Need advice/suggestions for exclusively pumping

missnoleitall

My 4 week old is having a hard time latching.  We've been to a LC and tried everything but it's just not working very well.  This has made me incredibly stressed and frustrated.  It's very uncomfortable for me and I can tell she is not getting enough to eat no matter how long I leave her at the breast so now, we both just basically sit there and cry through every nursing session which I realize this is not good for either of us so I am thinking would like to give EP a shot before I get too terribly frustrated and abandon breastfeeding all together. 

I have only been pumping for about a day but I feel as if I'm not getting very much milk when I do.  I know that it's normal to only get about an ounce or so from each session but I'm wondering if there are any mom's out there that might have some advice as to what I can to increase my pumping output enough to get at least one bottle ahead and start to build up a back up supply.

Would it be wise to nurse her as long as possible at each feeding and then bottle feed to "top her off" so to speak?  

Basically, I'm just a frustrated mom who really really wants to continue feeding my baby breast milk as long as possible and I'm willing to try anything...any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

TIA 

red daisy

I probably could have written this post.  I was having a lot of the same issues when my son was born.  When he was about a week old, I decided to stop trying to get him to nurse for the same reasons you mentioned.  Every nursing session was a total stress for me and left me in a panic because he would only latch for a few minutes, and when he did, he would tear up my nips.  We couldn't get it right.

Started pumping and was getting a small amount like you said.  Now at 4 weeks I get about 3 oz when I pump if I go 4 hours between pumping sessions.  Obviously we have to supplement with formula because I am not making enough milk.  I just decided that it was more important to our family to have us both less stressed out and happy than for him to get exclusive breast milk and his Pedi agreed with me.  We have never looked back! 

Now_a_Swearingen

I'd be VERY careful about taking anything to increase supply. It can cause problems in the next few weeks such as an overactive let down and LO will choke and be afraid of the breast. I would monitor the wet/dirty diapers for a week. If she has enough of those she's getting enough. I would really try to hold off from pumping to increase supply unless the LC or pedi says to.

azsheena

The whole first paragraph could have been me!

How often are you pumping? You really need to be doing it every 2 hours to get a supply up. Now I just pump every 2.5-3 hours. I get about an an ounce or so for every hour between pumpings. People recommend fungeek supplements to increase supply as well, but I have not taken it myself.

I did the whole "top off" thing for a bit but nursing was so frustrating to both of us and then having to pump on top of it was too much for me. We have all been happier since I gave up on the breast and just pumped. 

 Good luck. I committed to myself that I would pump through 6 weeks. Now I think I can go for 8. I think I will wean off from there. It is just so hard to pump the more and more he is awake since my guy doesn't like his swing, playmat or bouncer.

CourtneyR2N

Pump every 2.5 - 3 hours, including through the night.  I also pump after every time I nurse, I might only get a half an ounce, but I've emptied the breast so that signals the body to make that much again.

Also do you massage the breast at the end of a pumping session.  I usually squeeze the last few drops out by running my thumb from the top to nipple pressing firmly, that also helps to keep from getting a clogged milk duct.

I know you have said you have tried everything, have you tried a nipple shield? the medela ones with the cut out have been a godsend for me.

HBaylies

This was exactly my problem.  After 3 weeks of BF'ing my son was barely back to his birth weight.  We both just cried all the time.  He was a tongue thruster and my nipples were tiny and the nipple shield didn't help since he was still having the problem with his latch.  At that point the LC said we should switch to pumping.  At first I only got like 2-3 oz total at each session.  My son is 10 weeks today and I now get anywhere from 4-8 oz per session.  I have been religiously pumping every 3-4 hours day and night and it has for sure increased my supply immensely.  Go for it.  It's tiring work, but it's so good for your LO. 

JDO

Good for you for recognizing that something isn't working but still being committed to giving your LO the best.

When DS wasn't getting enough to eat while we were still in the hospital, they would have me nurse for 10 minutes on each side then feed either formula or pumped milk from a bottle. After we were done feeding I would pump again and store what I pumped for the next feeding. This pattern worked well, but since we've been home I'm trying to pump more often (every two hours) to try and increase my supply.

Joeypnut

When my DD hit the 3 week growth spurt, she nursed all the time and I was becoming so sore because of it.  We supplemented with formula and I pumped to get some relief and to keep from getting so stressed out.  I started only being able to get like 1-2 oz per session, but it got better after that.  I also have a full glass of water while pumping or nursing.  I pumped every 2-3 hours for about a week with little increase in milk supply and we continued to have to supplement with formula.  I then started on fenugreek tablets and it has helped me a ton!  I am able to keep up with her, and have just been able to start stocking my freezer (I have 4 bottles in there now).

I agree with pp about massaging your breasts after pumping.  I also read to pump for 5 minutes after you notice your flow stop.  Sometimes I get a little bit more shortly after I would have usually stopped pumping.

Good luck!  Keep with it!  It is a lot of work, but is so worth it.

She3p

i pump- i started every 2 hrs and get 2-3 oz, now i go every 4 and get 3-5oz. eat oatmeal, stay hydrated. be patient. and make sure the pump your using is the right size for your nipples, it should latch around your nipple like your baby should. and you shouldnt see your nipple rub against the walls of the pump. then its too small and you could hurt yourself.
   I pump as much as i can- and formula feed at night so when i pump at night i store that in the fridge for day time feedings- and it lets me catch up on some shut eye with LO being satisfied.

