milk supply issues while pumping...any success stories?

Re: milk supply issues while pumping...any success stories?

• Obrntwinmom

  October 2012

  Hi. Normally I just lurk and read all the advice, but I had to reply to you bc your situation sounds so much like what I went thru. I too needed fertility treatment then spent six wks on hospital bedrest before I delivered my twins at 26 wks. My milk supply sucked at first and took weeks to get up to a decent supply. At about two and a half wks I finally met w the LC in the nicu and I think I was at maybe 10 oz a day? I had to work hard to bring it up. I started fenugreek and mothers milk tea and she had me pumping 8 times a day w one 4 hr stretch of sleep at night. Progress was slooow. I did everything the previous posts said- pumped every two, pumped at bedside, pumped in front of their pics- but really it was just sheer determination and patience I think. I did weeks of fenugreek and eventually I worked up to 25 ish oz a day. But mind you I think it took 6 or 7 wks at least to get there, I wrote down every pump and tallied it daily so I could see the progress even just 10 ml a day increase kept up my spirits. They got breastmilk only until they were 4 months old until thei needs went up and my supply didn't go up w them. They are seven months old now and They get half breastmilk and half neosure at feelings now and I couldn't be more proud of myself for sticking with it. Don't let the dr get you down, ANY amt of breastmilk is worth it.  Even if you do have to supplement with formula the baby will benefit from whatever breastmilk you give. It has been a rough road, I have cried over low supply just like you and I constantly suffer from clogged ducts but here they are still getting some breastmilk going into rsv season. Sorry this is long but I want you to know I was successful, please don't give up if this is what you want to do.  I wish you the best and I hope your LO is doing well. 

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• missgooseyface

  October 2012

  I would definitely meet with the LC at the hospital and ask for advice.  At this point you should be pumping every 2-3 hours if you aren't already.  If you are able, do kangaroo care as often as possible...if that isn't possible right now, definitely ask if you can pump at your  babies bedside.  If that isn't an option, or for when you aren't with your LO, have a blanket that smells like your baby with you...I know, it sounds strange but it works!  I would also ask about using fenugreek.  The LC at the hospital where my LO is right now did not recommend taking it for 2 reasons, 1 - supplements are not regulated by the FDA and 2 - there isn't enough research/info available on these herbs and their effects on a preemie (if any).  With that said, the LC at the other hospital my LO was at first did not think it was a problem so I think it is just a matter of opinion but I would check with your LC anyway   Good luck and don't give up!  I think it's terrible that the dr told you to "just give up and feed formula".  I understand how that must have made you feel and how important it is to you to feed breast milk.  Please don't give up!!!!  If you are pumping every 3 hours, try every 2 during the day.  Or try to add another session in there during the day.  Good luck!
  

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• vsalt31 member

  October 2012

  Success story here!!   DS never learned to breastfeed (BUMMER), but I have been successful at pumping for 8+ months now.  I started by pumping 6x/day including waking myself up 1x/night to pump.  Now that DS has started solids, I'm down to pumping 3x/day.  I'm hoping to nix the lunch pump soon too.  The key for me is to drink water like it's going out of style.  Drink 2x more than you think you actually should.  On days when I dont drink enough, I notice a huge supply problem.  And, I never really got stressed either.  I'm OK with giving formula if I have to, and without the pressure I think I pump more as well. 
  You are doing such a great job.  Every little bit helps, so keep it up!
  

  

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• haziedaze member

  October 2012

  Definitely check this out: https://preemiemomblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/got-milk.html
  

  For me, hands on pumping and hand expression after pumping were key. You can see a video here: https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html

   Once I started doing hand expression after pumping I saw steady gains in my daily production. I pumped a minimum of 8 times per day, did one one power session, and hand expressed after pumping each time (10 mins pumping, 5 mins hand expression minimum). I went from 10-15ml per pump to 4-6 oz.. I started around day 7-10 and wasn't at "goal" at 2weeks, but kept increasing. At one point I was getting 40oz/day. 

  BUT... that kind of success is not going to happen for everyone. Having a preemie and then trying to establish a supply with a pump instead of a baby is crazy hard and just plain unfair. Don't forget that every drop counts. Who care if your baby doesn't get breastmilk every feed, you should feel proud that you've worked hard and can get some milk. Your baby is still getting tons of benefit from what you do have to give. Don't let anyone tell you differently!
  

  Hang in there!
  

  BFP#1 9/14/10 (EDD 5/21/11); no fetal pole 6w6d, 7w4d, d&c 10/8
  BFP#2 3/16/11, beta 138; 4/12 Baby/HB DS born 9/10/11 at 29w4d due to partial abruption and PTL
  
  BFP#3 8/19/13 Another boy! 17P, modified bedrest and Nifedipine helped us have a termie! DS2 born 4/19/14 at 38w5d.
  
  

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• Nita14701 member

  October 2012

  Thanks for the replies, links and encouragement. I have added power pumping to my schedule. I'll have to check out the link on hand expression and add that to my routine as well. Thanks!!!!

  

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• sweetsugarmama

  October 2012

  I count myself as a success story but probably not in the way most would. I had 0 supply with DD (who was full term). Not a drop and I pumped for a few weeks, met with a couple awful LC's, had people tell me if I just pumped it would come in, etc. I cried and then gave her formula. She's now 5 and healthy so I'm ok with it. (that isn't the success part)

   

  When the boys were born I was determined to give it another shot. I pumped, met with LCs in the NICU and when I got my first q tip full of milk I was thrilled. We'd rub it on their little gums, some nurses kind of snickered at it but most were encouraging. I tried fenugreek, pumping 8-10x a day, pumping with photos, sitting next to them, post kangaroo, etc. I wrote every drop down, measured in mL so I could see the gradual increase. My success comes in the fact that they're 6 months old and I'm still pumping. No I don't get a lot (I just went from 10oz a day to 12 oz a day and I'm excited about it). So the boys get mostly formula. BUT I'm still doing it! Every drop helps them, my main LC said that any amount cuts their SIDS risk by 85%. Being someone who studies statistics that sounds made up, but whatever I'll take it as every bit helps!

   

  Sorry that turned so long, my point is you're doing great just trying. Try what you can to increase your supply, try to relax (the hardest part to me) and do what you can. Whatever you give them (BM, formula, mix) is being the best mom you can be.  

  

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• mybb

  October 2012

  You should get a vegetable called Chayote. It really helped with my supply. I just peeled it, cut it in quarters, and boil it. It pretty much has no taste. But you should see a difference within 3-5 days. Hope this helps!

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