Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Can you increase hindmilk amount?

I have gone back to work this past week and have started using the pump three times/day and then feeding 2-3 times in the afternoon/evening.  I have noticed a significant drop in my supply so I am having to feed DS from both breasts.  Doing this has caused him to have green slimy poop, fuss more, and feed more often.  I know that I am just not producing enough hindmilk, so is there a way to do this?  I am very wary of increasing my supply b/c I have already gotten mastitis twice b/c of an oversupply issue in the past.  Uugh - -I wish we just had a faucet so we could control what came out. Smile

Re: Can you increase hindmilk amount?

  • I don't think it increases it, but LC told me to nurse on one side until DS gets all the milk out at night - don't switch when you burp him, just relatch to the same side... this will help get out all the hindmilk
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  • Do you do breast compressions when you pump? That could help...I really squeeze from my armpit towards the nipple and then from in between my breast toward the nipple. HTH
  • I do the same as the pp. I compress and massage my breasts while pumping or nursing and that gets it out. I make sure ds finishes a breast before going to the next.
  • Think about the breast like this:  Foremilk and hindmilk aren't technically "different." The milk is all the same, the fat content just changes as the feed progresses.

    What happens is that as you feed or pump, the fat comes off the walls of the ducts via your letdown reflex.  The fat content in the beginning is not very high, hence the name "foremilk". As the feed continues, and the fat content progresses you get to the "hindmilk."

    It was interesting for me to read about the physiology of the breast. We've been having hindmilk/foremilk issues here and so it made more sense when I read how it all worked! I also do breast compressions, and nurse from only 1 breast per feed. You can also try block nursing, where you nurse on one boob for a certain amount of time. Say 2-4 hours, then you switch. So if you do 2 feeds in 4 hours, you would use the same breast for both feeds. 

     

    HTH!! Kellymom was a huge help to me too!!

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