losing milk

milo091511

So I pump at work every 3 hours. I have been. Back to work for 3 weeks now. Some days are better than others but. The last two days I will pump about 6 to 8 ounces my first pumping at 7. But then at 10 I will only get 3. And at 1 I will only get 3 ounces.
What can I do to boost my milk suply.

milo091511

It hurts to pump. I have to squeeze and rub them just go get milk out. And sometimes there will be purple spotson my nipple. Is it my pump that is my problem

princesslockness

milo091511 said:

It hurts to pump. I have to squeeze and rub them just go get milk out. And sometimes there will be purple spotson my nipple. Is it my pump that is my problem

^this sounds like it is your pump that is the problem. I would suggest playing with the controls and seeing if you can turn down the suction/speed, Making sure that your flanges are the correct size, and that you are properly relaxed while pumping. 

One thing I have noticed is that when I pump and am paying attention to my output that I have less during each session. Also that the more stressed I am or the less hydrated I am the less I will have.

I pump twice at work, and once just as I get up. Each session has kind of a typical out put. the longer between sessions, the more out put. Example: at 6am, I get 10-12 oz as I don't pump over night; at 9 am I get 3-5, and at 3pm I get 6-8 as it is a longer break.

tarheelgirl8

Pumping really shouldn't hurt. If it does you may be using the wrong size shield, or you possibly have a blocked duct. I don't have any experience with blocked ducts but I understand that it can be painful and cause redness in your breast.

I agree with PP that I get significantly less if I sit there and watch my output. Also Gatorade seems to boost my supply, along with Brewers yeast powder sprinkled in oatmeal each morning. The Brewers yeast doesn't taste wonderful but I add extra cinnamon to cover up the taste. You can still taste it but it's not awful.

milo091511

I feel like my pump isn't strong enough. It will take me 20 minutes every pumping just to get everything out. I have looked online to see if there were different shields I haven't seen any really. I have been thinking about using a hand pump. I want to pump at home but when ever it's time to pump the baby is hungry.
I have been very stressed. It just seems like it's one thing after another. I have wanted to try lactation cookies. I just haven't had the money to go buy the stuff. So I will be trying thoes when I get paid.

psherman42wwsa

Do you have a lactation consultant you can talk to? I went to see one and she gave me larger flanges that helped my nipples less become irritated. I have seen them in the store as well as amazon.  It sounds like larger flanges will be good for you.

Also i know some people rent the hospital grade pumps to use for awhile to boost their supply. I saw them available at babies r us for rent.

did you get a free pump from your insurance? or is your current pump still under warranty?

Pumping after you feed the baby at home will help increase your supply. Even if milk doesnt come out, its still signaling your body to produce more milk. The more milk you remove from the breast, the more milk you will make. So pump pump pump and nurse nurse nurse! If you havent already looked at kellymom.com, you should. Its full of great information

milo091511

No I dont. I called once and they wanted me to go make a apt. I thought it was with someone on the phone.


Yes my insurance paid for my pump.


I will have to try that. Thankyou

princesslockness

milo091511 said:

I feel like my pump isn't strong enough. It will take me 20 minutes every pumping just to get everything out. I have looked online to see if there were different shields I haven't seen any really. I have been thinking about using a hand pump. I want to pump at home but when ever it's time to pump the baby is hungry. I have been very stressed. It just seems like it's one thing after another. I have wanted to try lactation cookies. I just haven't had the money to go buy the stuff. So I will be trying thoes when I get paid.

I pump for over 20 min each time to get everything out. It isn't pump strength alone that determines how long it can take to empty. Depending on how forceful your let down is, how efficient your pump is at emptying you can add time to each session.

Sonadora

I have to pump for 30 minutes to get everything out. My supply isn't great. First thing in the morning I get 5-7 ounces, then 4-5 at each other pump in the day for a total of around 21-24 a day (I exclusively pump). So I don't think the time is unusual. I would look into bigger flanges and check your membranes/replace them if it has been a while.

milo091511

The last 3 days I have only been getting on my 1st Pumping of the day I get about 5 ounces. Then the rest of the day will only be 3 ounces. This is freaking me out.

cg0112358

From what I've been told you generally get the most out of your morning pump. Also, pump amounts will change to reflect LO'so eating habits. Honestly, I only get 3-4 oz each pump (I pump 3x a day) and I've been able to feed DD and build a small freezer stash. I pumped for DD1 while at work and got between 2-4 oz per session (4x a day) and I had 400 oz in the freezer when I weaned at almost a year. It also always takes me 20 minutes to empty my breaststroke but I have a slow letdown. How much does your LO eat while you're gone? I believe for BF babies the rule of thumb is 1-1.25 oz per hour.

alizaharis

I never had any trouble pumping a good 4-5 oz. But I just can't get a letdown with the pump anymore!
There's no trouble feeding the LO. It's the pump I'm suddenly unable to use, even in the morning!
Any suggestions?

valerie1132

Try replacing the membranes on the pump connector, I heard this can help!

KateDerek

I have been back to work for three weeks now and noticed my supply starting to dip a little. I pumped twice per day and sent her with three bottles, but she typically doesn't use the third and can wait to eat as soon as I get home. But I struggled to get enough to feed her the next day, and was pulling from my freezer stash to supplement it, and it was getting lowered to only about six bags left. So I set my alarm the last 10 days or so and I pump at 1:00 AM, since she doesn't get up until 4-6 AM for a feeding. I also added another pump session to my workday, now I pump three times. It's helped me to build my stash back up and get more than enough to feed her the next day. Once I'm comfortable with the amount I have in the freezer, I will stop with the nighttime session. I'm dropping from four days of work a week to just two days after New Years, so I hope that with the change and being around her more, my supply won't be as affected.