what is your experience - milk supply and pumping

MommaLee · #1 June 10th, 2010, 05:27 PM

I know some of you ladies are pumping....so what is your thoughts on my situation.

First off, my boob size has not changed since becoming pregnant to giving birth...I do not feel engorged. J was eating like a champ at the hospital but when we came home she couldn't get satisfied so I began supplementing. At the recommendation of an ob, I rented a hospital grade pump and I get about .5-1 ounce every 2 to 3 hours when I pump.

I'm fearing that I'm going to be a person with a low supply...the ob did tell me not to expect my milk to come in until at least 5 days after birth but it's been almost 10 days since I birthed her.

Anyone else get very little when first pumping or have their milk come in this late?

~* Liss *~ · #2 June 10th, 2010, 06:07 PM

I think my milk came in day 3 after birth. My bbs didn't grow while pregnant or when my milk came in. The only way I can tell that my milk is there is the fact that I have fantastic cleavage without a great support bra!!!

I hope your supply picks up Lee Ann!

DeepSouthMommy · #3 June 10th, 2010, 07:18 PM

I have no experience in this yet, but wanted to remind you that there is the Breastfeeding board here on JM. I've done a lot of reading there because I am really hoping to nurse when we have a baby and want to be as informed as possible when the time comes. One of the things that I've read there is that oatmeal (not instant, it has to be old fashioned or steel cut oats) will help increase supply naturally. They have a recipe there for these really yummy sounding monster cookies that have oatmeal in them. ;-) I would really check there if I were you though, they have LOTS of great info on low supply.

MommaLee · #4 June 10th, 2010, 08:06 PM

Yeah, I sought some advice from the pumping board and there were replies that my supply sounds normal....but I'm not pumping nearly the amount that is cited in books/websites. I just don't see how it can be normal when I can't satisfy her. I'm basically getting about 5 ounces total per day.

::MummyToTwo:: · #5 June 10th, 2010, 08:17 PM

are you still supplimenting?

If you are that could be the problem. BFing is all about supply and demand. So every time formula (or pumped breastmilk) is supplimented you need to pump to tell your body you need more milk.

Basically if you give 4x bottles of formula (or BM) you need to pump a minimum of 4x (for at least 20 minutes each side) to tell your body you need more milk.

Does that make sense?

MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy · #6 June 11th, 2010, 01:52 AM

My milk came in about 4 days after Marina was born. I was very engorged the day it came it. Before that she just had the colostrum that was there. The more you let her suck at your breasts the more you will make. Sucking is what is going to stimulate the increase in prolactin levels which controls lactation. www.Kellymom.com is an absolutely wonderful site to go to for any breastfeeding questions. I have been to it many, many times. You should definately check it out!

Etph007 · #7 June 11th, 2010, 05:46 AM

letting her nurse is going to stimulate your supply a lot more than pumping will. The PP's are correct that supplementing will only decrease your supply. It's really difficult to maintain your supply by just pumping (believe me, I've been doing this for 7 months

) What you're pumping is probably something similar to what I was pumping in the beginning so I wouldn't freak out but also know that what you pump is not indicative of what you're producing. The baby is much more effective at emptying your breast than any pump would be (hosptial grade included).

Lyz · #8 June 11th, 2010, 06:06 AM

Are you BF and pumping? I might have missed that. I pumped exclusively and couldn't keep up with her demand. I was okay with supplementing with formula though. Bella was a tiny little baby so she needed to eat ALOT to catch up. Hope your supply goes up in the coming days!!!

MommaLee · #9 June 11th, 2010, 07:26 AM

She will not take the breast anymore....I'm pumping about every 2-3 hours. I would like to feed her bm only but I'm not opposed to supplementing because she is always hungry when I was bfing only.

Thanks for ur input.

Lyz · #10 June 11th, 2010, 07:41 AM

if you have just started pumping within the last few days, it will take a few days to get your supply back up. best of luck!

Boo · #11 June 11th, 2010, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MommaLee

I would like to feed her bm only but I'm not opposed to supplementing because she is always hungry when I was bfing only.

I'm just curious why you think she was always hungry when you were BFing her. If it's because she always wanted to be on the breast, read this article (from kellymom.com): kellymom.com :: Baby's Second Night by Jan Barger RN, MA, IBCLC

This article may also help you out w/ weaning from supplement feedings, if that's what you want to do: kellymom.com :: Weaning from formula supplements

Or, here are a ton of articles for the pumping mama: kellymom.com :: Working, Pumping, Bottle Feeding

*Mommy2Camden* · #12 June 11th, 2010, 09:12 AM

We had latching issues from the beginning, & battled a nipple shield. To make a long story short, I started exclusively pumping when Camden was a few weeks old. I EP for 4 EXHAUSTING months, around the clock every 3 hours. (Erin I don't know HOW you are still doing it, but you're my hero

) My supply started out great (about 25-30oz a day), then got lower and lower every week. I tried changing my diet, talked to several LC's, drank TONS of water, Fenugreek, Mothers milk, blessed thistle, & power pumped. NOTHING worked. I finally stopped pumping a few weeks ago because I was BARELY getting .5 ozes after 2 pumpings. My milk literally was GONE......With the next baby it will be a COMPLETELY different story and I will NEVER touch another nipple shield again. My best advice.....Try and keep your baby on the boob AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, and try not to pump unless you have to.

