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new here...bad at pumping!
Hi everybody - I'm new to posting even though I've had the account for awhile. Was active on LIW and have an almost 5 month old DD. I'm hoping someone here can help me or at least make me feel like I'm not alone on this one:
I seem to be really really bad at pumping!
I've been BFing since DD was born and it's gone well overall. She's been in daycare 5 days a week since May and has to have bottles while she's there. I pump 4x per day at work and never get more than 12 oz, total. The most I've ever gotten from a pumping session was 4 oz and that was after waiting at least 3 hours. When we're home together on weekends I EBF and she seems happy and satisfied, but I have to give her formula in addition to BM at daycare because I can never pump enough. I read all these posts about everyone pumping so much BM at a time and having huge freezer supplies and I feel like I'm failing because I just can't get more than I have. Am I the only one? I use a PISA. I've tried More Milk Plus and fenugreek and neither has done a thing to increase my pumping output. I drink a ton of water, I pump for at least 15 mins at a time. Is there anyone else out there like me? Anything else I can do to try and make it better? I would think after 2+ months of pumping multiple times a day it would have improved.
TIA!
Message edited 7/2/2009 8:35:32 AM.
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Posted 7/1/09 2:53 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
Bump - anybody?? Thank you! 
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| Posted 7/2/09 8:35 AM |
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SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
You pump 4x just at work alone? That sounds like an awful lot. I'd maybe wait a bit more in between sessions.
I also found eating oatmeal helped me.
Try to massage your breasts as you are pumping to increase the milk stimulation.
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| Posted 7/2/09 8:40 AM |
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
Thank you...I try to pump every 2-2.5 hours at work to maintain my supply as much as possible - DD eats roughly that often when we are at home together (girl loves to eat...lol). I'm afraid if I don't pump that often I won't get more than 3 oz at a time and won't get up to 11 or 12 oz for the day...
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| Posted 7/2/09 8:43 AM |
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SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
I'm also surprised the fenugreek isn't working or the mother's tea.
Sounds like you're doing everything else right though; especially drinking lots of fluid. Hang in there!!!
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| Posted 7/2/09 8:46 AM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
I was never a good pumper with DD#1. I could never get more than an oz or 2, no matter what. I just figured that, that was just my body
Then I had DD#2 and could pump 6oz in about 2 minutes.
I can not explain it, maybe sometimes it just is what it is.
Sorry I am no help. Good Luck to you
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| Posted 7/2/09 8:52 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
I don't pump very much either, I never have. If was working outside the house, I would definitely have to give them formula during the day.
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| Posted 7/2/09 8:53 AM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
Posted by A-Nonny-Mouse
Thank you...I try to pump every 2-2.5 hours at work to maintain my supply as much as possible - DD eats roughly that often when we are at home together (girl loves to eat...lol). I'm afraid if I don't pump that often I won't get more than 3 oz at a time and won't get up to 11 or 12 oz for the day...
I actually think that sounds about right. One thing you can do is take a weekend and pump every hour that you can. Try More Milk Plus-available at whole foods and online. Take a warm shower before you pump to help your letdown. Do you have your pump turned up high enough?
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| Posted 7/2/09 9:00 AM |
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MrsPornStar
Partners in crime
Member since 10/05 14656 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
I also tried more milk and mother's tea. Neither worked for me.
While at work, I pump twice a day, about 3-4 hours between each session. I also pump before I go to bed and on the weekends. DS is 8 months old and takes 2 6 ounce bottles while I am gone. So at times, I struggle to get this. I just keep pumping at home as much as I can. When home, try pumping about an hour after DC eats.
I also agree with the oatmeal. I didn't have it for a few days last week and noticed that my supply dropped.
Good luck!! Don't give up!
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| Posted 7/2/09 9:08 AM |
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
Posted by DRMom
Posted by A-Nonny-Mouse
Thank you...I try to pump every 2-2.5 hours at work to maintain my supply as much as possible - DD eats roughly that often when we are at home together (girl loves to eat...lol). I'm afraid if I don't pump that often I won't get more than 3 oz at a time and won't get up to 11 or 12 oz for the day...
I actually think that sounds about right. One thing you can do is take a weekend and pump every hour that you can. Try More Milk Plus-available at whole foods and online. Take a warm shower before you pump to help your letdown. Do you have your pump turned up high enough?
Thanks everyone - it's nice to hear that there are others like me who don't get 10 oz at a time! DRMom - I tried the More Milk Plus tincture and it did absolutely nothing for me. I was thinking about trying the pill form because there aren't as many restrictions about when you can take it around when you eat. I can only turn the pump up to about the third speed or it hurts. Letdown is never a problem, it's just how much comes out (or doesn't).
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| Posted 7/2/09 9:43 AM |
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MrsPornStar
Partners in crime
Member since 10/05 14656 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
Also, make sure you're pumping for long enough. I know I have to pump for about 20 minutes. I have a second letdown around this time. After the second letdown, I pump another few minutes and then turn the pump off.
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| Posted 7/2/09 9:56 AM |
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imyself
Member since 10/06 2938 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: new here...bad at pumping!
You can try pumping each breast and going back and forth until you get no milk left. To boost supply try continuing to pump for 5 min after the milk stops flowing.
I struggled with supply when bfing ds. I found oatmeal and Gatorade worked the best for me to keep my supply up. Also make sure you are eating enough. If you aren't taking in enough calories your milk supple will be lower. Good luck 
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| Posted 7/2/09 10:06 AM |
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