AW - power pumping saved my supply!

sourpop · November 2010

I had never done it before, although tried when I first had my girls and couldnt put in the time. So, last night I tried it again - It took me almost two hours - and I got 18oz of BM!

I have been on an every four hour schedule and would normally average about 12oz a pump. But, the past few days my supply tanked and I was getting about 6oz a pump - which is hardly enough for my girls. So, instead of taking all the herbs/oatmeal/water method - I popped in one of my favorite movies and pumped away (10 mins on, 10 mins off for two hours). And now all of my pumps since then have been back around 12oz! Woot Woot!

njdcgirl · November 2010

Hmmm...going to have to try that. My supply is in the toilet. Now, just to find 2 hours...

perry7285 · November 2010

that's great!

how can your breasts hold 12 oz at a time??? i'm in agony when i have 4 oz in each breast. does breast capacity increase the longer you BF?

JGirl2005 · November 2010

that is awesome! I am amazed you get 12oz on both sides. I am like perry, my boobs hurt with less. I never made that much even at 11m, but had low supply this time. I am curious if the amount incrreases over time, because my LO only ate 5oz at hte most ever.

sourpop · November 2010

perry7285:
that's great!
how can your breasts hold 12 oz at a time??? i'm in agony when i have 4 oz in each breast. does breast capacity increase the longer you BF?

They hold 6oz each, 12oz total. My supply has increased overtime. I EP, and for the first 3 months I was pumping about every 2.5 - 3 hours for 30 mins each, taking herbs, eating oatmeal and drinking a TON of water. I was desperate to get my supply up for twins. I had a ton of help the first 3 months as well, so I was able to really focus on pumping. My DH is a teacher, so he was home all summer and my parents live really close and would come over everyday to help so I could pump.

I still have to supplement a little here and there, but I am hoping once we start solids I wont need to supplement anymore.

sourpop · November 2010

JGirl2005:
that is awesome! I am amazed you get 12oz on both sides. I am like perry, my boobs hurt with less. I never made that much even at 11m, but had low supply this time. I am curious if the amount incrreases over time, because my LO only ate 5oz at hte most ever.

My girls are eating about 6-7oz every 3 hours. We havent started solids yet though, planning on starting in a couple weeks when they git 6 mons.