Pumping strategies

MickeyM04

I don't know what to do...with DS I always pumped obscenely more than I needed, like a whole extra bottle per day.  Well yesterday DD finally started eating (yay!) and she took 14 oz (4 3-oz bottles).  I have been pumping exactly 14 oz a day until of course today, when I've pumped 9.5 oz in two sessions with one to go where I usually get 2.  Granted I'm money this week because they sent home two bottles the first couple of days, but I felt like I was "cutting it close" as I was pumping exactly what I thought she would need, and now I'm pumping less. 

I've been adding a session in the morning at home because I've been really full since she started STTN so that is helping, but our mornings are so crazy as it is, I was thinking about dropping that session to make our lives easier...but now even with that session, I will likely barely come out with enough for tomorrow, so clearly that one is here to stay for now.  I cannot add another session at work; I barely have time for the three.  Is there a way to increase your supply through pumping, even though typically supply goes down when pumping?  Should I start waking her up in the middle of the night to nurse more to increase my supply?  Am I not pumping long enough?  I usually get two let downs at the first two pumps and only one at the last one though I pump for the same amount of time.  I feel like I must be doing something wrong to get so much less today than what I usually have by now (9.5 oz compared to 12)...help?

litzo27

Variation from day to day in pumping output does happen. I know how you feel though - even after pumping well for months I get really stressed if I have a bad couple of days because I think that it's a sign of something coming. But I can usually get it to rebound fast by: drinking tons of water, drinking mother's milk tea, using heated pads on breasts while pumping, adding a power hour after DD is asleep (for about an hour pump for 15 minutes rest for 3). I would NOT wake her up because sleep is precious and a STTN babies are hard to come by
I would also keep your morning session and freezing those so you have a freezer stash to fall back on for days like this.

MickeyM04

Thanks, and I'm glad to hear you say to let her sleep, because holy hell am I tired!  I will try the heating pads for sure, I had never thought of those even though I always use them when I get clogged ducts.  I just hope my morning session can keep performing as well as it has--I've been nursing her for 20 minutes and then pumping another 4 oz!  That's one bottle right there.  I forgot how much pumping is just a total mind fuck.  Totally.

Mustardseed2007

I EP. To keep my supply up I eat a milk maker cookie per day. I actually notice a drop when I do not eat those daily.

I've recently purchased mother's milk tea to try and not have those calories, but I haven't tried it yet.

MickeyM04

I haven't tried the lactation cookies yet but I have heard great things.  I have been so hesitant to do anything which might increase my supply "too much," because I weaned DS over the course of 6 weeks and still got horrible mastitis because I just made so much freaking milk.  Now I am making I think just a LITTLE bit short of what I will need.  My friend does a cookie a day and her supply has gotten like ridiculous so I was afraid that I would start making like 6 extra oz a day or something and then when I try to wean it will be a huge shit show.  But I suppose I shouldn't jump to that conclusion.  Thanks so much for all the tips!!!

mittensonkittens

Have you tried pumping during your drive to work? I never would have done it with my first child, but it became a necessity with #2 and #3 to fit in a third session. You need a good hands-free pump bra. Set up before you start driving, throw on a nursing cover, and go. Disconnect and clean up when you get there, or pull over somewhere.

ricekez

If I hit a low point, I'd pump on the weekend to make up a few ounces. I can't fit in another weekday pumping, so I used the weekends to build my stash.

MamaAllison

I'll also chime in to say my output was always the best on Monday, and a few ounces less by Friday. Is this your first week back? I bet after nursing all weekend you will see a better output Monday. A lot of women's bodies just respond better to a baby than to a pump!

radiohd18

Recently I struggled with feeling like I was not producing enough for LO's bottles at daycare. I just want to say to be sure your pump is working correctly and that you're getting the right suction. I called Medela to troubleshoot and they sent me new valves/membranes and it made a huge difference in my sessions!

MickeyM04

Thanks for all the recommendations, ladies.  I do have a brand new pump so I don't think that's the issue (at least I sure hope not!!), and this is my first week back and it's the end of the week so that could be it too.  I noticed I pumped the most on Monday, and a little less each day this week.  I am hoping Monday is better again. 

I would totally pump during my commute but alas, we take the train to work and that sounds like a ginormous disaster in the making.  I will try the cookies...would do beer but I can't stand it!  Too bad wine doesn't work...

MickeyM04

@PrivacyWanted...that's interesting...I mean I guess if it's for the kids I could make myself drink more   Here's a question though.  When do you see the results?  Is it like the next day your supply has a boost?  A week?  I try to have a bowl of oatmeal every morning, and if I skip a day, the next day I notice a dip in my supply.  Is it like that?

MickeyM04

That is good to know.  I will have to enlist the beer loving husband to help me find one.  I forgot what a mind fuck pumping is btw.  It also blows because I am realizing how lucky I was last time to have a ridiculous oversupply.  Now if I didn't have my early a.m. session because she STTN, I wouldn't have enough.  Which makes me really worried about what happens when she starts getting up during the night again and I lose that extra that I'm getting out now at my first pump of the day...and now I'm panicking again.  What were you saying about alcohol?