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Question for those EPing

LydieLydie
in Multiples

I read in a few threads below that some of you are EPing and getting 50+ ounces per day.  

Umm...how did you do that??  How long did it take you to get to that point?  Are you taking supplements?   How often do you pump?   How long do you pump?

My twins are 23 days old and I'm getting around 26 ounces per day right now.  I try to drink a lot of water but I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to drink or when to drink it.    I'm trying to get enough rest but I also have a 21 month old to look after so that doesn't always go well.   I pump 8 times per day with anywhere from 2 to 4 hours in between sessions but I always get 8 sessions in.    Each session lasts anywhere from 15-25 minutes.  

Any advice you can give?   My boys are in the NICU so I'm EPing and bringing the milk in.  Right now I am about 75% sure I will continue to EP and not breast feed when they come home so I'm really trying to build up my supply and how much I produce.  

TIA! 

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Re: Question for those EPing

  • Temp159135562506975Temp159135562506975 member

    i stopped EPing after 4w at home with the twins- it was too much for me with the babies and my 2y/o.... but I also EP'd with DS1 for a little over 2 mo.

    fenugreek and blessed thistle help increase supply - as does oatmeal (the real stuff, not instant)... and yes- tons of water- as much as you can drink- drinking all the time.

    some people just produce a lot- so don't compare yourself to others- just do what you can to get the most for you.

    prayers that your LOs come home soon!

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  • kimarino13kimarino13 member
    I am 13 days in and getting about 36-48 oz per day.  To increase my supply, I pump for a couple minutes after my milk is gone each session.  It has really kicked in today (which ironically is the day I decided to start weaning).

    After 2 rounds of IVF & 2 rounds of FET, we were blessed with identical twin girls!
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  • Temp159135562506975Temp159135562506975 member
    also, make sure your flanges fit properly - i didn't know there were different sized flanges until after i stopped pumping for DS1 --- i got bigger ones for the twins and got more milk that way.  I think that Medela and Ameda both have images of how it should look to have your flange fit properly if you google you'll find it.
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  • ahava2005ahava2005

    26 ounces is actually average.  More is pretty unusual.  Kellymom states the average is about 1oz/hour.

     

    Advice:  herbs, oatmeal, lots of water.  There are prescriptions if you want to go that route as well, but they have risks. 

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  • jacobandcrystaljacobandcrystal member

    My girls each usually eat 4-5 oz per feeding.  When I pump I get 10-12 oz total each time (the girls eat every 2.5-3.5 hours during the day and every 4-5 at night).

    I don't do anything special, and I also don't get any rest during the day because I have an 18 month old and 3 year old : )  I have noticed my supply seems to go down on days that I don't eat as much though... and I actually read recently that breastfeeding women don't need to drink extreme amounts of water.  It's mostly about paying attention to your thirst level.  Have you been eating regularly with snacks in between meals?  For twins you're supposed to eat an extra 500-1,000 calories.

    I've also heard that herbal supplements have really worked for some women so you might want to look into that.  Good luck!! : )

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  • jacobandcrystaljacobandcrystal member
    Also wanted to add that my mom knows a NICU nurse who told her that even when babies are preemies, the mom's milk is made to be exactly what the preemies need at that stage.  If the doctors are satisfied with their growth, I wouldn't worry about it!  (Have there been any concerns about it?)
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  • LightBlueLightBlue
    I've been pumping around 50 oz a day and feel some of it must be luck!  I pump 7-8 times/day for 20-25 mins.  When I started pumping at 4 days old I was pumping about 30 oz/day and had to supplement a few oz/day.  My supply has slowly increased as the babies have needed more per session.  I started taking Fenugreek about 2 weeks ago and it has helped a little.  I also have been eating the not instant oatmeal (almost) every day. I drink LOTS of water too. Even now I am barley making enough for them to eat with them taking 3 1/2 oz every 2 1/2- 3hrs.  You are doing an amazing job! I can't imagine having babies in the NICU... you are giving them the best start and I'm sure they will be home with you soon. Big Smile
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  • HisLobsterHisLobster

    I am lucky enough to be able to pump 50+ oz. a day. I was doing 15 oz every 6 hours, but moved to 18 oz every 8 hours this weekend. I'm slowly weaning. I started pumping every 3 hours when they were newborns, then every 4 hours for a month or 2, then on to every 6 hours and now every 8.

    For the most part, I think amount is just based on the individual. I will say that drinking lots of water helps and making sure you are eating well does too. If I miss a meal, I can tell it the next time I pump. I would also suggest being more strict about your pumping schedule. It's been my experience that my body makes what it thinks I need so if it knows you need a certain amount of milk every 4 hours, then in 4 hours it will be ready. 

    Also, after I seem tapped, I continue to pump for a minute or 2 (even start the pump again) to trigger another let down. That has helped my body to know to produce more.

     GL! 

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