Pumping at work, can't keep up

Re: Pumping at work, can't keep up

• offnerda member

  August 2013

  I've always found it hard to empty my breasts with the pump as well as DD does..sometimes having a burp cloth or blankie that smells like her helps too! After you get your 4 ounces, do you feel completely empty? I know it's probably hard to take a lot of extra time at work but sometimes if I take a break for a few minutes then go back to it I can get another letdown and get more that way. Keep up the good work, momma! I can't imagine how difficult it must be being away from your LO at work plus worrying about pumping enough! 

  ~FTM~SAHM~EBF~

  
  

  

  

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• kleigh926 member

  August 2013

  I can't pump enough to cover her bottles either. I used to only be an ounce or two short. Now it's way more than that. It's getting worse the longer I do it. I'm not working very much right now, and that's the only way she's been able to get EBM in her bottles, because I can add extra pumping sessions on the days I don't work. If I worked FT, we would have to supplement with formula.
  

  PCOS with long, irregular cycles
  First round of Clomid in May 2012= BFP #1, DD born January 2013 
  BFP #2 in January 2014, DS born September 2014
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

          

  
  

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• Puck1182 member

  August 2013

  Have you been doing oatmeal, lactation cookies, fenugreek, drinking tons of water? My supply dipped for awhile when my period came back, but I've been doing some combination of those things ever since, and I pumped almost 6 oz this morning! It's less in the afternoons, and since I'm trying to make sure I have enough milk to put in DD's cereal, it means I have to add an extra pumping session at night, but I'm at least able to keep up with her bottles most days at work. Don't think I could do it without the galactagogues though.

  
  
  

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• ericalee27 member

  August 2013

  Agree with others about adding in oatmeal, etc and making sure you are super hydrated.  I pump three times at work, but DS2 is drinking 3 7oz bottles at daycare and I can't pump enough just at work alone.  I pump right before bed every night, which helps me get caught up.

  Good luck! 

        DS1: Quinn - 10.22.10 and DS2: Cole - 01.18.13

  
  

  
  

    

  
  

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• holly321 member

  August 2013

  My body does not respond well at all to an electric pump. I can pump both sides for half an hour, and I would be lucky if I got 3 oz. but, if you are stressed, that can really affect your output.

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• bobcatsteph member

  August 2013

  I give DS whatever I pump. Right now he's getting 3oz bottles every 2-2.5 hours, for a total of 12oz per day. He gets solids and snacks to hold him over until I pick him up from daycare.
  
  The only thing that has worked to increase my supply, and I've tried everything, is domperidone. It really works. I order it from inhousepharmacy.biz.

  
  

  

  

  
  
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• terpmomma2013 member

  August 2013

  I have had the same problem keeping up. I added sessions in the evening (most but not all nights) and once or twice on the weekend. I changed flange size on my pump which seemed to help a little too.
  
  Also, I've started wearing cardigans to work more and I keep a big scarf in my desk. Feeling closer to "dressed" helps me dread pumping at work a little less.

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• ilovecade

  August 2013

  Fenegreek really helped me when my supply dipped when pumping. Good luck!

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