Day 7PP, can only pump ALMOST 1oz per session, help, please!

Re: Day 7PP, can only pump ALMOST 1oz per session, help, please!

• dashtwins

  August 2011

  I know it's hardest to do but try not to stress so much. Stress and putting SO much pressure on yourself won't help. How long do you pump for each session? a full 30min? I found, in the beginning, it was so helpful to take a wash cloth soaked in hot water and warm up my breasts before pumping. I just laid it over the tops of them and started pumping and that helped me relax and help milk production from day 1. I also kept up with every 3 hours and pumped a full 30min, massaging out the last drops each time. 

  
  
  after 10 weeks of bedrest for contractions and shorting cvx they arrived at 32 weeks!

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• jenna1008

  August 2011

  I started out pumping for 20 minutes per session but increased it to 30-45 minutes per session around day 4 to make sure I was completely emptying each breast.  I have even started checking to see if I need to go through another "let down" cycle.  I promise, I am doing EVERYTHING I possibly can to make this work.  I have read "Making More Milk" cover to cover 3 times.  My only conclusion is that maybe I am one of those VERY rare people that just don't have the development to produce.

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• ilovemygirls member

  August 2011

  jenna1008:

  I started out pumping for 20 minutes per session but increased it to 30-45 minutes per session around day 4 to make sure I was completely emptying each breast.  I have even started checking to see if I need to go through another "let down" cycle.  I promise, I am doing EVERYTHING I possibly can to make this work.  I have read "Making More Milk" cover to cover 3 times.  My only conclusion is that maybe I am one of those VERY rare people that just don't have the development to produce.

  I have no idea about breast tissue development & such, but I know that while I was able to effectively bf my kids each for a year, my body did not pump effectively.  Since I worked PT, I simply could not keep up with them & did supplement with formula because of this.  It wasn't a supply issue because when I could nurse them, all was well.  It was the pumping that was the problem.  Best of luck to you...
  

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• jenna1008

  August 2011

  Wow!  Thanks for the GREAT info!  I'm taking Metformin because I had PCOS, and they say it is helpful to keep taking it while nursing.  It has some similar effects as Fenugreek.  I have some Domperidone but haven't taken it yet.  I'd rather stick with the supplements that more "natural" right now.  I am hypothyroid, but it is managed by an endo.  I had my meds adjusted about two weeks ago.

  I had a c-section and nursed exclusively in the hospital for three days.  At the end, however, they MADE me supplement with formula because the baby was too jaundiced.  I used a SLS for that.  I also used the Symphony in the hospital a few times.  Since I got home I have been using my PISA. 

  The baby is largely rejecting the nipple shield although it provides me with some major relief.

  One interesting bit of info that you might be able to give me some enlightenment on: I have to pump almost an HOUR to really empty my breasts.  I also use multiple let down cycles to achieve this. 

  I will call a lactation consulatant tomorrow.  I just PRAY PRAY PRAY that I can make this work.  My baby girl LOVES to nurse, and I LOVE to nurse her.  Fingers crossed that it's just a pumping issue...

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• crysmike

  August 2011

  AmyG*:

  Get yourself to an IBCLC Lactation Consultant ASAP.

  consider using a nipple shield and getting baby to the breast directly, instead of pumping.

  some women cannot pump--I am one of those women, I've pumped 4 oz one time, and that was about it a few times of an ounce here or there.  I nursed for 22 and 29 months with my 2 sons and they grew just fine.

   

  what kind of pump?

  most women must have a hospital grade pump (preferably rented from the hospital) in order to bring in a milk supply with just pumping. Like a Symphony.

  Some women do fine with an Ameda or Medela double electric pump.

  however, some women do not let down for a hospital grade electric pump and do better with a small handheld pump like an Avent Isis. I used a small battery powered pump with the most success, the hospital grade pump didn't get any milk at all.

