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Increasing and maintaining supply
So in the beginning when my husband was home I pumped like 10x daily and was able to feed my twins 6/8 bottles breast milk. They are now eating more and I was lucky if I had time to pump 1x daily and was barely getting anything. I don't want to give up. My boys don't latch so I have to pump. When I'm home I NEVER have time someone is always crying etc. I ordered a manual pump so I can pump even 5 minutes overnight rather than hooking myself up and so I can quickly pump when I'm out. Is it possible to get my supply back up or am I too far gone having only pumped 1x daily for like a week
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Posted 2/5/17 11:14 AM  |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Increasing and maintaining supply
It's all about supply and demand. The more you pump, the more you'll produce. Do you have a hands fee pumping bra? I could literally do anything in that. Makeup, eat, hold my DS, etc.
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| Posted 2/5/17 12:31 PM |
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MrsH917
LIF Infant
Member since 1/13 82 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Posted by PitterPatter11
It's all about supply and demand. The more you pump, the more you'll produce. Do you have a hands fee pumping bra? I could literally do anything in that. Makeup, eat, hold my DS, etc.
Agreed! As much as you're able, I would also try pumping for 10 mins after you're already empty. It will signal to your body that you need to make more. Make sure your pump flanges fit correctly also. Lots of water and steel cut oatmeal seemed to help me too.
Hang in there! It's not easy but you're doing great!
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| Posted 2/5/17 12:49 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Increasing and maintaining supply
I think as early as you are you probably can get your supply back up. You need to probably pump 6-8 times a day to really make an impact. Definitely get a hands free bra if you don't have one. If you can get into a routine that includes pumping that would help. Maybe get set up with bottles to feed them while you're pumping. If you can pump both sides at the same time and still have your hands free to feed, change, soothe, make phone calls, etc it makes life easier (not that I imagine anything about having two newborns is easy lol).
Message edited 2/5/2017 1:26:24 PM.
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| Posted 2/5/17 1:25 PM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Are you using a hospital grade pump? I had a lot of success with the spectra s2. Your biggest supply is middle of high to early morning, so if you can sneak in a session then it will help build a supply.
Also try lactation cookies, I used milkmakers but you can make your own using the recipe.
Try mothers milk tea, and lots of it.
It's all demand and supply, not the other way around. Create the demand and your body will provide the supply.
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| Posted 2/5/17 2:42 PM |
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Increasing and maintaining supply
I have the spectra s2 and a hands free nursing bra but find it IMPOSSIBLE to feed someone while connected to a pump especially when they need to be held and elevated, the pump gets in the way of that. My biggest issue is finding the time with both of them
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| Posted 2/6/17 8:55 AM |
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Momma2015
Mommax2
Member since 12/12 6656 total posts
Name:
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
I have the spectra s2 and a hands free nursing bra but find it IMPOSSIBLE to feed someone while connected to a pump especially when they need to be held and elevated, the pump gets in the way of that. My biggest issue is finding the time with both of them
Could you possibly feed them in the rock and play? That way they aren't laying flat on their backs but you're free to pump? I know I couldn't pump and feed her at the same time even with a hands free pumping bra so I get your struggle.
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| Posted 2/6/17 9:03 AM |
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Posted by Momma2015
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
I have the spectra s2 and a hands free nursing bra but find it IMPOSSIBLE to feed someone while connected to a pump especially when they need to be held and elevated, the pump gets in the way of that. My biggest issue is finding the time with both of them
Could you possibly feed them in the rock and play? That way they aren't laying flat on their backs but you're free to pump? I know I couldn't pump and feed her at the same time even with a hands free pumping bra so I get your struggle.
I've tried feeding them in their graco loungers (same incline as the rock n play) propped on a boppy, especially when both are screaming at the same time to eat, and both end up spitting up, rolling around and getting the hiccups from not being held up in a seated position I may try and take out their bumbo seats and roll towels up to keep them up
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| Posted 2/6/17 9:09 AM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Increasing and maintaining supply
Have you tried to pump just one side as you are feeding them? I used to nurse DS on one side as I would pump the other.
