Pumping question

CanuckFan03

Hey ladies.  I went to the Dr's yesterday for Brady's first visit.  He had dropped more weight than they would like, and it looks like I'm not producing enough.  I started pumping to increase my supply, but I'm getting hardly anything.  I used a friends pump this morning, and got more than usual, but not sure if it was the pump, or the fact that it was first thing in the morning, and Brady had slept longer, and it was a long time since my last feed.

 I just pumped again, got not enough to cover the bottom of the bottle.  No more milk was coming out of my nips, but when I squeezed them, I was able to express some more.  Is this common? Or is my pump simply not doing it?  (It's the Medela swing)

I just went on a prescription to increase my supply, but I don't know how long it will take.  The Dr is asking me to pump to be able to top up Brady's feedings, but now that he's had three bottles (of 1 oz) I find its taking him a lot longer to latch onto the breast.  

 Please give me some advice to calm me down. Thanks ladies! 

mellydawn84

I was having supply issues as well and was put on Domperidone (I assume the prescription you were talking about) as well as Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle herbs to help increase supply. They took a few days to kick in, but now I'm producing quite a bit more.

My public health nurse said that pumping in the morning will give you the most when pumping, something about hormones being highest between 6am and 11 or something like that.

Keep going, don't give up. I was really frustrated with all this at first too but it does get better!

Temp38995750004016

My milk took awhile to come in.  I was instructed to do 5 minutes of warm wet washcloth, 2 minutes of massage before feeding or pumping.  Try these tips if you haven't already.

kck329

Ditto PP on getting more in the morning. 

You can try power pumping to jump start things. Here is a place to start. Also try pumping after you breastfeed. Even if you don't get anything it signals to your body to produce more.Another option is renting a hospital-grade pump for a short time, The pumps at my hospital were much more productive than my Medela PISA.

Finally, have you seen a LC? They will have more tips than your pedi.

You  can do it--good luck!

ZTAsunshine

With DD#1 it took me literally two weeks before my milk came in.  That was with me pumping every two hours for 20 minutes (each side).  I was literally only producing enough in the beginning to fill the nipple up.  We supplemented in the beginning with a bottle a day (2oz) of formula.  Even though I was pumping and trying to put her on the breast- ultimately she couldn't create a seal.  I cried at first thinking my breasts were broken- they had to be because they were not working. 

After the second week, something amazing happened- I got a 2 oz bottle full.  I was so excited that I took a picture of it and sent it to Hubs who was at work.  He called me all excited to talk about my first bottle worth of breastmilk.  Silly yes, but it was a cause for celebration.

With DD#2 it took about a week and a half before my milk came in.  This time I was worried and asked Hubs why my breast were broken again.  He said honey they aren't broken.  They just start off slow, but once your milk comes in you will be a milk making machine.  He is right- yesterday I froze 15 oz in addition to feeding her and refridgerating 20 oz.

My point is it does take time for some woman.  It is frustrating and you may want to cry- I sure did.  Just be patient- keep trying.  Maybe increase the amount of time you do pump and drink plenty of liquids. 

AnneShirleyBlythe

Make sure you are doing breast compressions (massaging the boobies). 

I had a similar reaction to the pump the first weeks last time around...really I wasn't even covering the bottom of the bottle, I was lucky to get vapor in the shields. I would consider renting a hospital grade pump for a short while to really get supply going (a Swing is an OK pump but not a great one).  

bhilyer

How often are you pumping? Right now, I suggest every 2-3 hours for at least 15 minutes on each side. Even if nothing is coming out, keep pumping. It will signal your body to make more. Also, make an appt with a LC. It will be SO helpful! Lastly, check out kellymom.com for lots of good BF info.

JUSTBEYOURSELF

First thing check to make sure that you do not have a plugged duct. Second whether this is true or not but let your baby hang out on your chest as much as possible. Mothers milk tea has worked alot for women I know as well as there is a cookie and brownie recipe that seems to work.

For the pumping I would consult a LC person from the hospital. Even a nurse. I had a nurse help me out. It took alot for me to ask about breast feeding. She came in hands on and showed me a ton of tricks. They totally worked for me. I posted them in the Why is breast feeding so hard post. here is the link https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/53811242.aspx

is your nipple inverted maybe? you may need the nipple sheilds. Also tricks that have worked for me. take your whole boob in your hand, get a firm grip of your boob. Squeeze so your nipple and areola are plump and squeeze to get some milk out on your nipple, get your baby to open up wide. I can get mine to open big by touching her chin or making her root for my nipple. try not to over pump either cause if there is nothing in there they lose interest also I rub her hands and feet to keep her nursing and not sleeping or keeping her focused. also if she latches wrong keep correcting her by removing her and have her try again. I hope that this helps you. good luck.

Also if your child is interested let your baby nurse as much as he/she wants. and if you let your baby nurse till they are full each time your boobies will feel better too.

good luck hun. I hope either I or the other ladies suggestions helped or a LC can assist you.

Lkat17

I had trouble with weight/supply issues too. When I first tried pumping, I used a friend's pump and barely got anything. I saw a LC and she recommended renting a hospital grade pump, which made a big difference. I still need to supplement a bit, but it's gotten a lot better. I highly recommend meeting with a lactation consultant to get some help! GL!!

kristennd

I'm going through this as well. EPing the last two weeks due to low supply and a really great session is one ounce. Combined. After 20 minutes per side.

This morning I got about 1/4 oz on one side and the other stayed absolutely dry. Second consecutive day for the dry one although not for every session. Stressful.

I used the hospital pump during the 4 days that LO was in the NICU for the jaundice caused by my supply issues and didn't get any more there than I am getting at home. 

Will attempt full-time pumping over the 3-day weekend (I'm already back at work, which doesn't help, and DH works when I don't so there's a lot competing for my time when I'm home) along with some of the extra tricks and have ordered a La Leche-affiliated book exclusive to increasing supply.

Fingers crossed.

Good luck!