Throwing in the towel....

I am so sad and dissapointed by this. But I think it's time to throw in the towel with pumping BM. As some of you know I have been complaining that my milk supply has tremendously decreased over the last 2 weeks.
Well it's gotten to the point where I get maybe 2 1/2 oz total every 3 or 4 hours.
Thanks to all your suggestions, I have tried oatmeal, More Milk Plus, Fenugreek pills, drinking a ton of water and eating more healthy calories in my diet. I pump every 3-4 hours without fail. I even rented the hospital grade pump thinking maybe its stronger! I just don't know what to do anymore. I am hesitant to begin putting DS back on the breast only because I am going back to work now and it would be rough of me to get up every 3 hours.
I never tried the Mothers Milk Tea....I wonder if I should even bother?
Maybe my suction cups need replacing?
I am running out of possible solutions and it's making me
At least I got 2 months right?

Re: Throwing in the towel....

DId you try different breast shields? Have you seen a Lactation consultant? If you want to stop, that's fine. But if you want to continue, there may be other things to try. Also, there is no problem with pumping and formula feeding. Kids can handle both.

Re: Throwing in the towel....

I had the same exact issues!!! MY SIL told me that even though all her kids were EBF for 6+ months she was never able to pump well. She said she never got more than a couple of oz.

Personally I would just put the baby on the breast again and see what happens. But know that you did a GREAT job and yes-DC got 2 months of BM which is AWESOME!!!!!

Re: Throwing in the towel....

I BF twins and don't really get much more than that either. If I had gone back to work, I never would have been able to pump enough to keep up.
If you don't want to stop totally, you could do a combination of formula and breast milk - baby could have formula during the day and then nurse when with you.

Re: Throwing in the towel....

I would try BFing from the breast for a bit and see if it makes a difference. It does for some women.

BUT I sense that you feel defeated and maybe already gave up (?). AND that's OK too.

Re: Throwing in the towel....

when i started to wean DS i gave him formula during the day and then BFed him in the morning and at night. can you try that?

Re: Throwing in the towel....

Thanks everyone.
Yes, I do feel totally defeated and sooo guilty.
I still haven't given up yet, there is a bit of hope left.

Can I actually do that......nurse in the morning and evening and give formula during the day and still pump at work?
I guess I am asking if it works? Does anyone do this?

Re: Throwing in the towel....

I EBF DS for 4.5 months then got sick and had to put DS on formula that same day without time to transition. I pumped an dumped for 1 week and resumed BFing after that week. BUT I did only 2 times per day. Morning and evening, formula during the day. I had a lot of milk to start with but by the time he was 6 months my supply was really really small and I weaned off completely at that time.

Re: Throwing in the towel....

I would get 2 to 3 oz every 3 hours as well. Yet DS is gaining weight like crazy and satistied after every feeding. I did have issues until about week 10. If you DS is eating more than what you pump, you canb just give what you have ad supplement with formula. That's what I did in the beginning. Your baby will still get the rich nutrients in your milk. Don't give up!!!

Re: Throwing in the towel....

Posted by ctrain1124

I am so sad and dissapointed by this. But I think it's time to throw in the towel with pumping BM. As some of you know I have been complaining that my milk supply has tremendously decreased over the last 2 weeks.
Well it's gotten to the point where I get maybe 2 1/2 oz total every 3 or 4 hours.
Thanks to all your suggestions, I have tried oatmeal, More Milk Plus, Fenugreek pills, drinking a ton of water and eating more healthy calories in my diet. I pump every 3-4 hours without fail. I even rented the hospital grade pump thinking maybe its stronger! I just don't know what to do anymore. I am hesitant to begin putting DS back on the breast only because I am going back to work now and it would be rough of me to get up every 3 hours.
I never tried the Mothers Milk Tea....I wonder if I should even bother?
Maybe my suction cups need replacing?
I am running out of possible solutions and it's making me
At least I got 2 months right?

Re: Throwing in the towel....

Re: Throwing in the towel....

I have been exclusively pumping since he was 2 months, and at that time, I was only getting 2.5-3 oz per session, every 3-4 hours. I was getting discouraged too, but I kept at it.

Now at 3.5 months, I pump 6-8 oz every 4-5 hours My freezer is full of BM because DS only has 3-4 oz. every 3 hours.

So the amount that you are pumping is probably all your DS needs...your body knows what it needs to produce, and adjusts accordingly. My DS was always satisfied, and I never had to supplement. Every once in a while, if I feel I am getting a clogged duct or not pumping as effectively, I will put DS back on the boob for a few minutes, and then pump, and the milk comes flowing back.

I also recommend compression while pumping..it helps alot. The pump isn't as effective, so you have to help it along. Relax and don't stress, that won't help.

HTH..if you want to keep doing it, keep trying. Hopefully you'll see an increase in your supply like I did.

Re: Throwing in the towel....

If you really want to stick with it (sounds like you do), I would breastfeed in the morning and evening and give formula during the day. See if your milk supply can regulate itself. Don't bother with pumping during the day. If it doesn't work, you can just go to formula from there. Good luck!!

ETA: I did this from month 6 (when I went back to work) to month 12 and it worked great!!

Message edited 5/8/2009 12:19:55 PM.