Can't make enough...

holtkat1

My twins are 3 months old, but we're born 5 weeks early. I am only pumping. I can NOT make enough milk. I'm taking a lactation blend, rented a hospital grade pump and try to pump at least every 3 hours. Every bottle they take has 2 oz of breast milk and 2-3 oz of formula. I'm so frustrated with this. I'm getting ready to go back to work in a month and feel like I don't know if I should continue. They are eating about 7 times a day, so about 28-35 oz each!! Just wondering if there is anything else I can do, any advice from moms who have been here.....I know formula is fine but I'm so mad I have to give them so much when I'm working so hard to produce milk. I have a three year old who had a very small amount of formula and I pumped/breasted with him for 9 months. Thanks

dal2aus

You didn't mention it, but is your doctor worried that they're not getting enough? If so, have him/her refer you to a lactation consultant. Even if you can produce a small amount, it's still enough to give the benefits of breastfeeding over formula. Hang in there, and don't be afraid to ask the professionals for help.

zazu13

I'm sorry. I had this problem, too. I was advised to get plenty of sleep and enough calories. Both felt impossible to do while caring for babies round the clock. I agree any breast milk is better than none, though. Hang in there, but don't be mad at yourself for using formula.

basil2

Can you breast feed one or both? The babies might stimulate production better than the pump.

CNYBride05

Even a little is great! BFing is hard and BFing twins is harder. Have you tried Domperidone? Posting on the BFing board?

Jenn06L80

I am really sorry. I too have a 3 year old that I EBF for 13 months. She never got a drop of formula and it was a wonderful experience. This time was more of a challenge. First their are two that need to eat and my girls were also born early (4 weeks). I pumped/breast fed as long as I could make milk. However they are now FF. I have had huge mommy guilt over formula feeding however I just couldn't keep up and I felt that my older daughter was suffering.
I think any breast milk is better than none so any you make is great.

ppants

My twins were my 1st/2nd, but my BF experience was very similiar.  I tried NA beer, oatmeal, mother's milk tea and nothing really increased my supply.  I was pumping every 3 hrs also.  Reglan can increase milk production, but dr wouldn't give it to me due to past hx of seizures x 2 as a child. 

I gave up pumping after 6w and switched to FF.  I was much happier in the end and DD ended up having a milk allergy so I would have had to cut out dairy, etc and it wasn't worth it to me for the small amount of BM I was getting.

Hang in there and they be ok with however you decided to feed them. 

jeephappygirl

Mine had bad lazy latches & weren't transferring enough so I started EPing on day 3. I was lucky to get just what they needed. Keep pumping every 2-3 hrs. I used a hospital pump thw first 3 mo. Also so a big increase around 8 weeks. Eating a lot and staying hydrated is important. How long do you pump for. I always did at least 15 min but tried for 20.

BeesKnees181

Don't get too down on yourself.  Breastfeeding has been the same for me; I have had to use formula since day 1.  It is about finding the right balance for you - that keeps you happy and sane.  For me, if I can nurse each girl twice/day and pump once then I am happy.  I use formula for other feedings.  I just couldn't keep up after their 3 week growth spurt.  Any little bit of breastmilk is better than nothing.  And formula is not evil.  Hope this helps.