All the best!!!

Celry · #13 June 11th, 2010, 11:08 AM

I think my milk came in after 5 days. I agree with the other people that if you supplement your supply won't go up. You also need to knwo that the pump is not as efficient as your body. Most women can only pump about 65% of what baby is really getting. If you're super concerned about supply, you can eat a few things like oatmeal or take a supplement like fenugreek. Before you go the supplement route, you can try to powerpump. Pump for 10 minutes, then off for 10, then on for 10, for an hour. Do this once a day and by the end of a week you should see an increase in supply. Also, make sure you are pumping at a speed and suction amount that are both comfortable to you. You won't draw out more milk by cranking the pump up high. Good luck.

MommaLee · #14 June 11th, 2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo

I'm just curious why you think she was always hungry when you were BFing her. If it's because she always wanted to be on the breast

She continually rooted or sucked on her arm and then she'd start crying and wailing her arms until I would put her back on. I know she falls asleep but the lac consultant gave me some stimulation techniques to keep her sucking...and I did that but when she unlatches a few minutes later she'll start back with the rooting, sucking, etc. After I gave her a 2 ounce bottle last thursday night after hours of her doing that...she quit and was content. Same thing happened friday night.

When I told the ped on sat morning, it was suggested that I feed her...and if she seems to still be hungry offer the bottle. Each time I did that, she drinks the whole entire bottle plus whatever she got from me. And then my sutures popped, so when I went back to the ob on wednesday...we discussed bfing and it was suggested that I go rent a hospital grade pump since I was having issues.

She gets 2 breastmilk bottles a day right now and the rest is formula...she is really content but it wasn't how I wanted it to go. But I guess that is better than nothing until I can figure it out.

*edited to add the ob suggestion

Soape · #15 June 11th, 2010, 12:52 PM

Mine came in late as well because of the blood loss. They have me using the pump. I also take "mother's milk tea", and feenugreek. OUr lactation consultants at the hospital told me to do this. Well after 2 weeks and 3 days my supply is still not in full force. So she contacted my OB and he is starting me on Domperidone a medication to help with supply. I would def contact your Dr again and let him know. I hope that they can help you,. DO you have lactation consultants in the hospital you delivered in?

MommaLee · #16 June 11th, 2010, 03:06 PM

The lactation consultant is with the pediatricians office. She visits all the new mothers in the hospital that have chosen their office for pediatric services.

I do go back to the ob on wednesday to check on the welfare of my sutures...so I'll discuss what my options are then. Thanks!

::MummyToTwo:: · #17 June 11th, 2010, 06:12 PM

I EP'd with Summer and while it was difficult I did succeed for 11 months. I was pumping every 2-3 hours in the beginning to get my supply up, I was averaging 50-65oz a day.

A WONDERFUL website for EPing is: Mother-2-Mother.com

ca_dawson · #18 June 12th, 2010, 02:23 PM

I'm pumping and breastfeeding and have gotten my supply up, but it's been a battle to get here. It took my milk a full 5 days to come in (day 3 and 4 was rough because she was hungry, but the pedi told me not to supplement, colostrum would be fine until my milk came in) By her 5th day of life she had lost a whole pound, but by day 7 she was back up past her birth weight. The first time I pumped was at week 2 and I got 4 oz (but this was first thing in the morning) After that I started pumping 2-3 times a day between her feedings and would get maybe 4 oz. the whole day. I just kept feeding and pumping and would power pump at least once a day and slowly my supply increased. She will be 8 weeks old tomorrow and now I'm getting between 6-12 oz per pump depending on the time of day. If my supply starts dipping then I make a point to pump between midnight and 5 am. Yes its a pain to get up in the middle of the night to pump, but it increases my supply a ton! Also if I can find the time, I'll add in like a super long pumping session (like a hour) Pumping and BFing is hard, but if its what you really want to do stick with it and it will get easier! Best of luck to you!

downunderchick · #19 June 13th, 2010, 01:27 AM

hey LeeAnn, congrats!

agree with the PP, pumping is not an indication of your supply. theres actually only 3-5% of people who cant make enough milk. Some people who have agreat supply, cannot pump much at all. so that that are pumping exclusivley are doing great!

Also like previously mentioned, as soon as you supplement with formula, you are telling your body not to produce that milk. The reason she seemed like she was more settled is because formula doesnt digest properly and sits in the tummy for longer, Im on a great breastfeeding forum and one of the trained counsellors there actually said BM is digested in around 90 mins

If she seems like shes wanting to eat constantly, its normal. especially in the early days! Also whilst they are so little they go through growth spurts alot and clutser feed too. kelly mom is a great website with really good information. Dont forget it takes a good 6 weeks to establish your supply!
Hope things improve