Sorry if this has been asked asked already, but I couldn't find any posts back a few pages and I've been off the boards while recovering. I have been EPing since my LO has a bad latch and has been unable to eat enough by nursing. He is now 5 weeks old, and I pump every 2-4 hours. I typically get 2 oz to 3.5oz each time. I pump for 20 minutes each time. I have been taking Fenugreek for weeks and I try to drink lots of water.
This seems like it's a low supply compared to others, but I was hoping to get some feedback from you ladies. Any advice on how to increase supply would be much appreciated. Or, if I should be happy with what I'm getting, that feedback is fine too!
Thanks! The 2oz to 3.5 oz is the total of both sides each time. I keep trying to get 4oz total, but haven't been able to. I have also tried the Mother's Milk tea and it doesn't seem to make a difference.
It depends on the time of day and time between pumps but I usually get 3.5 - 6oz total. I pump every 3-4 hours for 10 minutes each side. I've found that I dont usually need everything I've pumped and constantly have an extra 8-12 oz in my fridge. It's convenient but DD rarely eats more than 3-3.5oz at a time. So as long as your supply is meeting the demand of your LO, try not to worry too much
It is meeting his needs for the most part, but there are some days I have to supplement with formula at a feeding since I just barely make enough. He is also now wanting to eat more than 3oz at a feeding and I just don't make enough! He is gaining weight really well at least. He's up to 10lbs and his birth weight was 8lbs 3oz. I would just love to get at least one feeding in reserve!
Pump until you don't get any more milk coming out. Don't limit yourself to just 20 minutes. You may be cutting off a second let down. You are also telling your body that's all you need. Ideally, you should pump until you have nothing/very little coming out plus a few minutes after that.
By 5 weeks pp, I was back to work and pumping 5-6 times a day getting an average of 40 ounces a day. But I had an over supply. DD only needed about half that. I didn't mind having an over supply though.
I'll have to try going beyond the 20 minutes. I set the timer and use a double electric, so maybe if I go past that I will start to increase supply. Thanks ladies!
Re: EPing, what's a normal supply?
Francesca Pearl is here! Josephine Hope is almost 3!
By 5 weeks pp, I was back to work and pumping 5-6 times a day getting an average of 40 ounces a day. But I had an over supply. DD only needed about half that. I didn't mind having an over supply though.
DX: Unexplained Infertility
IUI #1: Clomid 50mg + Ovidrel + IUI: 11/3/12 - BFN
IUI #2: Clomid 50mg + Ovidrel + IUI: 12/5/12 - BFN
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