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My supply is steadily dropping. I used to pump 15 minutes and get 4 oz from each side. Now I'm pumping for 30 to 40 minutes to get 2 oz from each side ... I'm pumping every three hours as she eats.
Emma has reflux and I have to pump so that I can thicken my milk with rice cereal so that it stays down better. I'm emotionally drained. Today i had to pull from my freezer stash to keep her fed. I have upped my calorie intake and water intake. I have even tried nursing her but it makes her reflux so much worse that I can't keep doing that to her. Ive added a pumping session. I'm eating oatmeal.
My nipples hurt, my breasts hurt (from having to massage the milk ducts to get more out) and my emotions are drained.
What can I do to increase my supply?
She eats 4 oz every 3 hours. Pumping so often is draining in itself when it takes so long. Feeding her and washing pumps and bottles takes even longer. I feel like I spend my day playing with my boobs and my I should be playing with my baby! The thought of not being able to produce enough for her is killing me.
Are you about to get AF? Sometimes that will decrease it (wondering if I am going through that now but no AF yet)
Have you tried fenugreek? 3 pills 3 times a day? It's at walgreens. Or the tea.
LActation cookies, or drink a dark beer. Try to drink MORE water than you already are.
Are you about to get AF? Sometimes that will decrease it (wondering if I am going through that now but no AF yet)
Have you tried fenugreek? 3 pills 3 times a day? It's at walgreens. Or the tea.
LActation cookies, or drink a dark beer. Try to drink MORE water than you already are.
Thank you, I'll give these things a try. No AF here yet so I have no idea!
Also stress is a big thing, so try and relax about it... there is a list of things to try on JM let me pull it up.
And if worst comes to worst and you aren't producing enough don't beat yourself up. Emma got the good stuff for a long while and you did great. I hope your supply keeps up and I'm here for support!
I think they make special formulas for it. I think gentle ease is a good one but I don't FF. I'm just trying to remember what other mommas have said. There have been a few times when Madison has been insatiable and I've had to use my freezer stash.
Hey rat lady lol... I just went to walgreens today to get some fenugreek and couldnt find it. I asked the pharmacist and they looked at me like I was an alien... where else can I get it!??!?! Maybe I pronounced it wrong? ( fen-a-greek )
This is the one I get. I usually take 3 at a time every so often I notice my supply drop... it replaces all your body odor with a maple syrup smell! Heh!
thanks =) im just so afraid of how formulas would affect her reflux, ya know?
My son gets real bad reflux (heart burn) he is even on a prescription for it..... anyways, I use enfamil A+ formula exclusively and its worked pretty good along with the prescription......
My son gets real bad reflux (heart burn) he is even on a prescription for it..... anyways, I use enfamil A+ formula exclusively and its worked pretty good along with the prescription......
Thanks! I will keep this in mind. Emma is medicated for her reflux as well.
I agree about trying to relax! When I stress and watch the bottles to see how much I'm getting, I never seem to get as much. I try to look at Colton or watch a show and ignore the fact that I am pumping and I do a lot better. Or I take deep breaths and just try to really relax and seem to get more.
I get my Fenugreek from the health food store. Mother's Milk tea doesn't taste bad, but it doesn't tastegood either. Lol. I've been drinking Powerade, the electrolytes help & making the lactation cookies.
I think you've gotten some great advice here. I know how stressful pumping enough can be.
My only other thought is maybe putting baby to the breast after eating where she might just suckle and stimulate more milk production but not really "eat" and therefore have the reflux issues. In my experience, the baby is much more effective at stimulating milk production than a pump (even a good one). Another thought...and this might not be an option for you, but try napping or sleeping with the baby where she is skin-to-skin with you. My son has been spending way too much time in my bed...but I have noticed an increase in the amount I am pumping. One last thought, make sure you regularly change the "flaps" or membranes on the pump. I usually change mine out at the first of the month. Not sure if it makes a big difference but I do it anyway.
fenugreek as well as blessed thistle are good herbal supplements to take. i love the mother's milk tea- you are supposed to drink 3 glasses a day for a week to tell a difference, and it really helps me. make sure you are getting enough protein, as that is very important for a good supply, along with lots and lots of water.
I agree sleeping with your baby and getting more skin to skin contact is a good idea for increasing supply. letting your baby nurse after you pump is also a great thing to do - pumps cannot adequately stimulate the breasts like a baby can, and she will make more milk for you that way. Non-nutritive suckling also reduces irritation and speeds gastric emptying.
My older daughter had reflux as well so I feel your pain, but it is very possible to still breastfeed her through it. You may want to feed her more often than every 3 hours, so she gets mini meals that are easier to handle instead of larger ones.
Are you getting enough plain old rest? Rest is wonderful for breastfeeding issues. I totally agree with bmarti about putting her to your breast after pumping, babies definitely do a good job at increasing the milk supply.
Start taking fenugreek pills, they turn you into a cow
Similac also makes a formula just for spit up.. my son had reflux in the beginning and we switched to the similac spit up formula and I swear the next day his spit up was almost non existent. Of course, every baby is going to be different, but it's worth a try! I would think formula would help, since it's thicker then breastmilk. Good luck... hopefully your little one gets better soon
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Help! Need to increase my milk supply!
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still I think me saying it should have raised some thought... just sayin
I try to look at Colton or watch a show and ignore the fact that I am pumping and I do a lot better. Or I take deep breaths and just try to really relax and seem to get more. 
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