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Increasing supply--you can do it!

Stella2008Stella2008 member
in Breastfeeding

So I feel like I have to post this for all of the mommas like me who are having supply issues. I was pretty skeptical that anything could be about this and had pretty much accepted that I would need to start supplementing with formula. Just as an FYI--I EP and have been doing so since DD was a week old.

I started back at work three weeks ago and noticed after about a week that my supply had dropped by 5-8 oz per day, plus my DD decided to start eating more (growth spurt, whatever) and so I was really tapping into the freezer stash.

So two weeks ago I decided that I needed to at least try and bump it back up. I did a few things--I went back to pumping 6X per day (I was pumping 4-5 for the last 6 weeks and still getting enough to feed DD and freeze some as well), and also started popping the fenugreek and blessed thistle pills (I took 9 of each per day). I also am drinking lots of water. Low and behold, it worked! It took about a week but I am now getting about 10 oz more per day than I was--enough to feed the LO as well as get my freezer stash going again. I have dropped that 6th pump and am now down to pumping 5 times per day again, and am still getting the same amount. I plan on now trying to drop a few of the herb pills per day as well.

I just wanted to say that it can be done--maybe this won't work for everyone, but for the skeptical gals out there (like me), with a little hard work and committment you can make it happen!

Will baby #3 be another girl?


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Re: Increasing supply--you can do it!

  • cjseegercjseeger
    I am so glad you posted this. I've been pumping at work for 2 weeks today and it's been going fine until today. I usually am able to pump 4 to 5 oz on each side during each session and all of a sudden today I got barely 4 oz on one side and then the side that usually produces more I only got 2 oz! I feel almost devistated. So today we're uping the water intake and increasing a pumping session, and now I'm going to go find some fenugreek after work. Crossing my fingers to get my supply back up!
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  • lrenae1647lrenae1647
    Thanks for posting!  I have been back to work for 3 weeks as well and have a decreased supply since I can't pump 3x's a day while at work, and DD just went from 3.5 oz per feeding to 5-7 oz per feeding!  I had to send her to daycare with all formula today :(  You girls get a lot of milk per pumping session...I am doing good if I get 2 oz per side!!  I've never pumped more than that.  The fenugreek and blessed thistle don't seem to be helping me but have noticed I pump more when I eat oatmeal for breakfast.  Going to try the Motherlove More Milk Plus next...wish me luck!!
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  • FriendlyFannyFriendlyFanny
    Stress and sleep also can majorly affect your production. I'm guessing that now that you're back at work stress has increased and sleep has decreased. Make sure to get enough sleep and decrease stress as much as possible both personally and professionally.
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  • juniper19juniper19 member
    I'm so glad it worked out for you, but it doesn't always work for everyone.  The only way I could increase my supply was with prescription medication.  And even that isn't guaranteed.  I had supply problems and I felt like such a failure when all the herbs and pumping didn't work for me.  So it is good to give hope, but it should be balanced hope.
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