Wheres my milk? HELP!

manda1129 · July 2012

Hi ladies! My dd is EBF. Just last week I was pumping 5 - 7 oz in a matter of minutes, all of a sudden im lucky if I get 2oz.

I have to go for a CT scan tuesday so will have to pump n dump for 24 hrs, but im worried i dont have enough "stock" to keep her full.

My DD stopped eating from the breast last week, she is teething and they said the sucking might be bothering her so i was pumping and bottle feeding. Well she still wont go to the breast except middle of the night, and first thing in the am. I have had to use up quite a bit of my freezer stock because Im not producing that much milk. I have a good quality medela pump, and have tried everything I can think of....feeling very worried n hopeless!

Any ideas on what could have cause this sudden decrease, or better yet how to fix it?

LauraSmarterSpam · July 2012

You will never make enough with pumping. I only make about 1-2 oz when I pump at exactly 3 hour intervals. Dom is having half breast milk and half formula. Although really mashing and squeezing helps more milk come out so you could try that.

Or you could have some plugged ducts. If you feel any hard lumps press really hard into them and they'll clear right up. That happened to me once when Dom was in the NICU and a lactation consultant fixed me right up.

ibnagy99 · July 2012

Yes I would disagree with the ep you will never make enough, bc I am doing it and making more. My supply tanked and I had to work hard to bring it back. I pumped for 15 min. every 2 - 3 hours. I also took Fenugreek 3 capsules 3 times a day and it brought it back up. Good luck.

countrygrl5533 · July 2012

Do you need to replace any valves, etc. in your pump? That was part of my problem. I barely get anything when I pump anyway, like 1/4-1/2 oz, but I was literally getting 1 baby-sized sip in 20 minutes of pumping. I replaced some parts it am back to normal.

I am also now taking Lactate Support vitamins. It has fenugreek, fennel, red raspberry leaf, and something else I can't remember in it. I got it off Amazon. Gaia is the brand. That is helping since I have supply issues as it is.

manda1129 · July 2012

Thanks ladies! I have been taking fenugreek, I dont thik its a problem with the pump i think its me. The "ladies" dont feel as "full" as they were.

ds1247 · July 2012

I EP, my only suggustion is to stick to pumping every 2-3 hours. I missed a couple sessions last weekend and my output decreased, so I pumped every 2 hours for the whole week and now I'm back to normal (every 3-4 hours getting 5 - 11 oz each time). Just stick to it, I also think about Emma or look at her pictures while I pump.

LauraSmarterSpam · July 2012

ibnagy99:
Yes I would disagree with the ep you will never make enough, bc I am doing it and making more. My supply tanked and I had to work hard to bring it back. I pumped for 15 min. every 2 - 3 hours. I also took Fenugreek 3 capsules 3 times a day and it brought it back up. Good luck.

I've been renting from the hospital ever since DS was born, and I've tried all of that and changed out valves. Lactation consultants said this is something they see all too often.

I have to do a 10 on 10 off session each evening and set my alarm to wake me up at the three hour mark at night. I make barely enough to get Dom through the day with half milk and half formula. Then again a lady I know couldnt produce any milk so Im pretty sure my over working attempt should work for most people.

From what I know, and what the lactation consultants have told me. I can't make enough pumping for him.

MrsJetSet · July 2012

I also disagree with pp. Just because one person is not able to supply 100% through pumping, that is not true for everyone. I have about 1.5x needed supply so clearly I am producing enough for EBF through pumping.

I don't have specific experience with decreased supply but my guess is that the changes in feeding is your cause. Babies are better at emptying the boob than pumps are. I would keep up a very strict schedule pumping and drinks lots lots lots of fluids. Also getting a handsfree bra and doing some breast compressions help totally empty so you can get more milk out. Check kellymom.com for more suggestions.

manda1129 · July 2012

Thanks ladies! All so helpful!

Rachel.lilly · July 2012

MrsJetSet:
I also disagree with pp. Just because one person is not able to supply 100% through pumping, that is not true for everyone. I have about 1.5x needed supply so clearly I am producing enough for EBF through pumping.
I don't have specific experience with decreased supply but my guess is that the changes in feeding is your cause. Babies are better at emptying the boob than pumps are. I would keep up a very strict schedule pumping and drinks lots lots lots of fluids. Also getting a handsfree bra and doing some breast compressions help totally empty so you can get more milk out. Check kellymom.com for more suggestions.

i second the hands free bra and breast compressions. I EP and I am now getting about 30-35 oz/day. ds is eating about 25 oz/day. I had gotten up to 40 oz in a 24 hr period and then my boobs decided to let me sttn. So, now I pump about 3-4 times a day. then only time i pump over night is if i pump too early before bed. drink plenty of water. I usually have to pump about 30 min/session to fully empty my breasts. try doing a hot wet rag on your breasts about 15 minutes before you pump, and take a couple of motrin. I have found that if I am engorged, not only does the motrin help with the pain, it helps with relieving the extra swelling so I can effectively empty clogged ducts. hth.

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