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| Posted 2/6/17 9:17 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Increasing and maintaining supply
It's so rough bc note is the noisy important time if you're going to establish a supply but it's also the time they need the most from you. I would aim for just 10 minutes every few hours. I never worried about pumping till empty. Maybe after their feedings would be am easier time. Feed them, swaddle them, prop them up and then start?
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| Posted 2/6/17 9:19 AM |
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Posted by MrsT809
It's so rough bc note is the noisy important time if you're going to establish a supply but it's also the time they need the most from you. I would aim for just 10 minutes every few hours. I never worried about pumping till empty. Maybe after their feedings would be am easier time. Feed them, swaddle them, prop them up and then start?
I am willing to try anything I ordered a manual pump to pump even just 5 minutes a side so I'm not hooked up to a pump. I think it also doesn't help that neither latch on. They each eat 3-4oz every 3 hrs I'm lucky I pump an OZ a side every 8 hours. I was getting so much more just even 2 weeks ago :-/ I may try the freemie cups with my pump has anyone tried them?
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| Posted 2/6/17 9:23 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
Posted by MrsT809
It's so rough bc note is the noisy important time if you're going to establish a supply but it's also the time they need the most from you. I would aim for just 10 minutes every few hours. I never worried about pumping till empty. Maybe after their feedings would be am easier time. Feed them, swaddle them, prop them up and then start?
I am willing to try anything I ordered a manual pump to pump even just 5 minutes a side so I'm not hooked up to a pump. I think it also doesn't help that neither latch on. They each eat 3-4oz every 3 hrs I'm lucky I pump an OZ a side every 8 hours. I was getting so much more just even 2 weeks ago :-/ I may try the freemie cups with my pump has anyone tried them?
Are you still trying to get them to latch at all? I know for a lot of preemie moms it takes time for it to click but it eventually does. If you can get your supply up maybe you'll eventually get them to latch. I haven't tried the freemie cups but I've heard good things about them. Also wanted to add that just holding them and trying to get in some skin to skin time should help with your supply.
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| Posted 2/6/17 9:57 AM |
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MikesWife
Wanting...........
Member since 1/06 6887 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
I only pump (and supplement) since she was two weeks old. I find that my water intake and my supply are directly related. I also just started drinking mother's milk tea and steel cut oatmeal to get my supply back up.
My daughter is now 4 months, but I noticed that once I cut out my middle of the night pumping session (because she sleeps through the night and I went back to work) my supply really went down. I used to pump out 18-20 oz daily. Now I'm down the around 10-12 oz.
DRINK DRINK DRINK.
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| Posted 2/6/17 10:49 AM |
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Re: Increasing and maintaining supply
Posted by MrsT809
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
Posted by MrsT809
It's so rough bc note is the noisy important time if you're going to establish a supply but it's also the time they need the most from you. I would aim for just 10 minutes every few hours. I never worried about pumping till empty. Maybe after their feedings would be am easier time. Feed them, swaddle them, prop them up and then start?
I am willing to try anything I ordered a manual pump to pump even just 5 minutes a side so I'm not hooked up to a pump. I think it also doesn't help that neither latch on. They each eat 3-4oz every 3 hrs I'm lucky I pump an OZ a side every 8 hours. I was getting so much more just even 2 weeks ago :-/ I may try the freemie cups with my pump has anyone tried them?
Are you still trying to get them to latch at all? I know for a lot of preemie moms it takes time for it to click but it eventually does. If you can get your supply up maybe you'll eventually get them to latch. I haven't tried the freemie cups but I've heard good things about them. Also wanted to add that just holding them and trying to get in some skin to skin time should help with your supply.
I've tried periodically to get them to latch and they both scream bloody murder until I pop a bottle in their mouth I don't know how long to let them scream and try and latch. I'm going to pay to have a lactation consultant come to my house to help me
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| Posted 2/6/17 11:02 AM |
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