My EP-ing Hell! (vent)

PrincessLinLin

So I feel like my supply is drying up. I used to get about 6-8 oz every four hours pumping, now I'm only getting about 3-4 oz. I'm still taking fenugreek (I also tried mothers milk tea but it made me want to vomit) I've been power pumping and pumping for 5 minutes after the last drops come out. And lately pumping has become extremely painful. I dread when it is time for me to pump. I feel like I'm a failure as a mom. I cried for like an hour after a particularly pitiful pump (only 2.5 oz total) I just don't know what else I can do to try and get my supply back up. I tried pumping every two hours yesterday but so far it hasn't helped. I'm stuck in pumping Hell and I hate every minute of it! 

Starfish113

Sorry, I have no advice for you but I'm in the same situation. My supply is totally drying up. I'm only getting an ounce when I pump now! Poor DD is definitely getting more formula than BM at this point, and I feel terrible.

smorzandoj

Have you tried eating oatmeal?  I eat it for breakfast with fruit and then I eat some type of granola bar as snacks throughout the day.  Also, I pump for 30 minutes each session regardless of what is coming out.  Good luck and I hope it gets better for you!

2bMrsAnderson

 

 it takes a while to work but massage (see link) helped me a lot. Also lots of water and a high fiber diet. Also sleeping for 4-5 hours a night helped me feel better and helped my morning supply.

https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

DaisyFull

Please don't feel like a failure! You're not a failure at all! I don't have the magic answer, but no matter what you will provide for LO and be a GREAT Mom!! Maybe you could call an LC?

FutureMECC

My supply was all over the place when I was 3 weeks PP so definitely don't be discouraged.  I pumped every 2 hours for 30 minutes regardless.  It HURT, but once I hit 5 weeks PP I could go longer and get the same amount of milk per day.  Now I can go 6-8 hours without pumping if I had to and not diminish my supply.  

Azrayla

Starfish113:

Sorry, I have no advice for you but I'm in the same situation. My supply is totally drying up. I'm only getting an ounce when I pump now! Poor DD is definitely getting more formula than BM at this point, and I feel terrible.

Ditto this..I was getting 3-3.5 oz at a time in the beginning every 2 hours..Then one day I decided to Power pump and I think that sabotaged  everything..4 hours after the power session I only got about 2oz and I never felt "full" and since only pumped maybe 2oz and my right breast wasnt giving me enough for even an ounce..I just ended up with swollen sore nipples and barely anything to show for it.

Are you drinking enough water? And try the oatmeal..

I gave up and went to FF..felt terrible about it but my supply was barely enough to feed her and she was getting more formula than anything..And once I stopped I was only engorged/in pain for a day and a half..then it all went away and no leaking, etc..so thats when I knew my supply was def non-existent..

Keep at it as long as you're still getting something! Best of luck but do not feel bad at all! You're trying.. I felt HORRIBLE when I decided to stop fully..She got over 2 weeks worth of BM and I figured that was better than nothing!

Sorry I'm not better help :

soontobemomma91

smorzandoj:

Have you tried eating oatmeal?  I eat it for breakfast with fruit and then I eat some type of granola bar as snacks throughout the day.  Also, I pump for 30 minutes each session regardless of what is coming out.  Good luck and I hope it gets better for you!

 

im lurking from third tri, just wanted to say that your siggy pic with the tie is freaking adorable!  

rach0528

Please, please don't beat yourself up!  This is the one thing I regret when ds was a newborn.  He didn't latch on good and couldn't get the whole suck/swallow reflex down, so I ended up EP. I went to several lactation consultants, both the fenugreek, mothers milk tea and some other herbs. For whatever reason my milk supply was never great. Regardless I pumped what I could but I was miserable!! It was so hard for me to enjoy spending time with ds because in the back of my mind I thought oh no when do I have to pump again.  It made it so hard to have visitors or go out and run errands.

Looking back I honestly wished I hadn't beat myself up so much and just quit earlier.  I know breast milk is great and trust me I thought, and thought about what would be best for us.  I didn't know any formula feeders and was so scared, but in the end it was the best decision I made for our family.  I pumped for the first three months, and then got mastitis and my supply literally dried up..so I decided to hang up the pumps.  It was  a blessing in disguise..You have to do what is right for your family.  If it is pumping then good for you, but please don't get upset with yourself or feel like a failure because of the amount of milk you produce!

Good luck and hang in there!

JessT0508

Like other people have said, don't beat yourself up about it.

My DS had trouble latching on so I ended up EPing. I worked with lactation consultants, but no matter what I barely got enough to feed him and my supply began to fall. I felt horrible about the whole situation and I spent time worrying about that instead of enjoying the time with my DS.

We recently switched over to FF and DS is finally gaining weight at a better rate and is happy as can be. It makes me so happy to see him doing better and there is no more stress.

Do what you can to increase your supply, but don't be hard on yourself about it.

rach7883

Have you went to see your LC.... if not you really should.  I was feeling this way last week and went to the LC and now my boobs dont hurt and my milk supply is back up... GL

AlliePS

I agree with everyone not to beat yourself up. I have struggled with my supply not coming in and someone said to me, its not what you feed your baby, its THAT you feed your baby. This helped me a lot. The truth is, as long as your child is eating and thriving, you are doing great as a mother!

 GL!

 

 

norman25

At only a few weeks PP I pumped more often than every 4 hours. I tried for every two. I think things might get better if you start consistently pumping more often.  Do you pump in the middle of the night? This is when I produce the most milk. I'm not sure if you can do this, but every time I felt like my supply was tanking in the beginning I started putting DS to the breast. He couldn't nurse efficiently ever, but him being at the nipple helped I think. Also, massaging my breasts while pumping helped me a lot. Are you sure you have the right sized breast shields? This might explain the pain you are feeling. You really should try pumping every two hours for a bit longer before you give up hope. Your supply is still being established so this will help tell your body to make more milk. At 10 weeks PP, I have just now started going longer between pumping sessions with no problems.