CodyGH

I'm an EPer, so I feel your pain.  However, have you tried a nipple shield yet?  It helped with DS's latch for a while.  Eventually I was so stressed out that I gave up and started pumping, but it could work for you.  It's worth the $9 at BRU to find out.

If you decide to pump, though, I pumped every 2.5 to 3 hours at first.  I took fenugreek supplements, drank mother's milk tea, and ate oatmeal.  Make sure you drink enough water as well.  Now I produce plenty to feed DS and freeze a good amount.  Good luck!

missnoleitall

Thank you all soooo much!  If nothing else...it's such a relief to hear that there are other people out there that have dealt with the same issue.  I keep telling my husband that if there was one thing I wish I had known before having a baby is that there are a million things that will happen that will make you feel like a complete failure as a mom!  It's such a desperate feeling to listen to your baby cry out in hunger and try over and over again to feed them to no avail!  Your responses are a big help.

I do have a couple follow-up questions though...

-As far as the frequent pumping goes...do you have to pump every 2-3 hours forever in order to keep up or is this something you just did at the beginning to jump start your supply?  I can imagine this being really hard (next to impossible, actually) when I go back to work. If so, how long did you do this for and what kind of schedule did you switch to after that?

-For those of you who have taken fenugreek, where did you find it? Can I find it in stores or do I need to order it online?  Also, have you noticed a change in the smell of your skin?  One of the things I read is that taking the supplement pills can cause you to omit a very distinct, maple syrup scent.  Just curious as to whether or not this is something that is an unavoidable side effect or if it's actually pretty rare.

Thanks again for the help and I apologize if these are dumb questions.  I've never feel like such a newbie at anything in my life! 

CodyGH

DS is 10 weeks and I still try to pump every 3 hours.  Sometimes, though, I go 5.  This is only during the day, though.  At night, most of the time I go 7 sometimes 8 depending on how long DS wants to sleep.  I notice, though, that the longer I go, the less I get on an hourly basis.  Right now, I have a good supply and produce about an ounce an hour on each side.  So if I pump every 2 hours, I get 2 oz per side for a total of 4.  However, if I go 4 hours, I get 3.5 oz per side for a total of 7.  In the mornings when I go that long stretch, I get about 12 ounces even though it's been about 7 hours.  Does that make sense?  To start, though, I would definitely try to stick to a strict 2.5 - 3 hour schedule and pump for about 30 minutes.  Once your supply is good and established, you could decrease the time to about 20 minutes if you want.  I pump for 20 minutes during the day and 30 minutes in the mornings since my breasts are so full. 

When I go back to work, here is my plan:

5:30 am - Pump

6 am - DH feeds DS while I get in the shower to get ready for work.  After I'm ready, me and DH switch and I get DS ready for daycare.

Between 9 - 10 am - Pump at work

Between 12 - 1 pm - Pump on my lunch break (I might skip this one a few times to have lunch with people, but my plan is to pump most days)

About 3 pm - Pump at work

Then pump when I can when I get home.  Maybe 7:30 and 10 pm?  Some of the times will vary, but I hope to stick to this schedule pretty closely.

As for fenugreek, I had to get it at an herbal store.  It's actually called The Herb Shop.  They didn't have it at Kroger or GNC.  You could probably get it online too.  Maybe Amazon?  And yes, I smelled like maple syrup.  It's not like everyone could smell it, but I would notice it sometimes.  This may be gross, but my underarms smelled the most like maple syrup.  Also, beware as it may cause you to be gassy.

HTH!

JDO

missnoleitall:

Thank you all soooo much!  If nothing else...it's such a relief to hear that there are other people out there that have dealt with the same issue.  I keep telling my husband that if there was one thing I wish I had known before having a baby is that there are a million things that will happen that will make you feel like a complete failure as a mom!  It's such a desperate feeling to listen to your baby cry out in hunger and try over and over again to feed them to no avail!  Your responses are a big help.

I do have a couple follow-up questions though...

-As far as the frequent pumping goes...do you have to pump every 2-3 hours forever in order to keep up or is this something you just did at the beginning to jump start your supply?  I can imagine this being really hard (next to impossible, actually) when I go back to work. If so, how long did you do this for and what kind of schedule did you switch to after that?

-For those of you who have taken fenugreek, where did you find it? Can I find it in stores or do I need to order it online?  Also, have you noticed a change in the smell of your skin?  One of the things I read is that taking the supplement pills can cause you to omit a very distinct, maple syrup scent.  Just curious as to whether or not this is something that is an unavoidable side effect or if it's actually pretty rare.

Thanks again for the help and I apologize if these are dumb questions.  I've never feel like such a newbie at anything in my life! 

Your questions are totally not dumb, I'm so glad you asked them because I really don't have any idea what I'm doing either. It's so hard to know that my LO was BFing perfectly for 2 days but now just screams and rejects me. I totally understand feeling like a failure over and over again.

I'm also worried about when I go back to work. It's hard enough right now pumping, feeding, and washing every couple hours. I'm nervous about when DH goes back to work tomorrow and I have to do it all on my own, and even  more nervous about when I go back to work too.

I will hopefully be working the 7:15-2:45 shift when I go back to work. I don't get any breaks or a lunch but my employer is good about letting moms pump (we have 2 girls that pump already) so I'm hoping to pump 1-2 times during my 7.5 hour shift. When I'm not at work, I'll try to stick to my schedule, which I'm still working out but as of right now that is pumping every 2-3 hours and no more than 6 hours between pumping overnight.