I breastfed half of Lillian's feedings in the hospital, but it was apprant that to get her out, we'd both do better with breastmilk in bottles. She just was unable to eat her entire meal at the breast and that was our last hurdle for going home. I talked to the lactation specialist and she said once we got home, I could work on it more. Her strength would improve and she'd do better. Unfortunately that number game got the best of me in the hospital and I was always so nervous that she wasn't eating enough since I didn't know how much she ate at the breast. I still put her to my breast at least once a day, but it's usualy to just top her off if she sucks down her entire bottle and is still a bit hungry. Anyway...long story longer.
I've notcied that my supply is getting less and less over the last month that we've been home. Now that her feedings are increasing, I'm actually not pumping what she eats in a day anymore and the last two days have had to resort of some of my supply in the freezer.
Do you think this is common with a preemie?
Is it because I'm basically an exclusive pumper?
Or is it just what my body is doing?
I'm just really worried that I'll dry up completely here soon. I've got about 300 ounces in the deep freeze, but I obviously want her to get breastmilk as long as possible.....6 months minimum and we're just nearing month 2. Obviously if I dry up, I dry up....I don't think there is anything I can do about it. Just feeling stressed and sad about it.
I would definitely post this on the breastfeeding board. There are a lot of exclusive pumpers on that board who will have some reccomendations for you.
Is it possible to still breastfeed her, even if it's only once a day? It can take awhile for your supply to establish itself and hold steady so having her take from you is a great way to boost supply. Or you could even kangaroo her. Just doing skin to skin contact can boost supply too.
I pumped when Addie was in the hospital, and a little after, and my supply was A LOT! If it is getting lower, do a strict every 3 hour pump, and pump for 20-30 minutes even if nothing is coming out.
Do you only want to pump? You actually might have better luck with your supply if you feed her (breast) on demand. That is how we made the switch to BFing, I just jumped right in and started only feeding her on the breast until she got the hang of it. It was a PITA because she ate more often at first, but it's just what newborns do.
Since you're only 2 months in you shouldn't have any problems upping your supply. If you do want to stick with pumping you should pump as much as you can and have some skin to skin contact before you pump. I'd also suggest taking fenugreek 3 times a day (start with 1 pill each time and work your way up until you're taking 4-5 each time). Make sure you're eating and drinking enough and if you're a beer drinker a lot of people see amazing results from drinking one beer a day. Oatmeal (not instant) also helps. GL!
Emma - March '08 Quinn - August '11
Need help with high fat food ideas?
Chunky Monkey
Hi! Pumping is so hard, but you can totally do it!!!! I pumped every 2hrs during the day and every 4 hours at night. What really helped me was taking a sports bra, cutting holes in it and pumping while I fed DD so I wasn't doing double the work. Also buy extra pump parts so you can pump multiple times w/o having to wash. i ate oatmeal and took fenugreek. I wound up having to buy a stand alone freezer to store BM. Oh I totally second pp-having skin to skin before pumping really helped.
My supply tanked about 3 months PP. I tried oatmeal, water, fenugreek but my miracle was finally domperidone.
Also- the pp mentioned buying extra supplies. You can also do the "fridge trick" and just stick your cones in a ziploc bag in the fridge and wash once a day. Saves a LOT of time.
You might also check out the exclusive pumping board over at ivillage- they have lots of help and suggestions.
Re: Pumping Only - Low Supply?
I would definitely post this on the breastfeeding board. There are a lot of exclusive pumpers on that board who will have some reccomendations for you.
Is it possible to still breastfeed her, even if it's only once a day? It can take awhile for your supply to establish itself and hold steady so having her take from you is a great way to boost supply. Or you could even kangaroo her. Just doing skin to skin contact can boost supply too.
Good luck & ((HUGS)) - pumping is hard!!
I pumped when Addie was in the hospital, and a little after, and my supply was A LOT! If it is getting lower, do a strict every 3 hour pump, and pump for 20-30 minutes even if nothing is coming out.
Good luck!
Do you only want to pump? You actually might have better luck with your supply if you feed her (breast) on demand. That is how we made the switch to BFing, I just jumped right in and started only feeding her on the breast until she got the hang of it. It was a PITA because she ate more often at first, but it's just what newborns do.
Since you're only 2 months in you shouldn't have any problems upping your supply. If you do want to stick with pumping you should pump as much as you can and have some skin to skin contact before you pump. I'd also suggest taking fenugreek 3 times a day (start with 1 pill each time and work your way up until you're taking 4-5 each time). Make sure you're eating and drinking enough and if you're a beer drinker a lot of people see amazing results from drinking one beer a day. Oatmeal (not instant) also helps.
GL!
Need help with high fat food ideas? Chunky Monkey
My supply tanked about 3 months PP. I tried oatmeal, water, fenugreek but my miracle was finally domperidone.
Also- the pp mentioned buying extra supplies. You can also do the "fridge trick" and just stick your cones in a ziploc bag in the fridge and wash once a day. Saves a LOT of time.
You might also check out the exclusive pumping board over at ivillage- they have lots of help and suggestions.
https://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppexcluspump
I've now been essentially exlusively pumping for 9 months and have about 400oz in the freezer. It can be done but it's NOT easy.
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