Help please!

laurel_howeth

We have had a crazy few weeks and I have completely depleted my stash of bm. I was so mad at myself I was crying this morning as I had to prep formula for ds to take to my moms b/c I have no milk for him. I am mad that I didn't make it any more of a priority to have him some milk pumped. Are there any tips for a working mom to build up a supply asap? And any tips on how with our crazy schedules to make more time for pumping. It also sucks b.c I am only getting about 4oz at each session and that is what he is eating, so essentially I am not producing enought to make extra to stash... HELP!!! Please

trackchik6

Relax if you can.  It's okay if you are producing just enough for him to eat the next day and hopefully if you pump over the weekend you can start gradually building up a stash.  I don't know how long your LO sleeps, but after my DS started sleeping longer I will pump after he goes to bed if I need more milk.  GL.

godzprncs

Hi! I had the same exact problem and I was absolutely crushed when I had to give my DD formula. For us, it works out that she only has to get 2 bottles a day while I am gone so she gets one breastmilk bottle and one formula bottle. At first it was the end of the world for me. But then when I looked at it she was only getting 3 formula bottles a week - which is not bad at all. So this took the stress of pumping off of me to get enough and actually started pumping more. And I was also able to build my stash up again. I also started taking fenugreek and blessed thistle.

What I haven't tried but you may want to try is going on a nursing vacation one weekend and just power pump.

Hang in there! And I know that breast milk is best but a couple of formula bottles a week is okay too - don't beat yourself up about it!

heatherlane

Yes, relax, take a deep breath, don't stress. Formula is not best, but it's not the devil. Try to keep in mind the percentage as well...I did the math and my LO is only getting 15% formula in all he takes in a week.

I was pumping 3x at work, once in the AM after his first feeding, and before I went to bed at night (or for a non STTN, after his last feeding) when I first went back to work. It's a pain, but we made it work.

laurel_howeth

You guys rock! Thank you so much for the support, I am going to try all of the things mentioned and see what happens. I know formula won't hurt him, I just hate that I allowed myself to get in this position. I will try to pump more often at work too. Thank you again

At1stsight

I also pump again before I go to bed at night (at 10pm ish). DS still gets up once or twice a night but there's always milk for him even if he wakes at midnight or something. Your body will adjust to your scheduling so unless he's eating every 2-3 hours at night too, try to fit in an extra pump between when you put him down for bed and when you go to bed. GL!

bride2be79

Add a pumping in the morning after his first feeding.  I put DD in her crib to play after I feed her in the am and pump while I finish getting ready.  If you have a hands' free bra (or the Freestyle pump) then you can put on your makeup or whatever while you pump.  That's how I get the "extra" milk I have put in the freezer.  Even though I don't usually pump on the weekends unless I have to, I still do that pumping.  That way, I actually get about 5 or 6 extra bottles a week and have built up a pretty good stash that way.  Good luck!!