Exclusive Pumping question

For those who exclusively pumped...how did you get and maintain a supply?

I have been pumping for 5 weeks now (DD is 7 weeks and we had to supplement with formula) and my supply was always low (6 oz/day) its now almost non existent down to just over 2oz a day. I had tried fenugreek earlier and DD refused that milk so we didn't continue with it...I guess I could try it again...I sit next to DD while I pump and talk to her...

any other tips?

Thanks.

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

How many times a day are you pumping? I was aiming for 8 times a day around that time. Pretty much as many times as the baby would normally be eatting.

Are you pumping at night? My LC said don't go more than 4 hours at night w/o pumping. I know its hard to get up at night.

Are you drinking enough? I was drinking upwards of 100 oz/day

Are you eatting enough? Make sure if you are hungry you eat. If you don't eat enough you will not make enough. I also tried to eat as much protein as possible.

What pump do you have? With my Medela PISA my LC told me to use the two setting to my advantage. When the pump first starts it mimics short shallow sucks to bring on your let down. After the milk is coming I hit this yellow buttom and it starts the deeper sucking motion. I let that go until I don't have a flow any more. Then I hit the buttom again to get the shallow sucking again to see if I can get a second or third let down. This may take a long time, sometimes my pumping sessions are 30 mins or more.

THe whole time I am pumping I am massaging my boobs to get more milk out.

Check your horns. I learned from my LC that the Medela pumps come with horns that are 24 cm and they are usually too small for most women. I don't know how to measure for them, she told me to get 27 cm or 30 cm. I got the 30 cm.

A hot compress while pumping or right before pumping also helped. I got these things from Earth Mama called Boobie tubes. I put them in the microwave for 40 seconds, put them on, and then pump 5 mins later.

Make sure you change the membranes on your pump often. I change them every month. The membranes may get microscopic tears that make them less effective.

HTH

Edited to add:

I have oatmeal everyday sometimes 2 times a day (if I make too much).

Fenugeek did not work for me either but I did try Earth Mama's Mother's Tea which was better for me than Medicinal Mother's Milk. Dunno if it helped but I am still going at 5 months.

Message edited 7/4/2011 11:09:46 AM.

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

Thanks. I am pumping like 5 times a day. I will try to do more but I noticed when I add a session in I get like no milk at all. I am pretty sure that i am eating and drinking enough. I eat lots of oatmeal.

I have the PISA and I will try using the yellow button. I'll also order the one size larger horns to see if that helps and i'll switch out the membrane things (i just bought a new pack of them).

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

DS is 6 months and I am still EPing. The first three months I would pump about 8 times a day. After that I went down to five, four and now three. My chest freezer was full by the time he was three months, I think it was because I eat soo much and drink alottt of water. I was always a bigg eater and huge water drinker. Even though I only pump three times a day, I get about 45 ounces a day. I used to get more than that but it was getting out of control. My suggestion is to eatttt and drink lots!!!

Message edited 7/4/2011 12:06:27 PM.

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

I was not a good pumper...I had enough to nurse but when I went back to work could only pump about 2oz/day..it was terrible...has same prob. with baby #2...

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

I was an EP. You need a Medela Symphony. I don't think the PIS will be able to increase your supply.

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

do you wake up to pump in the middle of the night? it stinks, but you need to do that until at least 8 weeks.

Re: Exclusive Pumping question

Re: Exclusive Pumping question