EBF and supply is dwindling....help!

hetachu · December 2010

I just went back to work two weeks ago and am pumping at least twice there and EBF when I am home but my supply is getting smaller and smaller....I would really like to continue to BF but not sure what to do to keep up with my growing baby! He is 14 weeks and now giving him a bottle plus BF for the night feeding just to make sure he's full. I can't keep up with the supply needed for day care never mind that I feel like I'm not full enough for the times that I can BF him. Any ideas??

BLykins16 · December 2010

Can you fit in an extra pumping session at work? I have to pump 3 times a day in order to come close to what DS is taking in at daycare. Also, does your LO seem like he's hungry after you BF him at night? Your body produces milk based on demand. Any time you reduce that demand by giving your LO a bottle, your body will make less. If you HAVE to give LO a bottle at night, I would suggest pumping so that your body is getting the signal to make more milk.

Eating oatmeal and taking fenugreek is supposed to help, though my DS seemed to be really gassy when I tried to take the fenugreek. I eat oatmeal every day. BTW, if it helps, I usually pump around 12-14 oz in the three sessions at work. DS usually takes in 12-16 oz at daycare.

anyalee · December 2010

How often are you puming at work? I know you said 2xs but how many hours in between? You should pump every 3 hrs or 4 at most while at work. Can you add in one more? Does he STTN? If so are you pumping at night? You could try to add a pumping session or two in right after nursing. Also you could try Mother's Milk tea, fenugreek, drinking lots and lots of water. My LO said once people go back to work it can take a few weeks for your supply to adjust. I only went back 2 days a week so I have not had any problems. GL!

anyalee · December 2010

How often are you puming at work? I know you said 2xs but how many hours in between? You should pump every 3 hrs or 4 at most while at work. Can you add in one more? Does he STTN? If so are you pumping at night? You could try to add a pumping session or two in right after nursing. Also you could try Mother's Milk tea, fenugreek, drinking lots and lots of water. My LC said once people go back to work it can take a few weeks for your supply to adjust. I only went back 2 days a week so I have not had any problems. GL!

hetachu · December 2010

I am drinking mothers milk tea at night. LO is eating about 18 oz during the day while at daycare. I feed him at 6 am then I pump around 9 am and again around 12. I don't get home to feed him until 6 pm feeding. He eats every hour. I am only pumping about 15 oz if I'm lucky at work. I guess I could try and get in one more session. He was sleeping through the night until I started back at work....that's a story/question in itself. He started waking up again the in middle of the night really hungry so the last two days I've tried giving him a bottle and BF him. First night he slept from 9-5 then last night was sleepy and didn't eat the whole bottle and woke up at 2, 4 and 5.

ricejl · December 2010

I pump every 2.5 hours while at work. I drink 30oz of water between each pumping session, I take Fenugreek 4x/day, eat 1 serving of oatmeal/day and drink 1 cup of Mother's Milk Tea/day. I think what is helping the most is the water and tea. It also helps me to look at pics of my LO while I'm pumping. good luck and hang in there, I hope your supply comes back.

hetachu · December 2010

Thanks so much for all of the suggestions....I will try to add the fenugreek. Can you buy it at whole foods or someplace similar?

BLykins16 · December 2010

I've never looked for it at Whole Foods, so I'm not sure if they carry it. I bought it at the Vitamin Shoppe.

Tippy05 · December 2010

I try to pump every 3 hours at work and take fenugreek and drink TONS of water. I also eat oatmeal for breakfast and an oatmeal bar during the day. I recently up'ed my fenugreek to 12 pills a day (from 9) and I've seen a difference.

I now pump about 15-17 oz during the day and DS takes 15-20 oz during the day while I'm gone. This is up from pumping only about 12 oz a day.

teamsweet · December 2010

fyi - you need to take A LOT of fenugreek (more than what the directions say) to see results. As per my LC, I was taking 1800mg 3x a day. But it worked.

And you can drink too much water, so while you want to drink, don't go overboard. Stress will inhibit letdown too, so try to relax.

As for STTN or not, your LO could be going through a growth spurt too.

ladybug8510 · December 2010

hetachu:
I am drinking mothers milk tea at night. LO is eating about 18 oz during the day while at daycare. I feed him at 6 am then I pump around 9 am and again around 12. I don't get home to feed him until 6 pm feeding. He eats every hour. I am only pumping about 15 oz if I'm lucky at work. I guess I could try and get in one more session. He was sleeping through the night until I started back at work....that's a story/question in itself. He started waking up again the in middle of the night really hungry so the last two days I've tried giving him a bottle and BF him. First night he slept from 9-5 then last night was sleepy and didn't eat the whole bottle and woke up at 2, 4 and 5.

Wow, you get 15oz in 2 pumping sessions! That actually seems like a lot! At least it would be a lot for me. I would add one more session. If you have been going from 12-6 without pumping for a while, then it might take a little while to signal your body you need milk at that time, but it will happen.

He also might be waking at night because he misses you and nursing during the day.

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EBF and supply is dwindling....help!

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