   

  If you've had an issue with milk supply before, have you ever had your thyroid function checked, prolactin levels, and have you considered domperidone, a short cycle of reglan, or even an oxytocin nasal spray?  have you had your pump horns sized to your nipples to be sure you are getting a proper fit (medela has a page on their website about this)

   

  Right now, I would say pump every 2 hours around the clock, for at least 20 minutes, ideally 5-15 minutes after the spray/drips stops to signal your body to make more milk. I would feed this milk to baby in a syringe, cup, spoon, eyedropper or supplemental nursing system with a nipple shield.  A SNS is an advantage because it gets baby at the breast stimulating a higher supply, while baby also gets supplement. 

   

  A visit to a lactation consultant for help with latching and a weigh in before and after a feeding if baby will latch and nurse will help with nipple healing, as well as tell if baby is getting out milk that the pump is unable to suck out.  realize that a pump only uses suction, but a baby uses suction and manual manipulation of the milk ducts at the base of the nipple to extract milk.  consider adding breast massage and compressions to help mimic this while pumping.

   

  Get help getting baby back to the breast.  That may mean waiting a day or two, or it may mean putting baby to the breast one time today, and twice tomorrow working upward from there.  I would review all latching   videos and directions online until you can see a lactation consultant, and like I said consider a nipple shield to offer a cushion between your baby's latch and your sore nipples.

   

  i would drink 8 glasses of water for you (8oz) and then drink 25 oz more.  I would not drink much more than that, as too much water will inhibit milk supply.

   

  if you are taking metformin, does that mean you have diabetes, insulin resistance or is it for PCOS?  

  
  
  This is great advice.
  
  At first, DD was on me constantly - 12 hours a day. I would expect you would need to pump really frequently if you were EP. I would try to get her on the boob though - that's going to help your supply. I used a nipple shield for the first 6-8 weeks and then weaned from it. It can be done!
  

  

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• LMBecky11 member

  August 2011

  I can't tell you for sure if it is inadequate breast tissue development or not, but I will tell you a little of my experience. After the first week my nipples were cracking and painful. It was suggested to me to use a nipple shield, a little rubber nipple like thing that goes over your nipple. These are generally used for women who have inverted nipples or things like that, but can help in this case too. I started using that and things got better. Remember that our bodies are made to produce milk for a baby, not for a plastic pump, so you will usually let more milk out when nursing than when pumping. I used a hand pump a few times in the first few weeks and only got small amounts, up to an ounce at a time. I started using an electric double pump around 4 weeks pp and was still getting those small amounts usually, but I would pump after I fed my baby mostly. But, once your milk does become established, and it will take at least a few days before you start to notice this, you should be able to feed the baby and get a couple ounces too if that's what you need to do. I wasn't pumping as much as I should have been (and for the last week have not been pumping at all. I had to go back to work and have been so tired, but I have brought my baby with me this week so that's good.) so I was getting up to 6 ounces a day if I was lucky. Anyway, hope this helps.
  

  

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• BeetleLinz1125 member

  August 2011

  Wow you are doing a lot to get that suppy to come in.  But one thing you can eliminate is the Guinness...what a lot of people don't understand is that its not dark beer per se that increases supply, but the hops in the beer.  A stout doesn't have nearly as much hops(actually has very little to none) as an IPA...and FWIW, I am kinda a beer nut, and drink a lot of IPA, and don't see much increase in supply.

  Some things that help me are getting adequate rest (I know, that's really funny with a 7 day old!), eating enough, drinking enough fluids, and relaxing while pumping.  I also think if you do like pp said and put a warm washcloth over them before/during pumping that will help.

  Maybe get some of the softshells to wear to help your nipples heal...and use some lanolin on them with the softshells so you can get back to actually nursing. 

  April 2, 2011 Exclusive Pumping Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/113592028761826/

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• MrsCAA member

  August 2011

  ditto opther but will add:

  -Do compressions while pumping- see link for video on how to

  https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

  -try to find an LC or call/email a LLL leader (i emailed all 5 leaders in my area in tears a huge story of what was going on and each one responsed back with ideas, encouragement and one offered to come over the next day to help one-on-one)

  -Note: My milk didnt "come-in" until day 13. And then it was a low supply (and that was on reglan, pumping every 2 hrs with hospital pump, fenugreek, high fiber diet...) and at my 6 wk appt (after some odd bleeding starting a 4 wks pp) they found i had a retained placenta- once removed no more problems.

  

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