while pumping. That can help release more milk. Look at DC or at pics of DC while you pump. Also, pump for 5 minutes after nothing comes out. You may get another letdown, but even if you don't, you're telling your body to produce more. Good luck!

Re: increasing milk supply

How old is your DS? You may still need to pump more than once overnight.

Try going back to pumping every 3 hours to trick your body back into making more.
Make sure you're eating enough calories and drinking enough water.
You can try Fenugreek or More Milk Plus.
Eat oatmeal.
Also pump for 2-3 minutes after no more milk is coming out. That can start to trigger your body to make more. I used to go longer and would get another let down, albeit not much milk but it still made my body give more milk.

Re: increasing milk supply

thanks everyone... i will def try all your suggestions!

Re: increasing milk supply

i agree with pumping as often as he eats. I would advise doing this for at least the first 4-6 weeks or so. If he eats 2 -3 times at night and you're only pumping once, you're telling your body that's all the baby needs when in fact he needs more. So as hard as it is, I'd try to at least pump one more time at night and also increase your frequency to every 3 hours during the day instead of 4. It's hard being a slave to the pump, I haaaaated it. It was just much easier for me to put him right on the boob.

And like pps have said, drink lots of water, eat oatmeal every day for breakfast or sometime if you can. Try picking up some Mother's Milk Tea or Yogi Nursing Support Tea. Maybe try taking some fenugreek as well. But it is all about supply and demand, your body will only make as much, especially in the beggining as you tell it it needs (by pumping or bfing). Good Luck!

Re: increasing milk supply

Re: increasing milk supply

Posted by MeeshMosh

thanks everyone... i will def try all your suggestions!

Posted by monkeybride

How old is your DS? You may still need to pump more than once overnight.

he's 2 weeks old.... i started pumping only once during the night at the hospital & then when i came home i was in so much pain from my section that i continued doing only one pumping at night

Re: increasing milk supply

Yeah, I agree with the pp's....pump as much as DS eats and drink A LOT of water. I have started taking a bottle of water with me each time I pump.
My doc talked to me about an herbal supplement and a medication that I could take to increase my supply. But, I would try the easy fixes first.

eta: I pump while I am feeding the twins at night. Since you are bottle feeding, you can do that. I feed them in their boppys while I am pumping. It takes some coordination, but if you get a pumping bra, it is pretty easy.

Message edited 10/16/2010 5:40:26 PM.

Re: increasing milk supply

For a 2 week old you aren't pumping often enough. At 2 weeks a baby eats every 2-3 hours during the day- which is how often you should be pumping. Overnight *maybe* you could stretch to every 4 hours.

You should valso drink lots of water. I generally drink an 8oz glass every time I nurse.

Re: increasing milk supply

If you can pump hands free I would try massaging as you pump to get more milk.

I never pumped at night, but it seems like I am an exception to the rule.

Re: increasing milk supply

thanks everyone... i know i was slacking on the pumping during the day -- im going to start pumping after each time he eats... im going to try & pump one more time in the middle of the night

heres my question... when i start pumping more, if nothing comes out how long do i pump for like that?

thanks again!!

Re: increasing milk supply

Re: increasing milk supply

Re: increasing milk supply