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Low supply and pumping question...

kdialakdiala member
in Breastfeeding

My baby is now 5 weeks old and we got off to a rough start on breastfeeding since he spent the first week in the NICU.  I am feeding him on demand but have had to supplement with formula almost every day because I am not producing enough for him.  I started taking fenugreek about a week ago, and it is helping, but in the evening I don't seem to have enough milk left and am back to the formula. 

I have heard pumping after he eats helps, but he usually is still suckling long after the milk is gone, so is there a benefit to pumping if nothing comes out and he has been at the breast for quite a while?  Just trying to understand if pumping and having nothing come out is the way I am supposed to be increasing supply.

Thanks

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Re: Low supply and pumping question...

  • sohappyforthem369sohappyforthem369
    Yes if you pump or he nurses even  after the milk is gone it will stimulate your body to produce more milk.
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  • Sharra711Sharra711

    Here are some more pumping/supply tips too

    Drink water all day (don?t force it, but always have a bottle handy)

    Take Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle 3 tabs 3X a day (or More Milk Plus concentrate)

    Eat well (protein)

    Pump after each feed

    Regalan/Domeperidone(Motillum) https://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/motilium.html

    I have also heard that Ovalteen, Brewers Yeast, dark beer, malt (like for shakes) all help too.

    And when pumping

    Pump hands free but do compressions https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

    Use warm washcloths on your breasts before pumping

    Have some ?inspiration? like a picture, blanket or lovey that reminds you of your LO

    Check your flange size, many people pump with the wrong size.

    Turn the pump to the maximum you can stand, then turn down slightly.

    If the pump doesn?t have a let-down button, adjust it manually to start quick/shallow then to slower/deeper suction.

    Try pumping while watching TV or something (don?t sit there and look at the pump) to get your mind off the task.

     

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  • rbc611rbc611
    I do not know a lot about breastfeeding, but from my experience, I think it would help.  I used to feed LO and then pump for 5-10 minutes just to help with my supply.  When I pumped for 5-10 minutes, I did not even get an ounce of milk.  But I felt like it helped and after a couple of days, I started having more milk.
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