**Jenwill** and other bfding ladies

Christakim

For one, Jen, your DD is one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

 

I thought my supply was doing well pumping 3-4 oz at a time, but now that I saw crista's post, and then your comment, I'm thinking I really am lacking.  That and the fact that I'm a bottomless pit when it comes to food, I can't get enough and someone told me this weekend that means your body isn't naturally producing enough milk.  I'm taking fenugreek too 3pills x 3 a day plus eating oatmeal at least twice a day and it's not working.  How often do you pump?  I'm thinking it's because I pump in between feeds so that she will have something to eat when I got to work at night. So I feed her then I pump 1.5 to 2.5 hours later.  I have to pump a lot this week because I think I'm going for a lap next week and I have to have a stash put away for when I'm on pain meds and can't bfeed and it would be really nice to have 5-7oz at a time pumped.  Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get my supply up?

dundasgirl

So you are breastfeeding and pumping in between and getting 3-4 oz at a time?  That seems like you are getting quite a bit if you are pumping frequently through the day.  I was never a very dedicated pumper, I just breastfed all the time.  But when I did want to get a good stash going I would pump extra in the morning since I always had tonnes of milk then.

Do you drink lots of water?  I know that may sound like a dumb question but it does help.

Germanwife2b

I think that you are getting tons of milk!!  I mostly BF but when I do pump, unless it was in place of a morning feed (when I could easily get 8-10oz total), I really haven't been able to get more than 4oz at a time total.  I almost always just pump in place of feedings and lately it is a struggle to get any more than an oz or two a breast.  I work 12 hour night shifts so I pump once in the evening to replace the bottle DS has when I am gone (he takes about 3-4 oz but probably could take more) and I pump one more extra time around midnight-1am and I only get about 1-2oz a breast.  I don't pump anymore than that so that I have some milk in there for DS when I get home.  I've noticed my supply has dropped significantly since introducing solids at 4-5 months.  I have not been able to do anything to increase it, but really haven't tried.  I'm just going with the flow.  I think you are doing great and just start freezing the extra milk you are pumping to have a decent stash!  Maybe throw one extra pumping in there if you can manage to have more!

jenwill

Sorry to get to this so late, I must've logged off right before you posted!

I think that's a pretty good amount, seeing as you're pumping in between feedings. I don't get as much when I do that. When I'm pumping, it's b/c I'm away from her (like Germanwife, I do 12 hr shifts) so I haven't recently fed her then. I should really pump more to build up my freezer stash too, but it's such a pain...I'm just not that dedicated to do it. Sounds like you're doing great!! And I know you may not want to, but with some pain meds, you can still BF...just makes the baby a little sleepy. GL with your lap!

And thanks!! I think she is a cutie...but I'm a little biased!!

jenwill

Oh, and to add...I pump 2-3x while at work, roughly every 3-4 hrs, and once when I get home (b/c she's asleep). But basically what I pump goes to replace what she's already eaten...and if I have a bad pumping day, I have to take from the freezer.

I can't think of anything additional for you to do, but I think you're on the right track...the more you pump, the more you'll make...so keep it up!!