milk jealousy

beckyanddon

I read about all you moms that are able to breastfeed and pump 5+ ounces at a time.  I want to continue breastfeeding so badly, but when I pump in the morning before feeding or doing anything I am lucky if I get 3 ounces, and he easily eats 4-5. 

I have even been on reglan and now I am taking fenugreek like crazy.  UGH, this is the one thing I wanted to do as a mom.

 Anyone have the same issue and what did you do?

angie212

I don't have supply issues, but I wouldn't say I'm a milk machine either.  kellymom.com has some great suggestions about how to up your milk, for example you can pump every time you feed (5-10 minutes AFTER you aren't expressing anymore milk) and that will increase your supply.  Good luck!

diana.filipi

Keep in mind that you cannot pump as much as baby can suck usually.  If you can pump about 3oz baby can probably get about 4 and also baby can go at it again in just a little bit of time.  Keep up the high fluid intake.  It really doesn't sound so bad (your milk supply).

MrsRebecca

I am taking a lactation blend herbal supplement (fenugreek), drinking tons of water and am pumping more often. I also read beer can help so I've been indulging in the hopes it helps my milk supply.

It also seems like the older LO gets, the more milk I produce. I used to get maybe 3 oz. a day but now I can get about 4 oz. per session.

 

MrsRebecca

Ambsies:

I have total milk-envy, too!

Don't stress over drinking extra water.  I see a lot of women on here advising women with supply issues to drink a ton of water.  Extra fluids don't increase your supply.

Both my LC and my doctor told me to make sure I'm getting plenty of water.

Lariah14

Like PP's said, 1) your baby is more efficient than a pump, so you can't always use that as a gauge. 2) The LC i met with said while SOME women will pump a lot, the average is 4-6 oz for someone DS's age (2.5 months). 3) BF babies will still take an additional 1-2 oz bottle AFTER nursing. This doesn't mean they weren't adequately fed! They love to suck and that is why FF babies are frequently plumper (though not necessarily healthier). 4) If you REALLY have a supply issue you can follow PP's advice.The guideline is 2.5 oz X babies weight in lbs. = amount of BM/FM per day. Then you divide that by the number of feedings. So, DS is 12.5 lbs and needs 3.9oz per feeding over 8 feedings a day. FYI- the current growth charts are based on a VERY limited study- its based on FF babies from middle class/affluent caucasians in Ohio in the 70's. A better chart is the World Health Organization's BF growth charts, it looks at the avg growth trends for EBF babies of diverse backgrounds.

 

When my supply went down (down to about 1.5oz total!) when DS was sick and I couldn't nurse him, the LC said I needed to pump for TEN MINUTES, both sides at once, after each feeding...even if nothing was coming out. Offer a supplemental bottle ONLY if DS is crying for food, but if he seems content, do not offer a bottle.  If you do offer a bottle in PLACE of a nursing session, pump for 30 min (double pump). Make sure you are well hydrated and well rested. Also, hormonal BC (even the mini-pill) can decrease supply.

 

Good luck!