Please, please, please help with pumping/supply issues!!

mamarazzi

DS is EBF.  He has MSPI and can?t tolerate formula.  I?m perfectly content to nurse as long as he needs me to, but I can?t keep up on the days I?m in the office.  I can?t figure out why, but my supply has dropped dramatically.  I used to get about 8oz per pumping session, 16oz total for the day, and DS would eat three 4oz feedings so I?d end up with a bit of reserve.  For the past couple of weeks, I?ve only been getting 4-5oz per session.  We?ve gone through the very small freezer supply I had built up.  I don?t know what to do.  I?ve increased my water consumption, tried eating oatmeal, pumping at different times, pumping more often?nothing seems to work.  Today I thought FOR SURE I?d get more because I felt fuller than I have in awhile.  I got 5 measly ounces.  I don?t even have enough for a day?s feeding in the freezer right now.

 

Any suggestions?  I can try to pump when I?m at home, but it?s so hard to do?I hate to be anchored to the couch with a toddler running around more than I already am.  And even if I do pump on my days off, when??  I dreamfeed DS right before I go to bed, so I couldn?t pump then.  I suppose first thing in the morning?  Is it possible it's my pump?  I've used it almost daily for a year and a half.

 

Any help would be much appreciated.  I?m really stressing out.  Aside from worrying about not having enough for DS while I?m at work, I can?t go ANYWHERE without him because I don?t have enough extra to cover the feedings while I?m gone.

 

TIA.

springmom

How long are you pumping?

AnnapolisLari

If you've used the pump that much, have you replaced the membranes? Those do wear out. (Assuming you have a PIS/A)

august0605bride

can he start eating other stuff? ?cereal and purees? ?I know it's early for that, though. ?Jack did not drink a bottle for the longest time, so I gave him solids when I had to be away.

add another pumping session in the middle of the night (awful, I know)??

RCH151

I know this sounds funny but try a non-alcoholic beer -- this always increased my supply.   

RCH151

also...there is a yahoo group called "pumpmoms"  they are experts!

mamarazzi

I pump for around 25 minutes -- for at least 5 minutes after the milk stops coming out.

I've replaced the tubing and valves (I have a Lansinoh). 

niecy

I know it's hard to find time but add some extra sessions, even if you don't get anything. Also, pump for 10 minutes longer. This worked for me, and also, beer. One beer will not hurt the baby and helped my supply a lot.

REOM

YGM!