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Return to Work and Drop in Supply

eggmankateeggmankate member
edited March 2014 in Breastfeeding
I'm in my 4th week after returning to work. DD is 3.5 months old. The first week or two I was getting an extra 5-7 ounces a day to put in the freezer stash. Now in the 3rd week it was more like 3-5 ounces and so far this week (yesterday and today) I'm just barely making DD's bottles for daycare. Why is my supply decreasing? I pump 3 times a day and am at work for 8.5 hours. I'm a one-sided feeder as my supply tanked two months ago when I developed Mastitis and abscess, and I was never able to get the supply up on the infected side. I nurse her in the evenings and on weekends and I drink plenty of water. I'm hesitant to drink the Mother's Milk tea because both times I started doing that I got Mastitis and abscesses. I'm really just wondering why is it decreasing like this? Anyone else have this happen? Was it temporary? I would think that nursing DD when I can would eventually increase supply as she starts taking more in, but I guess not? I wonder if I need to add another pump session in after the last feed of the night. Or maybe try to pump more frequently at work, but it's hard enough as it is to take a break 3x/day. Isn't there some pump maintenance that you have to do that may help increase the suction of the pump? Thoughts?
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TTC since April 2011. DH Dx MFI in February 2012. BFP #1: 7.16.12. MMC dx: 8.22.12, D&C 8.28.12, TTC Again November 2012. DH Varicocele repair November 2012; Repeat SA showed "dramatic" improvement February 2013 (awesome!)
BFP #2: 3.26.13, EDC: 12.7.13. Anya born December 9th, 2013!
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Re: Return to Work and Drop in Supply

  • 73jewels73jewels member
    Wow, other than the one sided feeding, I feel like I could have written this post (actually I may have a few weeks ago when I was in the same boat).  My supply didn't come back up so I have no real advice for you.  I am now producing just about enough for each day of day care and no extra.  Some days I am a few ounces short and have to dig into my freezer stash, but most days I make just enough. 
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  • eggmankateeggmankate member
    Sing2phins said:
    Could be that you had an oversupply that's finally regulating or maybe your period is about to come back?  If it's the latter, it's probably temporary.  If you're getting enough for her bottles, I wouldn't worry, since it sounds like you already have a bit of a freezer stash.

    As for pump maintenance, just check all the parts to be sure they're in working order, particularly the white membranes, if you use a Medela pump.
    Are the white membranes that little white circle thing? Hoe does that impact efficiency? Can I buy these at Target or just online?
    image

    TTC since April 2011. DH Dx MFI in February 2012. BFP #1: 7.16.12. MMC dx: 8.22.12, D&C 8.28.12, TTC Again November 2012. DH Varicocele repair November 2012; Repeat SA showed "dramatic" improvement February 2013 (awesome!)
    BFP #2: 3.26.13, EDC: 12.7.13. Anya born December 9th, 2013!
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  • eggmankateeggmankate member
    Sing2phins said:
    Yes, it's the white circle, and it's pretty much the most important piece, because it causes the suction.  They get tears, which can effect the sunction and cause lower output.  I'm not sure where you can buy them - my DH is in charge of all things pump-related - but I assume wherever breast pumps are sold.
    Hmm, I wonder if that's it then. I see they have them at Target. I must get there tonight! Hope that is my problem.....
    image

    TTC since April 2011. DH Dx MFI in February 2012. BFP #1: 7.16.12. MMC dx: 8.22.12, D&C 8.28.12, TTC Again November 2012. DH Varicocele repair November 2012; Repeat SA showed "dramatic" improvement February 2013 (awesome!)
    BFP #2: 3.26.13, EDC: 12.7.13. Anya born December 9th, 2013!
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  • eggmankateeggmankate member
    I just thought I'd update for anyone that was having similar problems. I wound up changing the white membranes and within a few days I was pumping 2-3 ounces more than I was so I think it was a white membranes issue. Thanks for the suggestions! I love this board :)
    image

    TTC since April 2011. DH Dx MFI in February 2012. BFP #1: 7.16.12. MMC dx: 8.22.12, D&C 8.28.12, TTC Again November 2012. DH Varicocele repair November 2012; Repeat SA showed "dramatic" improvement February 2013 (awesome!)
    BFP #2: 3.26.13, EDC: 12.7.13. Anya born December 9th, 2013!
    Report Reply
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